The complete skincare routine for men of colour

Times are changing, men are waking up to the importance of looking after themselves, gone are the days of being nonchalant about our health because well, we’re men. 

Health & Wellness is essential and it goes well beyond what we do in the gym. Men are waking up to the importance of what we put on our bodies, as much as what we put in our bodies. 

Chances are you’re particular when it comes to your hair, no? When last did you change your barber? And let’s not get started on how much you’ve spent on your facial hair, but here’s the thing — how much time do you spend taking care of the skin under that beard? And using dove soap bars to wash your face and marinating your face with cocoa butter doesn’t count bro - in fact, stop that ASAP!

We’re talking about understanding what you should be doing to maintain or improve the overall look and feel of the skin on your face & neck. But we get it; there’s a lot of information out there that’s why we’re giving you a simple yet effective routine that you can follow starting from right now. 

Warm-up - Do you know your skin type?

The first step; know what you are and what you need. When it comes to a skincare routine, you need to understand what type of skin you have. Is your skin oily, dry, normal, sensitive, or a combination of all the above?

Sensitive skin is prone to breakouts, oily skin will have you looking shiny throughout the day, dry skin often feels tight and can be flakey, normal skin is well, normal - not overly dry or oily, and combination skin is a cocktail of the four.

Once you know your skin type, it becomes much easier to know the types of skincare products would need. Find out your skin type to make sure you get the best products for your skin.

Step 1- Wash your face twice, daily

Washing your face (not with dove) is your base for good-looking skin. Ideally, you want to do this once in the morning and in the evening before you go to bed for the best results. When your washing your face, aim to massage the cleanser into your face with your fingers for one full minute, this will help your breakouts heal faster, make your skin smooth, and also reduce hyperpigmentation.


Note: you’ll need to find a cleanser that works with your skin type and stay far, far away from anything with sulfates or irritants like fragrances, perfumes, and products with high alcohol content.


Step 2 - Exfoliate 2-3 times a week

Listen, drop the bravado...exfoliate bro! It’s a game changer - ask Pharell Williams. