Keeping the skin clean and preventing moisture loss is critical. Men have larger pores and their skin is approximately 15% oilier skin than women’s skin, so daily cleansing is just as important for men as it is for women.
Cleansing products should be as chemical-free as possible. Never use soap on your face. Holding a medium hot wash cloth on the face immediately before cleaning will open pores and make deeper cleaning possible. A good cleansing scrub will remove dead skin cells and smooth the surface of the skin. Avoid scrubs that contain ground bits of nuts or seed extracts. They will damage or tear the skin.
Toning helps keep the skin clear and firm. Astringents and toners with glycolic or alpha hydoxy acids work best for toning the face. They can actually reduce pore size and help prevent ingrown hairs. Look for a product that is not photosensitive (sensitive to light).
The moisture content of the skin is brought into balance through two processes: adding moisture from the outside through the application of a moisturizing agent and by retarding the loss of moisture already in the skin. Moisture loss is retarded by replenishing the fatty materials normally found in the skin that are removed by contact with soap, other detergents and the outdoors.
For an intensive moisture treatment use pure vitamin E, or aloe vera oil. These are available in liquid form, or in capsules that can be broken open and applied directly to the skin. This is great under eye treatment. The under eye area is one of the first places to show age because the skin under the eyes secretes no oils on its own. Vitamin C lotions help to fade brown spots by suppressing the production of the skin pigment melanin. It may also boost collagen levels, helping to soften fine lines. If you chose a commercial moisturizer, be sure to find a product that is alcohol-free.
There are thousands of skin care products on the market and choosing those which are right for you can be challenging and expensive. Fortunately, there are also recipes available to help you mix up your own products using ingredients you probably already have in the kitchen. Check with your favorite bookstore for a book that will help you make natural skin products. [Copyright © 2004 World Image Naturals™, Inc. www.worldimagenaturals.com ]
