Most men love a simple routine, so switching out products for the summer and contending with the sun’s burning rays might not be top on their to-do lists. But don’t sweat it — just a few changes are all it takes to create an effective summer routine.
Choose your cleanser
Typically, hot summer weather means your skin is churning out more sebum — the skin’s natural moisturizer — especially if you live in a humid area. Excess oil can leave your skin shiny, in addition to clogging the pores and contributing to breakouts. This is especially true with men’s skin, which tends to be oilier to begin with.
To prevent oil overload, the first step is to choose a cleanser that’ll break down oil and impurities, leaving your pores clean and unclogged. Good ingredients to look for include salicylic acid or glycolic acid.
- Salicylic acid. If your skin is slightly sensitive and you don’t want a harsh cleanser, look for formulas with salicylic acid. This ingredient comes from white willow bark, and penetrates pores to remove dead skin, helping to prevent acne. (Acne occurs when dead skin mixes with oil and bacteria.)
- Glycolic acid. This alpha hydroxy acid is a staple for treating tough, oily skin. It accelerates cell turnover and sloughs off dead skin cells. Plus, because it removes a layer of old skin, your complexion looks healthier and clearer.
Banish body odor
If sweltering temperatures leave you feeling sticky and sweaty, don’t just rely on your deodorant. Instead, start in the shower with an all-over cleanser that fights bacteria. Smells happen when sweat mixes with bacteria, so a body wash helps you prevent odor well before you start your day.
Shave regularly
Surprisingly, shaving is good for your skin! It sloughs off all that rough, dead skin, and is an easy way to exfoliate. But if your skin is red and raw from frequent shaving during the summer, it may be time to take a closer look at your shaving method. Try this simple three-step process.
- Prep. Before picking up that razor, use a wet washcloth to soften hairs and open pores. Then, use a pre-shave lotion to soften hair even more and make shaving easier.
- Shave. Lather up with a rich, moisturizing shave cream — bar soap prohibited. This will prevent nicks and cuts and ensure that you don’t end up with razor burn.
- Calm. As a final step, use a nourishing aftershave product to close pores and soothe and moisturize your freshly shaved skin.
Use sunscreen — all the time
While you might find applying sunscreen every day to be annoying, this simple step will save your skin in the long run from premature aging, wrinkles and, most importantly, skin cancer. Plus, today’s formulas are not the sticky, glue-like products of the past. Instead, most sunscreens are so lightweight that you’ll probably forget you’re even wearing one.
Just look for an oil-free, broad-spectrum sunscreen — preferably at least SPF 30. Matte formulas will absorb excess oil for grease-free skin. If you’re outside all day, make sure to bring a bottle of sunscreen with you and reapply every one to two hours.
Speed up your routine
If you have specific skin concerns — like wrinkles or acne — that you want to deal with, you don’t have to invest in multiple products. Nowadays, you’ll find a variety of all-in-one formulas on the market.
For instance, if you want smooth, clean skin, without having a shelf full of bottles, swap your regular cleanser for an exfoliating cleanser with gentle microbeads to get rid of dead skin cells and debris.
Upgrade your sunscreen
Sunscreen does more than shield your skin from UV rays. Some sunscreens are specifically designed to treat skin concerns in addition to protecting skin from further damage. If you want to treat acne or prevent lines and wrinkles while blocking UV rays, try one of these formulas.
- Acne. Warm weather can leave skin oily and shiny, sometimes clogging pores and leading to acne. A double-duty moisturizer that unclogs pores and includes SPF is an effective way to prevent acne while making sun protection part of your daily routine.
- Shine. Many think that applying sunscreen only makes your oily skin even shinier, but countless formulas are specifically designed to absorb oil and shine.
- Antioxidants. These potent anti-aging ingredients defend against environmental stressors that contribute to premature aging, including UV rays.
A complicated skin care routine isn’t necessary for clean, healthy skin. So you don’t need to use a slew of products or spend hours on your routine to have a clear complexion. With just a few adjustments to your current routine, you can save your skin from the sun and acne-causing culprits.
See also:
Hair Removal for Men: Trouble Spots
A Guy’s Guide to Aging Well
ZIRH Review: Luxury Skin Care for Men