Move over three-in-one skincare products. Men, it’s time we have a serious talk about properly building a skin care routine. Maybe you are used to washing your face with a bar of soap or body wash, but those days are over. Skincare is no longer just for women. With a bit of direction, you can learn how to take care of your skin like a pro.

Facial Cleanser

If there is one step you cannot miss, it’s cleansing your skin. The skin on your face is more sensitive than the rest of your body, so it will require a different type of cleanser. You will need a cleanser that cleans your skin while hydrating it. If your face feels dry or tight after the cleansing step, it’s a sign the cleanser is stripping the natural oils on your face. If you have acne-prone skin, look for a cleanser with salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide.

Treatment

After cleansing your skin, the next step will be to treat for any skincare concerns. For example, suppose you are experiencing acne. In that case, it’s best to discuss with your dermatologist to figure out if you need to be using a specific topical medication. Other serums you may want to incorporate based on your skin care needs are vitamin C or retinol, which are available over the counter. Vitamin C is a great ingredient that combats free radicals such as UV rays, pollutions, smoke and other chemicals found in the air. Retinol is great for men over 30 who would like to slow down the aging process by smoothing fine lines.

Moisturize

The final step in your simple skin care routine is to moisturize. Now that you have cleaned and treated your skin, you will want to lock all that moisture in. Moisturizing is essential because it helps keep your skin healthy and strengthens the skin’s protective barrier. Look for a moisturizer that contains hyaluronic acid to help absorb and retain surrounding moisture. It’s also important to look for a moisturizer with an SPF of 30 and above for the daytime. At night it’s OK to wear a moisturizer without SPF.

Bonus

If you are curious about other skin care steps you can add to your routine, here are some things you can include:

• Exfoliator: This step can be incorporated into your treatment step. You can use either physical (small granules) or chemical exfoliators to eliminate dead skin cells.
• Serum: Serums are usually thin or light-weight liquid formulas that offer an extra shot of active ingredients. You can also do this one in the treatment step.
• Masks: There are different types of masks out there and they can do a lot of things, from cleaning your pores to locking in your skincare routine. A clay mask can be done at the beginning of your routine to clean your pores. This mask can be used about one to two times a month. Sheet masks are soaked in different types of serum and can be used a couple of times a week. Then there are sleeping masks, which can be used daily, and should be the final step of your routine.