Bloggers Boyfriend asked beauty and skincare guru and blogger Nilushi the most common men’s skin issues ever ever asked in history, and here are her answers and the real “new year new you” bullshit-proof solutions.
“If you should invest in anything, it should be on your skin first.”
1 Does Charcoal really take off all the dirt and clogged pores?
Nilushi: Yes, it certainly does! Firstly, it’s important to understand the purpose of using charcoal on your skin. Activated charcoal (meaning it has oxygen added) has become a popular ingredient in face masks, extracting bacteria, toxins, chemicals and dirt to absorb its weight in impurities to the surface of the skin, which are normally trapped inside your pores. This helps you to achieve a flawless complexion with brighter, purified and uncongested skin.
After using a product like Dermalogica Charcoal Rescue Masque just remember after a deep cleanse that you will still need to restore and balance the PH and oils in your skin. Aesop B & Tea Balancing Toner, Aesop Oil-Free Hydration Serum is perfect for restoring & rebalancing oily or sensitive skin and for a matte finish. You can also try the Biore charcoal cleanser, if you don’t have sensitive skin.
2 I feel my skin is so deeply cleaned just by using a $2 soap bar, so why do I need to spend $20-50 for a men’s cleanser?
Nilushi: It really comes down to finding the right product than going for what’s cheaper. If you should invest in anything, it should be on your skin. So while facial cleansers may generally be more expensive than soap bars, using a facial cleanser is healthier for your skin and provides better results.
Soap bars generally have higher Ph levels which will cause dryness to your skin and strip away all the natural oils that your skin actually needs for recovering and growing. You might also notice tightness in your skin. Experts have also questioned the harm and damage caused by the ingredients in face soaps. Facial cleansers, on the other hand, are designed to accommodate different skin types, conditions and needs. Solutions: I’ve been using Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cleanser, which is good for sensitive skin as this is a mild cleanser that gently cleanses my face without over-drying or stripping my skin’s natural oils. Before heading to bead, it’s always a good idea to use essential oils or repairing serums in the evening before moisturisers and so I recommend Kiehl’s signature product Midnight Recovery Concentrate. Always remember to use a hydrating moisturiser after using serum if you have dry skin.
3 So I definitely should use everything “oil-free” as I got oily skin?
Nilushi: No, not exactly as your body naturally produces oil for your skin to stay in good condition, so it’s more about reducing your use of oil contained products as opposed to completely eliminating oil to get in contact with your skin. However, men tend to produce more oil in the glands of their pores which are known as ‘sebaceous glands.’ After cleansing your face and before moisturising, simply use essential oils to rebalance and calm your skin before you head to bed. One of the best to use for oily skin is Neroli essential oil (produced from a bitter orange tree) to balance the oil produced and reduce the appearance of pores without drying your skin out. Solutions: The best way to ultimately reduce oily skin is to actually figure out what is causing you to have oily skin in the first place. Causes include but are not limited to genetics, stress, medications, weather, hormones and tanning or it might just even be caused by the products you are currently using on your skin. Make sure you try this Aesop oil-free Hydration serum for restoring your facial oil balance without putting extra oil on your face and it is perfect for summer days.
4 Sometimes my work requires me to wear makeup. Am I just able to clean it off with a men’s facial cleanser?
Nilushi: It depends on what cleanser you are using and how you use it! Alternatively, you can use a makeup remover or oil to get rid of that top layer of makeup. There is the option to use a cotton pad or wipe to remove makeup but there are more effective solutions that don’t cause waste. If you do a double cleanse, meaning that you wash your face twice, then it should take off all your makeup. Using a balm cleanser first will allow you to remove makeup that won’t be picked up from washing with your regular cleanser and will also allow you to remove the makeup around sensitive areas like your eyes. Then you can use your regular cleanser and continue along with your routine.
5 If I just pick the cheapest razor and shaving cream from the supermarket will it do the same trick as other razors as it feels the same on my skin?
Nilushi: Different types of razors, products and shaving techniques do vary so, it really depends on what you want to get out of your shaving experience and the results you want to achieve. I think what’s really important is paying attention to the type of blade you use. The cheap razors you find in the supermarkets are disposable, meaning as you continue to use the razor. The blade becomes blunter as you use it which could eventually cause skin irritation. The good news is that you can shave a lot closer to the skin as opposed to electric shavers which do, however, have less chance of cutting and are timesavers. If you want to get the best shave, I suggest straight shaving which is getting more popular amongst men and something you can try with a trip to the barber.
