Face balms for men

If your boyfriend secretly uses your face cream, hint to him that there are plenty of cosmetics for men these days. All that remains is to choose the appropriate tools and learn how to use them. And yes, you don’t have to limit yourself to just one cream.

1. Features of men's cosmetics
2. Types of cosmetics
3. Review of men's facial cosmetics

Features of men's cosmetics

Taking offense at men, we often call them thick-skinned. And for good reason: their facial skin is indeed thicker than women’s, and the collagen of the dermis is denser. Here the male population is lucky - their skin ages more slowly.

Men's facial skin is thicker than women's, and the collagen in the dermis is denser. © iStock

In general, representatives of the stronger sex require special care. A whole range of ingredients is welcome in cosmetics for men.

Plant extracts (chamomile, cornflower, aloe, witch hazel), vitamin E soothe and relieve irritation.

Salicylic or other acids are dried and the stratum corneum of the epidermis is exfoliated.

Antioxidants such as retinol and sesaline (sesame extract) increase protective properties.

Allantoin, shea butter, panthenol restore and soften damaged skin.

Vitamin C and peptides stimulate the production of collagen and elastin and prevent the appearance of wrinkles.

Types of cosmetics

What should the minimum arsenal of men's cosmetics include?

Shower gel

The pH level of men's skin is slightly lower than women's, so more alkaline cleansers are required (but not soap, which irritates and dries the skin). The gel is needed specifically from the line for men; they can be recognized by the marking for men, pour homme. In addition to cleansing agents, the composition should contain components that:

It’s good if shaving foam contains softening, moisturizing and disinfecting components. © iStock

Shaving foam

It is good if it contains softening, moisturizing and disinfecting components.

Aftershave gel

Cosmetologists categorically condemn the habit of men after shaving to wipe their faces with cologne or eau de toilette. This is a bad idea, because alcohol only dries and irritates the skin.

Shaving is a traumatic procedure for the skin, after which soothing, softening, moisturizing products with extracts of chamomile, witch hazel and panthenol will be useful.

Facial fluid

It is fluid or gel. Thick cream is less comfortable for men's skin, as it is prone to oiliness. Yes, and a thicker product is absorbed worse.
Choose a fluid based on your skin type and age, preferably one with a moisturizing effect and SPF.

Eye cream (after 35 years)

The texture should be light; hyaluronic acid, plant extracts, and avocado oil are welcome in the composition. It is better to apply in the morning; evening use can cause swelling after sleep.

Review of men's facial cosmetics

From our selection you can choose the products you need for daily care.

Cleansing

Suitable even for sensitive skin. Gently and thoroughly cleanses and prepares for subsequent care. Moisturizing components and microelements protect against adverse environmental factors.

Does not contain soap. Easily washed off with water, leaving a feeling of freshness and smoothness. For all skin types.

Shaving products

Prepares skin for shaving. Mineralizing thermal water at the base of the formula soothes and moisturizes. Glycerin softens the skin and makes the razor glide easier.

Extracts of thermal plankton and chamomile soothe the skin, relieve irritation and redness. Allantoin and glycerin soften, strengthen epidermal protection and give a feeling of comfort.

Skin care products

Birch sap moisturizes and quickly soothes irritated skin, relieving burning sensation. Restores the hydrolipidic and protective barrier.

Triceramides, royal jelly and jojoba oil perfectly take care of dehydrated, irritated and flaking skin, restoring, moisturizing and nourishing it.

Moisturizing fluid, if applied after toner, replaces aftershave gel.

The paraben- and oil-free formula instantly removes shine and leaves skin looking matte. Glycerin softens and moisturizes, menthol refreshes.

Anti-aging products

The extract of self-healing relict blue-green algae from the American Lake Kamath regenerates the skin literally at the cellular level, restoring its elasticity, improving complexion and reducing wrinkles.

The serum corrects facial and age wrinkles, relieves the feeling of tightness, soothes, activates cell regeneration, collagen production, and restores skin elasticity. And all this thanks to the active components: bifidobacteria, lipids, Asian centella extract.

Cream care against wrinkles and signs of fatigue, Vichy Homme

Thermal water soothes the skin, hyaluronic acid moisturizes, and blueberry and tomato extracts provide antioxidant protection and stimulate regeneration. Within a month, the result is noticeable: the depth of wrinkles is smoothed, the skin looks renewed.

