Men’s skin is either extremely dry and flaky or perpetually secreting oodles of sebum. So it goes without saying, a good skincare regimen for men does not have to mimic that for women. Besides the obvious difference in facial hair growth, men’s skin tends to be oilier—and the frequency of breakouts can range from occasional to recurrent, based on lifestyle, hormones and genetics. To get a primer on the whys, whats and hows, we spoke to Mumbai-based dermatologist Dr Madhuri Agarwal. She lets us in on her top skincare tips that are easy and practical—even for the most laid-back person out there.
How is men’s skin different from that of women?
“Men’s skin is 20 percent thicker, 70 percent oilier and 40 percent sweatier than women’s skin, according to a study,” Dr Agarwal tells us. “It is not only thicker, more seborrheic and tougher as compared to women, but the environmental exposure, stress levels and testosterone hormones impacting their skin are also in variance—and distinct from women’s skin.” She also highlights that men naturally have larger pores.
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Is oily skin a boon in disguise?
While Dr Agarwal agrees that a high count of oil glands and large, open pores lead to congestion and formation of dead skin cells, she also states that there are some pros of this skin type. “The skin is thicker. The underlying collagen and fat in oily skin is denser—and thus, it is better protected from environmental damage,” she affirms. “This also means that the signs of ageing are not seen early—and the skin looks young and wrinkle-free for a longer period.”
What are your best skincare tips that we should pin?
Dr Agarwal suggests using a men cleansing face wash, such as the Clinique For Men Oil Control Face Wash, instead of a bar soap, twice a day to keep the skin clean and clarified. “Besides, use a chemical exfoliator containing salicylic acid or glycolic acid once a week and apply a gel-based moisturiser twice a day or at least once during bedtime,” she recommends. She also emphasises on the application of a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 and PA+++ at least once every morning, even when you’re indoors. The Nivea Men Dark Spot Reduction Moisturizer Creme is a great product for oily skin if layering is your biggest pet-peeve—it combines the nourishing benefits of a moisturiser with a sun protection formula. Dr Agarwal encourages you to opt for a weekly clay mask ritual, should you have oily skin; and avoid any harsh ingredients on the shelves, as they can lead to a compromised skin barrier.
If you’re looking to include actives in your skincare routine, “salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, ceramides, niacinamide, vitamin C, retinol and peptides are investment-worthy ingredients,” Dr Agarwal says. “This is the same as with women, except higher percentages of actives perform better due to thicker, oilier skin of men.”
Tira recommends:
Nivea Men Dark Spot Reduction Moisturizer Creme
CLINIQUE For Men Oil Control Face Wash
Bioderma Sebium Gel Moussant Purifying Cleansing Foaming Gel
Re'equil Oil Control Face Wash
Minimalist Anti-Acne Kit - (3 Pcs)
The Body Shop Tea Tree 3-In-1 Wash Scrub Mask
