To Groom or not to Groom?

While we may dislike gender assumptions, comparatively most men just don't care about their skin or maintaining a skincare routine. That’s just the facts. Whatever your reasons may be, possibly you weren't taught to care about your skin and just don't know where to start, taking care of your skin is important.

There are hundreds of different types of hair products, nail polishes, creams and shampoos all labeled specifically for women. Beauty magazines are majoritarily written for women, by women, and advertise products that are labeled for them.

But the big question is-- to groom or not to groom? Men should have a daily skin care routine as well. Men’s skin needs to be taken care of as well.

And the good news is-- it's not as difficult or time consuming as you may think! Here are four ways you can achieve a clearer complexion and smoother skin.

1. Start by knowing your skin type

This step may seem silly, but it's something most people really don’t know. It’s the foundation from where you start. The key to picking the best product for your skin type is knowing your skin type. How do you know it? According to David E. Bank, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist, it's ridiculously easy.

Start by washing your face with a mild cleanser such as Cetaphil, pat dry, and then wait about five minutes. After the time is up, hold a facial tissue to your face for several minutes. Then observe it. If it's extremely dry, your skin is probably on the dry-sensitive side. However, if there is oil on it, you’re oily. If it's just a little moist, then you're probably somewhere in between. Then, choose a cleanser accordingly.

2. Not every product is equal

Sharing is not caring. Washing your face with your roommate's/girlfriend's/ sister’s face wash is not the best choice. Facial cleansing products are not created equal. Once you know your skin type, choosing the correct product for your skin is imperative in order to yield the best results. At worst, using a product that is not formatted for your skin type may cause reactions, irritations and break-outs.

3. It’s not just for girls… exfoliate!

It standard for dermatologists to recommend washing your face twice a day-- once in the morning and once at night. Accomplishing this, helps keep your skin at its peak! But keep in mind, just splashing water twice a day also does the trick, and is better than nothing. However, once you’ve found the right product for your skin type, cleansing twice with that particular product is ideal. 

Choosing the right products for your skin shouldn't be limited to women. Taking care of your skin should be important for everyone. 

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