Masculine Men's Anti-Aging Face Care and Skin Care

This article is closely related to 'Why the Beauty Industry Hates Men' and 'Masculine Face Care' article series by Candace Chen

My name is not important.

If my buddies knew about this, I'd never hear the end of it. And the guys at work? Forget it. I'd walk to my desk and find frilly lace and whatever on my chair. I'd find magazine cut-outs of Eau de Toilette in my briefcase. They'd replace my coffee mug with a dainty sherry glass. I know those guys. They're relentless. And how can I blame them? I'd do it to them, and love every minute of it.

Okay. Here goes. (Turns to camera man - I thought you were supposed to obscure my face or something, I don't see anything on the camera? It's done with special effects afterwards? All right, man, you make sure you do that or I'm coming after you).

I was a secret men's skincare shopper.

There I said it.

My Story

I'm not a wuss. You get that? I'm not into color palettes and incense. I don't ask for directions, I don't think man toys need instruction manuals and I don't mind a power saw for Christmas.

So what I'm saying, is that if you gotta call me something, you can call me a man's man. I work hard, I play hard, and "if it don't go good with beer, I don't eat it."

But recently, I started to notice something that I couldn't ignore any longer - my face in the mirror. It was getting older. It was like all of a sudden, the years just caught up with me.

This isn't about having pretty boy looks. It's about making it in a competitive world. I can't afford to look old and dull. And I don't want to. Who does? I just want to look good - so I can get and stay ahead of the crowd and I don't have to justify that to anyone.

Drug Store Dilemma

So, I decide to make my move. I went to the drugstore. BIG. MISTAKE. Have you looked for men's skin care there lately? I totally missed it the first time. The men's skincare selection was so skimpy it could fit in a shoe box. So I went over to the women's beauty aisle. I figured if anybody looked at me funny, I'd just mumble something about picking up stuff for my girl. EVEN. BIGGER. MISTAKE. I've been in airports that were less confusing. Row after row of skincare products, all of them claiming stuff that made me even more confused than when I started. And besides, do I really want to use a girlie cream? No thanks.

Going into the Heart of Darkness

And that's when I realized I had to go straight into the belly of the beast. Into the heart of darkness. That is, to the department store at the mall.

It wasn't easy. I've got friends around here, you know. Any one of them, or their wives, girlfriends, or hell, even their kids could see me at one of those fancy-schmancy beauty counters. And one of those beauty attendants even told me I could use some concealer: 'conceal-what?' I asked. 'It's make-up for men, to even out your skin-tone', she said. I didn't even know they made make-up for men! What's next - a powder cake for guys?

Hey, I know they're just doing their job... But man, trying to read the product labels in peace, without being interrupted every couple minutes, just wasn't happening.

I knew that I couldn't leave empty-handed, though. That mirror was waiting for me back home, and I wasn't about to leave the belly of the beast without some loot to show for it, so I grabbed some serum, a couple of moisturizers, eye cream, toner, a cleanser and some scrub, dropped several hundred bucks on my credit card (yeah, you heard that right), and ran outta there.

Red as a Boiled Lobster

So yeah, for a wad of cash and more aggravation than any guy deserves, I expected to see some awesome results. I mean, after what I've been through, I was expecting%u2026like a new paint job or something. Like one of those 'before and after' commercials you see on TV. Okay, fine - I figured all of those fine-prints about 'Results may vary%u2026' didn't really apply to me, that's why they're small and hard to read.

But that's not what happened.

All that stuff was a nightmare. I forgot which tube went on my face before which bottle and which cream was for day and which one was for night. So I piled them all on (I mean, the more stuff, the quicker my wrinkles go away right?). But all that stuff just made my face feel oilier and dirtier, so I washed it all out.

And then there was the eye cream, which was so expensive that I figured it should, you know, actually work, right? Nope. All it did was disappear right before my eyes. Kind of like my Ben Franklin.

