What is the best men's skincare?

Skincare for men is often approached somewhat differently than for women. On average, men do not spend 1 to 1.5 hours a day in front of the mirror preparing their appearance.

Most men spend less than 10 minutes a day on skincare, including shaving.  Good men's skincare doesn't have to take long at all. We'll show you that it can be simple and fast too!

Men are finding it increasingly 'normal' to pay more attention to their appearance, and social media plays an important role in this. People simply want to look better, and we don't blame you. It's always nice to look your best and receive compliments on your looks, isn't it?

Many men go to the gym or want to look good in nice clothes. They say clothes make the man... But what do you look at first? Surely it's someone's face, and only then the clothes!

Additionally, women are becoming increasingly selective and want a well-groomed man. Fortunately, more and more men understand this and are gradually finding their way in this regard. They often still use the wrong products, but more on that later.

In our salon in Amsterdam, just under 20% of our clientele consists of men. This continues to increase every year. This means that more and more men, especially in a large city like Amsterdam, are focusing on skincare.

We have young men with acne, older men who would like to do something about skin aging, or men with a small belly they want to have frozen. Because men, too, can be greatly bothered by this and sometimes even feel insecure about it. Fortunately, we notice that this is increasingly less seen as a 'taboo,' and we have men visiting us daily or ordering skincare products online.

Is skincare for men different from that for women?

There is one major difference between average women's and men's skin. The most important is that a man's skin can be up to 25% thicker. Men's skin also often has larger pores, making it appear oilier. Additionally, men's skin is often exposed to damage resulting from shaving beards and moustaches. Men's skin often ages later than women's skin, but  Once the aging process has set in motion in men, it proceeds much faster than in women.

For men, just as for women, it is of great importance to keep the skin looking good, well-groomed, and clean. This prevents skin problems such as dry or acne-prone skin and premature aging. This does not have to be complicated at all and simply requires a few minutes of attention to the face in the morning and before going to bed.

Products for men's skin

There are already countless products on the market in the field of men's skincare. But what is actually best for men's skin? And can a man use the same products as a woman? Almost all day creams or serums can simply be used by men too! It is not so much about whether you are a man or a woman, but about what skin type you have. If you see a product labeled as a skincare product specifically for men, it is often created from a marketing perspective.

The skincare products available from us can be used by both men and women. Think specifically of Murad and Medik8. As long as you know what type of skin you have, there are plenty of options.

Why drugstore skincare is not good for your skin?

Skincare products that you can buy at the drugstore are men's grooming products that take care of what we can see on the surface. This sounds very logical, of course, but our skin consists of many more layers than just the layer we can see.

If you have skin problems or want to address skin aging, you need to reach the deeper layers of the skin with products; this is where we can give the skin a helping hand and resolve any potential issues. For this, you need products, or rather molecules, that can penetrate the skin. The ingredients in drugstore skincare products cannot do this! There is so much more to it than simply putting a few ingredients together in a jar and releasing it onto the market. Many studies are required to truly prove that the ingredients/molecules really work effectively within the living layers of the skin. The brands you buy at the drugstore would rather put their money into marketing than research! In addition, these skincare products contain low concentrations of active ingredients. The danger of higher concentrations is the risk of irritation and therefore lower sales; so the products are so low in concentration (or they use molecules that are too large to penetrate the skin) that everyone can use them.

Drugstore skincare generally only cares for our top layer of skin; for many, this can feel nice and provide sufficient comfort. Unfortunately, this pampers the skin so much that its function is diminished. After all, the skin no longer has to do anything to stay hydrated, since we apply that skincare product to it anyway. Because the skin becomes lazy, your skin condition will deteriorate, which can lead to skin problems and cause premature aging as you get older.

The skin can easily do the work itself, but as we age or experience skin problems, it sometimes just needs a trigger to function properly again. So, do not pamper your skin with oily skincare, but get to work with skin-improving products if you want to maintain a good appearance in the long run or tackle skin problems at the root.

