Skincare Routine for Men

The need to look after your skin is gender neutral, as are the benefits of highly efficacious skincare products. That’s why CeraVe has formulated genderless skincare products that work and care for your skin.

We asked Dr Ryan De Cruz, dermatologist at Southern Dermatology for his expert advice, since deciding between skincare products for men can sometimes be an overwhelming task. But first we wanted to ask, what are the typical skin differences between men and women?

“Apart from the obvious differences such as increased facial hair (density, follicle size and response to testosterone) many men have thicker skin than women….at least literally, perhaps not figuratively! In fact, on average, male skin is approximately 20-25% thicker than females, and contains more collagen”, says Dr De Cruz.

“Male skin also produces twice as much oil (sebum) as female skin, meaning therefore men tend to have larger pores. This greater oil content however does mean that their skin barrier tends to be stronger/less prone to irritation and dryness compared to females but more prone to acne.”

From here we take it further to help you understand and discover the basics of skincare for men, from face serums to SPF. Keep reading for a step-by-step guide to help you develop a simple and efficacious skincare routine based on your skin type, with skincare product recommendations from the CeraVe range.

All genders can benefit from skincare

Dr De Cruz stresses that people of any gender can benefit from skincare, although men may sometimes lack awareness of the benefits of a regular skin routine.

“As a generalisation, men spend far less time and effort looking after their skin than women”, says Dr De Cruz.

“Whether it be laziness, ignorance, apathy or disillusion, men are less likely to consider their daily skincare regime until they develop a skin condition.”

However, Dr De Cruz says attitudes around this issue are beginning to shift.

“Culturally, I am starting to see a trend in the opposite direction, with greater emphasis on physical appearance and self-care. Younger men are becoming more self-aware and starting to consider the importance of a simple skincare routine that improves their appearance and wards off skin issues”, he says.

How to build a skincare routine for men

The first step to building a simple men’s skincare routine is to take a moment to figure out your skin type by looking out for some common characteristics.

“My advice to all genders is the same: learn to recognise and understand your skin type and choose appropriate skincare accordingly”, says Dr De Cruz.

• Dry Skin

If your skin often feels tight or looks flaky, you likely have dry skin.

• Sensitive Skin

If you’re prone to skin reactions or uncomfortable sensations, you may have sensitive skin. 

• Oily Skin

If your skin becomes shiny throughout the day, this points towards oily skin.

• Combination Skin

Skin with both oily and dry areas is known as combination skin. 

• Normal Skin

If your skin is somewhere in the middle you likely have normal skin, which is especially easy to care for.

Now that you have a better idea of your skin type, simply follow our recommendations below to put together an easy routine suited to your skin’s needs.

Cleanse your face

Washing your face with a good facial cleanser is arguably the single most important step of your skincare routine. If you don’t first remove sunscreen, dirt, impurities, makeup or whatever might be on your face, the rest of your skincare is unlikely properly absorb.

Dr De Cruz shares cleansers should be selected based on skin type. “In general, males may require foaming or lipophilic cleansers that remove excess oil and debris, while females may require more soothing cream-based or gentle cleansers for dry or sensitive skin”, he says.

If you have oily skin, we recommend using our CeraVe Hydrating Foaming Oil Cleanser. Oil attracts and washes away oil, so this formula works well as a first step in men’s skincare for acne-prone skin.

If you have normal or dry skin, try our CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser enriched with ceramides and hyaluronic acid to nourish your skin from the beginning.

Read our guide on How to Choose the Right Men’s Facial Wash for your Skin Type for more detailed information and be sure to pat your face dry instead of rubbing it with a towel.

Apply a face serum

The concept of a face serum might sound a little complicated, but they’re just highly concentrated forms of beneficial ingredients formulated with a lightweight texture. Face serums are best applied under your moisturiser to aid absorption.

Our CeraVe HA Hydrating Serum is highly beneficial for men of all skin types, thanks to its main ingredient. Hyaluronic acid is found naturally in your skin and has the ability to hold up to 1,000 times its own weight in water, so it can deliver powerful hydration to help make your skin healthier looking.

Take a few drops of serum and spread them over your entire face, before gently patting the formula into your skin.

Smooth on a face moisturiser

A well formulated facial moisturiser is the next step in your new skincare routine, helping to seal in all the good you’ve done so far.

According to Dr De Cruz, “Moisturisers that contain ceramides are suitable for all genders and can be found in various weights such as lightweight lotions and heavier creams, depending on preference”.

UV rays are the biggest contributor to ageing skin and increased skin cancer risk, so your morning moisturiser should contain SPF. Our CeraVe AM Facial Moisturising Lotion with SPF 15 does just that, without feeling heavy on your face.

In the evening, follow up with our CeraVe PM Facial Moisturising Lotion to minimise water loss through your skin overnight.

Pat on an eye cream

The skin around your eyes is much thinner and more delicate than other areas of your face, which is why this area requires special attention.

We recommend gently patting on an ultra-hydrating formula like our CeraVe Eye Repair Cream. Avoid rubbing or tugging this delicate area as you apply the cream.

Don’t forget a body moisturiser

You’ve reached the last step! It turns out that your body can and should be part of a skincare routine. Our CeraVe Moisturising Cream is designed to hydrate dry skin on the body, with a thicker texture than products you would use for your face.

Smooth on some cream over your whole body or wherever it’s needed, to help avoid dry patches.