It is your face. Your face and your skin are crucial elements in our every day lives and we must take care of them. Healthy skin is the most important element of a great looking face. As a professional make-up artist and founder of the first skincare line created especially for men, Mënaji, I have established some basic tips and guidelines to follow to achieve healthy skin. By following these few steps, you will always be able to put your best face forward.
1 Keep your skin clean.Men have significantly larger pores and therefore approximately 20% more oil production than women do. This means men's skin gets dirtier more easily than women's and needs to be taken care of differently. The first step towards having healthier skin is to clean your face every day. Deep cleansing your pores is also essential because it clears your pores of dirt and harsh environmental elements. Using a cleansing product that is as chemical free as possible also helps improve the health of your skin. Deodorant soaps cleanse with harsh ingredients and leave a detergent film behind. The chemicals involved in these kinds of cleansers may irritate your skin and will clog your pores so when it comes to your face cleanser it is best to go natural. 2 Exfoliate your skin.A good exfoliating facial scrub is essential for healthy clean skin. It removes dead skin cells and smoothes the surface of your face. When choosing a facial scrub it should provide a good amount of exfoliation without causing damage to the skin. It is best to avoid scrubs that contain rough elements including ground bits of nut or seed extracts because of their harsh effect on the skin. A good scrub should invigorate you, not hurt you. It is best to exfoliate and polish with a Jojoba scrub that will slough off dead skin cells gently. 3 Keep skin toned.Toning is an essential element of healthy skin. On a daily basis, your skin is exposed to free radicals and outside elements that damage it. Toning helps clear your skin of the debris and pollutants and helps firm up your skin. When looking for a daily toner you should only use those that contain either 5% Glycolic or alpha hydroxyl acid. These acids work best for cleaning the skin gently; however, you do not want to use a toner with more than 5% of these acids because they can irritate the skin. These acids help to clear the skin, reduce pore size, and prevent ingrown hairs. It is important to use a toner on your face to aid in the aging process. As your skin ages, it needs to work harder to maintain its elasticity. Toners help provide your skin with the elements it needs to maintain its elasticity and youthful look. Remember to use a toner that is not photosensitive or sensitive to light. 4 Moisturizing your skin is a necessity.Your skin needs moisture in order to protect itself as well as recover from the harsh elements it faces on a daily basis. For moisturizers you want to use the product with the least amount of chemical additives. For best results, it is good to use a light moisturizer on your face and neck after cleansing and shaving. For an intensive moisture treatment, it is important to use pure vitamin E, or Aloe Vera oil. This is available in either in liquid or capsule form and applied directly to the skin. These two nutrients are also beneficial for under the eye and help replenish the thin skin of this area. This area is essential to moisturize because it begins to show age very quickly. One effective under eye moisturizer is the "911" Eye Treatment that contains chamomile and refreshes the delicate skin of this area. After shaving, it is essential to moisturize with a product that has zero alcohol in it. Alcohol is very harsh on the skin and can dry it out. It is also important to avoid heavy fragrant after-shave products as they can irritate the skin. Overall, the most important step after shaving is to hydrate your skin. |
Tip 4 continued... One of the most important elements to remember in your skincare routine is your lips. You should use a lip balm that has an SPF of at least 15. Try a lip balm that contains Peppermint oil; it helps lips stay moisturized and look and feel luscious. I recommend applying Mënaji's Lip Agent is a once a day. 5 Treat your skin.Depending on your skin type, either oily, dry or combination, and the season there are many different products that will treat and enhance your skin. It is important to understand your skin type and its needs are. All types of skin need to be exfoliated on a regular basis. Exfoliation is essential to maintaining healthy skin and should be a daily occurrence. 6 Protect your skin.Young looking skin is healthy skin. Several preventative techniques can encourage the best skin possible and keep it looking its best for longer. Your skin is a mirror for your overall body health. If you take care and pride in your skin you are doing the same for your body. Use a moisturizer daily for best results in keeping the skin healthy, young and vibrant. 7 Avoid over exposure to the sun.Sun damage leads to hyper pigmentation, brown spots, that can develop into serious skin diseases. Excessive exposure to the sun can also speed up the aging process by damaging the skin and exaggerating fine lines. To prevent sun damage it is essential to use a moisturizer with an SPF of at least 15 or higher on all exposed skin, especially your face. 8 Stay in shapeExercise promotes improved capillary function that can decrease premature aging. Exercise also increases oxygen saturation in the tissues that help keep skin looking healthy and youthful. 9 Eat rightEnsure that green vegetables and vitamins such as C and E are in your regular diet regimen. Everything in moderation, too much of anything is never a good idea. It is important to stay away from excess alcohol, smoking, fatigue and stress. All of these factors can lead to premature aging by exposing your skin to harsh chemicals as well as by reducing facial circulation. 10 Use nutritious and healthy products for the skinSkin care products that help improve the skin and general health of the skin. Expose yourself to products that have integrity and results that help the skin be the best it can be. |