Men's Skin & Care

Men's Skin & Care

The differences between men and women's skin are generally caused by hormones, specifically testosterone. Androgens such as testosterone affect the thickness of the skin and how much sebum the skin's sebaceous glands produce and men, of course, have more testosterone than women, thus, their skin is both thicker and oilier. This means that a man may be more likely to get breakouts, have larger pores and more blackheads.

Men also have a higher collagen density too, something most do not even realize is beneficial as this contributes to them not aging as easily and is why a man may appear more "ageless." The higher concentrations of collagen provides men with skin that is 25% thicker as well as giving a tougher texture.

Although men's skin is thicker and tougher, one of the main daily grooming actives for men is shaving which can lead to more sensitive, easily irritated skin. Shaving can lead to cuts, razor burns (folliculitis), ingrown hairs (pseudofolliculitis barbae) as well as over-expose the skin to external influences as it clears off microscopic pieces of dead skin and also because of a weakened skin barrier function.

Logically, this difference seems to suggest that men should use different skincare products than women, but this is not necessarily true. Regardless of the differences in their skin, for the most part, the concerns that women have about their skin and the concerns that men have about their skin are the same and can be treated in the same way.

Let's take a look at some ingredients that assist in treating the different histology of men's skin, instead of focusing on specific skin needs, which we have determined can be similar to that of women's skin.

Retinol

If you're not using retinol already, you've probably at least heard about it. This ingredient is a standby of premium skincare, with powerful cellular regeneration properties.

What it does
- By stimulating collagen production, retinol is an industry mainstay for improving the look of fine lines and wrinkles. Note that retinol is best used at night, to protect those fragile new skin cells from contact with damaging UV rays. (Some skincare experts recommend wearing SPF the day after using retinol as well.)

Hyaluronic acid

Another sugar-based acid, this one helps your skin retain water within its tissues so it stays well hydrated. Made with bacteria-fermented plants, hyaluronic acid works by attracting moisture to the skin, providing deep and long-lasting hydration and elasticity without any oils.

What it does
- Thanks to its moisture-retention powers, hyaluronic acid is the "magic" ingredient that restores youth to your skin, visibly reducing wrinkles and bringing out a radiant glow. And because it's not oil-based, even acne-prone skin can benefit from its hydrating powers.

Glycolic Acid

This hydroxy acid is derived from sugarcane, and works by dissolving the bonds between dead skin cells. Plus, because the acid molecule is so small, it can reach directly into the skin's hair follicles to loosen built-up sebum and proteins that lead to breakouts.

What it does
- As a chemical exfoliator, glycolic acid gently removes dead skin cells (and the pore-clogging bacteria and oil attached to them) with no physical scrubbing or scraping needed. Along with encouraging healthy cell turnover without tearing the skin, chemical exfoliation is especially effective for oilier skin types, as it helps unclog pores and control acne without stimulating further oil production.

Niacinamide

Also known as vitamin B3, niacinamide is a powerhouse ingredient that offers numerous skin benefits. Its chameleon-like quality makes it a wonderful choice to address almost any skin concern, and it can be used day or night, in combination with just about any other ingredients.

What it does
- This workhorse ingredient does everything but the dishes: minimizing the appearance of enlarged pores, evening out skin tone, erasing fine lines, and overall hydration by strengthening the skin's natural barrier.

Peptides

These amino acid chains act as building blocks of collagen, elastin and keratin. When we're young, we naturally produce peptides at a high rate, but production slows down from 25 to age 40 when it nearly stops. For this reason, adding peptides to your skincare is key to reversing the signs of aging.

What it does
- Along with improving your skin's texture and resilience, peptides help repair protein loss and generate collagen. In addition, using peptides topically is believed to increase your body's natural peptide production.

So whether you're purchasing skincare products for the man in your life or a guy who cares about what he puts on his skin, you hopefully also know what you don't want to see on the label of your products. Ingredients like synthetic preservatives (parabens), plastic-based solvents (phthalates), and petroleum-based fragrances. Not only are they bad for your skin, but they've been shown to have long-term health implications.

Ccheck out the following GLOWBIOTICS products for men's skin and care!

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