Studies show that between 40 and 55 percent of the population between 20 and 45 deal with acne. Unfortunately, most acne products and skin care advice tidbits are marketed toward women. This mostly stems from the beauty and health industries commercializing and profiting off women’s bodies, so men still get the better end of the deal most of the time, but it’s hard to see that when you’re staring at an acne-riddled face in the mirror. Below are things for men to consider when combatting acne.
Facial Hair
Facial hair seems like a useful tool for hiding acne, but it also exacerbates it. If your priority is acne-free skin, you should shave regularly. Hair accumulates oils, which clog your pores and cause acne. Of course, shaving be tough on your skin too if you’re not using the right razor or shaving products. Check out this guide on how to shave with acne prone skin. Taking the time to prepare your skin beforehand can be as simple as putting a hot cloth on your face to open up your pores or as involved as using an exfoliator to get rid of dead skin and other debris.
If you love having a beard, you don’t have to resign yourself to a face full of acne. You’ll simply have to be very proactive about hygiene. Be sure to wash your beard every night, scrubbing the skin underneath. Using shampoo on your beard when you wash your hair has a great effect for some. Be sure to monitor your skin and make sure you’re not drying it out though. If you are, you may want to use a moisturizing soap or a beard oil. Finding the right balance between dry skin and oil-induced acne can be difficult, but once you find a routine that works, your skin and beard will feel better than ever!
Stress and Hormones
The body produces more oils when it endures stress. So if you’ve been stressing out, you’re only making your acne issues worse. Take time to decompress and make sure you’re taking care of yourself both physically and mentally. This can mean setting time aside at night to read, taking time to meditate, or even working out more. Whatever relaxes you and makes you feel good about yourself.
The media makes hormones seem like something that mostly apply to women, but that’s mainly because theirs change more often. Hormone imbalances can be a big deal for men to, and can both be the result and cause of increased stress. If you’ve suddenly experienced an increase in acne, monitor your body for other signs of hormone imbalance, like weight gain, spider and varicose veins, hair loss, fatigue, and loss of libido. If you’re experiencing a combination of these factors, it might be time to see a doctor and narrow down the cause.
Climate
Your skin is your body’s most susceptible organ, being at the mercy of the environment almost constantly. As weather changes, so will your skin. When the air is dry, your skin may get rough patches, causing you to use lotion. As tempting as it may be to reach for a generic, cheap lotion, pay attention to the ingredients. The oils inside may clog your pores and cause acne. If the air is especially humid, you may need to wash your face more in order to keep oils from accumulating. When the weather changes drastically, your skin may react and then go back to normal, so it’s always good to keep track of your skin care routine in different climates. If your skin reacts to a sudden change, use your normal routine for the current weather for a week before worrying. If things don’t go back to normal, look into what you could be doing differently.
Society may act like men don’t get acne, but that’s simply not the case. The information above is simply an introduction to improving your skin complexion. If you have persisting issues, you’ll want to see your doctor and maybe a dermatologist. If you’ve had any experience combatting acne, share in the comments!