The difference made by a man’s skin type

A man with a discerning approach to his appearance cannot possibly ignore the importance of skin type. It is a man’s knowledge of his own skin type that empowers him to make the right choices about skin care, with many traditional male grooming products from Gentlemen’s Tonic (http://www.gentlemenstonic.com) being tailored to it.

Although a person’s genetics dictate the initial quality or type of their skin, as the years go by, it is how they eat and take care of themselves that exerts a greater influence. There are five basic skin types: normal, dry, oily, combination and sensitive. Each type has its own characteristics necessitating certain care and/or treatment, and to help determine his skin type, a man can simply wipe his face in the morning, shortly after he has woken up, with a clean facial tissue or paper.

The absence of any traces of oil on the tissue suggests that the skin is ‘normal’, being elastic and supple with small to medium sized skin pores. Such skin looks clean, smooth and firm, and is the least problematic type. However, it does still need help to maintain hydration, which is why men with such a skin type are advised to use a foaming mens facial cleanser, as well as a product like Gentlemen’s Tonic’s Daily Moisturiser which helps to maintain natural moisture.

Alternatively, the aforementioned test could reveal spots of facial oil corresponding to such areas as the forehead, nose and cheeks – sure evidence that the man has oily skin. This skin type does have its advantages, in that it is not as prone as other types to ageing and wrinkling, but it does also bring problems, as it looks greasy, thick and coarse and is more susceptible to blackheads, whiteheads and pimples. More dirt is attracted to this skin’s larger pores, which makes it necessary to wash such skin several times a day with a light facial wash and warm water, followed by a water-based moisturiser.

Dry skin, meanwhile, suffers from inadequate oil secretion, and although the paper is left clean, the skin will feel dry, flaky and tight. It is more prone to ageing and irritating, and needs to be washed once or twice a day, perhaps with a creamy facial cleanser and warm water. A moisturiser should also be used afterwards, but alcohol-based products that tend to contribute to skin dryness should be avoided.

The most problematic type of skin, meanwhile, is sensitive skin, which can be easily irritated and inflamed and for which the Gentlemen’s Tonic Soothing Aftershave Balm is recommended. That leaves the most common skin type, combination skin, where various skin types are evident in different areas of the face. These different facial areas therefore require different types of care.

Shop online at Gentlemen’s Tonic (http://www.gentlemenstonic.com), or visit one of our many locations or stockists, to find the traditional male grooming products to cater for all of these skin types, along with related products like Soothing Aftershave Balm.

Editor’s Note: Gentlemen’s Tonic (http://www.gentlemenstonic.com) are represented by the search engine advertising and digital marketing specialists Jumping Spider Media. Email: info@jumpingspidermedia.co.uk or call: +44 (0)20 3070 1959 / +34 952 783 637.