We therefore work with brands that have sometimes conducted studies for more than eight years before a product is released to the market. Consider, for example, oxidation in products. Unfortunately, ingredients are very often used that are completely oxidized after just a week and therefore have absolutely no effect on the skin anymore. Research must be done into this, and it should not simply be incorporated into a product.

What is the best skincare for men?

If you, as a man, start to take an interest in skincare, the first step is often to get started with products at home. This is a good start! If the skin is not used to anything yet, this can have a huge effect and make the skin look much better.. But what do you need now?

The most important thing for men's skin is a 3-step plan that takes you a maximum of 2 minutes in the morning and 2 minutes in the evening.

Step 1 Clean with a cleanser
Step 2 Serum (addresses or prevents specific skin problems)
Step 3 Day cream + SPF sun protection/evening cream

With just 4 products, you can already make a good start on properly caring for your skin and working on anti-aging or other skin problems.

How do I recognize my skin type as a man?

Everyone has a different skin type. To make matters even more complicated, almost everyone also has a combination skin type. By this we mean, for example, an oilier forehead and nose but somewhat drier cheeks. If you have oily skin, this can be recognized by a somewhat oily film and larger pores. Drier skin has small pores and can sometimes even tend towards flaking and rough skin.

The different skin types and the best skincare for men:

1. Normal skin type men

Normal skin types have small pores and firm, balanced skin. The skin is elastic and does not become oily during the day. You experience virtually no impurities.

Our advice for men with normal skin:
Cleanse the skin every morning and evening with a cleanser, use a moisturizer (day cream) with SPF during the day, and in the evening use an anti-aging serum + night cream with active ingredients for the night. This prevents premature aging in the form of lines and wrinkles.

Facial treatment for men with dry skin:

There are plenty of facials for normal men's skin. It depends a bit on what you want to focus on. Our advice is to to choose an introductory treatment for men. We will then look together at the best treatment to suit your skin and wishes.

2. Dry skin type men

Dry skin is characterized by flaking and a dry and/or tight feeling. The cheeks and forehead usually shed flakes when rubbed, and the skin feels somewhat rough. Men with a dry skin type age faster than other skin types and develop wrinkles and fine lines sooner. The skin is visibly less elastic than other skin types. This is because the moisture balance in the skin is not in order.

Men's skincare for dry skin:
‘s ochtends en ‘s avonds een cleanser voor de droge huid te gebruiken, de Medik8 Cream Cleans is packed with hydrating properties and is very gentle on the skin. Use sunscreen with a high SPF during the day (even when the sun is not shining), at least SPF 30 or a  hydrating day cream such as Medik8 Advanced Day Total Protect with SPF 30. Harmful UV radiation damages the skin and can dry it out and damage it even further. It can also damage your DNA, which can lead to skin cancer.

Additionally, restore your fluid balance by Medik8 B5 serum to use. Initially, use this as often as possible until the skin starts to feel better. Always avoid drying ingredients, such as soap or alcohol. Use in the evening after cleansing and the serum.  Medik8 Vitamin C Night Cream that repairs your skin while you sleep.

Facial treatment for men with dry skin:

Click on: facial treatments for dry skin for more information about our solutions for dry skin.

3. Oily skin type men

Men with an oily skin type are generally less sensitive to skincare products. The pores are smaller, causing blackheads and impurities to accumulate and become visible more quickly. The skin always has a certain degree of shine, which can vary from day to day.

Skincare for men with an oily skin type:
Cleanse the skin with a soap-free cleanser such as  Medik8 Clarifying Foam both in the morning and in the evening. As a day cream and night cream, we recommend the  Medik8 Balance Moisturizer. This is enriched with prebiotics and probiotics and works with the skin's natural mechanisms to balance the skin and stimulate hydration, creating a mattifying effect.

