Skincare is just as important for men as it is for women. The top two reasons that men cite for not using skincare products are that it doesn’t seem masculine, and they don’t want to shop for it. In recent years, however, more men are looking after their skin, and many major brands have created special lines designed for men. The difficulty comes, however, in knowing what to choose and learning the fundamental rules of proper skincare. With a growing number of choices among brands big and small, it’s all too easy for a gentleman to purchase a product that is either of low quality and damages his skin, or is simply wrong for his skin type and causes a reaction. Keep reading to learn our simple beauty tips for men who want to take care of their skin!

To solve this, we’ve compiled a list of the top twelve most important rules of men’s skincare. Follow them, and you can confidently care for and protect your skin now and in the future. While many of the same steps that go into an effective skincare regimen for women also apply to men, there are differences between the sexes when it comes to skincare. Because of hormonal differences, men’s skin differs from women’s in several ways. The dermis tends to be thicker, oilier and less sensitive, mostly due to higher testosterone levels. Also, men have facial hair and shave frequently. These factors have to be considered in your skincare routine to ensure your skin is getting the best possible care. Here are a dozen of the most important skincare guidelines for men:

Forget about bar soap. Bar soaps tend to be far harsher on skin than liquid cleansers. That daily drying and irritation can cause a variety of problems, from inflammation to razor bumps. Instead, use a gentle facial cleanser for men, such as OZNaturals Ocean Mineral Cleanser twice a day to set the stage for healthy skin. This product is unisex and will provide great results for males and females alike.

Wash your face morning and night. Throughout the day your skin attracts and holds dirt, dust, sweat, grime, oils and bacteria that can cause enlarged pores, premature aging and breakouts. Nighttime is when the skin heals itself, and in order to do so effectively and without negative repercussions, it needs to be clean. Cleansing twice daily is a vital step to having healthy skin. Cleansing in the morning is also important because your other skincare products need a clear stage to create real, lasting results. If you’re looking for the best face wash for men, we recommend selecting a natural or plant based product with active ingredients.

Exfoliate. Proper exfoliation is one of the most effective steps you can take to see a noticeable improvement in your skin. Perhaps the most satisfying thing about proper exfoliation is the instant payoff. Skin immediately feels smoother and looks brighter, but important long-term benefits also keep accruing. Exfoliation works by removing built-up dead skin cells, revealing new skin. Our skin naturally sheds millions of dead cells every day, allowing newer cells to travel to the surface to replace them. Aging and sun damage can slow the rate at which natural exfoliation occurs, allowing a build-up of dead skin cells to accumulate. The results can take the form of breakouts, blackheads, clogged pores and dull, lifeless looking skin.

To stimulate the growth of new skin cells, and help eliminate the chance of ingrown hairs, use an exfoliating scrub twice a week. But don’t overdo it. Exfoliating too aggressively can irritate skin and cause more problems. We recommend our Ancient Orient Dermafoliant; it’s a gentle powder formula that is biodegradable, as opposed to a synthetic bead exfoliating cream that adds to debris and pollution in our oceans and waterways. Bonus Tip: If you want to go a step further, use an at home facial peel. OZNaturals Glycolic Acid Peel can safely be used once or twice a month to remove dead skin cells and revitalize your skin’s glow and appearance.

Shave during or right after your shower. The warmth and humidity of the shower preps your beard and skin for a smoother shave with less irritation. Mens shaving experiences are also improved with shaving creams that contain aloe! Begin by allowing it to sit for a minute before shaving. Bonus tips for straight razor users: 1: never shave dry skin 2: always go with the grain, and 3: do not press too hard. All of these will help decrease your risk for razor bumps.

Skip alcohol-based after shaves. They’re harsh and can irritate newly shaved skin. Instead, use a toner with glycolic acid to help slough away dead skin cells and prep skin for any other products to follow. Our Ocean Mineral Tonic makes an outstanding after-shave toner and contains powerful antioxidants to improve the look and resiliency of skin. Bonus tip: alcohol is not something you want in a skincare product at all; it dries and irritates skin. Look for products labeled “alcohol-free”, or read the ingredients label. There are acceptable forms of alcohol that aren’t damaging, such as Cetyl Alcohol.

Consider a serum. The same formulations that reduce or improve dry skin, wrinkles, pore size and pigmentation issues work just as effectively for men as for women. A serum containing hyaluronic acid, vitamin C or retinol can help prevent and correct many skincare issues common to men. OZNaturals offers all three! Our Vitamin C Serum is designed to brighten and even skin tone while reversing discoloration and sun damage. Our Hyaluronic Acid Serum enables your skin cells to capture and retain more moisture, as well as reduce fine lines and wrinkles. Our Retinol Serum addresses collagen breakdown, improves skin texture and helps reduce the appearance of pore size and brown spots.

Moisturize. Want better-looking, smoother, healthier skin? Use a well-formulated moisturizer twice daily. Many men skip this important step, and miss out on the antioxidants and skin protecting benefits a daily moisturizer can provide. Moisturizers should be applied to cleansed, toned skin after the application of any serum. OZNaturals Sea Infused Herbal Moisturizer is a good choice for most men because it is effective, lightweight and easily absorbed. If your skin tends to be dry or flaky, OZNaturals Retinol Moisturizer is a richer formula, armed with Retinol (Vitamin A), an effective anti-aging, wrinkle-reducing ingredient.

