Have you ever accompanied a girlfriend to a cosmetics store? I can imagine the scene: detached, almost distant gaze, glued to the young lady you are escorting. You definitely don't want anyone to think you're there for yourself. Cliché? Almost...
The men's cosmetics sector is currently booming, far outpacing the women's market in terms of growth. "Man is a woman like any other" , apparently. Appearance is a real concern today. . And beyond that, well-being.
So today we're going to talk about grooming, the "art" of taking care of yourself when you're a man. First, we're going to look at facial care, before tackling that of our body.
Being interested in what you wear is good, but being interested in your physical appearance is just as important!
Understanding your skin type
First of all, know that if it is difficult for two men with different body types to dress identically, it will be the same with the care given to their skin. Each type requires adapted maintenance.
I would also like to point out that the advice given here cannot, under any circumstances, replace a consultation with a dermatologist!
But so, what is my skin type?
"Normal" skin
Normal skinned friends, thank the heavens. Your pores are tightened, your skin texture smooth with few imperfections in sight.
In short, real baby skin, which would require - almost - no care.
“Oily” skin and “combination” skin
If you have so-called "oily" skin, it is because your body secretes more sebum than necessary. It often results from a hormonal problem but also from a poor lifestyle , periods of intense stress or even regular tobacco consumption. .
In addition to the often annoying shiny appearance, oily skin facilitates the appearance of blackheads or comedones. . The only advantage? As they age, people with oily skin are generally less prone to wrinkles (and that's something).
Combination skin is probably the most common skin type: oily on the nose and forehead, and normal on the rest of the face — especially the cheeks.
So-called "dry" skin
If you have dry skin, it is because the natural hydration of your epidermis is not working properly.
Skin that is naturally dry is generally much more sensitive than just the face. It is very sensitive , peels easily, is often rough and prone to tightness or inflammation. .
You should, unless there are special cases, recognize yourself in one of these different skin types. The care to be given will all be the same. It will only be a matter of adapting the frequency or the products to be used.
I am what I eat
Neither a dermatologist nor a nutritionist by training, I can assure you that a good diet is the key to healthy skin.
Nutritional intake has a direct impact on your internal organism, of course, but also on your physical appearance. Hair, nails, fur, skin develop and renew themselves thanks to several active agents. Their vitality therefore depends on your diet.
You have to suffer to be beautiful: this includes switching to steamed vegetables and forgetting sausage, burgers and other kebabs.
Here is the list of the six commandments to follow to have beautiful skin:
- You will adopt a varied and balanced diet.
- You will favor foods containing antioxidants. They will effectively fight against skin aging .
- Vitamin C and carotenoids, you will consume. Very good for the complexion , you will find them in colored foods like oranges, carrots, parsley, peppers, black radishes, red fruits...
A cocktail for the skin. (Credits: Shutterstock)
- You will hydrate yourself regularly to renew the water in your body.
- Some polyunsaturated fatty acids, you will add. Necessary for the constitution of cell membranes, they strengthen the lipid layer of the epidermis . They are found in oily fish such as salmon, nuts, shellfish, oil...
- Foods that cause oxidative stress, you will avoid. A natural phenomenon, it is the main cause of skin aging. When free radicals produced by certain foods are released, they attack the healthy cells of the epidermis. So avoid added sugars, red meat, offal or cold cuts .
Facial Basics
Properly cleaning your face is of the utmost importance and should be done regularly.
Imagine what he goes through in a day: pollution, microparticles of all kinds, perspiration, sebum, cigarette smoke. , various bacteria and so on. A real explosive cocktail.
External aggressions have a direct and visible impact on the quality of your skin.
The basic ritual of facial care should be the same for everyone: daily cleansing and good hydration.
As with your clothes, focus on buying quality products and be sure to avoid all products from supermarkets. Alternatives (not necessarily more expensive) exist.
Cleaning your skin
No matter your skin type, I recommend a gentle cleanser, containing as few chemicals/stripping products as possible. .
Apply your cleanser and rub generously without forcing too much, gently massaging the epidermis. Sacrilege if ever there was one, we never wash our face with a body soap or shower gel! These products are absolutely not designed to clean much thinner and more sensitive skin.
