Men's skincare explained
If you thought men's and women's skin were pretty much the same - think again!
To put it plainly, there is a significant difference between the skin of a man and the skin of a woman - differences that go far beyond the ability to grow a beard.
According to skin specialist Dr Diana Howard, an advisor to Dermologica, these include:
Skin thickness
Obviously this all varies depending on the age of the individual and the location of the skin. But testosterone, which causes skin thickness, accounts for men's epidermis being 25% thicken than that of women's. A man's skin also thins gradually with age, while the thickness of a woman's skin remains consistent until about the age of 50.
Slower ageing
There is a higher density of collagen, so men's skin generally ages at a slower rate to that of women's, although a lack of sun screen use on the part of men often negates this advantage as UV exposure ages skin.
Texture
Men have rougher skin than women, and the stratum corneum (the dead outer layer) is thicker. There is also a difference in the amount of sebum produced. After puberty, sebum production is greater in males, which explains the greater likelihood for teenage boys to get acne, and for it to last longer.
Hydration
Men sweat far more than women and their sweat contains higher levels of lactic acid - a substance that helps retain moisture. This is fortunate, as many men don't use a moisturiser.
It might be tougher and thicker, but men's skin still needs taking care of - and men's skincare could open up a whole new revenue stream for your salon business.
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The first step to healthy skin is to clean it, and Foam Gel from Yonka For Men is the perfect purifier. The gel contains liquorice extracts with soothing and anti-inflammatory properties, combined with copper and iris extract to tighten enlarged pores.
RRP: £22
Call: 020 7518 8370
www.yonka.com
ClarinsMen Super Moisture Gel is a refreshing, ultra-light moisturising and protective cream-gel, which immediately hydrates, firms, soothes and energises normal to combination skin. Calcium hyaluronate restores and maintains optimum moisture levels, while sunflower auxins firm the skin. The soothing effect is provided by organic alpine sea grass, while bison grass provides energising qualities.
RRP: £26.50
Call: 0800 036 3558
www.clarins.co.uk
Men generally have greasier skin than women because of their large sebaceous glands - tackle the signs with the men-ü D-Tox 'deep clean' clay mask. The fast-drying, deep-cleansing, absorbent and filtering mask contains kaolin clay, witch hazel and zinc oxide. The mask removes excess oil, dead skin cells, leaving skin dry, smooth and firm.
RRP: £14.95
Call: 01256 701788
www.men-u.co.uk
Men's skin can be sensitive too, and Demalogica has the answer with its UltraCalming System. The range includes Cleanser to calm and cool the redness; Mist, a toner which helps defend against inflammation; Serum Concentrate, to treat inflammation and redness; Barrier Repair, a waterless moisturiser to soothe and repair damage from environmental aggression; and Relief Masque, to help skin recover from damage.
RRP: from £15.70
Call: 0800 591818
www.dermalogica.co.uk
La Crème Energie from La Biosthetique's Methode Pour Homme range is an anti-ageing cream that firms and smoothes skin by promoting natural collagen production and reducing signs of wrinkles, tiredness and stress. The formula also includes creatin which binds moisture into the skin and soybean protein which slows UV induced ageing and the loosening of skin fibres.
RRP £34.95
Call 01296 611731
www.biosthetique.co.uk