But I saved the 'best' for last. Remember that scrub? It was like washing my face with gravel - no, with pieces of broken glass. My face was so red when it was done, that I looked like a boiled lobster%u2026and felt like one, too. Man, the thing was supposed to 'get rid of dead skin cells', but I think it was designed to get rid of ALL of my skin cells.

So like I said, it was a disaster. Instead of coming out looking like a superstar, I came out looking like a guy who just wasted several hundred dollars, hours of my time, and was a boiled lobster.

I was not a happy guy.

Masculine Men's Anti-Aging Face Care or Nothing At All

You know, it was hell for me to tell you about the whole skincare thing. But if my confession - saves just one other guy from going through my pain, then it'll be worth it. Because there are a lot of real men out there, and we need companies and products to give us a fair shake, instead of trying to turn us into a pack of wusses.

My story started out rough, but it ended with Masculine Men's Anti-Aging Face Care for Men. Your story can have the same ending as mine. Grab yourself some masculine face care products for men and put your face on a maintenance schedule today.

There are a few signs that tell you that you're a masculine man - you know, a guy's guy.

For starters, you know for a fact that four wheel drive is hardly optional, that pick-up trucks aren't mere trucks - they're machines - and anyone with any common sense better respect that. And that the only thing better than sitting around watching a bunch of hot women play volleyball on a beach, is watching one of your buddies try (and fail) to win the suicide sauce chicken wing eating contest at your local watering hole.

Yes, there are just some things that set a guy's guy apart from the crowd - including, of course, his hatred and loathing for what the sappy beauty industry calls "men's skincare".

Frankly, for a guy's guy, a face care "routine" is: water, soap, rinse, dry, repeat. Hey, it worked for men 100 years ago. It'll work today, and 100 years from now, right?

Unfortunately - no. That ritual isn't cutting it anymore. Soap dries the skin and causes premature aging and wrinkles. It also creates itching and discomfort - which are two things a guy's guy can definitely do without.

Still, the idea of "taking care of your face" may be%u2026well, just not what a guy's guy is all about. So to help you see the bigger picture, let's look at something else in your life that you know will never steer you in the wrong direction: your wheels.

Whether it's a car, truck or hog -- not motorcycle; only people without them call them motorcycles - your trusted ride have seen you through thick and thin. And when you consider how rare loyalty and honesty are these days, it's not a stretch to call your wheels a good friend. Or maybe, your best friend (no, we won't tell your girlfriend or wife about that, though she probably already knows and is living with it).

From Car Care to Face Care for Men Step One: Cleaning

So let's think about your wheels, and how you keep it clean. Honestly, would you use plain old water and harsh soaps on her curves? No way, buddy - the thought of applying plain old soap, or worse, icky dishwasher detergent - on your wheels is%u2026well, it's a sin, that's what it is. You just wouldn't do it.

And what about the inside of your shrine - I mean, your wheels. Would you clean the upholstery, or those fine leather seats with laundry detergent and shampoo? Not a chance! You'd use an appropriate cleaner that gets rid of the dirt, while protecting the material. That's just common sense.

And the same applies to cleaning your face. You need a masculine cleaner for your face - not for your dishes, your tee shirts, nor your dog. You need a cleaner that is designed specifically for a guy's guy, which cleans thoroughly to get rid of sweat, dirt and oil, without over-drying your skin and causing wrinkles and irritation. Basically, you want a simple, easy and cool cleaner that has you feeling on top of the world - the way a guy's guy should feel. That's step one.

From Car Care to Face Care For Men Step Two: Lubrication

Ask any "certified" guy's guy around and he'll tell you that the biggest and dumbest mistake most people make with their cars is not changing the oil. Really, even the thought of people driving around right now and waiting for their "low oil" sign to (maybe?) tell them that their car is about to die of dehydration is enough to really get you mad!

