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Sunday, June 7, 2009
Women are introduced to skin care at an early age, but men don't get the same basic training. We're pleased to offer you the best products known to man, but we're also as excited to be able to offer you an easy to understand guide to basic skin care. Take a minute to read over the information below. Once you've done that, choose the best products for your skin. There's more great information in the product descriptions here in our online store as well!These days, however, we're more aware of the benefits of a solid skincare regimen. The benefits of proper skin care include: healthier looking skin, smoother shaves, fewer wrinkles, and a younger appearance. We'd all like that, right?! Spending just a few minutes a day on that mug is worth it.
Here's what we recommend:
Know Your Type
The first step in putting your best face forward is knowing what kind face you've got in the first place. Look at the chart below and pick your type.
| Dry Skin | Oily Skin | Normal (Combination) Skin |
| Small pores Dry skin Tight and sometimes uncomfortable Rarely breaks out | Shiny appearance Large, visible pores Frequent breakouts Blackheads | Mostly problem free Average skin Possibly a bit dry and a bit oily in certain areas |
Now that you've got your skin type figured out, it's time to figure out your routine. Here are the basics:
| Dry Skin | Oily Skin | Normal (Combination) Skin |
| 1. Clean Up Clean your face with a light gel or foaming cleanser. Never use bar soap, which will dry and tighten skin. Wet your face, lather, and rinse with warm water. Don't get too warm as water that is too hot will dry your skin. For our recommended skin care products | 1. Clean Up Clean your face daily with a light cleanser. Stay away from bar soaps which can dry the skin and clog pores. Wet. Lather. Rinse. Use warm, not hot, water to avoid excess drying. For our recommended skin care products | 1. Clean Up Clean your face with a light gel or foaming cleanser. Never use bar soap, which will dry and tighten skin. Wet your face, lather, and rinse with warm water. Don't get too warm as water that is too hot will dry your skin. For our recommended skin care products |
| 2. Tone Up Using a cotton pad, apply a toner to refresh your skin and remove residue. This will help your skin absorb moisturizer better. For our recommended skin care products | 2. Tone Up Using a cotton pad, apply a toner to refresh your skin and remove residue. This will help your skin absorb moisturizer better. For our recommended skin care products | 2. Tone Up Using a cotton pad, apply a toner to refresh your skin and remove residue. This will help your skin absorb moisturizer better. For our recommended skin care products |
| 3. Get Moist Apply a good extra moisturizing lotion (with and SPF) Stay away from fragrances products or those containing alcohol. For our recommended skin care products | 3. Get Moist Even oily skin needs moisture (don't confuse moisture with oil). Use an oil-free moisturizer every day. For our recommended skin care products | 3. Get Moist Okay, normal guy. Your moisturizing routine can be a bit more complicated. Use a hydrating moisturizer for the dry spots and an oil-free moisturizer for the greasy places. If your skin is even all over, stick with a light hydrating moisturizer. For our recommended skin care products |
| 4. Re-Surface On a weekly basis, exfoliate and resurface skin by removing dead skin cells with a gentle face scrub. This will also help clear your pores. For our recommended skin care products | 4. Re-Surface On a twice weekly basis, exfoliate and resurface skin by removing dead skin cells with a gentle face scrub. This will also help clear your pores. Stay away from sensitive skin areas. For our recommended skin care products | 4. Re-Surface On a twice weekly basis, exfoliate and resurface skin by removing dead skin cells with a gentle face scrub. This will also help clear your pores. Stay away from sensitive skin areas. For our recommended skin care products |
Acne
Acne is a cronic inflammatory disease of the oil glands. When the hair follicle is filled with excess oil and dirt, a blackhead forms and causes a blockage at the mouth of the follicle. This causes irritation and often leads to the development of pus-filled pimples. 
Ingrown Hairs
These appear as small bumps, most often on the face scalp. Poor shaving and cleansing of the skin can cause the hair to curl over within the follicle instead of exiting the skin. Ingrown hairs are prevented by proper cleansing of the skin and proper shaving techniques (for more on shaving, click the "Shave" at the top of this page). For many men, especially ethnic men, shaving with a clipper rather than a blade can minimize ingrown hairs by leaving them long enough to prevent them from growning back into the follicle. Persistent problems with ingrown hairs should be treated under the advice of a dermatologist.
Psoriasis
This is an inflammatory skin disease which commonly appears on the knees, elbows, and scalp. The cause of Psoriasis is unknown and it is not contagious. The lesions are round, dry patches covered with coarse, silvery scales. Psoriasis can be a difficult problem and should be treated by a dermatologist.
Razor Bumps
Highly common among African American men, razor bumps occur when curly hair is cut close and growns back into the skin. The best treatement for razor bumps is to let the beard grow out and shave less. Proper shaving techniques can also prevent razor bumps. For more on shaving, click the "Shaving Advice" button to the left.
A hot, red irritation of the skin caused by poor shaving techniques (most often excessive shaving and poor blade lubrication). For more on shaving, click the "Shave" button at the top of this page
