If you’re interested in making a foray into skin care (or updating your current lineup) but don’t know where to start, well, consider this your entry point. Below, find what men should look for in a routine, with morning and evening regimens to follow. Perhaps this goes without saying, but it’s important that men with facial hair care for their entire face, not just the regions of exposed skin. Just because your skin may be covered by facial hair doesn’t mean it’s safe from irritants or environmental aggressors. “A beard can often hide certain skin conditions or issues,” says board-certified dermatologist Ava Shamban, M.D., founder of Ava MD Dermatology, the SkinFive and The Box by Dr. Ava. First, we should unpack the pervasive notion that men’s skin is thicker than women’s, which is why they tend to experience fewer fine lines as they age. This is only half-true: Research has found that the dermis (aka where elastin and collagen are produced), is 10 to 20% thicker in men than women1. As a result, many believe men are able to maintain the dermal layer for longer and experience fewer visible signs of aging, like fine lines. However, says Zeichner, the thickness of the stratum corneum (aka, the outer layer of the skin or epidermis) is the same in men and women. So we can’t exactly say that men’s skin, overall, is thicker or tougher. Men’s skin also tends to run on the oily side: Not only can they have larger, more concentrated oil glands, says Zeichner, but they also typically have more testosterone, which can increase oil production. Finally, men generally have more terminal hairs (thick, strong hairs; opposite of vellus, peach-fuzz hairs) than women, which may require more targeted treatments for things like facial ingrowns and razor burns. Note: If you shave in the morning, do so after you cleanse (unless you use an electric razor, which works best on dry skin). On the days you shave, you might want to skip the actives and go straight to moisturizer—shaving exfoliates the skin, and freshly exfoliated skin can be more easily irritated. The texture depends on your individual skin type, and your preferences can fluctuate depending on the seasons, but you’ll want to introduce ingredients that support and strengthen the skin barrier. Some noteworthy players include ceramides, glycerin, colloidal oat, and aloe. Not to mention, these hydrating, cooling ingredients can function as a soothing aftershave, too. Either find a moisturizer with SPF if you’re looking to dial down steps, or find some of our favorite mineral-based physical blockers here. Another helpful tip from Zeichner: “Keep oils on the hair itself and try to avoid skin contact.” While a conditioning beard oil can nourish the hairs and keep them soft, a heavy formula has the potential to clog pores and lead to breakouts.
