The Ultimate Guide To A Starter-Friendly Skin Care Routine For Guys
Tima Miroshnichenko
Walking around a cosmetic supply store only to find out that your designated section is a dimly lit corner. You've disregarded your interpersonal and physical health under the pretense that skin care is not made for you. However in actuality, it all depends on one thing: hygiene. Philosopher Adam Smith was once quoted saying that vanity is a survival instinct. Self-care will never be self-sabotage. Still, where do we go for the ultimate guy to look his best? Beauty gurus alike have witnessed folks use a toner pad for the first time to discover dirt on their face from a hiking trip two-or-three days ago. The benefit of the doubt is a right, not a gift. Rather, we choose to help you identify your skin type and a potential starter set of three items or less to optimize the health of your skin.
Simplicity is the optimal key to beginning to understand your skin's health. With three main types we will discuss oily skin, dry skin, and combination skin. But how do you know which one you are? Well here are some good questions to keep in mind. If you wake up with your face tight in the morning or it feels crumbly–then you dry. If you always notice your face is shiny and slippery then you're oily. If you feel as if you're dry and oily in compartmental parts of your skin then your combo.
To disclaim, this educational read is to learn how to manage your current skin, rather than treat adverse skin conditions.
Routine 1: Oily Skin
Starting off, let’s introduce you to a creamy clay cleanser that will pull out impurities, leaving excess oily skin balanced. Clay is the star of the Cardon purifying clay mask priced at $20.00. According to their science, the blend of clays—Kaolin, Bentonite, and Moroccan Lava Clay—has 4x the absorption power as charcoal, making it highly effective at clearing debris and absorbing excess oil.
Next for a treatment, we recommend the MediCube Red Succinic Acid Toner Pads, priced at $24.50 made to gently rehydrate the skin while also aiding in oil control. People experience significant enhancements in achieving a brighter, more even skin tone, helping to address pigmentation caused by discoloration, while also targeting oil.
Lastly, let’s find a moisturizer.Backed by beauty reporters and researchers alike, the super star day and night cream for a highly functional and low maintenance routine takes the cake.
The Round Labs 1025 Dokdo Cream fits the needs. Priced at $36.00, the cream's deep sea water contains a high concentration of 72 types of naturally-derived minerals (magnesium, calcium, zinc) to help maintain moisture balance. Which will replenish the skin with deep oceanic hydration that will effectively correct excess oil and dehydration at the same time.
Routine 2: Dry
Dry skin needs moisture, but most importantly moisture retention and other active minerals that can ease damaged skin sensitized from becoming too unprotected from its environment, a side effect of dry skin. For a two-in-one, predicting your body is also in need of moisture, try CocoKinds, milky-soft face and body cleanser, priced at $18.00. Cocokind quotes their cleanser “a lightweight milky-gel hybrid designed to effectively remove daily buildup while being gentle on skin. A unique blend of five surfactants delivers the deep-clean feel and lather of a gel with the softness of a milk. A blend of saccharides, glycerin, and ceramides boosts skin’s comfort and hydration. Skin is left feeling fresh, calm, and clean from head to toe.”
Next would be the revitalizing milky toner from First Aid Beauty–priced at $24.00, made with medical grade oatmeal known to help people heal from intense pain and irritation. We also recommend finishing up with the same round labs cream due to its universal benefits.
Routine 3: Combo
Combo skin shouldn’t be daunting, it's merely our skin multitasking in a way that ends up being somewhat inconvenient. That's why a basic cleanser with a deep foam is important. We recommend a gentle cleanser such as Urse Major, priced at $46, designed to rebalance and revitalize while effectively cleaning dirt and grime from the face. We also like Buttah Skins rose water toner with Aha, and Bhas, priced at $21.00. A daily exfoliating toner designed for clogged pores, break outs, and oily skin.
Formulated with AHA/BHA acids, rosewater, aloe vera, and Vitamin E to help smooth skin, clear buildup, and balance the complexion without over-drying. Lastly, the omega water gel cream from The Inkey List priced at $15.00. Oil-free hydration for oily and combination skin. This non-comedogenic water cream delivers a dewy, balanced finish - clinically proven to balance excess oil without the grease. A lightweight moisturizer that keeps skin feeling fresh while making it look dewy and balanced, perfect for those who want hydration without heavy, pore-clogging formulas.
As we conclude our educational recommendations, lasting remarks are in order. Trust your derms, and take this know-how with you, as now when you walk into a Sephora or Ulta you know that you get way more than just a corner. Perhaps gendering hygiene items might be limiting and hurting people from getting the resources they need to thrive and feel good. Because feeling good is the most powerful tool in your arsenal.
