For Him: The Definitive Grooming Guide - Saving Face
If you’re new to it, the world of male grooming can be a bit like stepping into the gym for the first time. Technique is crucial, and without somebody there to spot you and offer guidance on how to get the most out of your routine, it’s easy to waste your time. So, consider us your personal trainer. But instead of building your biceps, we’ll be focusing on building your personal care regime so you can look and feel fresh every day.
-
We all know there’s more to washing your face than a bit of soap and water, but when you’re faced with shelves upon shelves of products promising this and that, it’s easy to get overwhelmed and just reach for whatever’s on offer. But in order to stock your bathroom cabinet with the right things, the trick is to start with a routine, and figure out exactly what you need. Follow our recommended routine, and you won’t go far wrong.
Cleansing
One bar of soap for your body and face? Not on our watch. You’ll need a face wash that was made specifically for your skin type - dry, combination or oily. If you’re not sure which kind of skin you have, check out this guide. We’ll wait.
Seek out a face wash that’ll keep your skin balanced whether it’s dry or oily, and say goodbye to that tight, uncomfortable feeling your current soap is leaving you with. If you want to push the boat out and get a sonic cleansing brush, you’ll be investing in a deeper cleanse (ideal for anyone who lives in a city, exposed to air pollution) and pre-shave prep, thanks to the lifting and softening effect the sonic cleanser will have on your bristles.
Exfoliating
Keeping your face looking fresh and bright sometimes means out with the old and in with the new. Our bodies do a pretty good job of this, but the process can start to flag as we age. Give your skin a hand by exfoliating once a week - any more than that, and you might cause yourself mischief, so be judicious. Look for a scrub that uses naturally occurring granules rather than microbeads - they’re bad for the planet - or a chemical exfoliant like salicylic acid (not as scary as it sounds) and you’ll benefit from keeping blemishes at bay, and smoothing your skin for a fresher look.
(Optional) Toning
You can step up your routine by squeezing in an extra step and reaching for your toner. Whether you use a mist or a cleansing water, this magical formula will help to get rid of those tricky impurities that you might have missed. Toners often come with clever ingredients that will help you target and clear up any specific skin issues you struggle with, like dry skin or oiliness.
Moisturising
If you haven’t already started, the time to moisturise is now. Again, search for a formula that’s right for your skin type, but there’s a little more to consider here. Some moisturisers are infused with SPF and antioxidants, which are great for protecting your skin from the sun and air pollution. Other formulas are designed to pep up your skin and disguise the fact you stayed up until the early hours playing video games.
To really hack your skincare, invest in a night cream or serum - your skin enters repair mode at night, so you can give it a helping hand with a good nourishing formula designed to hold ageing signs at bay.
-
Facing the world is a lot easier when your skin looks and feels good, and it’s not too tricky to pull together a robust skincare routine that works for you. Start every day with a cleanser and moisturiser, and once a week give yourself a good scrub. It’s as simple as that!