And what about transmission fluid exchanges or radiator flushes? They need to be taken cared of at all times, or else you're asking for a one-way ticket - make that a one-way tow - to the mechanic. As you know, if you want to take care of your car, the most basic, fundamental rule is simple: keep it well lubricated%u2026or else!

The same logic applies to your face. Do you want it to look good, youthful, and vibrant? Want to prevent looking 5, 10 maybe even 15 years older than you are? Then you need to keep your face lubricated. That is, you need to treat your face with a perfect balance of high tech cutting edge anti-aging active ingredients and Super Botanicals - plants and fruits with high anti-aging properties. The right lubricant/treatment minimizes fine lines and wrinkles by helping you restore your skin's natural balance, rebuilds collagen and elasticity, repairs past damage, and strengthens it against further environmental and assault by free radicals. In short, lubricating and treating your face with the right stuff keeps you looking and feeling like a guy's guy. That's step two.

From Car Care to Face Care For Men Step Three: Protection

Most people think car wax is "shiny stuff that makes a car look good". Yeah, and most people aren't sure who's the all-time greatest captain of the U.S.S. Enterprise - James T. Kirk or Jean-Luc Picard, or that you can't learn more about life from a single football game than most people do in four years of college.

The point is, that a guy's guy knows that wax is all about protecting your car - and keeping it safe from enemies like acid rain, bird crap, and other hazards. Sure, it also gives your wheels a sweet, sweet shine - but that's really a bonus. Waxing is all about protection.

The same holds true for masculine face care for men. You've cleaned. You've lubricated. Now you have to protect against the elements. You need a powerful Super Cocktail of cutting edge anti-aging active ingredients, advanced amino acids, and botanical neuropeptides, so that you can minimize wrinkles, target crows feet around the eyes, forehead and laugh lines, and create visible long term wrinkle reduction.

And of course, protecting your skin also makes it firmer and more attractive - but that's just a bonus, like the killer shine on your freshly waxed wheels. The real goal is protection - because we protect the things that matter to us.

Putting it All Together - Masculine Men's Anti-Aging Face Care

Remember your "old" routine? Water, soap, rinse, dry? Now that you know that it's as much a threat to your face as it is to your wheels - scrap that program. It's not working for you anymore.

Your "new" routine is now all about: Cleaning, Lubricating and Protecting.

Follow those three steps and you'll not only keep your face healthy and protected, but you'll look younger and feel the way a guy's guy is supposed to feel: confident, in charge, ready for the next challenge, and always willing to lend a friend a hand (as long as that friend doesn't try and change the radio station in your wheels - nobody's allowed to do that).

Guys who think masculine men's face care is about making women swoon are missing the point. Looking good is about getting ahead of the competition. It's about being primed and ready to take advantage of every opportunity life has to offer.

Guys, I don't blame you for thinking that men's skincare and anti-aging is about getting the girl. In fact, it's to be expected. When it comes to masculine face care, a multi-billion-dollar industry is pushing the idea that great skin is a playboy's secret weapon. They know that sex sells, which is why the product shelves are full of overpowering aftershaves with alluring and exotic names-and why the ads are full of chiseled hunks with a pair of eye candy on each arm.

As a reasonably foxy lady myself, you can take it from me: great skin is a definite plus, but it sure doesn't clinch the deal. And if you see masculine face care as a way to make yourself irresistible to women, you're just not seeing the real potential in having a proper masculine face care routine-or in yourself.

The Gates - Bieber Smack-Down

Answer me honestly. Would you rather model your ambitions on Justin Bieber, or Bill Gates? In other words, do you want to be known for your dazzling good looks, or admired for your substance? The Beauty Industry might be surprised to know that most masculine men, although they're tempted by the prospect of obsessive female fans stalking them at every turn, are more interested in projecting a powerful image that commands respect and gives them that invaluable edge in an ultra competitive world.

