Skincare has lost its ‘girly’ tag- and not a day too soon. The modern man is surprising everyone with a growing interest in self-care. A report by ASSOCHAM states that India’s male grooming industry is set to grow at CAGR of about 45 per cent to reach INR 35000 crore from the current INR 16800 crore.
However, the modern man would also do well to stay away from using chemical laced products the toxins from which get absorbed through our skin upon use. Men as much as women should seek out and invest their faith in wholesome, nature-backed solutions.
Mind the gender gap
Though the skin functions remain the same, good brands know better than to paint self-care products of both sexes with the same make-up brush. Higher collagen levels slow ageing in men, but their thicker and coarser skin, with androgen stimulation and higher sebum production, also makes men prone to oily skin. Bigger skin pores and hair follicles clog easily with dirt, giving way to acne and blackheads.
This is why men need to reach for products designed especially for their specific skin conditions. One-size-does are not fit when it comes to skincare. Several brands have launched product lines especially for men, developed with painstaking science-backed research and designed to meet the specific skincare and grooming needs of men. Organic, natural and vegan brands are gaining favour with their promise to deliver effective goodness with their nature sourced and dermatologically tested products. Shankar Prasad, Founder, Pureplay Skin Sciences- Creator of personal care brands Plum, Phy talks about four simple rules of skincare.
Four simple rules of skincare
Work stress, gruelling schedules, changing the weather, festivals, pollution, indulgent parties- everything takes a toll on our skin. While we all wish to look well-groomed and lemon fresh for our day and even more so for social media posts, dull patchy skin and breakouts can sometimes seem par for the course.
As we head into the end of the year, the onset of winter and wedding season are bringing with them added pollution, over-stretched schedules and increased food (and sugar) intake. So stepping up our self-care regime is a responsible thing to do. Here’s how to do it simply:
Cleanse – When you start your day and before you hit the bed. A variety of face and beard wash packed with the goodness of nature are available and are a great way to start your day. Products with bio-sugar, quinoa, olives and other natural elements are a great defence against pollution, while hydrating and locking all the goodness in. When calling it a night, cleanse your face no matter how tired (or tipsy) you come back from your party. This will rid your skin of the oil, sweat and grime clogging your pores. Using warm water to wash your face will gently open up the pores for deep cleansing.
Scrub – This is an easy trick that’s also fun to do. Exfoliation twice a week will help remove dead skin cells and impurities embedded within the pores. In fact, scrubbing before a shave allows for a better shave. A scrub suitable for your skin type will prove an effective arrow in your self-care arsenal.
Moisturise – Following a cleansing routine with moisturising is essential because dry skin will end up overcompensating by producing more oil. Choose a moisturiser suitable for your skin type to keep your skin happily hydrated. Apart from hydrating the skin, moisturisers also offer anti-ageing benefits. Most skin types respond well to non-greasy or serum-based moisturisers for night time use while being comfortable to wear.
Sunscreen – The importance of this cannot be stressed enough, even during the winter. Avoiding the sun is an unrealistic goal to set, considering the UV rays will find us no matter what. A good vegan SPF formula, free from harmful chemicals and without a heavy white cast, is a must-have to protect you from dust, smoke, heat and sun all day long.
As the shelves get lined with increasingly exciting and diverse products giving men the glow of good health, there is little excuse to leave your skin neglected. And if you are looking to be nice to the planet, pick vegan, cruelty-free offerings from brands that care. It’s time to make men’s skincare easy, gentle, safe and exciting.
