Building skin care kits can be intimidating. After all, it may be your first time trying products other than your body soap or body wash. It’s also easy to get lost in all the options available in the market.
Fortunately, as long as you are aware of your skincare needs, you can build your skin care kit—even if you just add one product at a time. As you try products, you will also learn more about your skin conditions, which will help you determine a better skincare routine.
Keep reading to find out what products you can include in your men’s skin care kit.
Why is Skincare Important for Men?
You may still be apprehensive about whether investing in a skincare kit is worth it. This is understandable because we are used to using all-in-one shampoo, facial, and body washes.
More than making us look good in front of a camera, caring for our skin protects us from infections and makes us comfortable. Proper skin care also prevents issues like dryness and irritation.
In fact, below are all the reasons why you should start a proper routine today.
It addresses your skin concerns
Many of us face skin care concerns. It may be the consistent forming of acne that you cannot seem to control. It can also be your dry skin that causes you to relentlessly scratch your face. Or what about those instances when your special someone refuses to kiss you due to your greasy face?
You can solve these problems by simply using a skincare product that works well with your skin type.
There can also be times when your body feels itchy, which is an indication that your body is dry. So, you need a skincare item that can help relieve the itchiness of your skin.
Your skin care concerns will be resolved when you consistently use the products in your kit. At the same time, you will see that your skin becomes healthier, and the chances of going through yet another skin problem are minimized.
Skincare products can prevent premature aging
According to studies, men have thicker skin on their faces compared to women. This fact benefits men because we tend to have more collagen on our skin. Having more collagen means that it is easier for our skin to renew itself, thus delaying the aging process.
However, our natural skin can only do so much. For instance, consistent exposure to pollution and the sun’s harmful rays can still contribute to our skin’s aging. Our lifestyle also plays a significant part in the aging of our skin, especially if we smoke, consume alcohol, eat unhealthy food, or lack sleep.
We cannot simply leave it to our genetics to prevent our skin from aging.
This is why using anti-aging skincare products is still encouraged. We need to provide support by using skincare products that target fine lines, wrinkles, and dark spots.
The same goes for your body. It also needs added production against the sun to prevent sagging. Our skin loses its firmness as we grow older. But there are skincare products for men that help delay this process.
Skin protection against harmful elements in the environment
The harmful elements in the environment contribute to your skin problems. For example, dirt and oil can clog your pores, which leads to acne. If the air lacks humidity, it can dry out your skin. Even the sun becomes your enemy because its rays can seriously burn your skin’s surface.
The products in your skincare kit will help you go through your daily activities without worrying about your skin. Instead of prohibiting yourself from having fun because of skin concerns, you can just rely on your skin care kit to take care of it for you.
A good example of this is when you go on a night out. Due to alcohol, your face can sometimes look puffy and irritated when you wake up the next day. But when you use your skincare products before you sleep, you will still look fresh and healthy upon waking up.
Skincare is a form of self-care
Balance in life is what keeps us grounded when we are emotionally and mentally strained. A way to ensure balance in our lives is to stick to a routine. When you go through your skincare routine, you immediately know that you are benefiting yourself.
You may not be feeling good for whatever reason, but when you start your routine, you are investing in yourself. However long or short that time may be, that time is yours alone. Remember, when your face and body feel good, you also feel good.
Going through a skincare routine can also be calming. You feel more relaxed by incorporating a gentle massage on the pressure points on your face. It’s also easy to feel accomplished when you finish your skincare as you know you took that extra step to take better care of yourself.
What Should A Men’s Skincare Kit Have?
We may want to start a skincare routine, but what products should we include in our kit? A skin care kit is similar to our toolboxes. The kit includes all the necessary tools to improve or complete a certain project. In this case, our project is to take better care of our skin and address different skin concerns.
You do not have to get all these products. Rather, you should assess which skincare products will work well with your skin type and skin concerns.
All that said, here are skincare product recommendations that will complete your skin care kit.
Facial Cleanser
It’s important to wash your face twice a day. Once in the morning to kick out the overnight oil buildup and once before bed to bid farewell to the day’s grime. For this, every guy’s grooming kit needs a facial cleanser—it’s the MVP of your skincare lineup.
In fact, a trusted facial cleanser or face wash kicks out the deep-seated dirt and oil, which are the common cause of blackheads and whiteheads.
There are different types of facial cleansers, which brands usually categorize by formulation. The most common cleansers are foam and oil cleansers, but there are also bubble cleansers, gel cleansers, cream cleansers, and enzyme cleansers. Choose the one that feels good on your skin and doesn’t irritate it.