Now, Bill Gates may not be the ideal poster boy for masculine men's face care, but he does epitomize the competitive spirit that seizes every opportunity to create success - that's success with a capital "S," the kind that goes beyond clubbing women into submission with an exotic scent, and sets you up for real and lasting achievement.

That desire to grasp success with both hands and by any means necessary-and not the desire to win fleeting admiration from the opposite sex-is the true essence of proper masculine face care.

What does well-tended skin have to do with success? Read on.

Why "skin-deep" is deeper than you think

"Skin deep" may have come to mean "superficial" and "unimportant", but those skin-deep first impressions have profound implications for your life's trajectory. A recent study published in the Journal of Applied Psychology revealed that looks play a role in determining business success and earning power. Essentially, good grooming and attention to appearances can pay off big-time. They lead to bigger responsibilities, faster promotions and bigger paychecks. Maybe it's not fair that "the skin you're in" can affect the course of your destiny, but it's a fact that's beyond your control. What you choose to do with this information, on the other hand, is very much in your control. You can dig your heels in and keep doing what you're doing, or you can game the system by doing everything in your power to gain a competitive advantage. Ask yourself: if there is something you can do that will definitely and without question enhance your chances of success - in work and love, why the heck wouldn't you do it?

Confidence now comes in a bottle

No, I'm not talking about "liquid courage" here, guys. But confidence actually can come out of a bottle. The fact is, using the right masculine face care products to look good actually effects a change in your outlook and attitude. Studies show that there is a direct correlation between how you look and the confidence you project. And confidence, like good looks, exerts an elusive but undeniable influence on the people around you. People like your boss, potential employers, investors and colleagues. And yes, people like%u2026 well, women. A man who exudes confidence is very, very sexy%u2026 Confidence simply opens more opportunities to you - professionally and socially.

This kind of masculine face care routine doesn't have to take up much time or clutter your bathroom cabinet with umpteen lotions and potions, tubes and jars. We're talking cleaning, lubricating and protecting. Three simple steps. No fuss. No muss. And no overpowering, three-alarm musky perfumes. Just a simple routine and healthier, better-looking skin.

Of course, it's ultimately up to you. You can follow in the footsteps of Bill Gates, a man who seized every opportunity and became one of the wealthiest and most powerful philanthropist in the world%u2026

Or you can emulate the pop sensation whose quotable quotes run to stuff like this: "I like girls chasing me, so it's good. I'm kind of like The Beatles running, and there's girls chasing after me."

Masculine men play to win - model yourself after Bill Gates.

Here's the story: Some guys think that masculine men's face care - or, as the Beauty Industry calls it - "men's skincare" - is all about getting the girl.

That is, if you "put your best face forward," then you're giving yourself an edge at the club, at the office, at the beach, and everywhere else masculine men like you do your thing to snag the attention of a stone cold fox or two (or four, or nine).

You get the point. But what you might not yet get is the fact that masculine face care really isn't about getting the girl. It's about getting ahead! It's about getting that extra edge in an ultra competitive world - where success, both professionally and socially (and that's where the ladies come in), naturally follow the victor.

Getting Ahead - Why it Matters Part 1

Experts say that it takes less than 10 seconds to form that first impression about a person. That's about the time it takes to run back a kick off from the end zone to the 20 yard line. We're talking fast here! And 90% of that first impression is based on how you look.

Put those numbers together, and it simply means that your ability to make a positive impression depends on your appearance.

And let's admit it: First impressions play a huge role in your life. Everything from career advancement, to getting a bank loan, to closing a deal. Even fighting a traffic ticket in court, or being served well at a restaurant, or during a flight can be traced back to that magical "first impression." Don't you want to be on the winning side of that equation? Don't you want to get - and stay - ahead of the competition? Yes and yes. And that's one big reason why proper masculine face care matters.

Getting Ahead - Why it Matters Part 2

And there's more to the story. Even if you aren't concerned with how you look - at least not the point where you'd go out of your way to spruce things up and slow down the signs of aging - there's another big reason why proper masculine face care matters: how you feel.

