Skin types
What's Your Skin Type?
Men are generally less concerned about their looks compared to women. This is also the reason why women are more conscious of their skin type: what it is, how to care for it and what treatments may be needed.
Skin products for specific skin types have been available for a number of years now, and products formulated for men are slowly gaining popularity. However, before choosing what products to use on your face, men should start with the basic issue: knowing their specific skin type.
Do you know which skin type you have? Skin types can be classified as follows: normal, dry, oily, combination and sensitive. Below are the characteristics of each skin type, with the corresponding treatments and how to care for it, as well as the recommended products.
Normal Skin
Characteristic: clean, small pores; becomes matte after cleansing; rosy and smooth complexion; a small amount of blemishes or none at all; superb skin elasticity.
Treatment/Care: People with normal skin type experience fewer skin problems. A simple regimen of cleansing, toning and moisturizing twice daily will help keep the skin supple. Sunscreen with no less than an SPF rating of 15 should be used, especially if going out under the sun for more than 10 minutes. Exfoliation should be done not more than twice weekly.
Recommended Products: Baxter Daily Face Wash, eShave Cucumber Shaving Cream, Clubman Complete Aftershave.
Dry Skin
Characteristic: small, almost invisible pores; presence of perspiration beads on the upper lip; fine lines visible (especially around the eyes); ashen or grey skin (for men of color); thin, transparent, flaky skin (for Caucasians).
Treatment/Care: People with dry skin have to follow the steps mentioned for normal skin, with special emphasis on moisturizing.
Recommended Products: Avocado Shaving Creams and Soaps, Almond Shaving Creams and Soaps, Geo F Trumper Sandalwood Skin Food, Almond Pre-shave Oil, Aftershave Creams.
Oily Skin
Characteristic: skin is sallow, thick and insensitive to skin irritants; tends to be shiny even after being cleansed; prone to blemishes and large pores (usually clogged with oil and dirt); very few fine lines or wrinkles.
Treatment/Care: People with oily skin should avoid products that can dry the skin since this will prompt the skin to produce more oil. The skin care regimen should include a mild facial cleanser, an astringent toner and an oil-free moisturizer. In the shower, glycerin soap can be used; a mild facial scrub can be used not more than three times a week. An astringent aftershave should be used instead of a moisturizer-based shaving balm.
Recommended Products: Lime shaving creams (Geo F Trumper, Taylor of Bond Street, JM Fraser), eShave Citrus Shaving Cream, Geo F Trumper Lime Skin Food, Baxter Face Wash.
Combination Skin
Characteristic: large pores on the nose; shiny/oily T-zone (includes the nose, forehead and chin); fine lines in the eye area; dry skin on cheeks, neck and eye areas; small to invisible pores on the dry areas.
Treatment/Care: Each area should be cared for following the rules for dry and oily skin.
Recommended Products: See products listed for both oily and dry skin types.
Sensitive Skin
Characteristic: skin is thin and dry; shaving can be painful; burns easily when exposed to sunlight; reacts easily to cosmetics, fabrics, sun and wind; prone to itching and stinging.
Treatment/Care: Extreme caution should be exercised when choosing products for sensitive skin. If skin reacts even slightly to a product, discontinue use immediately. Avoid skin products with fragrances, and opt for a shaving gel instead of a cream.
Recommended Products: Taylor Shaving Creams for Sensitive Skin, Rose Shaving Creams, eShave Floral Shaving Cream, Unscented Aftershave Balm and Taylor of Bond Street Pre-Shave Gel.
Knowing your skin type will lead to a better treatment for your skin. Keep in mind that facial skin care is not only for women; male skin also needs to be treated like a prized possession. If you can allot time and a significant amount of effort to maintaining your vehicle and your gadgets, then you should find caring for your skin to be a much easier task.
