Every man needs a skincare regime! Practising a simply thought-out and curated daily routine is an essential part of self-care and love. Not only this, but it is also a great way to cornerstone good grooming and maintains well-cared-for skin. When your skin is well cared for then it’s likely that you’ll experience less frequent breakouts, show less irritation and redness, and even prevent visible signs of ageing.

However, it can be quite overwhelming to know where to start, especially because there is no single routine for everyone. Because everyone’s skin is different, there are two key concepts to consider when it comes to figuring out the right routine for you. They are your skin type and skin concern.

When we talk about skin type, we are referring to your skin's neutral disposition, which basically means what your skin looks like if you are not doing anything at all. Our skin type is usually determined by genetics, although it will also be affected by other factors and can change with time. Based on these characteristics, there are five types of healthy skin: normal, dry, oily, combination (both oily and dry skin) and sensitive.

In contrast, skin concern is a little bit different. This refers to what’s happening on your face that you’d specifically like to address and usually relates to specific skin issues, such as signs of ageing, acne, hyperpigmentation, or redness and irritation. From this products are often formulated to address this specific concern.

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A basic skincare routine for men should ideally include three to five steps and should take between five to 10 minutes every morning and night. At first, the process may seem complex, however, once you get started your skincare routine will become a normal part of your everyday life. 

Initially, the multiple steps and abundance of products may seem like a little much, so if this is the case, why not start with something a little simpler such as a drugstore face wash and an inexpensive hyaluronic acid serum, say—and see how that goes.

Cleansing is the most essential part of any skincare routine, and it just so happens that it is also the easiest. Cleansers work by removing any dead skin cells, oil, dirt, and other types of pollutants from the skin, helping to keep pores clear and prevent skin conditions such as acne. As men tend to have oilier and thicker skin than women, a good cleanser is something you must really invest in. You can either opt for a good facial cleanser that works on all kinds of skin or invest in one that specifically targets any issues your skin may be experiencing. 

Cleansing your face in the morning is a great way to wake up your skin and get it looking plump and refreshed. Whereas, cleansing your face in the evening is ideal for removing all the dirt and oils your face has built up throughout the day.

Using cleansing products is actually quite simple. Typically, you need to wet your face with warm water, then apply a pea-sized amount of product with your fingertips. Following this, rub your hand together a few times to activate the lather, and then rub your hands all over your face in a circular motion for around 30 seconds.

If you have any facial hair, especially a beard, spend an additional 15 seconds or so really working the product into the skin. Once you’ve done this, splash all over with warm water and grab a towel to pat the skin until it’s just shy of dry so it’s ready for your next step.

After you have properly cleansed your skin, your next priority will be to apply some sort of treatment serum. When choosing a serum for your skincare routine, we suggest opting for one that addresses your chief skin concern rather than your skin type. 

Therefore, if you suffer from dry skin choose a treatment serum that will address this, such as a hyaluronic acid boosting serum or even a deep hydrating/moisturising serum. If you suffer from hyperpigmentation or dullness, look for products that say “brightening” on the label. In most cases, these products include high doses of Vitamin C, which fades pigmented spots caused by the sun. However, if you have multiple concerns, rotate your treatment serums by applying one in the morning and one at night, or alternate each day.

When applying, use two to three drops of treatment serum on your fingertips, then rub them together and sweep them across your forehead in quick, swiping motions. Use whatever's left of the product on your hands to glide over your neck and jawline.

The third step in both your morning and evening skincare routine should be a moisturiser. . According to most skincare professionals, ourselves included, both men and women - should moisturise twice a day: once in the morning and once at night. However, these products should also vary for morning and evening. 

In the morning, you’ll want to apply a lighter product as you will be adding a layer of SPF on top of this. In the evening, you’ll want to use a moisturiser that’s rich enough to soak into your skin without causing clogged pores or breakouts overnight. 

When it comes to applying your moisturiser, apply a pea-sized amount of product to your fingertips, then rub it between your hands. Apply the product all over your face by swiping in quick motions across your forehead, down your cheeks and along your neck. Rub continuously until the product is completely absorbed into your skin.

As part of your morning skincare routine, SPF is a must! It's not just about wrinkles or dark spots—sun protection is also our best line of defence against skin cancer. You can either opt for a face SPF product in addition to your daily moisturiser or alternatively, you can choose one that does both. The best men's moisturizers with SPF are designed to hydrate your skin while blocking the sun's harmful UV rays.

In the UK, our climate doesn’t lend itself to a lot of hot weather apart from the summer months. However, this by no means that the sun’s harmful UV rays are not a danger to us every day. We recommend using a broad-spectrum sunscreen of at least 30 SPF.

The fourth, and final step of your evening skincare routine is to apply some beard oil - if you have facial hair, of course. Beard oil absorbs into your hair and skin, and that's when it does its best work, so by applying it at night, you are giving it plenty of time to settle in and do its job. 

By applying your beard oil in the evening, rather than in the morning, you will not only give it more time to be effective, but you will also save yourself some time in the morning. To apply beard oil, simply Put three to five drops of beard oil in the palms of your hands and massage it into your entire beard in a downward motion. Make sure to work it through entirely and if your beard is long or thick, use a comb to make sure the beard oil gets evenly distributed.

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