17 Jan Natural skincare for men

You can choose your photos on Tinder and filter your Instagram selfies, but having clear skin on a first date, first interview or first day on a new job takes some effort, with natural skincare for men.

Male skin has very different needs to female skin. The male hormone, testosterone, is directly responsible for many types of acne because it increases the production of sebum, the skin’s natural oil that carries dead skin cells to the surface. A healthy diet, plenty of water and the correct amount of sleep are key to keeping your skin supple and spot-free.

Five top tips for natural skincare for men

1. Clean your face

Not just a quick splash, really clean your face. Ideally, men should wash their face twice every day using a gentle facial cleanser as the grease and grime of day to day living can get lodged in your skin and will cause blackheads and spots if you don’t cleanse thoroughly. Washing your face in the shower is also the perfect opportunity to really deep-clean your skin, as the warm steam opens the pores so that you can get a really deep clean.

2. Moisturise now to stay spot free for longer

It’s not just women who need to moisturise – your skin needs to be kept hydrated too. Although important, the action of washing your face also strips it of some of its essential oils, which could lead to dryness if you’re not careful. When it is dry, skin tends to over-produce oil, which leads to breakouts. Using a gentle moisturiser specifically designed specifically for skincare for men is the best way to prevent this from happening.

 3. Scrub the dead skin away at least once a week

You may think that exfoliating is something dreamt up by cosmetics companies, but it is actually an important part of any natural routine of skincare for men. Removing the outer layer of dead and dying skin can make a world of difference and help you achieve a healthier, glowing complexion that is less prone to breakouts. You can buy special facial exfoliating skincare products, but if you want to keep it simple, just use a rough flannel, sponge or soft loofah to exfoliate away dead cells whilst using your normal facial cleanser. Don’t do this every day though, or you will destroy the delicate outer layer of your skin – just once a week should be enough.

4. Prevent beard rash

Beard rash, also known as ‘barber’s itch’, occurs when the beard area becomes infected, causing red or sore spots. To help prevent it, ensure that your skin is supple and your pores are open before your shave. The best way to do this is to take a shower before you shave, as, after a few minutes of exposure to steam and warm water, your hairs will become quite soft. You can also help to prevent shaving rash by not shaving too close to the skin, always using clean razors and cleaning and drying your face well after shaving. However, if you already have beard rash, it’s a good idea to stop shaving until the irritation clears up. To help clear it up, you could also apply a natural antiseptic such as tea tree oil, or apply a clean wet flannel soaked in a mild solution of warm saltwater and leave for 15 minutes.

5. Look after your skin from within

However you choose to look after your skin on the outside, you can only achieve a spot-free complexion if you make sure you eat well and keep a healthy balanced diet full of natural vitamins and nutrients. Sleep is important too, as over-tiredness soon shows up in the form of dull skin. If you are prone to spots or pimples, blemishes, mild acne or mild eczema, you may like to try a traditional herbal remedy as part of your skincare routine such as HRI Clear Complexion. This is the only licensed herbal remedy to contain the natural skincare active herbal extracts Blue Flag and Burdock Root.

Give your skin some TLC and reap the benefits. It only takes a few extra minutes a day to cleanse and moisturise, and a healthy lifestyle benefits not only your skin but your body and mind too.