Skin Care Article: Skin Care for Men: Simple as 1, 2, 3

Skin Care for Men: Simple as 1, 2, 3

Let's be honest, environmental damage, free radicals and pollution do not discriminate between the sexes. Despite the tendency to shrug it off, men need skin care just as much as women.

So, guys, here's a simple 1, 2, 3 approach to skin care that goes beyond your normal "shave, rinse, apply aftershave" routine.

1) Cleanse: All good skin care routines begin with a clean base. Men know that your car should have its oil changed every 3,000 miles. Similarly, skin needs to be cleansed every morning and night. Look for cleansers that contain ingredients like Vitamin C, glycolic acid, green tea, grape seed extract, and salicylic acid. All of these ingredients offer a multitude of benefits for the skin when included in a cleanser, such as: anti-aging, diminishing fine lines and wrinkles, protection from free radical and environmental damage, exfoliation and a reduction in blemishes or breakouts.

2) Exfoliate: Yes, it's one of those words women use all the time. But men benefit from exfoliation as well. Regular exfoliation (2-3 times a week) of the skin does more than just keep the skin soft, it also encourages new cell growth, minimizes fine lines and wrinkles and increases the efficacy of treatment products.

3) Treat: After cleansing, treat skin to an anti-aging moisturizer with a concentrated level of wrinkle-fighting and skin smoothing ingredients, and preferably with an SPF level of at least 15. Just because men's skin tends to be thicker and more coarse than a woman's doesn't mean it won't benefit from a little tender-loving care. Be sure your treatment has a skin-specific cocktail of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals, to block against environmental attacks.

Gentlemen, it's a war zone out there. A simple routine like this will give your skin the weapons it needs to fight back.