To help you find your way around, I have selected a few products for you. There will be something for everyone, don't panic!
What product should you use to clean your face?
Not all of the brands mentioned work exclusively in men's cosmetics, but the cleaning products can be considered unisex.
Clarins brand facial cleanser
Clarins foaming facial cleanser that is suitable for all skin types. Contains purifying extracts of grindelia and wintergreen that tone the skin as it cleanses. Perfect for daily use.
Horace brand purifying facial cleanser
Made from natural ingredients (95%), like most Horace brand products, this cleanser purifies your skin without drying it out (thanks to the Binchotan and vitamin E it contains). It is also a sebum-regulator.
Biotherm brand facial cleansing gel
The foaming gel from the Biotherm men's range cleanses the skin of impurities and prepares it for shaving. Suitable for all skin types.
Granado brand regenerating cleansing foam
This product from the Granado brand is a non-comedogenic cleansing foam that will perfectly eliminate your dead skin while leaving a feeling of freshness.
Lush Movis Cleaner
Halfway between baking and cosmetics, this Lush facial soap is very nourishing. It is made from exfoliating wholemeal bread, essential oils and organic cocoa butter. This cleanser is guaranteed to be free of animal fat. It is also very economical, designed for long-term use.
Hydrating your skin
You are on the right track, don't get discouraged and let's move on to step two together: hydration. Without it, it dies, dries out, gets damaged and dull.
A simple reflex can save you this trouble: once properly cleansed, the pores of your face are no longer clogged. They are therefore ready to receive good active agents, nourishing your skin. Apply a moisturizer by massaging gently, ideally spreading the product from the inside outwards .
Product selection
Well, if I do the work for you and give you a small selection, will you promise to get started?
Granado brand moisturizing facial fluid
Suitable for all skin types, even the most sensitive, this fluid is enriched with antioxidants.
Moisturizing fluid from the Otis Skincare brand
Otis Skincare moisturizer has been designed to slow down skin aging thanks to repair agents (a peptide that increases collagen and ensures skin elasticity).
Moisturizing day cream from the Codage Paris brand
Made in France, this Codage Paris cream hydrates the skin, fighting against wrinkles and skin aging on a daily basis.
Baxter of California Non-Greasy Moisturizer
This plant-based moisturizer from the Baxter of California brand on Comptoir de l'Homme fights free radicals with a powerful antioxidant effect (presence of vitamins E, D and A).
Active moisturizer from the Dermalogica brand
This moisturizer from the Dermalogica brand on Comptoir de l'Homme is suitable for oily skin, while ensuring excellent hydration and repair of the epidermis. It is, moreover, a fragrance-free cream.
To go further...
This is the part where some of you get discouraged. So we arm ourselves with courage and continue.
“Masks? I don’t have time” ; “It’s no use” ; “ It’s for chicks ". You are mistaken. Here again, in addition to the well-being that these practices provide, the effects are quickly visible if they become habitual.
Exfoliation
Daily cleansing and moisturizing won't always be enough to remove all the impurities that have settled into your pores. I therefore recommend that you opt for a weekly exfoliation. .
The principle is simple: exfoliating products consist of an often nourishing base mixed with an exfoliant which, through friction, will smooth the skin's texture and eliminate dead cells. , possible ingrown hairs, or even prolong your hard-earned tan from last summer.
Always prefer mechanical exfoliation .
Product selection
Italian resort facial scrub from the Acqua Di Parma brand
This creamy emulsion from the Acqua Di Parma brand at Comptoir de l'Homme contains pumice stone grains for refining the skin's grains. The different agents that compose it accelerate cellular regeneration.
Horace brand facial exfoliant
This Horace exfoliant removes impurities and unclogs pores, leaving your skin clearer and healthier. It is made from Murumuru grains and butter, a Brazilian palm tree known for its nourishing properties.
Kiehl's Papaya and Pineapple Scrub
The use of pineapple and papaya allows the exfoliation of this Kiehl's "scrub". The oils of natural origin soften the epidermis.
Facial exfoliating powder from the Granado brand
Perfect for oily skin, this powder from the Granado brand helps with cell renewal with a micro-peeling effect that acts gently.
