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When it comes to skin care, it's easy to get lost in the information jungle and it can be hard to know what's true and what's just a myth, men's skin care is no exception. Skinome's two skin experts, Dr Johanna Gillbro and Ulf Åkerström, will therefore go through 5 of the most common myths and misconceptions when it comes to men's skin care. Hopefully this will help you understand how you can achieve better skin health.
Explanation: The short answer is that this is a myth. Soap can contain ingredients that are harsh on the skin and are not suitable for some people's skin. Just like women, men should use a cleanser that is gentle and gentle on the skin on their face. There are definitely differences between men's and women's skin. For example, men's skin often produces slightly more sebum and is usually thicker and less sensitive compared to women's skin. Therefore, the preference when it comes to the effectiveness of a good cleanser may be different for men and women, but washing your face with soap should be avoided by everyone.
What does an effective and skin-friendly cleansing routine for men look like? Our skin expert Ulf recommends that men apply the same skin care principles as women, and that they therefore use a mild emulsion-based or oil-based cleanser that effectively cleanses the skin while moisturizing and preventing irritation. Ulf also recommends only cleansing the face with a cleanser in the evening. In the morning, washing the face with water is enough because the skin produces many important substances during the night that we should not wash away – they contribute to better skin health.
Explanation: Yes, this is true and the reasons many skin care brands market and sell products specifically developed for men are heavily marketing driven. Johanna says that skin care products for men are often gel-like formulations with specific scents whose purpose is to evoke the feeling of "masculinity". According to Johanna, there are no specific ingredients that men's skin needs more, when compared to women's skin. Ulf adds that men usually have a simpler skin care routine, but this has nothing to do with men having other skin care needs. Both men and women should focus above all on their individual skin health and choose skin care products with relevant functions for their specific needs. And remember that a "masculine" fragrance or product design is primarily about marketing, not that the product has a positive impact specifically on men's skin health.
Explanation: The short answer is that this claim is a myth, but of course it also depends on what we as individuals think is important when it comes to our skin and skin health. Men, like women, develop fine lines and wrinkles as part of aging, but just like women, lines and wrinkles can deepen if the skin is dry. Using skincare to keep skin hydrated can therefore help reduce the signs of aging and ingredients with scientifically proven anti-wrinkle effects, such as retinol, work just as well on men's skin as on women's.
Johanna explains that men's skin ages differently because they often have oilier and slightly thicker skin. This is why men's skin doesn't tend to get as dry, and fine lines and wrinkles don't develop as quickly as women's. Usually, men get more wrinkles gradually after the age of 30. Ulf explains that men generally use less protection against the sun compared to women, but they should do so to avoid skin aging (and of course to protect against skin cancer). In conclusion, it is up to each of us to decide if we want to prevent the signs of aging when it comes to our skin but if there is one product that should be used more by men, it is sunscreen!
Explanation: This claim is a myth. Using moisturizer is recommended for men even if they have oilier skin. According to Skinome's skin expert Ulf, men generally do not need as thick and occlusive creams as they usually have oilier skin. However, using a lighter moisturizer is recommended as it adds humectants and protective ingredients that support moisture balance and protect the skin, especially after shaving. In addition, frequent facial cleansing or use of makeup can further strengthen the need to use a moisturizer.
Ulf explains that shaving always carries a risk of damaging the skin, which requires that the moisturizer contains soothing substances that can help prevent the skin from becoming red and irritated afterwards.
Explanation: This claim is a myth. During the summer season, there is not much difference in UV intensity when the weather is cloudy or sunny. For example, on the hottest summer days, the UV index, which is a measure of how strong the sunlight is, often reaches 7 in direct sunlight, while in cloudy weather it is 6. This shows the small difference between sunny and cloudy weather when it comes to how strong the sun is.
Ulf recommends that a general rule of thumb is to apply sunscreen from April to the end of September, as well as when skiing or being outdoors during the winter when the sun is shining and the snow reflects the UV light. At the beginning of summer, our skin is more vulnerable and sensitive to the sun, which is why we need to protect it. However, at the end of summer, the sun is still strong, which is why sunscreen must also be applied to prevent possible damage to the skin. Using sunscreen is just as important when you are exposed to the sun's rays through the window, for example when you work from home next to the window or when you go on a road trip during the summer season. Although the glass window protects against UVB rays, it does not protect against UVA rays. UVA rays reach deeper layers of the skin and can therefore affect fibroblasts and other cells that play a crucial role in the physiology of the skin.
An effective and moisturizing cleanser. The mild formula effectively removes dirt without drying out the skin.
A light gel-based face cream that balances the skin's microbiome, strengthens the skin barrier, evens out skin tone and reduces sebum production and the risk of clogged pores.
A concentrate with a high concentration of active ingredients that effectively counteracts overproduction of sebum and reduces the risk of clogged pores while contributing to a smoother skin texture and calmer skin.
Dermal Fibroblast—An overview | ScienceDirect Topics. (nd). Retrieved June 28, 2022, from https://www-sciencedirect-com.focus.lib.kth.se/topics/engineering/dermal-fibroblast
Johanna Gillbro. The Scandinavian Skincare Bible. The definitive guide to understanding your skin. Scribe Publications. ISBN: 9781912854943.
Farage, M.A. (2019). The Prevalence of Sensitive Skin. Frontiers in Medicine, 6, 98. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmed.2019.00098