However, if you don’t want to spend the cash to go to a barber to shave your face then, it’s important to know how to shave properly. Firstly, wash your face with warm water to clean and wet the face to soften the skin and reduce cutting whilst shaving. Press a warm wetted cloth gently on your face to soften the hairs and open the pores. Using a shaving brush, lather a small amount of shaving cream with a little bit of water in a bowl to form the foam. Then apply an even amount of the foam onto your face in a circular motion to lift up the hairs off your skin. Moisten the razor with warm water before you start and shave with the grain in the direction that your hair grows and then after each stroke, clean the blade with water. Use an aftershave product like the Cade from L’Occitane after shave balm and Aesop shaving serum to soothe and hydrate your skin.
6 I am not yet in my 30s, but I am worried about skin aging, so do I need to just use the most expensive anti-aging product instead of normal skincare products?
Nilushi: You should look after your skin no matter how old you are as it will definitely affect how your skin ages. If you are using the right skin products, it will eventually reduce anti-aging anyway.
Even if you are using the most expensive anti-aging products, you still need to consider these three main factors:, diet, exercise and lifestyle. It’s not a secret and in fact, it’s really the same thing you have heard a million times about how to ‘age gracefully’ but for some reason, people want to hear a magical solution to avoid wrinkles and fine lines. While some anti-aging products may create a better appearance on the skin, they don’t the complete solution to anti-ageing.
7 Today I will just escape the sunscreen for one-day only, so I can get extra tanned on my interview tomorrow. Will it affect my skin if I don’t protect my skin for one day?
Nilushi: There are two main reasons why you must wear sunscreen every day- to avoid skin cancer and to reduce aging skin (which is what we just talked about previously) even though it is just one day, you will still get sunburned! So apply sunscreen 20 minutes before you head outside and reply after 1-2 hours especially if you have gone swimming or exercised. Make sure you apply it everywhere- your face, neck, back, ears arms, legs and chest (FYI you can still get UV damage even when you wear clothing). If you do get sunburned I don’t recommend being aggressive with your skin! Instead, just gently wash and finish off with an alcohol-free toner with cucumber and a good amount of aloe vera.
In regards to getting a tan, you don’t have to head out into the sun nor do have to apply tanning spray as there are more creative ways to get a sun-kissed tan without damaging or risking the condition of your skin. If you want to achieve a tanned look then I would suggest using a bronzer on your T-zone, your jawline and down the neck for a natural tan to your face. (Especially if you want the tan for an interview- you want to look your best self, not like someone else!)
8 What should I do if I have important meetings and dates coming up and I don’t want to use makeup because my current skin condition is really bad?
Nilushi: If you are deciding how to look your best last minute, my one go-to answer is simple- water! Firstly apply cold water to your face to wake yourself up and avoid looking drowsy and tired. The second thing is to drink at least a bottle of water to hydrate your body and improve the appearance of your face.
But when it comes to having good skin, it doesn’t just happen overnight. For healthy-looking skin you need to have an everyday skincare routine- the key is consistency. There are make-up-alike products for men, such as tinted moisturisers and dramatic overnight masks you can try like Estee Lauder’s Idealist Even Skintone illuminator for a naturally glowing skin appearance and the illusion of smooth and soft textured skin.
9 How do I have an everyday skincare routine if I am always rushing in the morning and busy during the day?
Nilushi: Don’t worry, you are not alone. Many people feel like they don’t have the time to look after their skin or have an everyday routine but it is good to find those few minutes and make the most of it! For instance, if you get the chance to have a toilet break, I would suggest heading to a sink and washing away that stress and tiredness and also giving yourself a fresh and clean face. Keeping your moisturiser in your bag or in the car will help to keep your skin soft during the day. Even doing the small things matter!
There are also new technologies on the market that can also help you when you are on the go like an electronic-cleansing-brushes. I might even say that it can even be better than many cleansers themselves and can dramatically change your skin’s condition as quickly as within a week! For a gentle cleanse, using charcoal grey bristles helps to remove dirt and oil.
10I am staying over at my mates’ place tonight which means I can’t do anything about my face so can I press skip tonight?
Nilushi: I am glad you asked this question because there are actually everyday ingredients you can use to get the job done and can even be a more natural and cheaper alternative when you don’t have the time or money to invest in skincare products. If you want to cleanse your face you can use warm water which will open your pores and remove some of the impurities on your skin. Use simple kitchen ingredients like turmeric with yoghurt or aloe vera and apply to your face for about 5-10 minutes. Then wash it off and then to moisturise the skin; apply honey or coconut oil and then wash your face again.
We hope this blog post will be useful to you and if you have any questions regarding men’s skincare routines, comment below.
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