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A picture is worth a thousand words! So what is your face saying about you?
Maybe you are curious about taking care of your skin, but you do not want to look foolish by asking your girlfriend or, even worse, one of your buddies. Did you know that men's skin is generally higher in collagen and elastin making it thicker. Men also have active sebaceous glands that make our skin oilier. If you are concerned with looking good, then let us help.
The first step in your skin care regimen is to wash your face with a cleanser. Start with a pH balanced cleanser (not soap) and warm water. You should NOT feel that squeaky clean feeling on your face. If you do, then you've stripped off too much of your skin's natural protection from the elements. It might take some time getting used to having your skin feel different, but just ask your partner if she likes the “new” feel of your face.
The second step is to shave. By washing your face first, you help soften the hair and prep your skin for shaving. Keep your face wet and apply a dollop of shaving cream to your skin. Use upward circular motions to apply. Then, using a new razor, shave downward, the way your hair grows, from your sideburns toward your mandible. Do not shave against the grain. This will irritate your skin more and sometimes cause ingrown hairs. When done shaving, gently splash warm water on your face again to remove any cream left on the skin.
The third step is to moisturize. Yes, moisturize your skin. (It's a lotion made just for your face.) If you do this immediately after shaving, you will help your skin seal in moisture. Choose a moisturizer that contains vitamins or aloe vera and a SPF. If you take some of that moisturizer and rub it into your hands as well, your partner will love that she's not holding on to a rhino.
We all have our challenges- a fight with our partner, a hangover, or that neighbor's dog barking all night. These we can avoid, but look in the mirror and our skin challenges stare right back at us. Here are some common skin challenges and their fixes:
a. Greasy skin (w/ breakouts): Use an oil- free cleanser with salicylic acid and alpha- hydroxy acids to keep your skin clean and clear.
b. Dry/Flaky skin: Use a gentle cleanser with alpha-hydroxy to help exfoliate (remove) those dry skin cells. Be sure to moisturize twice a day.
c. Sun Baked skin: Use vitamin enriched moisturizers that can help to repair damaged skin. Vitamin C, OPC's, and other anti-oxi- dants are great to help heal the skin. And next time, don't forget the sunscreen. Use a minimum of SPF 15
A final suggestion is to live well. Make sure that you get a good night's rest, eat a well balanced diet, exercise, and don't smoke. All of these will help to make your skin look it's best and keep you healthy.
Jonathan has been a makeup artist
in Hawaii for more than nine years.
He has worked on film, fashion and bridal makeup.
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