‘s Avonds gebruik je na het reinigen en voor de crème het Crystal Retinal 6 serum from Medik8 which, in addition to working against skin aging, also has an antibacterial effect. Optional: Use the once a week  Medik8 Clay Mask Clay-based to absorb fats and support the natural balance. Avoid drying ingredients such as soap or products containing alcohol.

Facial treatment for men with oily skin:

Click on: facial treatments for oily skin for more information about our solutions for oily skin.

4. Sensitive skin type men

Men's skincare for sensitive skin is quite simple, if you know what you're doing! Avoid using products that can cause irritation, as sensitive skin reacts quickly to certain ingredients. Additionally, sensitive skin feels tight, is dry, red, or chapped, and can sometimes itch. Rehydrating and restoring the skin's natural barrier is paramount for treating sensitive men's skin. Sensitive skin types are always accompanied by another skin type (such as dry or oily), with the added benefit of extra sensitivity. For sensitive men's skin, it is important to use very mild ingredients. Medik8 has a very gentle line for sensitive skin.

Our advice for men with sensitive skin:
Cleanse the skin with a mild cleanser such as the  Medik8 Calmwise Soothing Cleanser. Next, as step 2, the  Medik8 Calmwise Serum which reduces redness within 1 month. As step 3, you apply  Medik8 Colour Correct on and in step 4 a high SPF such as the  Medik8 Physical Sunscreen. With these 4 steps, you will see that your skin's sensitivity decreases significantly. Please note! Do not use any products on your skin other than these 4 products.

Facial treatment for men with sensitive skin:

Click on: facial treatments for sensitive skin for more information about our solutions for sensitive skin

5. Aging men's skin

As soon as wrinkles and fine lines become visible, you can see that your skin is aging. This is not a skin type, but a process that begins much earlier in the deeper layers of the skin. This is a natural process, and unfortunately, you cannot prevent it. However, you can slow it down by caring for your skin with the right ingredients before you see wrinkles and lines appear.

Even once they are visible, you can certainly reduce them; the best results are achieved in combination with facial treatments for men. Nutrition is also very important. You can slow down the process through a healthy diet. It is never too late to slow down the aging process. But the longer you wait, the harder it becomes! Therefore, start your daily skincare routine for men today.

Solutions for aging men's skin:
In dit advies geven wij een advies voor producten die werken op huidveroudering en zijn geschikt voor de normale huid, de vette huid en de gecombineerde huid die wilt werken aan anti-aging. Als eerste stap reinigen we de huid overdag en ‘s avonds met de Medik8 Surface Radiance Cleanser. During the day, after cleansing, use a vitamin C serum such as Medik8 C-Tetra Intense for, among other things, the production of collagen and elastin and concludes with a  Medik8 Daily Radiance Vitamin C day cream. For the evening, we recommend after cleaning the  Medik8 R-Retinoate Intense, this is the best night cream for men with retinol and is known as the best retinol product on the market against skin aging.

La Colline, however, has created a specific line for men's skin.

In addition to working on skin rejuvenation at a cellular level, these products also have delightful scents. We can imagine that, as a man, you might not want to smell like roses or daisies.  Therefore has  La Colline also facial care for men that work at the cellular level and on skin rejuvenation. This line uses somewhat bolder scents such as musk and a light lemon fragrance. Additionally, La Colline ensures that the products in the men's line not only look more masculine but are also quickly absorbed. As a result, no residue is left on the skin.

Facial treatment for men against skin aging

Click on: anti-aging facial treatments for men for more information about our solutions

6. Men's or boys' skin with acne

Many boys suffer from pimples and acne during puberty. Even as an adult man, pimples and acne can still cause problems. Shaving can be a cause, yet most men shave their beards regularly anyway. Shaving can therefore result in pimples plus (if you are not careful) cuts leading to scarring and irritated skin. Those scars certainly develop if you subsequently cannot leave those irritations and pimples alone. If you want to prevent pimples, use a soap-free and alcohol-free shaving foam, shave with sharp blades, and replace them regularly.

