Skin Care for Men

Unlike women, men don't really bother to figure out what skin type they have. Knowing your skin type is actually really important. Skin care products are often dedicated towards specific skin types and you need to use the correct type.

Normal Skin
You know you have a normal skin when it feels perfectly balanced (not too oily, not too dry). Acne is rare and pores are small. Normal skin has a smooth and firm even tone.

Oily Skin
Oily skin results when the sebaceous glands produce too much oil, giving skin a shiny appearance. Sometimes a greasy or sticky feel remains for several hours after cleansing. It is also characterized by larger pores than other skin types and is more prone to breakouts, clogged pores and blemishes.

Dry Skin
Dry skin is characterized by small pores and a matte (dull) finish with little or no superficial oil or shine. Expression lines are quick to form on dry skin, especially around the eyes and mouth. Dry skin is more common in men over 50 and in those who live in low-humidity climates.

Combination Skin
Combination skin is healthy-looking skin with a smooth texture and some oiliness in the T-zone areas (the area forming a "T" across the forehead and down the nose and chin) with some signs of dryness on the cheeks and outer edges of the face. When properly cared for, lines and wrinkles seldom form on this type of skin until late in life.

Preparation
Wash your face thoroughly with MKMen Face Bar before shaving. This will prevent infections in case of nicks. You may want to exfoliate using TimeWise Microdermabrasion Set. This will better prepare your skin and beard for shaving.

Soften the beard
Soak a facecloth in warm water, and hold it to your beard for 30 seconds. This will help soften and loosen the hair and skin.

Shaving cream application
Release a ball of MKMen Shave Foam onto your palm, and apply it evenly over your beard and neck in upward circular motions, making sure to uniformly cover all sections that you wish to shave. Make sure to use an unused or relatively new razor for the closest and least painful shave.

Shaving the top section of your beard
For the top section of your beard, shave from the top of the beard to the edge of your jaw-line in long, even strokes.

Shaving your neck and chin
Shave from the bottom of your neck upwards (with the grain) to prevent razor burn and ingrown hairs.

Getting a closer shave
You may wish to pull your skin taut with your free hand for a closer shave.

Shaving your upper lip
To shave your upper lip, stretch it over your front teeth to tighten the skin, and shave downwards.

Rinse your razor
Rinse your razor after each stroke to keep it from becoming clogged up with hair.

Touch ups
Wash off excess shave foam with warm water, and look for sections of beard you may have missed. Wet your razor to shave these remaining sections.

Moisturize
After shaving, use MKMen Cooling After-Shave Gel. Then apply MKMen Moisturizer Sunscreen SPF 25 to complete your shave.

Too many men don't moisturize and as we age, our skin loses its ability to retain moisture. When men don't moisturize, they can end up with dry skin, rashes, eczema and wrinkles. Luckily, there are things men can do to help skin maintain a healthy, youthful appearance.

· Find a moisturizer that fits your skin type and makes your skin look and feel soft. Use an oil-free moisturizer for oily skin, and a cream moisturizer for dry skin.

· Keep in mind that cost has no definite relationship to effectiveness. Just because a moisturizer is expensive, doesn't mean it's more effective than a cheaper product.

· Apply moisturizer as needed. Apply after shaving, showering, or before exercising outdoors in cold weather.

· Men should especially avoid stinging aftershaves that contain alcohol, which can irritate and dry out your skin.

The most important skin-care product available to prevent wrinkles is sunscreen. Both UVA and UVB rays cause wrinkles by breaking down collagen, creating free radicals, and inhibiting the natural repair processes of the skin.

Your sunscreen should be SPF 15 or higher, and should be applied to the face as well as the neck and ears. If you are going to be exposed to the sun for extended periods, consider a heavier, beach-type sunscreen. After the sunscreen, apply a moisturizer with an SPF of 15 or higher. Because most people don't apply enough sunscreen, this double layer will help ensure that you're better protected.

The skin around the eyes is often the first place where signs of aging show, but putting sunscreen and moisturizer around the eye area can irritate the eye itself. Instead, protect your eyes with a pair of UV-blocking sunglasses.

Your face is the first part of you people see and by caring for it, and protecting it from the sun, it will reward you by looking and feeling healthier for years to come.