Let's turn to the experts here again. There's a link between how a person feels and how they perform in their job, how much they're likely to earn, how popular they are, and even how strong and exciting their relationships tend to be. When a man feels attractive and secure in his appearance, he's simply more confident in everything he does - even the little things, like walking down the street, or into a board meeting. And that opens up all kinds of opportunities and benefits that, frankly, are closed to unconfident, uncharismatic guys. Is that fair? Who knows. Is that reality? You bet!

Taking Masculine Men's Face Care to the Next Level

So you know that putting your best face forward is a good idea - in fact, it's a great idea! But how do you take what you know, and put it into action? Easy - you find the right masculine face care routine, stick with it, and see the results for yourself - and have other people notice it, too.

What is the right masculine skin care routine? It's one that delivers the cleaning, treating, and protecting power that a man's man (like you) needs - and doesn't give you anything you don't.

That means no complicated and confusing multi-step regiments where you are told to cleanse, tone, peel, mask, scrub, hydrate, boost, rescue, spritz and exfoliate. No overpowering scents that linger in the office elevator long after you've stepped off, no greasy creams that's probably better suited to lubricate the chassis in your wheels, and no chemicals that you wouldn't even put on your lawn - let alone your face.

Just simple, honest and powerfully effective masculine face care - designed for a Man's Man, designed for YOU.

Guys, it's time for some straight talk on a subject that, let's admit it, many of you seldom think about until it's too late.

No, I'm not talking about life insurance. I'm not talking about filling up the propane tank before the big barbecue. And I'm not even talking about replacing those jeans you bought during the Clinton Administration - you know, the ones that are being held together by%u2026dignity.

I'm talking about every guy's least favourite subject: masculine face care. Or, as the sappy Beauty Industry daintily calls it - men's skin care.

But here's the thing - it's high time we talked about masculine face care, because there are some important scientific facts masculine men like you would want to know.

Men and Women Age Differently

Generally speaking, women age gracefully. That is, they start the aging process sooner than men, but they age in slower progressions. For men, the story is reversed. Your skin is thicker than a woman's (that's literally, not a figure of speech!), so the aging process doesn't start for a while. Maybe you'll even make it into your 40s before you start to notice it creeping up on you. However, once it starts - look out! The male aging process lunges forward in a quantum leap.

What Causes Men to Age Prematurely, and Rapidly

As you age, you lose collagen and elastin, which are the two major building blocks of skin. Collagen is like a foundation that keeps your skin plump and thick. Elastin is like a coil that helps your skin "snap" back into place when it's stretched.

In addition, your dead skin cells don't shed as quickly, and your new cell growth slows - largely because free radicals react with certain chemicals in your body to diminish your skin's ability to reproduce healthy, new cells. The result? Your skin starts to become dull, rough, dry and full of debris and dirt - its stuff you can't see with the naked eye, but it's deep in there, attacking below the surface.

Plus, if that weren't enough, environmental factors, such as sun (UVA/UVB) exposure and pollution, trigger wrinkles and other visible signs of aging.

When you factor in that you expose your skin to harsh outdoor conditions and activities, dehydrating soaps, abrasive shaving creams, hazardous work conditions, and the unspeakable stress of watching your team throw away any chance of winning the Super Bowl year after year after year%u2026well, it all adds up - and catches up.

Why Your Mug Matters

So let's keep levelling with each other: So you're going to age in quantum leaps. Maybe you don't care. Maybe you're just not "into" how you look, and think that proper masculine face care just doesn't matter. Well, here's what you need to know: it should matter.

Experts agree that it takes less than 10 seconds to form a first impression about a person, and over 90% of that impression is based on appearance. Think about that. Everything from a job interview, to landing a great business deal, to scoring the best seats at the hottest restaurant in town, to winning that awesome first date (or 50th date with "the one"), and maybe even to fighting a traffic ticket could come down to how you're perceived.

