The largest multifunctional organ of the body is largely taken for granted by many—especially men.
Until a decade and a half ago when the Korean Wave in the Philippines led to many men’s epiphany about glass skin, options for male skincare were scarce, if not limited to men’s grooming and fragrances.
One thing people need to know is that humans have sexual dimorphisms with their skin that are yet to be fully understood (or at least reach a consensus). In a literature review of 632 publications about the skin, a study summarized what we can accept for now: Men have higher sebum content, skin pigmentation, skin thickness, and larger pores than women. Their facial wrinkles also tend to be deeper, and sagging is more noticeable in the lower eyelids.
On the other hand, female skin tends to be scalier, marginally more elastic, and less oily.
On an individual level, there is only so much that dimorphism can dictate vis-à-vis your specific regimen. Yes, the sun is our common enemy (never leave home without a sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher), but skin profiles even among men varies from person to person.
Regardless your skincare philosophy, it is generally accepted that a cleanser-moisturizer-sunscreen triumvirate is fundamental to the regimen you will build. From here, you can tweak your morning and evening routines and explore options from an overwhelming array of products.
Then, there is your hair. Dandruff is a common issue among men, and your hair’s health affects your choice of haircare, specifically shampoo. These products affect your skin, your scalp, and your face, the reason why dermatologists believe that hair care is skin care.
Whether you are only getting started in your skincare journey or unhappy with your current regimen, here are nine skincare and grooming products for you to consider.
Dove Sensitive Skin Beauty Bar
PH, the quantitative measure of acidity or basicity, is fundamental to skincare. The body’s pH is usually 5.4 to 5.9, which means our skin is acidic. A 2012 study claims that men’s skin is more acidic than women’s.
Our skin can become irritated when it gets into contact with an item with a higher pH level. This is the raison d’etre of toners—to balance our skin’s pH after cleansing—and why our clothes need to be thoroughly rinsed to neutralize the alkalinity of detergents during laundry.
Following this logic, some people will find that a highly alkaline soap will irritate their skin. Normal body soaps have a pH level between 9 and 10. Products described as “balanced” or “neutral” (pH 7 is considered neutral), such as Dove’s sensitive soap, usually work for me as a body soap. Aside from cleansing, this soap is also a moisturizer, which dry and sensitive skin types need the most.
Corsx Salicylic Acid Daily Facial Cleanser
This facial cleanser is a favorite of the acne-prone guy because of its anti-inflammatory properties. It contains salicylic acid that unblocks clogged pores, exfoliates the skin, and lessens sebum production. To be fair, several users also avoid this cleanser due to its reported drying effect, but it works perfectly with a good moisturizer if you ever find this product doing wonders on your skin.
Cetaphil Moisturizing Lotion
Moisturizers help the skin maintain its natural moisture barrier and prevent dryness. Although admittedly not the most affordable, Cetaphil’s moisturizing lotion is an easy choice for anyone who doesn’t have the time and patience to look for one. It contains hydrating glycerin, vitamin B5, and vitamin B3, a cocktail of ingredients that soothe and retain the skin’s moisture barrier.
Apply moisturizers within three minutes after a refreshing shower to help trap moisture.
Camou Men’s Tinted Moisturizer
The young brand Camou has been making waves in the men’s skincare section, especially among those who are only about to start a serious regimen and in search of affordable options.
My personal favorite is Camou’s tinted moisturizer, which combines men’s foundation and moisturizer into a hybrid product of three skin tone options – light, medium, and bronze. It does the job well of covering light blemishes, and it is SPF 30 for added protection.
Camou Men’s Eye Rescue Eye Cream
The skin below the eyes is among the most sensitive on our faces. It is therefore affected more easily by lifestyle and environmental activities, such as stress, lack of sleep, smoking, and the sun.
Eye creams are recommended solutions for dark circles albeit debated on how much difference they truly make. There are plenty to choose from, including Kiehl’s. Camou’s eye cream – a personal choice – comes with a roller applicator that is simply convenient and soothing to use. It contains five key ingredients: retinol and bakuchiol (both have anti-aging properties), niacinamide (reduces inflammation), caffeine, and collagen.
Old Spice High Endurance Pure Sport
Armpit odor is caused by an enzyme found in the bacterium Staphylococcus hominis living in the armpit. These bacteria feed on odorless chemicals released in our sweat, which the enzyme then converts into thioalcohols—a pungent compound responsible for the unpleasant odor.
Old Spice deodorants inhibit odor-causing bacteria and overpower pungent smells with fresh scents. Its High Endurance Pure Sport antiperspirant-and-deodorant-in-one has been personally tested, and Old Spice does not bluff when it promises 24-hour protection. It is an ideal product for men who like to keep an active lifestyle.
Manscaped’s The Lawn Mower 5.0 Ultra
Removing hair below the waist has no proven health benefit (except for keeping out lice), and people do so for either hygiene theater or aesthetics.
So, if you’re the type of guy who likes to keep it clean-shaven down there, you might as well buy the $100 state-of-the-art trimmer named after the machine that keeps your backyard in check. This groin groomer is compact, easy to use, and armed with a ceramic blade. No trimmer is 100% skin-safe, so you must always exercise caution, especially on loose skin to avoid cutting yourself.
Armaf Club De Nuit Intense
Club De Nuit is an excellent entry-level perfume for men. It is not heavy on the pocket, and is flexible for whichever agenda you have for the day. Its top notes have hints of lemon and pineapple, while the middle notes are a layer of jasmine and rose. At the base is a musky, vanilla scent.
Tom Ford Ombre Leather
You can never go wrong with this Tom Ford unisex perfume. Rich black leather notes pair with floral and spicy tones and layers of amber and moss. A 100ml eau de parfum bottle can fetch as much as P18,700 but a Tom Ford creation is both sensual and made to impress, so it’s always worth the hefty price tag.
Photos: Daniel Faro