Products for the skin around the eyes

A complex of antioxidants (L-ascorbic and ferulic acids, phloretin) protects against the destructive effects of free radicals, evens out skin color, slows down the aging process, and reduces the appearance of crow's feet. Caffeine reduces swelling of the eyelids.

Thanks to its gel texture, the product is easy to apply and absorb. Cucumber extract restores water balance and refreshes the skin, alfalfa extract is known for its antioxidant effect, caffeine has a tonic and draining effect.

Creams, serums, scrubs, gels, lotions - cosmetics for men are now produced only slightly less than for women. At the sight of such magnificence, the girls’ eyes light up and a reasonable question arises: what if something from this arsenal is useful to them too? Let's try to figure it out.

Is it true that men's skin is different from women's?

“It’s true,” answers Kiehl’s brand expert Elena Alekseeva. — There are a number of physiological differences:

1. men's skin appears rougher and darker due to more fine blood vessels. It has better blood supply;
2. it has a thicker stratum corneum, so it is more resistant to injury and can more easily endure the tests of the sun and cold;
3. Compared to women's skin, men's skin produces increased sebum. On the one hand, this gives the problem of oily shine, on the other hand, it enhances the protective function and prevents moisture loss;
4. Daily shaving leads to the appearance of microtraumas on the skin and to the fact that men often have dry and sensitive skin on the cheeks, and oily skin on the forehead and nose.

“For obvious reasons, men’s skin is unfamiliar with menopausal deformations: decreased elasticity and density, lethargy,” adds Vichy brand expert Elena Eliseeva. “By and large, a man under 45-50 years old only needs a cleanser and sunscreen. Of course, if this man does not have bad habits and leads a healthy lifestyle,” sums up Tiina Orasmäe-Meder, cosmetologist and author of the Meder Beauty brand.

What products for men can women use?

“The difference between cosmetics for women and men is not as great as marketers emphasize,” says Natalya Starokozheva, cosmetologist and founder of the Beautiful Life clinic chain. — Although, of course, there are practical differences: in men's lines, the emphasis is on cleansing thicker and oilier skin and preventing redness. The formulas are focused mainly on hydration, and there are fewer nutritional and fatty components, so as not to clog pores and provoke inflammation.”

“Men’s cosmetics do not always work more effectively; in many cases, they are no different from women’s ones except fragrances and dyes,” says Tiina Orasmäe-Meder. “But sometimes men’s products use higher concentrations of ingredients or formulations that give a more pronounced effect with a single use. After all, marketers say that if a man does not see the effect immediately, he will not use the product.”

Aftershave products. “Mostly girls use creams, lotions, aftershave fluids, and use them after hair removal,” says Elena Eliseeva. — It’s not that men’s products are more effective, but they are often cheaper. Make sure the formula is moisturizing and does not contain alcohol (products labeled “for sensitive skin” are suitable).

Products for oily skin. “I would recommend paying attention to men’s products for oily skin if the effect of standard products is insufficient,” advises Tiina Orasmäe-Meder. “In addition, if you have dense, porous skin that is prone to hyperkeratosis, you can try men’s cleansers and masks.”

Eye creams. According to Elena Eliseeva (Vichy), “the only situation when you can use men’s cosmetics is the need to urgently put your face in order after a sleepless night. A men's wash gel with an invigorating menthol scent and an eye contour cream labeled “against skin fatigue” or “against dark circles and swelling” are suitable here. As a rule, manufacturers do not spare caffeine when creating decongestant formulas for men, otherwise not a single product will work on their thick skin. But you shouldn’t constantly use such sos products: from the point of view of thin women’s skin, they have too aggressive a composition and too few softening additives.”

What about hair care?

“As for hair care products, women can use any men's shampoos, except those designed to solve the problem of hair loss. This is due to the concentration of active ingredients,” says Timur Sadykov, international art partner of the Redken brand. — In general, if we are not talking about stimulating hair growth, the only criterion when choosing a shampoo is not gender, but the type of scalp. And when choosing a conditioner, consider your hair type.”

Lip balm, moisturizer, cleanser and other essentials

Recently we They talked about how not only girls need self-care. Most men, if they even guess about it, do not know what exactly means they need. We decided to ease the pain of choice and described which caring cosmetics will be useful to every man.