The mask moment...
About once a week , you can also apply a restorative mask.
It's about freeing up your skin's pores a little more, and nourishing it with different active agents. These are very often made up of clay or other nourishing and/or exfoliating ingredients.
A rather pleasant chore.
Product selection
Here is a small selection of products that I particularly like, that I have tested or that have been recommended to me.
Kokwai Perfect Renovator Face
This Kokwai mask at Comptoir de l'Homme uses natural agents of plant origin and biodegradable. Kiwi seeds are the basis of the exfoliating agent. Very good product that deeply cleanses and moisturizes your damaged skin.
Black dotox mask from the Apot.Care brand
This Apot.Care mask contributes to skin renewal and erases imperfections.
Organic vitamin detox face mask from the Nuxe brand
Mask from the organic range of the Nuxe brand, this product uses almost only natural ingredients, the majority of which come from organic farming. It is a good choice for people who need to lighten their complexion.
Purifying clay mask from the Horace brand
A texture reminiscent of melted chocolate for this mask from the Horace brand. The use of clay gives this product healing properties (for small imperfections). Impurities and excess sebum are absorbed.
Good habits to adopt in the shower
Taking care of your face is essential, as it is exposed to so much on a daily basis.
That said, it is also important to take care of the rest of your body. Cleaning, moisturizing, the principles are the same but the practices are slightly different. Let's look at that...
Why, when and how to wash (the basics)?
There are those who spend only two and a half minutes there and those who forget themselves for more than an hour. There are those who turn off the tap while soaping themselves - thank you for the planet - those who improvise as an operetta singer, those who have fun there and those who meditate there. Despite everything, it is advisable to adopt certain basic habits to take care of your body.
That little moment that belongs - most of the time - only to you.
What happens in the shower on the skin level?
Your skin is covered with a protective hydrolipidic film, made up of water, sweat and sebum. Seen like that, I grant you, it's not very appetizing. However, it is this layer that partly ensures the impermeability and measured hydration of the skin, which protects you from microbial attacks or the penetration of foreign bodies.
When you wash, you destroy this protective "dirt layer" which retains bacteria and impurities. While it is important for this hydrolipidic film to renew itself, you should not constantly attack it, otherwise you risk leaving your skin too raw.
The hydrolipidic film protects the skin from external aggressions.
Although it is recommended to wash at least once a day, it is not necessary to use a pressure washer morning and evening: the skin, when overused, becomes stripped by products and unnecessary rubbing.
Alternatively, you can take a regular shower in the morning and just rinse it off in the evening. , if you feel the need for freshness.
Of course, in very hot weather, it is not forbidden to go under water more than once a day to cool down.
Warm water and soft towel
It is better to wash with lukewarm water, to avoid being too aggressive on the skin.
Finally, when you get out of the shower, avoid drying yourself too vigorously . Instead, gently pat yourself dry with a suitable, sufficiently absorbent towel. or wrap yourself in a bathrobe. This will help prevent possible redness or dryness.
Do like Drake and opt for a simple Versace bathrobe.
" So, what should I wash myself with?"
I'm just getting there!
To the shower!
As you have understood above, your skin is sensitive and must be at the center of your concerns. Here again, pay attention to the products you use.
A little biology point
To start, let’s talk pH.
But then Jamy, what is the pH of the skin and how is it determined?
It's very simple: the hydrolipidic film determines the pH of the skin, or its acidity level, which will have a direct impact on its defense potential against external aggressions.
It ranges between 4.5 and 6, guaranteeing a “small acidity” which protects the skin.
The pH of the skin corresponds to values between 4.5 and 6. Most soap solutions (often from large surfaces) have a pH of 8 to 10. So try to favor products with a neutral pH.
It is then important not to alter this acidity by using products with a pH that is too acidic or too basic. I advise you to only use products with a neutral pH , i.e. level 7.
Soap vs. shower gel: which to choose?
Thanks to marketing prowess, the consumption of shower gel has now become colossal in most homes. Without playing Che Guevara , several options are then available to you:
- soap: economical and often natural, Aleppo soap is less corrosive to the skin and will be easier to rinse off. It also has soothing and nourishing properties that a shower gel will not necessarily have. Be careful, however, of the many counterfeits or exaggerated uses of these names.
