The novel coronavirus is having a massive impact on all of us and believe it or not, an effect on our skin too. Particularly for men, who tend to neglect their skin health more than women, this quarantine time can be the perfect way to change your habits and start giving your skin a little TLC that it deserves.
If you’re just a guy who’s looking to alter (or even start) a self-care routine for improving your skin, look no further. Here is our step-by-step guide to mastering a self-quarantined and social-distanced set of habits to get your skin in shape.
Step 1: Cleanse
The very first place to start for any man is cleansing with a face wash that will provide a deep clean. Even though a lot of our time is spent indoors and it can be theorized that fewer bacteria and germs can land on your face, it’s important to remember that you can still compile tons of oils on your face from living a stay-at-home lifestyle.
If you’re not already washing your face everyday, start with getting a quality face wash that will help out with whatever skin type you have. Depending on your skin type, from dry to oily, to sensitive, each cleanser will work in a different way and for a different purpose. As for how often you should be cleansing your face, it should be at least twice a day if not more: before bed and as soon as you wake up. Doing so before bed, you’ll be sure to wipe away all of the grime that accumulated on your face during the day. Plus, additional cleansing when you wake up will not only have you feeling refreshed for the day, but can also remove any build-up that accumulated on your face while you were asleep. The key to cleansing is making this a ritual every day that will help get you in a swing of healthy habits.
Step 2: Exfoliate
A key but often overlooked step for many men comes in the form of exfoliation, or the removal of dead skin cells from your face. What usually comes in the form of a heavier and grittier cleansing product than a normal face wash, there are tons of reasons why exfoliants are so important.
For starters, exfoliating is the best way to clean the innermost layer of your skin pores that prevent acne breakouts. Think of this step as a deep cleansing of your pores that can unclog them and introduce tons of great nutrients and oils that will promote healthy skin cell growth.
Plus, this portion of your regimen (which should be done once or twice a week) is the easiest way to combat visible aging. Exfoliating products aid in collagen production, the elasticity of the skin, and the prevention of visible wrinkling, so if you’re looking to work on channeling your inner-youth, this is the best way to go about it!
Step 3: Shave
As time continues to pass, it’s likely your facial hair will grow with each day that goes by. From beard to mustache, each man approaches shaving a different way, but it’s essential to realize that shaving has an impact on your skin underneath. This means it’s critical to use the right shaving tools to not only get the perfect shave, but also to protect your face.
For men looking to full-shave, you’ll want to make sure you’re using the best skin-protecting razor blades you can find. Since close shaving actually implies the blade touching your face, it’s important you’re putting clean and sleek products on your face that won’t cause breakouts.
On the flip side, for those who don’t pick up a razor as often and like to sport a beard or mustache, you’ll want to opt for a beard oil that will keep your hair and skin thriving. Ingredients in these types of products add moisture to the beard hair and your face underneath to make sure everything is full and healthy.
Step 4: Moisturize
Moving on to moisturizer, this is a key step to keeping the moisture and hydration on the surface of your face. As it pertains to moisturizers, it’s important to look for ones rich with Vitamins A, B, C, and E. These antioxidants are essential building blocks that prevent wrinkling and skin damage. But when and how often should you be moisturizing?
Compared to the rest of your skincare routine, it’s probable that moisturizing will be the step you’re doing the most often, two or maybe even three times a day. This is most likely due to the skin’s easiness to quickly dry out due to conditions like air quality and temperature around you. As it relates to your daily hygiene regimen, the best time to moisturize is after you take a shower or finish a home workout. Specifically, with hot showers, these extreme temperatures can dry out and tighten up skin that can lead to rashes and parched skin.
Step 5: Sun Protection
Finally, it’s important to remember to always apply sunscreen if you’re going outside to protect against the sun’s harsh rays and potential dry skin. If you find yourself going for walks or exercising outside during your quarantining, certain sunscreens can add moisture to your skin alongside its normal sun-blocking function. Never feel hesitant to apply sunscreen and moisturizer, because more is always better!
Improve Overall Health
Since you have so much extra time at the moment to do things around the house, it becomes even more important to start implementing some self-care items that can help out your overall health and in turn, skin health. Starting with getting adequate sleep, it’s important to prioritize your sleep schedule during this time in order to keep a balanced lifestyle. Getting a good night’s rest helps prevent high blood pressure and other cardiovascular diseases, so try not to fall into a bad sleep pattern.
The same goes for eating healthy. It can be easy during this stay-at-home lifestyle to eat unhealthily or order food from your favorite restaurants straight to your couch. But try using the extra time to learn how to cook healthier meals for yourself. Fruits and vegetables are key ways to give yourself an overall boost. Seek out foods like broccoli, carrots, and avocados that can provide additional nutritional oils to the surface of your skin.
As you continue to tweak your COVID-19 lifestyle at home, continue to try and be mindful of your skin. After all, healthy skin is the best way to feel great from the inside out so be sure to do the groundwork now and you can come out of self-quarantine looking fresh as ever!