Cleanser

One of the two pillars of the most ascetic care program (the second is moisturizer). Men's skin produces more sebum than women's, which means quality cleansing is especially important for it. Brands usually try to make simple products for this: soaps, foams and gels with invigorating scents, many of which can be used for both washing and washing the body. “Cans” with mint and menthol flavors, in addition to the main function, have another pleasant optional one: they are great for helping you wake up.

What to buy: Billy Jealousy "wash" for oily and oily skin,
Clarins and Cetaphil cleansing gels

Moisturizing face cream

Again, the simplest remedy will do, even baby cream (but show us a man who won’t grimace in front of a tube of Tic-Tacs). To kill two birds with one stone, you can choose a multi-functional product: a day cream with an SPF filter (Baxter of California has this one) or one that can be used to moisturize the entire body. By the way, the packaging of men's products is usually made as convenient as possible - probably so that it is difficult to find an excuse for ignoring them.

What to buy: Baxter of California moisturizing lotion with SPF, Neutrogena and Clinique creams

Hand cream

Typically, men remember the existence of hand cream only when their skin begins to resemble sandpaper. Often such creams are very nourishing or, conversely, quickly absorbed. In principle, you can also use body moisturizers for your hands, but it’s unlikely that anyone will get hold of a second one and refuse to buy the first one. A separate level is to buy additional cuticle oil, which is also usually bad.

Cleansing mask and scrub

A necessary thing for oily or oily-prone skin - that is, for almost any man. Most often, such masks contain clay; with regular use, they reduce oily shine and lighten blackheads (masks alone cannot get rid of them). A facial scrub exfoliates dead cells (also cleansing). You don’t have to buy more of it if you choose a day cream with acids, which will allow you to exfoliate the skin gradually and without unnecessary movements.

What to buy: Clay masks Freeman, Anthony Logistics For Men, Biotherm scrub

Lip balm

Lip care is an indecently simple thing, which many nevertheless neglect. Men's balms are made with specific fragrances (no roses), colorless, or even try to remove shine from them altogether. However, balms can be found not only from specialized brands, but also from universal ones: Lucas’ Papaw, Blistex and Toitbel are just as suitable.

Pre-shave and post-shave products

Perhaps the most explored category among the audience (not least because these are exclusively male “banks”). A good shaving product softens the skin and stubble, allowing the razor to do its job well. Aftershave usually comes in the form of a lotion, and it reduces razor irritation and softens the skin.

What to buy: aftershave balms Weleda, Avene, universal Nuxe

Body cream

We foresee our failure regarding this point, but we will try. The skin dries out from both water and aggressive body products, so there are two options: either still use a moisturizing thing (C.O. Bigelow has literally skin-chilling mint lotions), or choose a very mild shower product (buy yourself L' oil Occitane Cleansing And Softening Shower Oil and place it in a very visible place).

What to buy: Jack Black lotion, Clinique, Kiehl’s cream

Normal deodorant or antiperspirant

The biggest complaint about most mass-market deodorants and antiperspirants is their deliberately “masculine” smell, or rather, the way it is presented. Meanwhile, nothing supernatural is required from the product: a simple fragrance and a successful fight against natural odor and sweat. For these, it’s better to turn to drugstore brands or universal ones like Malin+Goetz.

What to buy: deodorant Malin+Goetz, antiperspirants The Body Shop, Tom’s

Hair styling

Another area that most men are already familiar with. Many grooming brands have products for creating men's hairstyles. One single “can” can greatly change the appearance, and in order not to lose the fuse in finding the right one, we advise you to ask the hairdresser during the haircut what he recommends for maintaining the hairstyle - wax, gel or lipstick.

What to buy: Oribe wax, Bumble and Bumble gel, Imperial Barber matte hair pomade

Specific cosmetics

The above is a unified sample, but each skin and body has its own needs, for which general recommendations cannot be used. Those with a beard will need oils and balms to care for it, mustaches will need waxes and accessories to maintain their shape (for example, Beard Brand has everything). Occasionally, an antimicrobial serum can be useful for treating wounds, like Jack Black. Hair growth stimulating products, moisturizing masks and anti-acne products, like Kyoku, can also be included in this category - we remind them that minimal self-care, although an achievement, there is still a whole world beyond it.