Daily Toner
Toner not only helps remove excess oil and dirt but also plays a crucial role in balancing your skin’s pH (or acidity) level. If your skin’s pH level is lower or higher than normal, your skin suffers.
If your skin’s pH is too low (we call this “alkaline”), it can lead to dryness and irritation. On the other hand, if it’s too high (or “acidic”), it becomes a welcoming environment for bacteria, potentially causing skin issues. Using a toner helps keep your skin in the right balance.
Cleaning your face may also disrupt the pH level of your skin. This is why men should use a toner to bring their pH level back to neutral.
Toners also prepare your skin for better absorption of the next skincare items in your routine.
Toners come in liquid form. You can use a cotton pad or your bare hands to apply it on your face.
Exfoliating Toner
An exfoliating toner is a type of toner that chemically exfoliates the skin. Yes, it’s different from the toner we discussed above. But don’t use this on top of a regular toner. It’s redundant and might irritate your skin.
Exfoliating toners have acids in the formula that exfoliate your skin by removing dead skin cells on your skin, promoting younger-looking skin. When the dead skin cells from your face are removed, the fresh skin underneath is exposed.
Exfoliating toners can also help with skin brightening. This is super handy if you’re dealing with acne scars or hyperpigmentation.
Just like your regular toner, exfoliating toners come in a liquid form. Keep in mind, though, that because of their brightening effects, they can stain clothes and lighten facial hair. Be careful with it.
Also, remember to never use them more than twice a week. The acids that can be found in exfoliating toners are especially potent. Plus, too much exfoliation can cause dry skin.
Moisturizer
A skin care kit for men will never be complete without moisturizers. Moisturizers provide your skin the hydration it needs to fight a ton of skin concerns, like dryness and irritation. Moreover, well-hydrated skin often means less grease and fewer acne breakouts.
Moisturizer also plays a crucial role in maintaining and strengthening your skin barrier. This barrier of the skin is what protects it from bacteria and other harmful elements in the environment.
Moisturizers come in cream, lotion, and gel formulas. You apply this on your face after your toner or serum. You do not need much of it either—a nickel-sized amount is enough to cover your entire face.
Sunblock
Sunblock protects your skin against the harmful rays of the sun, which can irritate the skin. In fact, too much sun exposure without protection can rapidly age and darken your skin.
If you’re someone with acne, you must apply sunblock daily. Sun exposure without protection can inflame your skin, making it a breeding ground for bacteria and slowing down the healing process of your acne.
There are two types of sunblock: physical and chemical sunblock.
Physical sunblock protects your skin by acting as a physical barrier that deflects UV rays. It has zinc oxide and titanium oxide, which gives the formula a white appearance. You normally have to work the sunblock thoroughly on your face for the white cast to blend into your skin tone.
Physical sunblocks also have a thick and strong chemical scent. They usually come in a liquid, lotion, and powder form.
On the other hand, chemical sunblocks use active ingredients to protect your skin from the sun by blocking UV radiation. After absorbing into the skin, you need to reapply it after three hours for continued effectiveness. The plus is that they do not leave a white cast on the skin.
Chemical sunblocks are available as liquid, lotion, or stick form. They generally do not have a scent.
Serum
A serum is a good addition to any skin care kit for men, even though it’s not always required, especially for young faces with specific skin concerns (like acne). This is because serums are packed with potent active ingredients that are tailored for a specific skin problem.
Adding a serum to your skincare routine can be a game-changer. While it’s not always necessary, serums bring potent active ingredients designed to target specific skin concerns. They’re especially excellent for dealing with specific skin issues, like acne and dry skin. Or, if you are experiencing breakouts, you can use an anti-acne serum.
You don’t have to stick to just one type of serum, either. If you feel like your skin looks dull on a particular day, you can use a brightening one.
A serum comes in a bottle with a dropper in it. Its form is a combination of liquid and oil, but it does not feel oily or heavy when applied.
Use serums after applying your toner but before your moisturizer. Put two to three drops on your hands and rub them together to activate it. Then, lightly press it on your face until it is completely absorbed.
By the way, most serums do not react well to light and heat. Thus, they must be stored in a cool and dark place. Some serums also need to be refrigerated to maintain the effect of their active ingredients. Always check the labels before purchasing a serum.
Acne Spot Treatment
If you are someone who struggles with acne, having an acne spot treatment in your skincare kit is a must. Even if your cleanser or moisturizer has acne-fighting ingredients, they are sometimes not potent enough to kill the bacteria of your acne.
Acne spot treatments are formulated with ingredients to dry out acne and prevent bacterial spread. Common treatments include benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, sulfur, or adapalene.
