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by Paolo Basauri
When we men start buying skin care products, we don’t look too much in the components and nature of the product in front of us. We just tend glaze over the counter and read general features, such as “anti-aging”, “no more wrinkles”, “bye bye greasy skin”. However there is one of these features that we should be more aware of: “organic product”.
Organic skin care or natural skin care, refers to the use of all-natural ingredients to take care of our skin. These products are generally made of more than one type of herbs and seeds, that combined are able to bring the same results as a chemical based products. Organic lifestyles and the rediscovery of ancient herbs are making organic skin care increasingly popular in men skin care products, and put chemical based products under the spotlight.
Chemical skin care became popular thanks to its sometimes incredible results in correcting skin problems. And that was the reason they had a higher price too. But as years had passed, medical investigations had shown that some of these components are not safe. Components such as Aliminum, Propulene Glycol and Imidazolidinyl urea, have been proved to be harmful to people. Their effects include links with breast cancer, contact dermatitis, ototoxicity, kidney damage and more. Most of the products with these components have been banned, but there are some that not, even with all the research to back that up. There may be also other components not YET found harmful.
As men we are in contact with a lot of these chemicals, but not as much as a woman. An average woman uses 12 beauty products a day, this adds up 168 chemicals!
However, with all that, we shouldn’t rely so blindly in Organic skin care. Organic products are notoriously under-regulated and some of these so called “All-natural” products use chemicals, and chemical processes to blend the components. Of course not too many people speak loudly about these, and you come to discover the effects by yourself.
The best advice to take is this: Know what you are using. You have to be informed, because it is your skin what we are talking about here. You may think that as a man your skin is tougher, but that is not true. Facial skin is more sensitive in men due to constant bad shaving habits. Do a search on Internet for the ingredients on the product you’re about to buy and if possible ask a doctor for advice.
Paolo Basauri, is an expert author writing for a variety of topics on the web.Paolo Basauri may be contacted at or paolo.parodi@gmail.com
by Deidra Garcia
A simple and basic regimen for skin that looks and feels great everyday: 1. Cleanse
Cleanse once a day to remove impurities, sweat and oily deposits. Repeat at night for oily or acne-prone skin.
Avoid soaps and harsh cleansers with added fragrance or color.
Choose a cleanser with glycolic and salicylic acid to remove dead skin cells and organic debris that cannot be removed by regular cleansers.
2. Exfoliate
This step should become part of your basic routine. It is the fastest way to revitalize your appearance and deep-cleanse your skin.
It is an excellent way to prepare for shaving, as it raises stubs and opens pores for a closer shave. It can help treat and prevent ingrown hairs and other problems.
Don't overdo the intensity of the scrubbing. Avoid exfoliating after exposure to the sun.
Exfoliating your entire body will give your skin and muscles a healthy, buffed appearance.
3. Shave
Be very picky about your shaving products-most products are just foam and don't provide sufficient lubrication.
For best results, shave while in the shower or immediately thereafter.
Don't skip using a serious post-shave treatment with anti-inflammatory ingredients. It accelerates healing, softens, and prevents infection, ingrown hairs and acne.
4. Moisturize
An oil-free or light moisturizer is best. Apply after showering to lock in moisture.
It is a good idea to reapply moisturizer at bedtime, especially in winter ordrier climates. Look for "true" moisturizing ingredients such as hyaluronic acid or glycerin. These substances absorb water from the atmosphere and transfer it to the skin.
The skin around your eyes is the thinnest and most delicate and requires special attention. Use a product specially designed for this area.
5. Repair
Be realistic. Resolving skin problems requires patience and discipline.
Make sure you use products with proven efficacy.
It is easier to prevent than to repair. Avoid irritating ingredients, as these will debilitate your skin and its ability to renew itself.
Deidra Garcia is a freelance writer and communications manager for MenScience Androceuticals, a men's skincare and grooming company. You can find more articles by Deidra, as well as further tips and advice, at www.MenScience.com. Deidra Garcia may be contacted at http://www.MenScience.com or dgarcia@menscience.com
by Deidra Garcia
While most skin problems affect all ethnicities equally, some problems tend to affect African-American skin differently or more frequently. These differences suggest that black men should pay special attention to their skincare routines, especially since some products can even discolor or damage darker skin tones.
1. Ingrown hairs. While most men have suffered from ingrown hairs or razor burn, black men are especially prone to this condition because of their highly-curved body hairs. Because the hair tends to be more tightly curled, it has a greater chance of curving and growing back into the skin after shaving. This causes painful shaving bumps and irritation on the face and neck, and can only become more aggravated with further shaving.
Although it’s a common problem, there’s no need to simply accept it as a natural danger of shaving: by keeping skin exfoliated, changing your razor after 4-5 uses and following with a product with dermatologically-active ingredients, you can greatly reduce the occurrence of ingrown hairs. If you find yourself suffering a great deal from these skin irritations, consider cutting down on the amount of times you shave, since frequent shaving too close to the skin will trap hairs inside the follicles.
2. Dark Spots and Hyperpigmentation. Dark areas can often appear on African-American skin when scarring occurs, whether from cuts, acne or burns. These dark spots and uneven skin tone (called “hyperpigmentation”) will usually fade over time, but some ingredients can definitively help even skin color and promote a smoother surface. Hydroquinone, Kojic Acid and Vitamin C are used regularly by dermatologists and skincare professionals to fade dark areas and balance skin tone. These products often take 4-8 weeks to see maximum results, and they have been known to cause irritation in some men, so you should consult a dermatologist if you have sensitive skin or if irritation persists.
Regular, gentle exfoliation is also a good way to improve skin tone because it removes the top layer of dead skin cells and allows new, healthier cells to appear. By removing the upper layer, it also allows ingredients such as Hydroquinone to more effectively treat the skin. When using a product such as this, make sure you protect your skin well from the sun’s rays, since sun exposure stimulates pigment production and can re-darken areas.
3. Dry, Ashy Skin. Black men with very dry skin often have an ashy or gray appearance, so it’s important to keep skin well-moisturized and reinforced with nurturing vitamins to promote a smoother, healthier look. Because hot water can pull moisture from the skin’s surface, avoid long, hot showers and take quick lukewarm ones instead. Wash with a gentle liquid cleanser instead of bar soap (since bar soap can actually dry out skin), and put an active moisturizer on within five minutes of stepping out of the bathtub. This will lock moisture into your pores, promoting a smoother, more even appearance. Use an oil-free moisturizer that contains nutrients like Aloe, Hyaluronic Acid, Squalene and Vitamins A, D, and E, and don’t forget about the delicate area around your eyes.
4. Sun Protection. A common misconception about darker-toned skin is that it cannot burn or be damaged by the sun. Although African-American skin contains more melanin (skin pigment) which offers greater protection against the sun’s rays, it is still at risk for a number of sun-related diseases. In fact, African-American men are often at a higher risk because it is often harder to detect changes in skin marks or discolorations. This means it may take longer for a person to seek treatment, by which time the damage could have spread even further. Protecting your skin from the sun is a serious business, but it can be as easy as using a sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher that offers protection from both UVA and UVB rays, and reapplying it often.
Deidra Garcia is a freelance writer and communications manager for MenScience Androceuticals, a men's skincare and grooming company. You can find more articles by Deidra, as well as further tips and advice, at www.MenScience.com. Deidra Garcia may be contacted at http://www.MenScience.com or dgarcia@menscience.com
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