Use a Retinol Product. Whether in a moisturizer or a serum, Retinol is one of the most effective skincare ingredients available. It improves skin texture, reduces the appearance of pores and stalls the formation of wrinkles. Retinol naturally stimulates skin cell production, giving you younger, healthier skin faster. OZNaturals ProRetaxinol Serum combines Retinol with the super antioxidant Astaxanthin to provide robust anti-aging benefits. Always apply a serum after cleansing and toning, and follow up with a moisturizer and sunscreen. Sunscreen is a MUST whenever you use a Retinol product, because the newly formed cells can be easily damaged by sunlight. Which bring us to one of our most important tips:

Always use sunscreen. Men are just as susceptible to the damaging effects of the sun as women, and too often neglect this important skincare measure. Without sunscreen your skin is susceptible to sun damage, which can cause discoloration, wrinkles and enlarged pores – not to mention skin cancer. To avoid this, apply a natural, mineral-based SPF 30 sunscreen on any area that is exposed to the sun, including areas where hair in thinning, such as bald spots and receding hairlines. For added protection, wear a hat.

You are what you eat. Food directly impacts the appearance of skin and can be a powerful weapon in the warm against aging, sun damage and other skin conditions. Avoiding processed foods and eating a healthy diet rich in antioxidants can improve both your health and appearance. Clearing out the pantry of refined, processed, sugar-laden and other “junk” food is a great first step. Restocking with better choices can not only benefit your overall wellness, but make a real difference in your skin’s health and appearance. Food containing high levels of antioxidants (molecules that help prevent oxidation which causes most of the signs of aging) will keep skin looking young and healthy, while greasy or fatty foods can cause breakouts. It’s an important lifestyle change to observe, not just for outward appearance, but also for overall health. Antioxidants are most heavily found in plant-based foods: most types of berries and nuts, citrus fruits and leafy greens.

Drink water, and a lot of it. Water is as close to a fountain of youth as you’re going to get, so drink up! Water cleanses your insides of toxins, which helps prevent breakouts and keeps your skin clear and hydrated. When your skin is dehydrated, it looks dry and that alone can subtly increase signs of aging with wrinkles. Mind you, simply drinking water is not a cure-all for dehydrated skin (you still need to use a moisturizer to see visible results) but water is an important start from the inside. Also, water is vital to your organs, and skin is the biggest organ you have, so you can imagine it needs quite a lot to function properly.

In 2004, the Institute of Medicine issued new guidelines recommending a total fluid intake of a whopping 125 ounces a day for men. You should expect to increase that if you exercise or work in hot conditions. Some of that total fluid intake can also be in the form of food. Water-rich foods, such as fruits and vegetables, can be an important source of hydration. Nutritionists estimate that we may be able to receive about 20% of the water we need from our diets, however, that still leaves 80% from simply drinking it in.

Don’t smoke. You probably already know how bad smoking is for your health. But you might be surprised to know how damaging it is to your looks as well. Studies of twins show chilling evidence of the visible difference smoking made in the twin who smoked versus the one who didn’t. Obvious changes in the skin, teeth and hair added years to the appearance of the smoking twin. Why? Smoking deprives the skin of oxygen and nutrients. Smokers also develop the mottled pigmentation we refer to as age spots sooner and with greater frequency than non-smokers. This uneven skin tone is a telltale sign of smokers, as is loose skin under the eyes. To top it all off – literally – smoking also contributes to thinning hair.

It’s never too late (or early) to start an anti-aging skincare regimen. Whether you’re 22 or 62, your skin can benefit from smart lifestyle choices and advanced skincare products. Buying men’s skincare products doesn’t have to be difficult, time consuming – or require a trip to a department store. Many of the best skincare products are available for purchase online from the comfort of your own home. Look for a gender neutral product line such as OZNaturals, and read the reviews of the men and women who have actually used the product.

Face care for men is just as important as it is for women. It doesn’t have to be complicated, but you do need to be consistent. Taking a few extra minutes each day will pay off in healthier, younger looking and more attractive skin. At OZNaturals, we’re here to provide you with the products and information you need to keep your skin youthful looking and healthy as possible.

"Dehydration;Hair Loss;Hormones/Endocrine System;Poor Lifesyle Choices;Skin Cancer " "Diet/Nutrition;Environment;Fitness;Healthy Choices and Habits;Natural Skincare Regimen;Self-care " "Acneic;Breakouts;Clogged Pores;Dehydrated;Dry;Enlarged Pores;Fine Lines and Wrinkles;Hyperpigmentation;Inflammatory Conditions;Ingrown Hair;Loss of Collagen;Loss of Elasticity;Oily;Premature Aging;Sensitive;Skin Cancer;UV Damage " "Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice;Ascorbyl Glucoside;Astaxanthin;Cetyl Alcohol;Glycolic Acid;Retinol;Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate;Sodium Hyaluronate "