Skincare 101
Episode #1 of the course Men’s guide to grooming and style by Eddy Larkson
Welcome to the course!
My name is Eddy, and I’m a bestselling author, business consultant, and men’s personal development freak!
Over the next ten days, you’ll learn how to build the perfect grooming and style routines that will actually save you time and confusion, while enhancing your confidence.
Today, we’ll talk about the importance of taking care of your skin.
Four Major Skin Types
First of all, you need to determine what kind of skin you have. There are four main types:
• Oily skin is best identified by if you notice your pores are fairly large, and even after washing your face, a thin film layer easily arises and covers your face, almost making you feel the need to wash it again.
• Dry skin can be detected if you feel your skin gets red or itchy easily.
• Combination skin is usually seen by the oil that arrives in your “T-Zone” (this refers to your nose, chin, and forehead) and if your skin feels dryer on both of your cheeks.
• Sensitive skin generally means you might have more issues with acne, inflammation, or you react to many products you’ve tried. The products you currently use for your skincare could actually be hurting you more if they do not alleviate the issues with your specific skin type.
Make sure to determine what your skin type is before buying any skin care products.
Cosmetics
With so many cosmetics brands out there, it can be difficult to know what exactly you should choose. Below are general guidelines that will help you have glowing and healthy skin.
Exfoliation. There is something very powerful called exfoliation, which gently gets rid of dead skin cells living underneath the surface of your skin, leaving room for your fresh skin to breathe. Exfoliation is good and safe for all skin types. If you suffer from skin irritation, especially acne, exfoliating with sugar-based products (as opposed to salt-based, which can actually dry your skin out!) can be a huge help to your skin and confidence.
You need to exfoliate your face (and your body) at least once a week. If your skin is not sensitive, you can exfoliate daily, but always check your product’s label to make sure it is gentle enough for such frequent use.
Moisturizers. Moisturizing is important, as it replenishes hydration to your skin cells and can prevent your skin from drying out. However, it’s critical to consider skin type when it comes to moisturizing. If you have oily or sensitive skin, the best thing to do would be to find a natural, oil-free moisturizer. For combination skin, it is usually safe to use oil-based moisturizers, but if you prefer, try a water-based moisturizer. For dry skin, look for ones with an emphasis on aloe vera and green tea for extra moisture.
Ingredients. One of the simplest ways to upgrade your grooming routine is to reduce the amount of chemicals in the products you use for your skin. Ingredients like phthalates, sodium lauryl sulfate, parabens, and toluene should be avoided.
Easy Hacks for Better Skin
There are a few simple hacks that can help improve the feel and appearance of your skin:
• Change your pillowcase each night.
• Sleep with a humidifier.
• Avoid touching your face during the day.
• Wash your hands and face after exercise.
• Finish your shower with ten seconds of cold water on your face to close your pores.
• Use a fresh towel every time you shower.
• Always try to use aftershave, but if possible, apply it in the morning or afternoon, as it can irritate your skin if used right before bed (we’ll cover shaving in detail soon!).
Key Takeaways
Today, we covered useful tips for improving the look and feel of your skin. Take note of what type of skin care products you usually use, and notice if they match your skin type and if their ingredients are natural. To improve the feel and appearance of your skin, use simple techniques like changing pillowcases and finishing showers with cold water on your face.
Tomorrow, we’ll talk about taking care of your hair, lips, and eyes.
Recommended book
The Handbook of Style: A Man’s Guide to Looking Good by Esquire
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