How to Care for Your Skin As a Guy

Last Updated: January 3, 2022 References Approved

Men often feel like they don't need to care for their skin the same way women do. While it's true that men and women usually have different needs for their skin, this doesn't mean that men should neglect theirs altogether. You still need to develop a routine to keep your skin as healthy as it can be. With just a few lifestyle and dietary changes, you could notice dramatic improvement in your skin.

Part 1

Part 1 of 4:

Washing Your Face Properly

1
Wet your skin with warm water. Warm water will open up your pores and help your cleanser foam up to give your a good clean.^{[1]
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Trustworthy Source
American Academy of Dermatology
Professional organization made of over 20,000 certified dermatologists
Go to source}
- Make sure the water is warm. If it's too cold the pores will close up and you won't be able to clean them out. If it's too hot your skin will get irritated.
- Apply the water with your hands. Using a towel will irritate your skin due to the friction caused by rubbing.^{[2]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  American Academy of Dermatology
  Professional organization made of over 20,000 certified dermatologists
  Go to source}
2
Choose the right facial cleanser. You'll want a gentle cleanser that's free of alcohol and any other harsh chemicals. These can further irritate your skin instead of cleaning it. Remember to apply it with your hands instead of a towel.^{[3]
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Trustworthy Source
American Academy of Dermatology
Professional organization made of over 20,000 certified dermatologists
Go to source}
- It might be helpful to identify your skin type to help you choose the right kind of facial cleanser for your skin.
- Use a liquid facial cleanser rather than a bar. Bar soaps tend to dry out the skin more than liquid soaps. This might be okay if your skin is naturally oily, but if you have dry skin than bar soaps will probably cause irritation. If you notice that your skin is tight or itchy after washing, try switching to a liquid cleanser.^{[4]
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- If you suffer from acne, look for a cleanser with salicylic acid, glycolic acid, or benzyl peroxide. These ingredients will give your a deeper clean and act as astringents that will kill acne-causing bacteria.^{[5]
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- You can go with a brand name cleanser, such as Cetaphil, Noxzema, or Neutrogena, or opt for a generic cleanser.
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3
Exfoliate your skin. If your skin was very dirty or you recently sweat profusely, you might require a deeper clean. Exfoliating will strip away dead skin and dirt, revealing shiny new layers beneath. Again, choose an exfoliant that is alcohol-free.^{[6]
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- While most exfoliate their faces, you can also exfoliate your elbows and knees to help soften your skin.^{[7]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Mohiba Tareen, MD
  FAAD Board Certified Dermatologist
  Expert Interview. 26 March 2020.}
4
Rinse with lukewarm water and pat dry with a towel. After cleansing, rinse to allow dirt and bacteria to flow out of your pores. Then gently pat your face with a towel until it's dry. Do not rub the towel on your face. This will irritate your skin.^{[8]
X
Trustworthy Source
American Academy of Dermatology
Professional organization made of over 20,000 certified dermatologists
Go to source}
5
Apply a moisturizer.^{[9]
X
Expert Source

Mohiba Tareen, MD
FAAD Board Certified Dermatologist
Expert Interview. 26 March 2020.} Washing your face strips it of essential oils that protect your skin. To keep your face healthy, apply moisturizer every time you wash it.^{[10]
X
Trustworthy Source
American Academy of Dermatology
Professional organization made of over 20,000 certified dermatologists
Go to source}
- For dry skin, use a cream moisturizer. For normal skin, use a lotion. For oily skin, use gel.^{[11]
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  Research source}
6
Repeat this process only twice a day. Excessive washing will strip away oils and cause irritation. You don't need to wash anymore than twice a day to keep your skin healthy.^{[12]
X
Trustworthy Source
American Academy of Dermatology
Professional organization made of over 20,000 certified dermatologists
Go to source}
- You can, however, wash more often if you've just exercised and are sweating profusely.
- There are many different types of facial moisturizers. Try choosing a brand that carries a special formulation for men, such as Neutrogena or Nivea. Or, you can always go with a generic facial moisturizer if you are on a budget.