It's true: it's NOT about looking young, nor "pretty". It's about looking good. Your face says so much about your vitality, your charisma, and your overall health and wellness. It says: I'm a confident, vibrant and powerful man - and I command respect wherever I go. Truly, that's a message you want to send; and your face "sends it for you" long before anything else.

The Game Plan - Masculine Men's Face Care

Okay, let's recap. You know that the visible signs of aging are chasing you down, and even if they haven't caught up with you and tackled you at the knees yet - you (and the people around you - even if they're too nice to say it to your face) can hear them coming. But what can you do? Easy: you get a game plan! And your game plan for proper masculine face care has three stages: Cleaning, Treating and Protecting.

Step 1: Cleaning. Your face builds up dirt, grime and dead cells. Plus, masculine skin typically has larger pores and very active sebaceous glands - which can lead to greasy, oily, breakout-prone and irritable skin. But soap isn't the answer! Soap dries your skin and fails to get rid of all the excess oil, clogged dirt, and other impurities. What you need is a cleaner that is gentle enough to bring out your skin's natural moisture, but powerful enough to unclog pores and cut through the grime. In short, you need cleaner built for a masculine man.

And what about all purpose body washes? Think about it - does the skin on your feet have the same texture as the skin on your face? Do your toes give away your age? If you wouldn't use a tire cleaner on your fine leather seats, then please give the masculine face the attention and pampering it deserves with a proper cleaner.

Step 2: Treatment. Congratulations - you've gotten rid of the gunk off your face. Now it's time to "feed your face" a super botanical cocktail of nutrients. Think of it as an energy drink for you skin! Treatment minimizes fine lines and wrinkles by helping to restore your skin's natural balance, rebuild collagen and elasticity, repair past damage, and strengthen against further assaults by free radicals and the environment. Remember: shaving strips away your skin's natural moisture barrier, leaving it dry and exposed to damage and premature aging. However, with the right treatment, you start to undo this damage and keep the signs of premature aging at bay.

Step 3: Protecting. Protecting picks up where treatment leaves off. The right protectant helps strengthen your skin's inner structure, while sealing in moisture. This is especially important when you're exposing your skin to temperature fluctuations - such as outside heat to air conditioning in the summer, or outside cold to inside heat in the winter. These fluctuations cause dryness, itching, flaking and premature aging. A high performance protectant balances high tech cutting edge anti-aging active ingredients with essential oils from super fruits with
collateral properties. It also helps your skin feel refreshed and nourished.

What About Sunscreen

If you spend time out in the sun, or drive around a lot, it's a good idea to use a high quality sunscreen. UVA/UVB rays can come at you from all kinds of sources, including through your windshield as you drive. A high quality sunscreen is natural or mineral based, oxybenzone-free, and will have ingredients that also help to minimize the appearance of fine lines. The texture would be light, not chalky or oily - and it wouldn't smell like...well, the tutti frutti lady. It should either smell like a masculine man, or it shouldn't smell like anything.

Putting it All Together

Just like taking care of your car - sorry, I mean your wheels - involves a series of smaller steps that lead to a great "big picture" outcome, or how eating right and exercising leads to a healthy, strong and vibrant body, taking care of your face is cumulative. So keep at it and you'll see the results for yourself.

Actually, it won't be just you who "sees it" - the people around you will start telling you how good you look. And hey, even if you're not fishing for compliments, it's always a nice little motivation boost when that happens! Stick with your masculine face care routine, and it'll happen more than you think.

Getting Started

All you need to get started on the road to results-based masculine face care is choosing the RIGHT masculine face care products - I'm talking the right cleaner, treatment and protectant.

And most importantly, make sure that you choose products from a company who designed them from the ground up for masculine men like you, because you're not an ordinary guy. And that's why you need masculine face care solutions that give you everything you need, nothing you don't.