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Men’s skin looks 15 years younger than women’s, so why waste nature’s gift? It’s never too early, or late, for anyone to establish a daily skincare routine
Skincare is booming. Guys are realising it is never too early, or late, to give their skin the attention it needs. The skin of biological males differs from that of biological females; for example, it has been scientifically proven to look 15 years younger on average! Why throw away that advantage? Here are some tips on how anyone can use Elave Skincare’s gender-neutral formulations to give their skin the care it deserves.
Although the thicker, tougher skin enjoyed by men does keep them looking younger for longer, repeated muscle movement will eventually lead to deeper, furrowed wrinkles. Testosterone can also make the skin oilier, particularly in your teens and twenties. As a first step to establishing an appropriate skincare routine, it is important to figure out your skin type.
We also recommend that everyone starts looking after their skin before the ageing process begins. Collagen production starts slowing down in the mid to late 20s (collagen and elastin are proteins that work to keep your skin elastic). As supplies decrease, the skin loses more and more of its ability to stretch and return to normal, until eventually fine lines and wrinkles are created.
It is a good idea to establish good skin habits early on as part of a daily self-care routine. This is especially important if you spend a lot of time outdoors, perhaps in sports or hobbies, or if you are employed in the construction, agriculture or fishing industries. Whether you are clean-shaven or prefer a full beard, you still need to take care of your facial skin.
Dry skin can become red and flaky in a number of situations – when it is exposed to cold, wet winter weather; if it is scrubbed skin excessively; or if harsh formulations are applied. It could also mean you are one of many Irish men who suffer from a dry skin condition like eczema. If that is so, you need to make sure you protect and hydrate your dermis several times a day.
If you are lucky, you may have normal skin which can tolerate a variety of products without becoming irritated. But if your skin easily becomes itchy or develops rashes when you try new ingredients, you have sensitive skin. People with oily skin tend to have shiny faces and experience frequent breakouts of spots or acne. Or you could have combination skin, with some patches of your face being dry, and others being more on the oily side.
The three goals of a basic skin routine are: Cleanse, Moisturise, and Protect. Some ingredients are more helpful than others, so avoid formulations which contain soap, fragrance, alcohol and dyes. These will dry out your skin and are more likely to cause reactions. A fragrance allergy can manifest days, or even weeks, after you have started using a particular product. Avoid aftershave containing alcohol - they may feel refreshing, but they also dry out your skin.
The Elave Sensitive ranges offer formulations which are pure, gentle, packed with nourishment – and easy on your wallet. Let’s start with cleansing. Cleansing twice a day, first thing in the morning, and again right before bed, is a must. If you exercise at some point during the day, you should also cleanse after your workout. Use warm, not hot, water and completely rinse off any product. Do not rub your skin dry, just pat gently.
Soap strips natural oils from the skin, leaving it feeling dry and tight. Look out for formulations containing hyaluronic acid and glycerin, which support the skin barrier. Elave Hydrating Cream Cleanser is a vitamin B5 and E enriched formula containing aloe vera and natural glycerin to cleanse, smooth, repair and hydrate. Elave Skin Balancing Cleansing Gel combines natural foaming agents and humectants with Manuka honey, vitamin E and camomile extract to deeply cleanse, hydrate and calm your skin.
Shave after a warm shower, when your facial hair is softer, shaving in the direction of your hair growth to reduce irritation. If your skin is particularly dry or irritated, using an electrical razor may help. Elave Shave Essentials are designed to be used together. Elave Shave Gel is a sulfate-free formulation which helps prevent razor burn while delivering a close, smooth shave. Elave Shave Balm with aloe vera and cooling menthol reduces redness. The Elave Shave Brush is a synthetic, allergy-friendly alternative to animal hair bristles.
After cleansing, moisturise while your skin is still slightly damp. Elave Intense Moisture Surge is a powerful combination of coconut oil, shea butter, vitamins and glycerin that repairs and surges moisture back into facial skin, or try Elave Skin Balancing Moisturiser, which balances the skin and reduces the appearance of fine lines in a multi-action formula containing Manuka honey, natural glycerin and hyaluronic acid.
Everyone should use sunscreen from childhood and daily in Ireland from at least March until September. Elave Daily Skin Defence SPF45 combines oil-free emollients which hydrate the skin with high UVA and UVB protection. The invisible zinc, vitamin B5 and E enriched formula is quickly absorbed to guard against signs of photoaging and loss of elasticity. Elave Sun SPF30 and SPF 50+ are pure, vegan formulations infused with 12 antioxidants and 9 botanicals to guarantee high, broad spectrum, protection with no itching, prickling or rashes.
If you want to step up your skincare routine, try Elave Rejuvenating Night Treatment,which combineshydrating emollients which repair the skin with glycolic acid arginine complex to promote cellular regeneration and stimulate collagen synthesist. Elave Eye Serum and Elave Lip Balm also offer good additional protection.
Finally, looking after your skin is a head-to-toe proposition, so check out Elave Skincare’s ranges of shampoo, body wash and body lotions to ensure the rest of your body looks as good as your face! All our formulations are available on this website, in community pharmacies, and at Tesco, Chemist Warehouse and Dunnes Beauty.
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