Cleansing the face is hardly groundbreaking skin care advice that we’ve all gotten from various people, right from our grandmas to social media-celebrated dermatologists. However, using a face wash for men isn’t as one-track as you may think. There are various aspects to consider to make sure you’re getting the best out of your face wash for men. Are you using yours the right way? Let’s explore!
Knowing Your Skin Type
- Normal: Normal skin is considered the most ideal skin type as it requires minimal care and is less prone to flare-ups like inflammation and breakouts. Aside from daily pollution and grime, the natural biome of the skin is properly balanced.
- Oily skin: Blackheads and pimples can be a regular occurrence if you have oily skin. Annoying, we know! This is due to the overactive oil glands. When excess sebum hardens and oxidises, it clogs the pores which ultimately leads to blackheads, whiteheads and painful, bumpy pimples. On the upside, oily skin retains more lipids and has more elasticity which delays the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines associated with ageing.
- Dry skin: Dry skin can be a result of quite a few reasons. Sometimes, the skin can lack natural oils which condition the skin and maintain the natural moisture barrier. External factors like cold and arid weather conditions can also make the skin dehydrated. Oftentimes, it can feel tight, itchy and flaky.
- Sensitive skin: Redness, flare-ups and irritation are common with sensitive skin types. In some cases, sensitive skin can also face reactions from skincare products. Therefore, choosing a face wash for men (or any skincare product) would require a lot more care and consideration.
- Combination skin: Normal-to-oily skin is the most common kind of combination skin where the T-zone (forehead, nose, chin) is oily while the rest of the skin is normal. However, there can be other kinds of combination skin such as sensitive-oily skin where oily skin can flare up with painful breakouts.
Selecting The Right Face Wash For Each Skin Type
- Antibacterial and exfoliating cleanser for oily skin: Oily skin requires exfoliation on a more regular basis as compared to other skin types as the pores frequently get clogged with excess oil and grime. Face washes that have chemical exfoliators like glycolic and salicylic acid are great as they dissolve said excess oil and dirt. Neem, basil and tea tree are some natural ingredients that have antiseptic properties to get rid of acne-causing bacteria. Formula-wise, choose ones that have a gel base or give a good foam.
- Moisturizing and hydrating for dry skin: Dry skin is more prone to dehydration and tightness after using a face wash for men. This is because the surfactants in it usually cleanse off the natural oils, making the skin feel uncomfortably tight. That’s why it’s always recommended to use a face wash with hydrating and moisturizing ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin and panthenol. They draw moisture into the skin while the face wash for men gently lifts off impurities, so your skin still feels hydrated and fresh. Natural extracts like watermelon extracts and aloe vera are some ingredients to look out for if you want supple, glowing skin. Similarly, using a soap like Oshun, known for its nourishing properties, can provide gentle cleansing while helping to keep your skin moisturized and healthy.
- Restorative and nourishing for normal skin: One benefit of having normal skin is that you can experiment with a variety of face washes. Though, you’re still better off choosing a face wash for men that’s mild and sulfate-free. A versatile ingredient like niacinamide will keep blemishes, and uneven skin tone at bay while also regulating the skin’s natural oil production. Vitamin C and green tea are great antioxidants that will help fight oxidative stress like sun damage and hyperpigmentation.
- Creamy and mild for sensitive skin: Do you always worry about redness and itchiness after washing your face? The key to cleansing sensitive skin is to choose a face wash for men with a list of minimal ingredients that are mild. Here again, ingredients like panthenol and hyaluronic acid can come to the rescue to keep them hydrated and moisturized. Natural extracts like Centella Asiatica calm redness and soothe irritation. Another good rule of thumb is to look for formulations that are fragrance-free as fragrance-based ingredients can be trigger points for sensitive skin.
Using Face Wash Correctly
- Use a men’s face wash no more than once or twice a day. Cleansing the face more than required can be overly stripping.
- Similarly, using a heavy hand with a face wash for men doesn’t cleanse the face effectively. Instead, it can leave the skin irritated and overly dry. So, use gentle circular motions. This will give the formula and ingredients enough time to take effect while efficiently cleansing the face.
- If you want to exfoliate the skin on days you may not have time, consider using a face cleansing brush. This will deeply cleanse the pores and get rid of clogged sebum, grime and any residual sunscreen and makeup.
- Always keep weather conditions in mind so that you can alter your face cleansing routine and face wash accordingly. Oily skin during winter may not need cleansing twice a day as the oil glands are relatively dormant. Similarly, if you have dry skin that experiences more breakouts and sweat during hot and humid weather, consider cleansing your face twice a day.
- If you wear sunscreen or makeup, make sure to use a makeup-removing balm to emulsify and break down the water-resistant products so that the face wash can penetrate the pores to get rid of residual products and grime.
Matthew is a seasoned researcher and writer with over five years of experience creating engaging SEO content. He is passionate about exploring new ideas and sharing his knowledge through writing. Matthew has a keen eye for detail and takes pride in producing content that is not only informative but also visually appealing. He constantly expands his skill set and stays up-to-date with the latest SEO trends to ensure that his content always performs well in search rankings. Matthew can be found reading, surfing, or experimenting with new recipes in the kitchen when he’s not writing.