- Shower gel: while some shower gels may be organic or made from natural products, most contain many chemical agents that can be aggressive to the skin. Using it daily will not save you money, as the packaging is designed for mass consumption. However, some organic products (from brands such as Douce Nature or Natessance ) can be good alternatives to natural soap.
Shower gel or soap, that is the question...
So there is no miracle solution when it comes to choosing your daily washing product. It's up to you to decide according to your preferences.
For the more curious, here is the list of agents to avoid as far as possible...
The fact sheet published by UFC-Que Choisir: here are the different harmful agents that can be present in industrial cosmetic products.
Contrary to what your grandmother may have advised you when you were younger , avoid using washcloths or any other accessories of this kind. In addition to being rough and often very aggressive for the skin, they are real nests for microbes and bacteria, which develop easily between two washes when they are damp.
You thought you were done? Only a few more lines before the torture session ends, hold on tight!
Exfoliation for clear skin
Like the skin on your face, your body won't shy away from a good scrub from time to time. Without putting too much strain on your skin, I recommend a weekly scrub.
Product selection
Kielh's brand body scrub soap
This Kiehl's exfoliating soap at Comptoir de l'homme removes dead cells and roughness. Use on areas such as elbows and heels.
Ren Moroccan Rose Body Scrub with Cane Sugar
This scrub from the Ren brand on Comptoir de l'homme with cane sugar and rose scent revitalizes the skin, providing suppleness and luminosity.
Almond body scrub by Payot
This product from the Payot brand on Comptoir de l'homme tones the skin while hydrating it.
What about the “no soap” trend?
Still very taboo in an ultra-marketed society, the concept of "no soap" is simple: no longer using soap to care for our bodies on a daily basis.
A growing "trend" - although marginal - it attracts more and more followers, the web teeming with testimonials praising its merits. I took an interest in this phenomenon in order to provide you with a summary of the opinions expressed, both by the "no soap" pros and the antis.
How does it work?
As explained above, not all of the many showers you probably take are necessary. Some dermatologists even claim that, for a sedentary and low-dirt lifestyle, three showers per week would be enough.
At the level of the epidermis and its hydrolipidic film, the body naturally produces a balanced ecosystem, trapping bacteria and partially eliminating them. Using soap too frequently alters this balance.
No longer using washing products would then allow "nature" to reassert itself, allowing the body to regulate itself - water being, moreover, sufficient to eliminate excess bacteria as well as bad odours.
What do fans say?
- After an adaptation period (two to three weeks), the body gets used to it and self-regulates. The odors, perhaps a little stronger at first, disappear.
- Skin appears healthier, less dry and silkier.
- Possible skin problems such as dryness, eczema, red patches tend to disappear.
Please note: despite these convincing testimonies, many professionals refute this theory and condemn this practice. If excess is harmful, washing regularly with soap would allow deep cleaning of the epidermis to eliminate the worst germs that could, in the long term, be responsible for the appearance of serious skin problems.
So, are you ready to part with it...?
A practice to be qualified
Not having the necessary expertise to give a clear opinion, I could nevertheless, after having cross-checked most of the testimonies, provide some nuances.
While the idea of "no soap" may seem appealing, certain complementary practices should be considered to avoid any inconvenience and implement this hygiene routine more calmly.
- Continue to wash the most delicate parts of the body with soap .
- Always use deodorant, again natural, or equivalent solutions .
- Consider regular body scrubs using natural products.
- Adopt a balanced diet. Indeed, the bad odors that our body gives off come, in part, from what we consume.
- Continue washing your hands with soap to prevent contagious diseases.
The final word...
Bad habits die hard and it's up to us to get rid of them.
It is commonly thought that a healthy mind can only flourish in a healthy body. Far from being time-consuming, a little more attention paid to your physique will only be beneficial for your daily well-being.
And just like evolving your clothing style can only increase your self-confidence, the same goes for improving your "beauty" habits.
PS: If I haven't covered the maintenance of your manes here, it's because a dedicated article will be coming out soon. So be patient!