Part 2

Part 2 of 4:

Shaving Properly

1
Choose a razor with one or two blades. If you're prone to razor burn or ingrown hairs, a multi-blade razor can make the problem worse. These razors shave too close to the skin and cause irritation. Single or double bladed razors won't get so close, which will help prevent irritation.^{[13]
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- Throw away disposable razors or change the blades in your razor every five to seven shaves.^{[14]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  American Academy of Dermatology
  Professional organization made of over 20,000 certified dermatologists
  Go to source}
2
Wet your skin before you start shaving. Always make sure to wet your skin before you shave your face. This will help to moisten your skin and soften the hairs, which makes shaving easier.^{[15]
X
Trustworthy Source
American Academy of Dermatology
Professional organization made of over 20,000 certified dermatologists
Go to source} You can splash warm water on your face, or wet a washcloth with warm water, wring it out, and then wrap it around you face and neck to help prep your skin.
3
Use shaving cream. Shaving cream creates a barrier between your skin and the razor, so it can help to prevent nicks and razor burn.^{[16]
X
Trustworthy Source
American Academy of Dermatology
Professional organization made of over 20,000 certified dermatologists
Go to source} Find shaving cream with glycolic acid or salicylic acid to prevent ingrown hairs. These two ingredients exfoliate the skin and help prevent razor burn. They will also kill pimple-causing bacteria.^{[17]
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Research source}
4
Shave in the direction of your hair growth. Do not shave against the grain of your hair. Shave in the direction of your facial hair growth.^{[18]
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Trustworthy Source
American Academy of Dermatology
Professional organization made of over 20,000 certified dermatologists
Go to source}
- Be cautious when shaving around acne. Do not try to shave off your acne. Just shave over it lightly, or try using an electric razor to trim facial hair in these areas.
5
Apply witch hazel after shaving. Witch hazel helps fight irritation, infection, and redness. It can also tighten the skin, giving your face a firmer appearance.^{[19]
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- In addition, witch hazel can reduce swelling, which makes it good to apply around the eyes if you've been up all night.

Part 3

Part 3 of 4:

Maintaining Healthy Skin with Your Diet

1
Get plenty of vitamin A. Vitamin A is a nutrient that helps keep skin firm and aids in skin regeneration. Some of the best sources for vitamin A are low-fat dairy products, carrots, fortified grains and cereals, and eggs.^{[20]
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2
Include antioxidants in your diet. Antioxidants help strengthen cell membranes, protecting the cells from damage. They also help the body regenerate new cells. This can lead to healthier, more vibrant looking skin. Some of the best sources for antioxidants are:^{[21]
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- Berries, especially strawberries, blackberries, and blueberries.
- Plums.
- Green tea.
3
Add omega-3 fatty acids to your diet. Omega-3's help skin cells filter out waste and bring in nutrients. They also help cells retain water, leading to moist and strong skin. The best sources for omega-3's are fish like salmon and sardines, nuts, and canola oil.^{[22]
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4
Stay hydrated. Water essential for countless activities in the body. For you skin, it will keep the cells hydrated. It also helps flush waste products away from the skin. Furthermore, when you're hydrated you sweat more efficiently, which is helpful to clear out the pores. The recommended amount of water you should drink daily varies, but the old standard of 8 glasses should work fine.^{[23]
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5
Avoid processed sugar. Studies indicate that a diet high in sugar leads to signs of premature aging like wrinkles and dark spots. Cut out junk foods and soft drinks to help protect your skin from premature aging.^{[24]
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Trustworthy Source
Mayo Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
Go to source}

Part 4

Part 4 of 4:

Maintaining Healthy Skin with Lifestyle Choices

1
Use sunscreen whenever you're out in the sun. UV rays from the sun damages cells and can lead to wrinkles and dark spots on your skin.^{[25]
X
Expert Source

