The Complete Guide to Men’s Winter Skin Care
December 23, 2020Harsh winds, brutally cold temperatures and indoor heat — these hallmarks of winter can spell disaster for your skin. Because we’re already in the midst of it all, there’s no turning back now. But what you can do is make sure your skin is equipped to fight back against the elements with the proper winter skin-care routine. Don’t know where to begin? Below, we’re sharing 10 winter skin-care tips tailored specifically for men.
Cleanse Your Skin With a Gentle Face Wash
Some cleansers can strip your skin of moisture, but that’s no excuse to skip the ritual altogether. Your skin comes into contact with pollution, dirt and impurities every day. In order to thoroughly remove the grime from the surface of your skin before it clogs your pores, be sure to cleanse your skin morning and night. Reach for a gentle, cream-based cleanser that can hydrate your skin. We love the CeraVe Hydrating Cream-to-Foam Facial Cleanser.
Exfoliate Regularly
One of the most common winter skin concerns is dullness. A buildup of dead skin cells can contribute to this, plus can make skin feel rough and flaky and inhibit your moisturizing products from absorbing properly. Exfoliate two to three times per week with a product like the Baxter of Calfornia Facial Scrub to gently remove built up impurities and dead skin cells.
Moisturize
Moisturizer is extremely important year-round, but especially in the winter. In addition to hydrating skin, moisturizing daily can plump the look of your skin, minimizing the appearance of lines and wrinkles. During the day, reach for a moisturizer that contains sun protection benefits, like Kiehl’s Facial Fuel Daily Energizing Moisture Treatment For Men SPF 20. At night, look for a repairing formula like the La Roche-Posay Toleriane Ultra Night Moisturizer.
Shower With Lukewarm Water
When it’s cold, we all enjoy taking steamy hot showers to warm up. But while it feels good in the moment, hot water can strip the skin of natural oils, causing it to become dehydrated. Opt for lukewarm showers that are shorter in length.
Shave the Right Way
If your skin is prone to razor bumps or burns, it’s more than likely you’re shaving incorrectly. After cleansing, apply a soothing and hydrating shaving cream like the Baxter of California Beard Line-Up Shave Gel. Using short strokes, glide your razor in the direction of hair growth. Rinse with lukewarm water before the next stroke and avoid going over any areas more than once. Once you’ve completed shaving, follow up with a soothing aftershave.
Condition Your Lips
The skin on your lips is thin and delicate, making it more susceptible to drying out. Stock up on your favorite lip balm or emollient and use it liberally throughout the day. We recommend the CeraVe Healing Lip Balm. It’s non-drying and boasts broad spectrum SPF 30 to protect your lips from the sun as well.
Use a Face Mask
Particularly in the winter, your skin is in need of a little extra TLC and face masks are the perfect solution. The L’Oréal Paris Pure Clay Face Mask purifies and brightens skin without drying it out, making it great for use year round.
Grab a Beard Oil
Using a beard oil will condition both your facial hair and the skin underneath. Whether you have some light scruff or a full beard, try the Kiehl’s Grooming Solutions Nourishing Beard Grooming Oil. The formula is infused with essential oils including sandalwood, cedarwood and eucalyptus.
Use a Facial Serum
A face serum is a great way to keep your skin looking smooth, hydrated and youthful. We love the Lancôme Advanced Génifique Youth Activating Serum because it works to improve radiance, elasticity, firmness and uneven skin tone and texture. The serum also helps strengthen and protect your skin's moisture barrier.
Apply a Body Butter
After showering, moisturize the skin on your body to avoid roughness and flakiness. The Kiehl’s Creme de Corps Soy Milk & Honey Whipped Body Butter provides 24-hour hydration and instantly softens your skin.