Men, Why Skin Maintenance?
Your awareness of changes to your skin may come as a sudden
surprise, but that change doesn't happen over night. We
unknowingly torment our skin with environmental toxins during
most of our lives and if you live in a city, exposure to gritty
city pollution, smog and car exhaust is inevitable. A hectic
business lifestyle exposes you to oxygen-depleted, recycled air
on planes, trains and in office buildings, along with greater
stress levels and increased daily exposure to sun. Outdoor
hobbies expose you to extreme cold, heat, sun, wind, and rain
and did I mention the everyday irritants like cigarette smoke,
cleaning agents, even carpet and vinyl off-gassing effect your
skin. The stamina of our 9 layers, 1/8" thick, skin is
incredible and there is little we can do to stop the environment
from confronting our skin every day, but there are ways to
protect and repair the skin with new unique product formulations
and technologies that offer better and more user friendly ways
to make skin maintenance a simple part of every day life.
* Cleanse twice a day to remove dirt, dead skin cells and
accumulated oils. Please note that aggressive cleansing does not
benefit the skin; in fact it disrupts the protective shield of
the outer most surface of the skin, the epidermis. DO NOT use
deodorant soap; it is much too harsh and dehydrates your face. A
gentle cleanser with warm (not hot) water is the best.
* Shaving after (or in) the shower is the best way to a smooth,
irritation-free skin; warm water and steam soften the beard
while making the skin moist and pliable. Hot steel cuts more
efficiently so rinse the blade with hot water before you start.
Products that provide a good lubricating barrier can make this a
"hair-raising", but easy experience.
* Hydrate twice a day because cell renewal slows as we age
causing less natural moisture to be manufactured while more
surface moisture evaporates. A good moisturizer contains a mix
of water attracting and water holding ingredients; today's new
technologies are providing lightweight, non greasy alternatives.
* Sun Protection is a daily must! Sun exposure is the greatest
aggressor to the skin by far, and UV damage is the most
under-rated assault to your body today. You may need a range of
sunscreen products for your lifestyle; minimal coverage for
everyday runs in and out of the house and office, and higher SPF
coverage for weekends and sports, especially while driving the
car. That gradation on the windshield is NOT sun-protection,
it's just a smoke grey color, and the sun's reflected UVA deeply
penetrates window glass ALL year long.
* Exfoliate 2-3 times per week. Exfoliation is the process of
sloughing off dead skin cells to stimulate the growth of fresh
cells while helping to unclog pores, and open pores lift beard
hair for easier shaving. Exfoliants usually come in two forms; a
granular scrub that removes dead skin cells from the surface,
and a fruit acid or enzyme to break down the bonds between new
and old cells, making it easier to remove dead cells to reveal
smoother, healthier looking skin.
Environmental aging accounts for 70% of the dermal aging
process; if you are diligent about your skin maintenance you
have over 100 opportunities a month to calm, soothe and protect
your skin from environmental assaults.
Start putting your best face out there Today ....................