Taking care of your skin should come second nature to most. It is the largest organ humans possess and a good portion of it is completely visible at all times. This mainly relates to your hands and facial skin, but the same rules can be applied to most parts of the body that require the care.
Years ago, men didn’t think about skin care. Nowadays, if you’re a man, there are two things you should be doing to your skin: cleansing and moisturizing. Fortunately, there are products available at any drugstore tailored to men’s needs. A number of facial cleansers have become available just for men – some of them are for hair/face/body for maximum convenience. And many after-shave lotions now come in a scented moisturizing form, so that a man can moisturize and smell good at the same time.
In the winter, you will notice that the air is very cold and dry, making moisturizing integral to your routine. Moisturizing your face reduces the formation of dry skin cells, which can clog your pores and cause cysts and lesions. Additionally, moisturizer improves flexibility of your face, so that you are comfortable during the day.
To avoid getting a rash if you’ve been exposed to poison oak or ivy, you need to act immediately. It takes ten minutes for the invisible oil to bind to your skin. If you can thoroughly wash the area with lots of running water within that time, you can probably avoid the rash. You can use dishwashing liquid to help break up the oil.
Sunscreen, sunscreen, sunscreen. Sun exposure is the number one cause of aging of the skin, and it’s a shame because it’s so easy to prevent. Slather on the sunscreen as soon as you step out of the shower to help it really soak in, put some more on visible areas on your lunch break, and then again when you get home, in that little half-minute break before you get out of the car to go inside. Make sure to refresh throughout the day, because sunscreen wears off. (If you pick a sunscreen that’s also a moisturizer, that’s another bonus!)
Try to bathe after exercising and try taking showers, at least twice a day. Make sure to use the body washes and soaps that work with your individual skin type. Also, make sure that you do not bathe with hot water and keep it warm or average. Bathing with hot water can strip the oil from your skin, leaving it very dry.
Try to reduce the amount of soda that you consume on a daily basis. Soda is packed with sugars and carbohydrates, which can cause cause a poor reaction with your skin. Instead of soda, try drinking water or flavored water as an alternative to your meals during the day or night.
Although it may seem counter-intuitive, immersing dry skin in water for extended periods of time may actually have a dehydrating effect. This is especially true of prolonged exposure to hot or warm water, like that found in a bath or shower. Instead, use a water soluble moisturizer and wash your face with tepid, not hot, water.
Protect your skin from the sun. Too much sun exposure is one of the prime causes of premature wrinkles, freckles as well as age spots and even dry skin. In addition to these cosmetic problems, the sun can also seriously increase your risk of developing skin cancer. Always wear sun screen, especially between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. as this is when the sun’s rays are the strongest.
If you have sensitive skin, be careful when trying out new products. No matter what skin type you do have, sensitivity can also be a factor. Pay attention when buying skin care products, and check labels to make sure there’s no ingredients that you know aggravate your skin. If you’re not sure, buy products specifically designed for sensitive skin.
Dry skin can be great in your youth because you do not suffer from acne as much. When you are older, it is important to take better care of your dry skin so you don’t get premature wrinkles. Exfoliate your skin to keep it fresh. When you use an exfoliating scrub, it takes off dead skin and allows new skin to regenerate, helping prevent wrinkles.
A great tip for maintaining healthy skin is to make sure you aren’t eating too much sodium or processed foods. Eating these foods may cause your skin to breakout. Instead, try including more fresh vegetables and fruit in your diet. Eating fresh fruits and vegetables is key for having healthy skin.
Do you have an extreme case of chapped lips? Then put a super-moisturizing balm that contains Shea butter onto your lips. Don’t use lipsticks that are are long-lasting. Also, avoid flavored lip balm or lipstick because these will encourage you to lick you lips more often, causing more evaporation and even dryer lips.
It is delightful to luxuriate in the bathtub with bath oils. However, if you are on a budget, then it is not necessary to purchase expensive oils to have a moisturizing soak in the tub. All you need is to go to your kitchen and grab a bottle of olive oil. Olive oil has been used as a moisturizer for the skin for 5,000 years and is proven to improve the elasticity of the skin and condition dry skin.
If you want your skin to look good, make sure you’re getting enough sleep at night. If you’re getting less than eight hours of sleep each night, you’re likely to develop fatigued skin and dark circles under your eyes. Not only that but lack of sleep can lead to premature wrinkles.
By taking proper care of your skin you are keeping your body clean and your appearance improving. There is nothing wrong with getting a little dirty, but you need to be able to clean yourself off at the end of the day and feel confident about yourself as you turn off the lights.
