Most men are confused by the bewildering array of grooming products available to them. This manual is divides different products into daily, optional daily and periodic use and then puts together some suggested morning and evening skin care regiments that anyone can follow.
DAILY USE
1. Cleanser
- Purpose Removes dirt, dead skin cells, excess oil and other pollutants. Helps to unclog pores and reduce the development and appearance of acne blemishes.
- Selections available Stronger, acid-based cleansers for very oily skin; creamy, lotion cleansers for very dry skin. Most cleansers are appropriate for all skin types. If your face feels “tight” or slightly irritated when it dries immediately after cleansing and before moisturizing, then the cleanser has removed too much of your skins protective oils. As a result, your skin will over produce oil to compensate. This can lead to mid-day “shine” and clogged pores. Under these circumstances, it is best to select another cleanser with a higher moisturizing function.
- Application Mix with tepid to warm water. Apply directly to face and neck with hands or washcloth. Rinse with warm water and pat dry with soft towel.
- Frequency Once in the morning and once at night, before bed.
- Order Cleanse before shaving and/or toning
2. Shaving Cream/Gel
- Purpose Softens beard hair so that it is easier to cut. Creates a glide surface for the razor blade, greatly reducing the likelihood of razor burn and post-shave blemishes caused by ingrown hairs and razor bumps
- Selections available Shave gels for very oily skin. Most shave creams and gels are appropriate for all skin types.
- Application Mix with warm water. Use the tips of your fingers or a shave brush to lather directly onto the beard area. Wait 30-60 seconds then shave. Rinse with cool water.
- Frequency Once in the morning, or as required.
- Order Shave after cleansing and before toning. Try to shave either in or immediately after showering.
3. Toner/Toner-astringent
- Purpose Cleans pores by removing cleanser or shaving residue. Restores the skin’s acid levels and makes the skin less vulnerable to bacterial infection. It also reduces mid-day shine.
- Selections available Hydrating toner for normal to dry skin; toner-astringent for oily skin
- Application Moisten cotton ball or cosmetic pad and apply to face and neck
- Frequency As needed, though most commonly applied once in the morning and once at night, before bed.
- Order Tone after cleansing or shaving. Tone as a mid-day treatment to remove dirt, excess oil, and other pollutants or after prolonged sun exposure to restore the skin’s acid mantle
4. After Shave
- Purpose Restores moisture to the skin after it has been shaved. Relieves mild post-shave irritation.
- Selections available Toning after-shave liquids for very oily or very sensitive skin. Most after-shaves are appropriate for all skin types.
- Application Massage a dime sized amount into freshly shaven skin
- Frequency Once in the morning
- Order Use immediately after shave and tone, and before you moisturize
5. Moisturizer
- Purpose Prevents moisture in the top layer of the skin from evaporating, or absorbs into the top layer of the skin to promote water retention.
- Selections available Oil or silicon based moisturizers for dry skin; oil free lotions for oily skin. Some “oil-free” moisturizers may, in fact, contain small amounts of oil emulsified in water but these generally do not complicate oily skin
- Application Use the tips of your fingers to gently massage small dabs of moisturizer into your skin
- Frequency As needed, though most commonly applied once in the morning and once at night, before bed
- Order Moisturize after cleansing, shaving and toning
OPTIONAL DAILY USE
1. Pre-shave Oil
- Purpose Pre-shave oil softens coarse beard hair so that it is easier to cut.
- Selections available Most pre-shave oils and electric razor pre-shaves are appropriate for all skin types
- Application Massage a dime-sized amount into your beard. Wait 30-60 seconds, shave with your electric razor or apply shave cream or gel directly atop the shave oil then shave with your manual razor
- Frequency Once in the morning
- Order After cleansing and before shaving
2. Post-shave Spot Treatment
- Purpose Eliminates ingrown hair and razor bumps
- Selections available Most post-shave spot treatments are acceptable for all skin types
- Application Apply directly atop the affected area and let dry
- Frequency Once in the morning, or as needed
- Order After shaving and toning, and before after-shave/moisturizer
3. Eye Cream/Gel
- Purpose Reduced the appearance of fine lines around the eyes. Reduces swollen tissue (“puffiness”) caused by fatigue, rubbing or allergies. Reduces dark circles caused by fatigue or allergies
- Selections available Eye cream for fine lines. Eye gel for puffiness and dark circles.
- Application Apply small dabs to the tips of your finger and very gently massage into skin
- Frequency As needed
- Order After cleansing and toning
PERIODIC USE
1. Facial Scrub
- Purpose Removes excess dead skin cells; helps to unclog pores and reduce the development and appearance of acne blemishes; helps to dislodge ingrown hairs from beneath the skin
- Selections available Most facial scrubs are acceptable for all skin types
- Application Mix with warm water. Use your fingertips to massage gently into face and neck. For sensitive or acne prone skin, mix equal parts cleanser and scrub. Rinse with tepid water. Pat dry with soft towel.
- Frequency Once every two or three days. May be used every day, if mixing with cleanser as a pre-shave treatment
- Order Scrub after cleansing and before shaving
2. Clay Mask
- Purpose Cleans pores; reduces excess oil buildup; improves circulation; improves skin tone and texture
- Selections available Most clay masks are acceptable for all skin types
- Application Steam face over bowl of hot water. Apply clay in a thin layer to the entire surface of your face. Let clay dry to a flaky consistency then rinse with tepid water. Pat dry with soft towel
- Frequency Once a week.
- Order Mask after cleansing and before toning
PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER
Morning Regimen
Most Skin Types Cleanse, Shave, Tone, After-shave, moisturize
Very Oily Skin Cleanse, Shave, Tone, After-shave
Heavy Beard Cleanse, pre-Shave, Shave, Tone, After-shave, moisturize
Ingrown Hair Cleanse, scrub, pre-shave, shave, tone, spot treat, after-shave, moisturize
Evening Regimen
Most Skin Types Cleanse, tone, moisturize
Very Oily Skin Cleanse, tone
