Winter. Well, she can be unkind and cruel when it comes to your skin. The icy winds and sub-zero temperatures can be disastrous for your skin so it’s important to pay particular attention during the cooler months. Winter’s lower temperatures and humidity levels, combined with central heating, compromise the skin, changing the delicate balance of water, fat and protein that make up this barrier.
But all is not lost, there are steps below that you can take to bolster your defences.
1. KEEP A CLEAN MUG, SHOT!
Men produce a lot of oil, or sebum, on account of their testosterone levels. If left to well up, excess oil clogs pores, causing them to appear larger and leading to shininess and spots.
Of course, using the wrong product is just as bad as using no product at all, especially in winter when oily skin types get oilier and dry skin gets drier.
Which brings us to an important part of the washing up routine:
Exfoliating. Exfoliating is fundamental. Oily skin care in winter isn’t quite as tough as the summer months, yes, but you should still be exfoliating at least twice a week.
2. DO YOU EVEN LIFT, BRO?
Even if you don’t lift at the gym, you should be toning your face. Toning might have a feminine connotation to it, but it’s basically just a marketing term. At its simplest, toning is using an astringent that acts as a kind of mini-microdermabrasion or mini-chemical peel, helping to de-grease the skin and remove old cells.
Look for a toner that includes salicylic acid, which helps to absorb excess oil as it surfaces, keeping your complexion clear.
3. THE COLD WAR
If there are TedTalks about water, would you take drinking water more seriously? Probably not- but you should anyway. This is probably the easiest way to get clearer, healthier looking skin. Understandably, in the warmer weather, it’s easier to drink up a cold glass of water (or two) than it is,in the winter.
But water is the hidden product in any grooming guide and by keeping hydrated you will be providing your skin with the essential moisture needed to look healthy and happy this winter.
4. WEAR PROTECTION
For the love of G*d, never skip out on this step. EVER. In all instances. But when it comes to your face- all it really wants is that SPF kind of protection. While you might not feel the sun’s rays during the cooler, overcast days of winter – the UV rays are still hitting your skin so it’s important to protect yourself with a decent sunscreen. Trust me, you’ll thank us later.
5. TAKING NOTES
Take a page out of LL Cool J’s book. Keep those lips moisturized. But unlike LL COOL J don’t lick your lips over and over again in the attempt to hydrate them. When you do this, you could irritate them more and leave the lips more cracked and sore.
The combination of cool, icy weather and dry, artificial heat wreaks havoc on your unprepared lips so it’s worth investing in some decent lip protection. I’d recommend going for a lip balm that contains SPF, your lips will stay soft and be protected from the winter sun.
6. SOAK IT IN
Not all moisturisers are created equal, so it pays to know which ones will deliver on their promise once winter comes knocking. Make sure you’re not using a cosmetic moisturiser that’s all marketing and zero function. Look for ingredients that are scientifically proven to work rather than buying a product simply because the bottle looks nice.
7. BRAVO, MUSTACHIO!
It doesn’t have to be November to keep your ‘stach game strong. If you’re still backing the beard trend then it’s important to consider how to look after the whiskers this winter. Looking for the best way to shave for men? Keep things simple by making it a two-step process.
1) Use a beard shampoo when you shower, this will clean the beard hair thoroughly and keep it healthy.
2) Use a beard oil after washing. Beard oils help to reduce beard dandruff (it’s a thing) and also moisturise the beard hairs and skin
We hope the above skincare tips for men help your through winter.
