Men's Skincare: Addressing Top Skin Concerns with Expert Tips & Products

Are you struggling with stubborn acne, under-eye dark circles, oily skin, or dry skin? Well, you’re in luck – society is finally catering towards men’s skin concerns and there are some amazing unisex products on the market nowadays. Women aren’t the only ones allowed to take care of their skin! 

Skin plays a huge role in our confidence and you’d be surprised how being proactive with your skincare can boost your self-esteem.

In this article, we’ll cover the top 4 skin concerns among men: 

1. Acne-prone skin (pimples, blackheads, and whiteheads)
2. Dark under-eye circles 
3. Skin extremes (very dry or very oily)
4. Rough skin texture

If you’re struggling with 1 or more of these common skin concerns, no stress – we’ll also provide expert tips and product recommendations to effectively treat each ailment.   

Skin Concern 1: Acne-prone skin (Pimples, blackheads, and whiteheads)

Men, we hate to break it to you, but statistically, you’re more likely to struggle with adult acne than women are. 

According to Byrdie, adult acne forms in men because “the male body produces higher levels of testosterone” which increases oil production, “leading to more oily skin and clogged pores.” 

As you might already know, oily skin and clogged pores are the perfect recipe for pimple formation.

Lifestyle choices can also affect skin concerns for men – from stress to grooming and beard-care habits. 

Why you might be breaking out: 

* Letting sweat dry on your face
* Too much dairy or whey protein in your diet 
* Not washing your hair enough 
* Poor skincare routine 

If you can relate to any of these, here are our recommendations for preventing future breakouts from forming. 

How to prevent future breakouts

To lessen your chances of breaking out, follow these 5 tips.

1. Don’t let sweat dry on your face.

Bring a towel to the gym, wash your face after an intense sweat sesh, or use cleansing face wipes to remove sweat and avoid long periods of sweat contact. 

2. Avoid heavily processed foods, large amounts of dairy, or whey. 

According to Men’s Health, “your protein shake might be giving you acne”. Whey protein increases the production of a hormone that stimulates sebum production, which can cause excess breakouts. Try switching to plant-based protein powders and dairy alternatives and see if you notice a difference! 

3. Wash your hair 2-3 times per week. 

If you have oily hair, sweat a lot, or use oil-based hair products, this could be causing acne on your forehead and cheeks. Wash your hair 2-3 times a week to wash out product build-up.

4. Use a face mask with tea tree oil in it. 

Tea tree has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties that can help soothe acne-prone skin and reduce the appearance of blemishes. Check out The Good Fight Sheet Mask – don’t be fooled by the pink packaging, this unisex face mask has tea tree, willow bark, and peppermint oil that will help prevent the formation of new blemishes while reducing the signs of current ones. 
How to TREAT breakouts 

If you’re struggling to get rid of existing blemishes, we have some tricks up our sleeve. 

First and foremost, don’t touch your breakouts or pop your pimples. Easier said than done, we know, but according to Healthline, “popping a pimple can spread bacteria into other pores and hair follicles, creating a bigger acne outbreak.” It can also leave a scar or pockmarks if you’re frequently popping your pimples incorrectly. 

Instead, let us put you on to the Breakout Box. Whether you have a pimple, blackhead, or whitehead, this kit comes with eveyrthing you’ll need to get rid of it as quickly as possible.

The Breakout Box is a 3-in-1 kit that features: 

• Blackhead-Eliminating Charcoal Nose Strips
• Pimple-Shrinking Salicylic Acid Dots
• Whitehead-Absorbing Hydrocolloid Dots

With this kit, you can expect to eliminate blackheads from your nose with charcoal strips, shrink pimples before they grow with salicylic acid dots, and drain your whiteheads with hydrocolloid dots. 

Here’s a quick breakdown of the power behind each product. 

Charcoal Nose Strips: 

Charcoal nose strips are like a sticker that adhere to your skin and, upon removal, help to extract blackheads and dirt from clogged pores. These strips are a quick way to remove debris clogging the pores on your nose.

Salicylic Acid Dots: 

Salicylic acid dots are patches that deliver salicylic acid directly to the pimple, where it can help reduce inflammation and redness. This will encourage the pimple to shrink. It also aids in preventing further breakouts by keeping the pore clear.

Hydrocolloid Dots: 

Hydrocolloid dots create a moist environment that facilitates the absorption of pus from a pimple or whitehead. These dots can help to flatten the whitehead, absorb the fluid, and create a barrier that prevents dirt and bacteria from entering the wound. This barrier effect can minimize the risk of infection and promote faster healing.

Don’t believe in the power of pimple patches yet? Here’s The Science Behind Pimple Patches and How They Work.

 

Skin Concern 2: Dark circles under the eyes

If you’re constantly concerned about dark under-eye circles, you might be wondering what causes this common skin concern as a way to avoid it. Unfortunately, dark circles are hereditary, so it could run in your family. However, there are other reasons why dark circles form. 

What causes under-eye dark circles: 

• Poor sleep
• Allergies
• Excess sun exposure
• Dehydration
• Smoking 

To reduce under-eye shadows, try drinking more water, using SPF or wearing hats, and getting more sleep to name a few solutions. 

