Do you take care of your skin? No matter the gender, many people don’t take care of their skin or don’t take it seriously. I was one of them until recently when I was exposed to a quick check by a dermatologist. It turned out my skin was way older than my actual age! And then the devastating skin cancer statistics talk happened. It turns out that one person dies of melanoma every hour (52 minutes, to be precise). Isn’t this horrible?
There is no much difference in women and men skin. Men skin is slightly thicker and oily. Men can use the same skin products as women because the main difference is the smell. If you don’t bother, go for it.
When you consider that the skin is one of the most important organs (yes, organs) in our body, you start to think about it. Lazy people usually think about the problem when the situation is deep down the line. When we neglect our skin, we can easily get exposed to a variety of problems, and cancer can get really close if we don’t pay attention. It all goes even further when you consider your skin type.
What skin type do you have?
If you are a female, you are familiar with this question. You often hear it from every saleslady when you try to decide which skin product to buy. Guys, on the other hand, don’t hear this question so frequently. We all have different skin, but we all have one common feature: we need our skin healthy.
Skin types are categorized into five categories: normal, dry, sensitive, oily and combination. The best way to determine your skin type is to check your ’T – zone’. ’T – zone’ includes forehead, nose, upper lip and chin. When you know the basic let us start with the test: Wash your face and dry it gently. This way you will remove dirt and oil from your face. Wait for an about an hour (your skin will return to its natural state).
Examine your skin! Dry skin will look lifeless and will be flaking. Sensitive skin will have red dots or marks. Oily skin will make your face look shiny and will leave grease on the tissue. The normal skin won’t have red marks, or look old or will be flaking. Combination skin type will have elements of oily and dry/normal skin.
Now, when you know the results, you know which skin care products to use, and how to treat your skin. Still, as we all might know, there are some differences between men and women skin care products. Before I get specific on that, we need a reminder of some basic things, which apply to both men and women:
Keep your skin clean
The basic rule to have healthy skin is to have clean skin. Shower on a daily basis but not with hot water because it drys your skin out. The best way is to combine hot and cold water. Although it seems hard, it is a great way to rouse in the morning and to stimulate circulation.
Once a week, you can use a chemical peel. It is an excellent method of removing dead dry skin cells on the surface and leaving smoother and softer skin underneath. Apply body lotion after showering. This way you will hydrate and protect your skin. For the facial area use a cleanser that suits your skin type. Cleansers are made for every skin type. Use the cleanser in the morning and in the evening after you have removed your makeup.
read more: Evening skincare routine
Hydrate your body
Among other unhealthy symptoms, the lack of water leads to a dry and wrinkled skin. The way to prevent this is to drink eight glasses of water a day. Also, drinking too much coffee and sodas will affect your skin. Try to avoid unhealthy beverages and instead try drinking fresh juices and green tea.
Chlorophyll has amazing effects on skin and can be found in green leafy vegetables. If you drink beverages that contain chlorophyll every morning you will oxygenate, brighten and hydrate your skin. Here’s more on chlorophyll.
Healthy nutrition
Your skin reflects what you eat. If you eat a lot of sweets, you are more likely to have acnes or oily skin. When you crave for chocolate, eat an apple or some other fruit. This way you will provide water and necessary vitamins for your skin. Try to avoid fast food because our skin has a natural barrier to retain moisture. Eat fish and salads instead. Balance your diet and your skin will be healthier.
read more: How should we be dieting?
Oral health
Here’s something I didn’t know. There is a high correlation between your oral health and skin aging, and a notable connection between oral hygiene and keratinocyte production in your skin.
To have perfect oral health, you need to wash your teeth twice a day, and floss at least once a day (after lunch). Washing your teeth should be done properly, with attention to gums and side pockets between the teeth. A good electric toothbrush will be a great help there. People either floss regularly or don’t floss at all. You’re probably in one of those groups, and if you’d like to keep your skin and overall health high, make sure you’re in the second group.
Soak up the Sun, but be careful
We need sunlight exposure for a healthy skin, but we also need to take care of how much we’re exposing ourselves to the dangerous UV rays. A healthy dose of vitamin D is essential to the overall well-being and skin health, but the proper protection is necessary because the burns can happen easily if you’re on a vacation. Over-exposing will get you in trouble quickly – be sure to apply some UV-protection creme depending on how much you’ll expose yourself to the sun.
read more:5 Easy Ways to Protect Your Hair in the Winter
Now, let’s get to gender-related stuff. As always, ladies first:
Women Skin Care
Having a glowing face and flawless skin is every women’s dream. Sometimes it seems impossible to reach this goal. I know it’s hard to look fresh when you have slept only a few hours, or when you have to cope with a job, take care of children, meet with friends, do all house chores. The urge to look great often pushes girls not to care about skin that much, but to pursue the perfect look. This is wrong, and women usually start taking care of their skin after their twenties. Here’s what you should focus on:
Choose the right products
It is essential to use the products that suit your skin type. For example, if you have dry skin and you use products for oily skin you will make your skin even drier, and it will peel because it is dehydrated. And that’s the last thing you want, isn’t is? The right cleanser, moisturizer cream, and proper foundation are all you need for healthy skin, especially if you wear makeup every day.
read more: How To Pick The Right Color Lipstick For Your Skin Tone
Women use foundation to make their face look fresh and to cover small imperfections. When you choose the foundation, make sure that it matches your skin tone otherwise, you will look like you are wearing a mask. And if you have sensitive skin make sure to read the packaging: it must be ’safe for sensitive skin’ or ’hypoallergenic.’
Next, there’s the unnecessary hair removal, which may cause horrible rashes, especially in the private areas. This is one of the aspects of hair care that girls get interested in early on, and it often leads to improper treatment. A fine epilator is necessary, and you need to pair it with a good lotion after the treatment.
Two things can affect your treatment and make it comfortable, and those are preparation and the lotion. You need to prepare your skin with a warm bath, to soften the skin enough for the epilation. After the end of the treatment, apply baby skin lotion to your skin.
Men Skin Care
For most men, skin care is a new concept. Although most men know that they should do something for their skin, they are uncomfortable to ask for some precise instructions. Depending on the grooming, and the facial hair style you prefer (I’m going full beard), you get to use different types of products. It’s important to develop a routine and stick to it.
There is no much difference in women and men skin. Men skin is slightly thicker and oily. Men can use the same skin products as women because the main difference is the smell. If you don’t bother, go for it.
This piece was first published in Life Hacks