GROOMING
Suits You, Sir
Men should be using product that suits how their skin behaves at different ages, says Declan Marr.
Did you know that men's skin ages in a different way to women's? While the female facial dermus tends to gradually sink into old age, men can look younger for longer, but at the onset of middle-age often take a sudden and more noticeable nose-dive towards the big sag.
Research by L'Oreal Paris carried out with a panel of 200 men aged between 18 and 68, concludes that sagging of the lower face does not begin to show until around the age of 40, after which it develops quickly, and laughter lines, forehead wrinkles, crows feet and under eye bags develop steadily too.
Considering this terrible truth, the vast array of products available for women are not suitable for male skin. While women develop wrinkles first, the lines that appear on a man's face are usually much deeper and more noticable. A man's skin is on average 20% thicker than a woman's, and is richer in collegen and elastin. The downside is that it also contains many more sebaceous (oily) glands than women's skin, and so is prone to greasiness.
Shaving can also be a major cause of irritation, because the surface cells are stripped away unnaturally quickly. This leaves the skin dehydrated and causes tightness and irritation, helping the aging process along no end.
At different times in a man's lifetime, his skin can be prone to specific problems. For instance, while in your 20's you may be plagued by oily shine, and in your 30's your skin will begin to show signs of dullness and fatigue that can be tackled with attendant product.
As the market for men's grooming products develops, so has an understanding of what men need for their skin at certain times in their lives to help with key problems. Nowadays men can find products to use that are in tune with where they are on the aging scale, thereby taking managerial control of their own skincare at the right time with the right creams.
With this in mind, here are some examples of products you guys should be using at certain stages of your life. Remember, a good skincare attitude from the outset can make all the difference in the long run.
THE WONDER YEARS: AGED 18 - 28
During this time, because of a lot of extra sebum (your skin's natural oil) production, a guy's skin can shine, particularly on the forehead and nose, and he generally has more visibly open pores and imperfections.
L'Oreal Men Expert Pure and Matte Anti-Regreasing Moisturising Gel, RRP €8
Containing silica particles known for their ability to absorb excess sebum (your skin's natural oil), this gel controls shine and delivers an immediate matte effect. It's non-greasy and non-sticky and it's anti-shine action lasts all day long.
Vichy Skin Clarifying Fresh Hydro Gel, RRP €13.95
Suffused with dermo-purifying copper, vitamin B6 and soothing, non-irritant thermal Vichy water, this moisturiser is suitable for oily skin and also fights acterial micro-infections, red spots, shaving pimples and in-grown hair.
Vichy Purifying Skin Shaving Foam, RRP €7.60
With its anti-bacterial cleansing action, this works well with micro-imperfections of the skin, particularly around the neck area. It also contains an anti-friction system, to keep the skin soothed as your razor attacks.
THE AGE OF REASON: AGE 28 - 38
By now the usually hectic lifestyle of our '20s will begin to show on man's face with signs of fatigue, with dark circles under the eyes, drawn features and skin that lacks energy.
Lancome Complete Revitalising Treatment, RRP €41
This is for all skin types, even the most sensitive, and especially those showing the first signs of aging. It visibly smoothens and improves the skin texture by strengthening it, leaving your face recharged, repaired and protected.
L'Oreal Men Expert Skin Renovator, RRP €7.75
This is an ultra-fine scrub that uses a high concentration of aluminium oxide micro-crystals to really get working on your face. After one use, your skin feels and looks completely revitalised.
L'Oreal Men Expert Hydra Energetic Anti-Fatigue Moisturiser, RRP €8
This moisturiser contains a fantastic Vitamin C and caffeine-based energising cocktail which immediately revives lazy skin, making you feel instantly refreshed and ready to face the world. It doubles up well as a daytime moisturiser too and is easily absorbed to boost skin radiance.
TIME LINES: AGED 38-48
Now's when those fine lines really begin to develop, with crow's feet
spreading out from the eyes and grooves forming at the sides of the
mouth. A good moisturiser that gives you all-day intensive hydration is
essential.
L'Oreal Men Expert Wrinkle Decrease Moisturiser, RRP €15
This amazing little product actually reduces expression lines and crows feet after just one week of use. It contains gum extracted from an Indian tree called Boswllia serrata, which helps facilitate the absorption of calcium in the skin. The result is rejuvinated, younger looking skin.
Lancome Homme Recharging Moisturiser, RRP €41
For: All skin types, even the most sensitive and especially those that often feel tight and uncomfortable.
Offers comfort, suppleness and strength to the skin with its 24 hour energizing and moisturizing action. The skin's moisture balance is instantly restored for a healthy feel.
RRP€41
SILVER SERVICE: 48 ON...
Fatigue builds up over the years and those tell-tale signs of ageing appear more and more clearly. Skin looses firmness and begins to sag around the neck, bags appear under the eyes and wrinkles appear. But all is not lost...
Loreal Men Expert Vita Lift Complete Anti-Ageing, RRP €15
This cream brings Pro-Retinol (which helps skin cell renewal) and a new ingredient called Par-Elastyl, which helps fight deterioration of collagen and elastin fibres, together to really work on sagging of the face and neck, lack of definition, and bags under eyes.
With results visible after four weeks, Vita Lift improves facial contours and restores a more youthful appearance to the face. It also contains sun-filter to provide essential daily UV photo-protection.