Looking good and young is everyone's preference, but looking 25 at 35 is a task of hard work. Skincare, although gender labelled only for women, is quite frankly a great addition to everyone's skincare routine and is essential after 20. From sunscreen to niacinamide, there is an endless number of products for every skin concern. For men, skincare is usually pushed aside as it is seen as something "unmanly," but be honest, guys, do you really want to suffer from wrinkles and melanoma while your wife maintains her radiance? Skincare is necessary for men because it helps maintain healthy skin by preventing premature aging, protecting from environmental damage, addressing common issues like acne and dryness, and can significantly improve the appearance of their skin, especially when considering factors like daily shaving, which can irritate the skin; essentially, it's just as important for men as it is for women to care for their complexion. 

Why is skincare so important?

Most people grow up with the thinking that their skin is a self-maintaining organ, which is true, and up until you're a teenager, it is only hormonal changes and small lifestyle changes that impact your skin's well-being. As one grows older, as in when you hit your 20s, your skin and body are at their prime, so you need minimal effort to maintain them, but in your 30s, this is when you have to help your skin in maintaining itself, thus the need to incorporate different skincare items.

Why does skincare change post 30? 

Skincare is necessary for men in their 30s because this is when visible signs of aging like wrinkles and fine lines start to appear, and a proper routine can help prevent further damage, maintain skin health, combat environmental stressors, and promote a youthful appearance by addressing concerns like dryness, oiliness, and sun damage, all while boosting confidence. 

Till when you're in your 20s, your skin has minimal needs, like sunscreen and maybe salicylic acid. After 30, factors like stress, sleep deprivation, drinking/eating habits, and lifestyle choices will definitely affect your skin. Since skin cell rejuvenation is slowed down now, you'll be helped by skincare ingredients such as retinol, glycolic acid, and niacinamide to regain firmness in your skin and reduce wrinkles. Along with the reduced production of collagen, peptide products, hyaluronic acid, and vitamin C help in collagen enhancement.

Key skin concern after 30

As we grow older, our body not only goes through many morphological changes but it also sees a decrease in its ability to fight the free radical and external challenges, after reaching a certain age.

Let's have a glance at the skin concerns that may arise after turning 30:

• Sun damage—traditionally, men keep their skincare simple but often overlook a very important step Sunscreen. Damage—traditionally, men keep their skincare simple but often overlook a very important step. Sunscreen.

• Enlarged pores—With age, skin generally starts being more porous; this means the pores on the face may appear more enlarged and can allow more dirt to settle in.

• Fine lines: The development of fine lines is a result of various circumstances, including dry skin.

• Forehead wrinkles: When you raise your eyebrows, the frontalis muscle contracts, which might result in forehead wrinkles.

• Dark circles: As people age, dark circles under their eyes may become more obvious.

• Shaving-related problems: Using the right post-shave care products will help reduce irritation, ingrown hairs, and razor burn that can result from frequent shaving.  

Essential skin care steps for men

To attain a healthier and good looking skin, Men can follow given skincare steps.

•Cleansing- Although men's skin maintains elasticity longer than women's, it is important to use a good face wash especially keeping your skin type in mind otherwise the wrong face wash can cause issues such as acne or even peeling skin.

•Serums- Using face serums like vitamin c in the morning and niacinamide in the evening, helps in maintaining a spotless firm skin. It is important to use the serums at different times to prevent mixing.

•Moisturizer- Many people believe that their skin is oily so they do not require moisturizer, however  it is nothing but a myth as it is generally recommended that moisturizer should be used regularly regardless of sebum production. 

•Protection- To keep the skin without damage and to maintain healthy skin, it is important to always use sunscreen in order to provide a barrier between the skin and harsh UV rays.

Sunscreen should be worn before entering in the sunlight and it should be kept in mind to reapply it after a few hours.

It is important to understand your skin type while deciding your skincare routine.

• Normal skin: skin type without oily or too much dryness is consider normal and more desirable.

• Dry skin: dryness can be experienced by many people in cold climates. Dry skin is generally scratchy, usually uncomfortable and not the best skin. 

• Oily skin: it's identified by too much oil production, leading to a shiny appearance, particularly in the forehead, nose, and chin. It is more prone to acne and blackheads.

• Combination: A type of skin that is dry as well as too oily in certain areas of face.

• Sensitive: Prone to irritation, redness, and reactions to certain skincare products, environmental factors, or even stress. Sensitive skin often requires gentle, non-irritating products.

You can look for below mentioned ingredients as per your skin type while purchasing any skin care product. 

Homemade remedies/skincare

Natural skincare products like chia seeds, rice water, and honey are excellent.

Making DIY masks with these materials is a wise choice by default.

It's advisable to use chia seeds in masks with other components like curds. They are high in fiber, antioxidants, and omega-3 fatty acids, all of which are good for your skin. Masks made of chia seeds can help retain moisture and leave your skin feeling nourished and smooth.

Honey—honey can help give the skin a glow and has excellent hydrating properties. Additionally, honey gives the skin elasticity and smoothes fine wrinkles, giving it more bounce. Honey could be used in home made face cleanser or face mask. 

Rice water: Packed with antioxidants, rice water helps restore skin texture and brighten the face. It could be used in home made face cleanser, face mask or even as skin toner

Can Men use Women’s skin care products?

Skincare is often gender labelled only for women, but the truth about it all is that skincare is a necessity for all, regardless of gender. Especially when you're 30, it is important that you not only take care of your skin but also disregard previous notions of taboo subjects; it is to be consciously aware of your skin’s health and wellness. Most of the good skincare products in the market are not only for women but are also for men, making the good products unisex. It is best to start taking care of your skin according to your needs and not by taking into account how it is perceived by the other gender. 

Skin type is more significant than gender: When selecting skincare products, your skin type—oily, dry, or combination—is more crucial than your sex.

• The ingredients are crucial: Since most helpful compounds are unisex, pay more attention to a product's active substances than its label.

• Possible variations: Certain skincare solutions for males might be designed to treat problems like thicker facial hair or razor burn.

• Examine the label: To be sure the product is appropriate for your skin type and issues, always review the ingredients list.

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle

It is always necessary to eat well, exercise, and incorporate good habits such as not touching your face often without washing your hands. Smoking, drinking, and eating too much oily food can always lead to an immense breakout that can cause dents in self-confidence, leading one further into worse lifestyle choices.

Drinking a lot of water after waking up, throughout the day, and before meals is an excellent habit to manage any and all skincare concerns. Even though one should always bring a balance between fun and too much self-improvement, as obsessing over keeping everything perfect can also cause stress, occasionally binge eating and drinking is always a go-to. 

Managing stress in oneself and not putting oneself down for not reaching one's skincare goals is a task that is not talked about enough. Never feel that a few pimples or fine lines are reminders of your failure in self-discipline. 

Conclusion

A youthful appearance and hard work put in to achieve it are all self-improvement strategies and should never be enforced or pressured onto someone. One must always have self-confidence to feel the best in any and all situations. Skin is our outermost appearance, but having inner self-love is equally, or in fact more, important; self-acceptance is a necessity beyond societal norms and should always be the standard rather than a desire to look better than anyone. For not everyone has the same genetic structure or an amazing gene pool to be blessed with clear skin (or in the recent trend of glass skin), it is always best to try to look well-groomed and healthy above everything else.

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