Men's skin has its own challenges, such as thicker and oilier skin, so it's essential that they use products adapted to their needs. Because of the stigma surrounding men's skin care, men are often forced into a lose-lose situation, where they are ridiculed both for having acne and for trying to take care of their skin. To end this stigma, skincare must be considered a gender-neutral tool and not as a feminine product. From skincare practices to dietary adjustments, there are many aspects of skin care that men should invest as much as women.
Historically, men's skin care hasn't been as fashionable as other beauty practices, but no matter who you are, it's important to take care of your skin. The stigma surrounding skincare for men stems from the stereotype that depicts men as more “manly” compared to others. Because of the similarity of this standard, unfortunately anything that could cause men to be perceived as more “feminine” is avoided, such as skin care, for example. Read on for eight essential skincare tips for men that help prevent wrinkles, protect against sun damage, and reduce bumps caused by the razor.
According to a study conducted in The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, several studies have reported a prevalence of adolescent acne that ranges from 81 to 95% for young men and between 79 and 82% for young women. Women predominantly practice personal care and skincare regimens throughout mainstream culture, and that's one of the reasons why the popularization of skincare among men seems unusual in public view. The skincare market is continuously diversifying to suit men, including more product labels that specifically appeal to men. Although it seems that there are more and more branded skin products for women, brands hope to attract male consumers through packaging and marketing campaigns that don't conform to conventional gender norms.
With the constant expansion of skincare aimed at men, a skincare routine like that of Patrick Bateman in American Psycho is becoming more and more normalized. Despite what this aversion to skin care might indicate, men experience acne at a higher rate than women during adolescence. In recent years, there has been a small shift away from skincare products intended exclusively for women, due to a change in advertising for some brands. The use of products such as collagen, sunscreens, vitamin C oils and cleansers is becoming increasingly normalized for Generation Z men.
Retinol is one of the main ingredients being formulated in several conditioning products for men. Despite this, the stigma surrounding male skin care is still a loser in which everyone loses, since both having acne and straining on the skin is worthy of ridicule, it hurts men. If I had been dissuaded from skincare, as many men do today, my acne and my mental health would have been much worse.
