Men's Skincare For Dummies - How To Identify Your Skin Type & What Products To Use

For guys, following a solid skincare routine used to be as exciting as a colonic. Today, more and more men are becoming aware of the myriad benefits of a dedicated skincare regimen and are finally taking the appropriate steps to find the best moisturizers, toner, and lotions for their skin. 

Still, going as far as identifying your skin type can still be a challenge to some, making it all too easy to give up and go back to Irish Spring. Well, Grooming Lounge is here to help. Whether you have normal, dry, oily, or wrinkling skin, there’s a personalized skincare out there for you. All it takes is a little determination and a few extra minutes in the bathroom. Buckle up; we’re taking a deep dive below the surface of the skin.

IDENTIFY YOUR SKIN TYPE

The first step in creating a personalized skincare routine is identifying your skin type. This will determine the daily steps to be taken and the proper products to use.

DRY + SENSITIVE SKIN

Is your skin… Prone to inflammatory eruptions? Highly reactive to new products? Often sensitive, tight, and uncomfortable? Easily irritated by shaving?

It sounds like you have: Dry/Sensitive Skin

Prone to inflammatory eruptions. Highly reactive to new products. Often tight and uncomfortable. Easily irritated by shaving.

CLEANSE: Clean your face with a moisturizing gel or foaming cleanser. Make sure to avoid ordinary soaps, which tighten and dry the skin. Wet, lather, and rinse with the aid of warm water.

TONE: Using a cotton ball, gently apply a toner to remove remaining residue and to help better absorb a moisturizer.

MOISTURIZE: Generously apply a super-hydrating moisturizer. Steer clear of fragranced products.

EXFOLIATE: Once weekly, remove dead cells and unclog pores by using a gentle face scrub. For best results, mix this scrub with your face wash. Avoid delicate skin areas.

OILY + ACNE PRONE SKIN

Is your skin... Greasy feeling with large, visible pores? Prone to breakouts and blackheads? Shiny, especially on nose and forehead?

It sounds like you have: Oily Skin/Acne-Prone Skin

A little greasy feeling. Large, visible pores. Breakouts and blackheads are common. Shiny nose and forehead.

CLEANSE: Clean your face with a gentle clay cleanser or face scrub. Make sure to avoid ordinary soaps, which tighten and dry the skin. Wet, lather, and rinse with the aid of warm water.

TONE: Using a cotton ball, gently apply a toner to remove remaining residue and to help better absorb your moisturizer.

MOISTURIZE: Generously apply an oil-free moisturizer. For extremely oily skin, try an oil-free/oil-absorbing moisturizer.

EXFOLIATE: Twice weekly, remove dead cells and unclog pores by using a facial scrub. Avoid delicate skin areas.

COMBINATION + NORMAL SKIN

Is your skin… Occasionally dry and/or oily? Generally average and relatively problem-free? Somewhat irritated by shaving? 

It sounds like you have: Combination/Normal Skin

Pretty much the norm. No major issues but dryness and oiliness a possibility. Shaving irritation may apply.

CLEANSE: Clean your face with a gel or foaming cleanser. Make sure to avoid ordinary soaps, which tighten and dry the skin. Wet, lather, and rinse with the aid of warm water.

TONE: Using a cotton ball, gently apply a toner to remove remaining residue and to help better absorb your moisturizer.

MOISTURIZE: Generously apply a general moisturizer. If your skin is oily in some areas and dry in others, use a hydrating moisturizer for dry areas and an oil-free one for oily spots.

EXFOLIATE: Twice weekly, remove dead cells and unclog pores by using a gritty face scrub. Avoid delicate skin areas.