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Men Skin Types

Every man's skin is different and many of you will have a combination of different skin types i.e. dry on the cheeks and oily on the nose and forehead. It's useful to identify each type of skin to help select the best products to look after it.

There are five main skin types:

Oily
Oily skin usually has a greasy shine, especially on the T-zone (forehead, nose and chin) and is prone to open pores, blackheads, spots and pimples. Oily skin can be a real problem, often looking dull and patchy. You need to keep it as clean as possible by using a good quality facial wash twice a day, a facial scrub two or three time a week and an oil-free moisturizer that will leave the skin matt, at least once a day.

Take care not to over stimulate with harsh products or those that will over dry the skin. Avoid soap as it will disturb the skin's natural protection and make the problem worse.

Dry
Dry skin usually feels uncomfortable and tight, especially after shaving or washing. It can peel, flake and look scaly and lined. Dry skin looks older as its rough, dull surface does not reflect the light very effectively.

This skin type needs a good moisturizer , avoid shaving foams and soap and use sun protection of at least factor 15 . Drink plenty of water (beer and wine don't count!) to prevent dehydration especially if you work in an air conditioning office.

Sensitive
If your skin reacts easily to anything you put on it, then chances are you
have sensitive skin. It may also have a tendency to go red when touched, exposed to heat or to the sun and you might find that certain foods or fragrances will cause a rash or make your skin itch.

You need to avoid anything containing harsh chemicals or a lot of perfume, avoid soap and always try to select products designed for sensitive skin. Always protect sensitive skin from the sun even in cooler weather.More

Whatever your type a good skin care routine is all you need to keep it looking healthy, fresh and clear.

Normal
If you suffer with none of the above and your skin is even-textured and problem free, then you have normal skin. You do still need to protect it however to keep it that way.

Don't overload it with thick, greasy products and avoid harsh chemical formulas. Aim for products that are designed with men in mind and it should stay smooth and healthy for longer.

Combination
It's not uncommon to have a skin type that's a combination of two or more of the above. Your skin will normally be a combination of both oily and dry. The oily areas are normally straight down the middle of your face, the centre of the forehead, nose and chin (T-Zone). Dry areas are often the cheeks and sometimes the forehead.

You need to take care not to use products that are too harsh and that will dry your skin out. Also nothing too greasy as this will only exacerbate the problem. The best solution is to use different products on different areas i.e. oil-free on the greasy areas and moisturizing on the dry areas or specific products for combination skin.

About Skin
Your skin is in fact an organ, the largest in the body. It protects you from the elements, controls your temperature and provides you with your sense of touch.

You have on average 300 million skin cells, more on the palms of your hands and the soles of your feet, where it's thickest and a lot less around the eyes and lips where the it's very thin and vulnerable (and wrinkles quicker!) A square inch of skin contains about 200 sweat glands, 2m of blood vessels, 20 hairs and 30 sebaceous (oil) glands.

Men's skin is a fraction thicker than women's and is therefore a little more robust, which is just as well considering the rigors of shaving and the harsh concoctions that people slap on to it.

Whatever your type a good skin care routine is all you need to keep it looking healthy, fresh and clear. That's a gentleman should have.

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