You’ll find them in various forms, like cream, gel, or powder. Opt for cream or gel when heading outside, as they’re not visible on the skin. For night use, you can opt for the powder formula. It is visible on the skin and forms a hardened layer on the applied area.
You should only apply your acne spot treatment on the affected areas. If you apply it on your entire face, it will dry it with frequent application.
Under Eye Treatment
Men generally have thicker skin than women, but the skin under our eyes is an exception. Thus, the under our eyes are still thin and susceptible to showing signs of aging, especially when fatigued. When our eyes get tired, the skin underneath may also become puffy.
If you are worried about the skin around your eyes, consider using an eye cream. Eye creams provide specialized nourishment to the delicate skin under our eyes, helping reduce puffiness and firming the skin to prevent fine lines and wrinkles. Some products even offer an instant lifting effect, albeit temporary.
If you have dark eyebags, an eye cream will also help brighten them.
Under-eye treatments usually come in cream or mask forms. For cream, a tiny dot is sufficient to cover one eye. Some cream treatments also come with a steel ball bearing for easy application—you use it to spread and massage the treatment on your skin.
If the cream undereye treatment does not have that bearing, you can apply it on your under eyes with your ring finger and lightly tap until it is absorbed. It should be the ring finger as it does not have much force, allowing you to apply the product delicately.
If you are using an under eye mask, leave it on for 15 minutes; no need to rinse afterward. If you want to use an undereye treatment, it should be applied after your moisturizer.
Face Masks
Face masks aren’t a must-have in your skincare kit, but they’re a great addition for extra skin repair. Packed with vitamins and antioxidants, face masks strengthen your skin’s barrier and promote a healthy, radiant glow. In the event that your skin is exposed to too much sun, the mask can even calm your irritated skin.
Typically, face masks come in square packaging with a film inside. Place it over your face, ensuring the slots align. There are slots for your eyes, nose, and mouth. Some masks also have slots for the ears so that the mask will not fall while you are doing other things.
Then, just let it soak on your skin for 20-25 minutes. You do not have to rinse after removing it.
CC Cream
CC cream is a fantastic multitasking product that combines skincare and makeup in one. The “CC” stands for conceal and correct. It’s the best skincare product to have in your kit if you do not have the luxury of time to put several products on your face.
Most CC creams provide sun protection, hydration, and coverage for blemishes and uneven skin tone all in one. While it may not offer the same level of sun protection as dedicated sunblock or the deep hydration of a moisturizer, it’s a great option for a quick routine.
Ideally, if you’re using a CC cream, it’s best to at least incorporate moisturizer and sunblock into your skincare routine. This ensures you stay moisturized and sun-protected, and your blemishes are concealed.
CC cream is available in liquid or cream form and typically comes in one color that adjusts to match your skin tone. Apply it on top of your sunblock for a flawless finish.
Wrapping Up
Building a skincare kit for men doesn’t have to be complicated. Start with the essentials: cleanser, moisturizer, and sunblock. From there, expand your kit by adding other skincare items based on your needs. Use a CC cream if you lack time.
Once your skin care kit is complete, keep a strict skincare schedule. If you stay consistent, you’ll quality notice positive changes in your skin.
FAQs
Can I use a daily toner and exfoliating toner at the same time?
No, you cannot use a daily toner and exfoliating toner at the same time. Doing so will irritate your skin due to an imbalance of its pH levels. Also, the active ingredients in both toners may not react well with each other, which can result in skin burns.
What type of serum is best for all skin types?
A niacinamide serum is a good all-around choice for most skin types. Not only does it regulate oil and hydrate, but it also fortifies your skin’s barrier and adds a brightening touch. Niacinamide serums are also gentle, making them suitable for all skin types without any unwanted effects.
Can I use a facial scrub?
Yes, you can still include a facial scrub in your kit. However, do not use it daily. The microbeads in the scrub can over-exfoliate and cause microtears in your skin. If you want to use it, limit its use to once a week, and you should not use an exfoliating toner with it.
Will using a moisturizer make my face oily?
Moisturizers hydrate the face, so it should not make you oily. If you notice that your moisturizer is making you oily, you might be using the wrong formula based on your skin type. Try a water-based or gel-based moisturizer instead. These formulas are easily absorbed into the skin.
Why not buy a complete skincare set?
No, it is better to build a kit from scratch. A pre-made men’s skincare set only has one active ingredient for all the products in the kit. For skincare to be effective, there should be varied active ingredients across products in the kit.
If you lack time to do a complete skincare routine, remember that you have a friend in CC creams. Just be sure to at least have a moisturizer on top of it.