If you’ve tried it all and nothing works, this is what under-eye gels are for. You might have seen girls rocking these little under-eye masks, but they’re more than just a phase. Under-eye gels are jam-packed with powerful ingredients like hyaluronic acid, peptides, caffeine, and collagen, which get delivered directly to your under-eye in just 5 minutes. The result? Less puffy, more awakened, brighter, revitalized, and smoother under-eyes.

We asked 100 participants to share their findings after 5 minutes of using our Rejuvenating Eye Gels and here’s what we found:

100% said their tired eyes appeared awakened, revived, and revitalized
98% said their under-eye area looked and felt smoother
97% said their under-eye area looked less puffy
94% said one 5-minute under-eye treatment provided more immediate results than their current under-eye skincare routine

It’s time to try them for yourself and see what all the hype is about! 

Skin Concern 3: Skin extremes (Very dry or very oily skin)

Your skin type is determined by how much oil your skin produces. According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), there are five main skin types: 

• Normal
• Oily
• Dry
• Combination
• Sensitive 

CeraVe classifies oily skin as skin that looks “shiny and [feels] greasy—especially throughout the T-zone (forehead, nose, and chin).” 

You can tell you have dry skin if your skin feels tight after washing your face and before applying moisturizer.  

If you’ve noticed very oily or very dry skin, there are ways to balance out both types. 

Combatting very oily skin for men

It can be tricky to find the right products to satisfy oily skin because the goal is to balance the skin rather than remove the oil. It’s a common misconception that oily skin doesn’t need hydration. Sometimes oily skin signifies an overproduction of oil as a way to overcompensate for a lack of moisture. 

Oily skin is also more prone to enlarged pores and acne, so it’s important to find a skin routine that caters to those concerns as well.

The Good Fight Face Mask is perfect for shrinking enlarged pores, reducing inflammation, and soothing acne-prone skin with natural ingredients like willow bark, tea tree, and peppermint oil. It’s also known to control oil production in the skin, which can help to prevent the formation of new blemishes.
Combatting very dry skin for men

If you have dry skin, here’s how you can deeply hydrate your skin from the inside out.

1. Use moisturizer day and night 

Using a moisturizer twice a day after washing your face is extremely important for those with dry skin. Some great moisturizers for men can be found in classic collections from Clinique Men, Kiehl’s, or Jack Black. You can also try drugstore products to find the best moisturizers for men.

2. Avoid hot showers

Hot showers might feel good, but they actually dry out your skin, especially the sensitive skin on the face. You can still take a warm shower, but avoid hot water that turns your skin red. 

3. Stay hydrated

Dehydration can cause dry skin. The average male should drink just about 1 gallon (3.7 liters to be exact) of water per day to stay hydrated. This will keep your skin looking moist, plump, and youthful while preventing dry, flaky skin.

4. Use SPF 

Even on a gloomy day, damaging UV rays still peek through the clouds and harm the skin’s barrier. Try a daily moisturizer that has SPF for a 2-in-1 product! We recommend the CeraVe AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30.

5. Use a deeply hydrating face mask

When all else fails, delivering intensive moisture to the skin’s outer layer is the best plan of attack. The FlashMasque Hydrate Face Mask has hyaluronic acid, vitamin B5, and betaine to soften and moisturize while helping the skin retain moisture after just 5 minutes. 

Skin Concern 4:  Rough texture

If you’ve never exfoliated before, you’re missing out. As you’ve probably noticed, skin concerns are gender-neutral – both men and women struggle with them. However, men are known for having a rougher, thicker skin texture than women, which could make it hard for you to determine when you’re in need of a good exfoliation. 

Signs you need to exfoliate: 

• Dull complexion
• Dry patches or flaking
• Clogged pores
• Uneven skin texture or tone
• Dark spots or hyperpigmentation
• Breakouts
• Skin bumps

Do research before buying an exfoliator as some drugstore brands can have harmful beads that cause micro-tears in the skin and gradually weaken the skin’s barrier over time. The Exfoliate Mate Sheet Mask is a safe and mess-free option. With natural enzymes from pineapple and papaya extract and chemical exfoliants such as lactic acid, this sheet mask removes dead skin powerfully yet gently. 

We’re a big fan of face masks as you can see, and we genuinely believe they should be a weekly part of your skin routine to prevent recurring skin concerns.
Bring back confidence through your skincare routine

Gentlemen, we’re finally in the era of skincare for men. It’s no longer acceptable to wash your face with a bar of soap and pop your pimples. If you’ve been struggling with acne, dark circles, oily or dry skin, it’s time to make a change in your skincare routine and start prioritizing your skin! 

Taking care of your skin isn't just about appearance, it's about addressing these issues head-on and investing in your confidence. It's time to embrace this skincare revolution – from combating adult acne to rejuvenating under-eye darkness, each step gets you closer to a better version of yourself. 

If you enjoyed this article, check out these other informative reads from our blog: 

Avoid the Oops: 6 Sheet Mask Mistakes You Didn't Know You Were Making
The Ultimate Guide to Pro-Aging Skincare and Why You Should Start in Your 20s
Mastering the Art of Applying Under-Eye Gels: A Guide to Flawless Results