This Women's Month, we're doing every "Mrs" with a "Mr" a favour and highlighting three skincare favourites – a simple, 3-step skincare routine – that you can pop in the bathroom cabinet for you and the man in your life to use. Plus, it'll make packing for that romantic weekend getaway a little bit simpler.
Whether his idea of skincare is a bar of soap and a seen-better-days shower sponge or he does, in fact, know the difference between an eye cream and a serum, these three products will hydrate, nourish and protect – morning and night. Simplifying his skincare without skimping on complexion-loving benefits.
STEP 1: CLEANSE
The first – and a crucial – step in any skincare regime, we can't emphasise the importance of cleansing enough. Cleansing is vital, as it removes all the excess dirt and impurities you've encountered throughout the day (PM cleanse) and while you sleep (AM cleanse).
Daily, 'twice a day', cleansing helps to keep your skin clear, healthy and looking radiantly refreshed. When you're not in the habit of cleansing, you put your complexion in the line of fire – leaving it prone to breakouts, dehydration and premature ageing – which is why we recommend Lamelle Nourish Daily Cleanse 125ml. This soap-free foaming gel is suitable for all skin types. As active as it is gentle, this cleanser deeply cleanses pores and hydrates the skin. At the same time, Marula and grape seed extracts support anti-oxidant defences, and soothing Allantoin keeps redness at bay with its anti-inflammatory properties. Available in two sizes – 150ml and 250ml – we think there's no excuse not have one in the shower and one by the basin.
STEP 2: MOISTURISE
Sure, step two could be toner or a serum, and we could get into the benefits of both a day and a night moisturiser but let's keep it simple and stick to the basics… for now. So, why is a moisturiser essential? Well, moisturising your face helps to protect the skin's barrier from the elements (think dry, cold air in Winter) and climate-based irritation while relieving existing dryness and preventing the development of future dryness.
In the interest of keeping it super simple, we recommend Neostrata Sheer Hydration SPF 40 for use in the morning, just after your shower and at night after a thorough cleanse before going to bed. An oil-free, daily hydrating moisturiser helps control and reduce excess oiliness while reducing pore size and improving both clarity and radiance. Because it contains NeoGlucosamine, it actively improves uneven skin texture and reduces the appearance of dark marks. And thanks to the presence of Phytotal - a botanical blend, this multi-tasking moisturiser manages oil production in the skin without any irritation. Giving even more bang for his 'skincare newbie' buck, it contains a broad spectrum sunscreen protection. Bonus!
STEP 3: PROTECT
You may think, "If my moisturiser contains an SPF, why do I need a separate sunscreen?" Well, the thing is, you need to apply the correct quantity of SPF to get the quality of protection promised by the number after the SPF. So, while the moisturiser we recommended in step 2 is broad-spectrum and SPF40, you wouldn't apply enough of it (volume) to get the full benefit of the SPF contained within its formulation.
Enter Heliocare Gel SPF 50, the topical sun protection gel we recommend for all skin types – normal, combination and oily. It contains FernBlock®, a natural plant extract from Central America with proven photo-protective properties, which means it provides high photoprotection for intense sun exposure.
We love it because of its innovative lightweight formulation that's quickly and uniformly absorbed, so you get UVA/UVB protection against daily environmental challenges. Best of all, you won't feel like you've got layers and layers of sticky 'stuff' on your face because it leaves no residue on the skin.
DID YOU KNOW?
Men typically have more collagen and elastin than women, making them age a little 'slower' than women. But, time catches up with us all, and a simple but effective skincare routine in a man's 30s and 40s will make a world of difference in his 50s and 60s. Also, with skin cancer in men on the rise, it's more critical than ever that men adopt a 'prevention is better than cure approach to their skin and realise that just because you can't see the damage (yet) doesn't mean it's not there. That's the bad news. The good news? The damage can be reversed.
Chat to a Skin Renewal Therapist or Doctor at any of our 18 branches nationwide to find out how we can help the man in your life put his best face forward for years to come.