Grooming tips for men

 Essential grooming tips for men

By Tamara Hinson

Is getting your man to moisturise akin to turning water into wine? It's not just us women who need to look after our skin. Convincing your other half to invest in some skincare basics can benefit you both, turning him from a sandpaper-skinned moisture-hater to a baby-soft grooming guru.

While most women own an arsenal of creams, serums and exfoliators, convincing your other half to invest in his skin can be somewhat of an uphill struggle.  Most men fall into the 'wash and go' category, with their idea of grooming being a splash of aftershave or, at best, a twice-yearly 

application of (your) moisturiser.

Recommended: Male grooming products from The Body Shop, Melvita and Clinque.

Moisture myths

Let's start by dispelling a few myths. Firstly, it's important that your other half realises that investing in his skin doesn't mean breaking the bank.

If he's new to the whole male grooming lark, it's unlikely he'll be overly concerned about whether to apply serum before moisturiser or how much vitamin E his moisturiser contains.  So why not start him with a few dabs of your own moisturiser? 

While we're certainly not suggesting you let him loose on your pot of Crème de la Mer, a few dabs might be all it takes to make him realise how important moisture is for his skin.

Men's requirements are actually pretty much the same as women's when it comes to moisturiser, with antioxidants such as vitamin C being crucial, along with SPF for the warmer months.

"There really isn't a difference in the type of moisturiser a man needs versus the type of moisturiser a woman needs," says skincare guru Ole Henriksen.

"However, men might need to apply a little extra moisturiser depending on how coarse or dry their skin is feeling from season to season.

"Investing in a richly-textured moisturiser infused with antioxidants and sun protection is essential for all men and women in order to make the skin's ageing process as graceful as possible.

"A formulation like this will also provide skin with beautiful texture."

The bad news? Men who don't invest in their skin may find themselves dealing with more issues than just the odd patch of dry skin. "Men often don't protect their skin adequately, which results in broken capillaries, a common problem I see among a lot of my male clients," says Ole.

"Inadequate protection also forces skin to become rough and coarse. Men should make sure to wear a sunscreen in the summer and use a formulation that contains a higher concentration of natural fats, like soil oils, grape seed oil and sunflower oil."

Keep it simple

Convincing your other half to moisturise is half the battle, but confusing him with talk of serums, eye creams and glycolic peels will undo all your good work and have him running for the hills.

Studies have proven that while women prefer thicker creams when it comes to keeping moisturised, men often prefer gel-based formulas and serums. While women appreciate the dewy glow thicker moisturisers provide, serums and gels are absorbed in a much shorter time and will provide a matte finish.

"When it comes to men and skincare, I have noticed that the key is to keep it simple so they will remain faithful to the routine," says Ole. "I have also noticed that many of my male clients prefer lighter-textured formulations. For example, many men prefer to moisturise with a gel-based formulation such as an all-purpose aloe vera gel. This type of product will provide moisture for the skin after shaving, but will not leave the skin with a dewy appearance, but rather a matte appearance."

Calling all scrubbers

While moisture is what your skin needs most, exfoliation is equally important.

Exfoliation sloughs away the dead skin cells that block pores and prevent moisturiser from being absorbed, whilst getting rid of the bacteria which can lead to break outs.

"Exfoliation is especially important for a man because the male hormone, testosterone, tends to make the pores more visible," points out Ole Henriksen.

"When you exfoliate two or three times a week you'll thoroughly purge the pores of stubborn impurities, while making the pores appear close to invisible — of course, clean skin makes for an easier shave as well."

So, what are you waiting for? Set your other half on the path to skincare salvation today!