Top Tips to Help Men Get Clear Skin, Once and for All

Dear men, the path to clear skin can seem complicated — and like all things in skincare, what may work for some may not be the solution to getting rid of your concerns (think post-shave irritation, dark spots and acne). Instead of stealing your mom’s or girlfriend’s face wash and calling it a day, try adopting the following skincare tips from board-certified dermatologist and Skincare.com consultant, Dr. Kim Nichols. 

Cleanse Your Face

A good cleansing routine helps rid your skin of dirt, impurities, oils and debris that can clog your pores and lead to subsequent breakouts. Dr. Nichols recommends washing your face two times a day with a gentle cleanser. If you need a recommendation, we love the Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cleanser for its gentle pH-balanced formula that offers a deep clean without stripping the skin of essential moisture.

Exfoliate

Exfoliating is important because it removes dead surface cells and results in smooth, clear skin. Plus, it can also help keep ingrown hairs at bay. “Men should exfoliate two to three times a week,” Dr. Nichols advises. “There is such a thing as too much exfoliation, though, so as a general rule, don’t over exfoliate with harsh scrubs or brushes, or exfoliate every day.” If you exfoliate every day you run the risk of irritating your skin. Reach for the La Roche-Posay Ultra-Fine Face Scrub, which promotes smooth, youthful-looking skin thanks to its formula that gently buffs away dead skin cells and other impurities. It’s also formulated with glycerin and La Roche-Posay’s signature thermal spring water to hydrate and soothe inflammation.

Don’t Forget Sunscreen 

Harmful UV rays aren’t exclusive to summer — protection from sun exposure is required year-round. Daily use of broad-spectrum sunscreen has been shown both to help prevent skin cancer and reduce the risk of premature signs of skin aging, like dark spots. Keep your skin protected and clear by applying the Vichy Capital Soleil Soft Sheer Sunscreen SPF 60 every day. It’s suitable for all skin types and can be used on both the face and body. 

Don’t Touch or Pick at Your Face

Your hands come in contact with so many germs and bacteria on a daily basis. When you touch your face after touching your keyboard, doorknob, subway pole, etc., you run the risk of transferring that bacteria onto your skin where it can wreak havoc. Dr. Nichols suggests avoiding touching your face altogether and to especially leave pimples alone as it can lead to permanent scarring. 

Stay Hydrated

In addition to hydrating your skin on the outside with moisturizers and creams, drink the recommended amount of water per day to help keep dryness away. Consuming enough fluids, along with the use of hydrating skincare products, can help improve the skin’s barrier function and improve the look and feel of dry skin.

Establish a Skincare Routine

Dr. Nichols finds a daily routine to be very important, and we agree. “An effective, custom skincare routine helps to protect, prevent and correct healthy, youthful-looking skin,” she says. Among your daily products, she suggests including a vitamin C or antioxidant product, like our favorite SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic Serum, a broad-spectrum sunscreen, a gentle cleanser, a retinol and an eye cream.

Photo: Chaunte Vaughn

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