So just because you take care of your skin, keep yourself groomed and have standards for your bodily upkeep doesn’t mean you have to be “girly” to do it, right? That’s one of the guy’s guys biggest fears when it comes to man-maintenance, succumbing to the soft side. But some things that guys consider to be not masculine enough are actually not feminine at all. The biggest example of these? Moisturizing your skin.
Nourishing your skin on a daily basis, especially your hands and nails, will help encourage hydration, skin cell regeneration and prevent damaging effects from outside forces and weather conditions that lead to wrinkles, discoloration and, in some extreme cases, skin cancer. Especially when it’s cold out, keeping your skin moisturized can be the difference between suave sophistication and lumberjack.
Rather than listing off the perfect manly moisturizers to pluck off the shelf, I encourage you to shop around and find one that’s right for you. Most often, skincare companies will label things as “For Men,” but they contain the same exact ingredients that their normal version, despite the lavender bottle. However, there are some things to keep in mind when you’re looking for that perfect skin-quencher.
As a rule of thumb, a suitable facial cream should be rich in essential fatty acids and oils, vitamins and minerals, nutrients, botanical extracts and antioxidants, which help prevent skin damage caused by the environmental elements that constantly surround us. Ingredients such as glycerin, Shea butter, aloe, green tea and silicone are great indicators that the cream you’re holding comes with a good kick to maintain the skin’s optimal moisture balance, not to mention help fight signs of ageing.
It’s also important to keep in mind what ingredients to avoid when you see them. Try to avoid topical creams that contain mineral oils since they are petroleum-based and could leave a greasy film on your skin, clogging your pores as a result. Also, keep the usage of products that contain SD alcohol and formaldehyde to a minimum, as they will dry up your skin instead of moisturizing it.
In a perfect world, you should moisturize your skin daily, both in the morning and at night. However, applying your moisturizer to your face once a day (the optimal time is when you come out of the shower) should be enough to keep your face looking healthy. It’s an easy way to keep your confidence high and your grooming game even higher.
Check back here every other Tuesday for more reviews and tips on how guys are Nailing It when it comes to their grooming.