Mohiba Tareen, MD
FAAD Board Certified Dermatologist
Expert Interview. 26 March 2020.} You should always protect your skin with sunblock when out in the sun. Dermatologists recommend using at least SPF 30 for proper protection. Remember to reapply every 3 to 4 hours to keep your protection up.^{[26]
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2
Avoid smoking. Among the countless health risks of smoking are skin damage. Smoking narrows the blood vessels close to the skin's surface, choking it of essential nutrients and leading to a buildup of waste products. To keep your skin healthy, it's best to avoid smoking altogether.^{[27]
X
Trustworthy Source
Mayo Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
Go to source}
3
Reduce stress. Stress can lead to breakouts and other skin imperfections.^{[28]
X
Trustworthy Source
Mayo Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
Go to source} You should do all you can to reduce your stress level, not only for your skin, but for your overall health. Read Reduce Stress for tips on how you can live a less stressful life.
4
Get plenty of sleep. The body repairs itself while you sleep. That means that any damage your skin experienced during the day gets fixed overnight.^{[29]
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Expert Source

Mohiba Tareen, MD
FAAD Board Certified Dermatologist
Expert Interview. 26 March 2020.} If you don't sleep enough your skin won't get repaired. Commit to getting a full 8 hours of sleep as often as possible. Over time, this will result in healthier, younger looking skin.^{[30]
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Research source}
5
Exercise regularly. Exercise has a number of health benefits for your skin. The increase in circulation will bring more blood to your skin, which filters in nutrients and flushes away toxins. Sweating also clears out the pores. Commit to any number of physical activities to keep your skin well hydrated and nourished.^{[31]
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- Remember to wash your face after exercising, however. Sweat can also trap dirt and bacteria, so you'll want to remove all of that to keep your skin healthy.

Expert Q&A

Question

How can I keep my skin healthy?

Mohiba Tareen, MD
FAAD Board Certified Dermatologist
Mohiba Tareen is a board certified Dermatologist and the founder of Tareen Dermatology located in Roseville, Maplewood and Faribault, Minnesota. Dr. Tareen completed medical school at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, where she was inducted into the prestigious Alpha Omega Alpha honor society. While a dermatology resident at Columbia University in New York City, she won the Conrad Stritzler award of the New York Dermatologic Society and was published in The New England Journal of Medicine. Dr. Tareen then completed a procedural fellowship which focused on dermatologic surgery, laser, and cosmetic dermatology.

Mohiba Tareen, MD

FAAD Board Certified Dermatologist

Expert Answer

After you bathe, apply a moisturizer to prevent your skin from drying out. You should also wear sunscreen whenever you're outside so you don't damage your skin.
Question

How can I get rid of pimples?

Jurdy Dugdale, RN
Medical Review Board
Jurdy Dugdale is a Registered Nurse in Florida. She received her Nursing License from the Florida Board of Nursing in 1989.

Jurdy Dugdale, RN

Medical Review Board

Expert Answer

The main thing to remember when removing pimples is to avoid touching them or trying to squeeze out any pus. This will cause a spread of infection. Try to keep the pimple dry and if necessary you can buy an acne cream to put on it. If the pimple is very large and you think it may turn into a boil, simply cover it with a band-aid. This band-aid also stops you from touching the pimple. If you are prone to frequent pimples, then a visit to the doctor or dermatologist may be necessary. Your doctor or dermatologist may order a low dosage antibiotic for recurrent pimples/acne. The treatment is the same for men's skin as it is for women's skin.
Question

How do I treat dark spots on my skin?

Shari Forschen, NP, MA
Master's Degree, Nursing, University of North Dakota
Shari Forschen is a Registered Nurse at Sanford Health in North Dakota. Shari has worked in healthcare since 1996 and her expertise lies in acute care bedside nursing on a medical oncology floor. She received her degree from Medcenter one College of Nursing in 2003 and her Family Nurse Practitioner Masters from the University of North Dakota in 2014. Shari is a member of the American Nurses Association.

Shari Forschen, NP, MA

Master's Degree, Nursing, University of North Dakota

Expert Answer

There are a variety of causes of acne ranging from diet, to hormones, to a poor facial cleansing routine. To get a healthy routine that is designed for you, see a dermatologist.