Acne is caused by excessive sebum production in the skin, which eventually clogs your pores. Bacteria then enter the body because, for example, you keep touching your skin or do not cleanse it properly. The result is inflammation. We call an inflammation (pimple) on the skin acne. Some men are embarrassed by their acne and find the step to a beauty salon too daunting. Therefore, we offer advice on how to get your skin acne-free at home. If the steps below are not sufficient to get rid of your acne, then additional cleansing treatments in a salon are truly necessary.

Our advice for men's and boys' skin with acne:
Usage  Medik8 Clarifying Foam, is a mild antibacterial soap-free cleanser that has anti-inflammatory properties and thus helps prevent acne and pimple breakouts. As a second step, use an ultra-hydrating serum such as the  Medik8 B5 serum. Acne-prone skin produces more sebum when it is dehydrated; therefore, it is of great importance to intensely hydrate the skin.  Medik8 Crystal Retinal 3 as step 3 to exfoliate the skin and combat acne bacteria. As step 4, we recommend the  Medik8 Balance Moisturizer and Glycoilic activator. This is a powerful formula with prebiotics and probiotics that stimulate the skin's balance and also help combat bacteria that cause acne and regulate sebum production. As a final step  Medik8 Blemish SOS which allows resulting breakouts and inflammations to clear up faster. All these products are also suitable for acne on the back, which is a common problem among men.

If you want to support your healthy lifestyle with dietary supplements for acne, we recommend:
To support the skin from within as well, a healthy diet is very important. You can apply all sorts of things to the outside, but if you continue to eat unhealthily, it will be very difficult to get rid of your acne. We recommend this if you want to get rid of acne quickly.  Laviesage Skin Clear in combination with  Laviesage Skin Balance to take.

Facial treatment for men and boys with acne:

Click on: gfacial treatments for acne for more information about our solutions for acne. The acne treatment can also be chosen to have the back treated.

How long do the men's face products last?

The products we have discussed last approximately 3 to 4 months.

Now that you are familiar with your skin type and any skin problems, you can specifically select products that complement the functioning of your skin.

Skincare for men from within with dietary supplements

It is said more and more often that you are what you eat. Your skin benefits from this too. The healthier we live and eat, the better our skin can look. Take sleep, for example. Too little sleep? You can bet you will see the effects on your skin the next morning. Healthy nutrition therefore plays a major role for our skin. The skin is our largest organ, but unfortunately, it only receives the leftover vitamins and minerals that the rest of the body no longer needs.

It is common knowledge that our food contains fewer nutrients than it used to. For example, spinach contained 51 mg of vitamin C (per 100 grams) in 1955, but according to the latest study conducted in 2002, it contained as little as 18 mg. The causes of this are air pollution, rapid cultivation, prolonged storage, and transport. Just imagine what vitamins are left in it in 2021. There is absolutely nothing left!

Due to the decline in this nutritional value, it is difficult to obtain sufficient nutrients and building blocks to provide your skin with everything it needs. We therefore believe that it is very important to replenish these vitamins and minerals with the right supplements. This way, your body lacks nothing, and the skin also receives the correct amounts.

Is sun protection really that important?

Absolutely! The most important skincare for men is an SPF.

We wear sun protection to counteract the sun's harmful radiation and thus prevent potential skin damage that can even lead to skin cancer. Skin cancer is, after all, the most common form of cancer. Additionally, our ozone layer is becoming increasingly thin, offering us less protection against this harmful radiation. It is therefore incredibly important to use SPF daily. And if you are spending a day outdoors and are constantly exposed to the sun, it is important to apply sunscreen regularly. After all, a good sunscreen only works for a maximum of two hours.

Men become more handsome as they get older.. Fact or fiction?

This is reserved for only a very small percentage of men, and usually those are men who earn their money with their looks, like movie stars... Would these men take care of their faces with drugstore products? What do you think?