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Caring for the Skin on your Face
                                   
Men and women should follow a 3-stage skincare routine. Cleanse, moisturise and protect, morning and night. All three work together as a package, although they work  differently for each of us, depending upon our age and skin type.  There is always more that you can do for better results. You can smooth, deep-clean, exfoliate to remove dead cells or deep moisturise your skin with facial masks. The decision is yours. 

Cleansing stops dirt, sweat, make-up and bacteria blocking your pores and causing blemishes. A moisturiser while not adding moisture to the skin will help prevent dryness and irritation, while at the same time helping you to maintain skin that is smooth, soft and subtle. Protection involves protecting your skin against the sun, cold weather and other damaging internal and external factors. For men there is the added facial skincare element of shaving.

 
Cleanse
Your skin needs regular cleansing to remove dirt, bacteria, make-up, oils, and dead skin cells. Remove all your make-up with a make-up removing lotion  and eye-make-up remover.  Wearing make-up to bed can clog your pores and mascara can break your lashes. 
 
Begin by selecting safe, effective, high quality products appropriate for your skin type.  Wet your skin with tepid water then rub the cleanser between your hands and gently massage the cleanser over your whole face, paying special attention to the more oily areas like the forehead, nose and chin... do not scrub. Then the cleaning process is complete,  rinse the cleanser off sensitively, then blot with a clean towel.   Check your skin 15 minutes later; it should feel soft. If it feels tight you may be using  a cleanser that is stripping away too much oil, which may in turn lead to the skin reacting by producing even more oil to replace that what has been removed. 
For extra deep cleansing use an exfoliant or cleansing mask. Sensitive skin may be able to withstand such treatment once a week, while oilier skin may benefit from it weekly.
 
Tone
Toners balance the skin's acidity, warding off harmful bacteria and preparing your skin to receive the benefits of moisturizers or humectants (substances that promote retention of moisture) as well as vitamins and minerals necessary to the skin's system.
 
Exfoliant or peel
Our skin protects us against the harsh realities of weather, pollution and the sun,  inconsequence the outer layer of our skin can become and feel scaly and dry. It can also inhibit the absorption of moisture and protective barriers, like moisturizing creams and locations. It can contribute to the appearance of dull, lifeless skin and can even prevent makeup from covering smoothly. The solution is to remove it with deep cleansing products like an  exfoliant or peel. Do not overdo it as exfoliating can cause broken capillaries and irritate sensitive skin.
 
 
Masks
Today masks can be wet or dry and can treat a range of skin problems:
     - Oily/broken out: deep cleansing clay or mud masks applied over the whole face or just the
       T zone, soaks up oil, draws out impurities, tightens pores and antibacterial agents can subdue
       spots.
    - Dry: moisturising masks bring a  mixture of moisture and nutrients to parched skin. It's cream base
       also provides a barrier to enable to skin to maintain moisture.
     - Sensitive: a gel mask contains smoothing anti-inflammatory ingredients that delivers immediate
       relief.
     - Normal: a sloughing mask helps exfoliate dead skin.
 
Moisturise

Like other organs in your body, your skin requires moisture as well as vitamins and minerals to keep it healthy and functioning properly.  Moisture is critical for healthy skin; much of the moisture you need comes from within your body chemistry. Moisturisers do not moisturise, they smooth and soften your skin. Good moisturisers, containing light oils and moisture-binding humectants, create a protective barrier for your skin thus keeping moisture in the outermost layer without clogging pores. The skins moisturising requirements differs from day to night and for each different skin type. It can be boosted with weekly or monthly steps (muds, peels, firming oils) for long lasting results.
 
Moisturiser should be applied to damp skin immediately after cleansing.  This allows the replacement of natural oils that may have been washed away and lock any water that has been absorbed from being washed.  Skin benefits from moisturising:
     - Normal: if used, use a light water based, hypo allergenic lotion.
     - Dry: oil based moisturisers are good for dry skin, especially if they contain humectants (substances that  promote retention of moisture) like
       urea.
     - Oil: if used, use an oil free e.g. silicon moisturiser.
     - Combination: Will require the use of two products, one to treat the dry areas and another to treat the oily areas.
     - Sensitive: Use a light product with limited ingredients. Try spot testing a light fragrance-free, hypoallergenic moisturiser.

When applying moisturiser, massage moisturiser into your face and neck with upward movements, in order to oppose  the effects of gravity which pulls it down. There are 3 steps to moisturising your face effectively:-

    1. Dab the moisturiser around the fragile skin of your eyes, moving
        inward and upward. 
    2. Next apply facial moisturiser by starting at the  base of the neck
        and rub cream up to the edge of your jaw-line. From the        
        centre of your chin move your fingertips up and out,  always
        working the wrinkles in the opposite direction.
    3. Finally from the centre of your forehead, work moisturiser out and
        up towards your hairline. 
Protect
     Skin Types   
     Factors affecting your skin    
     Skin Care Tips

 

Shaving
Daily shaving can cause problems for male skin and it’s important to take care of your face before and after shaving.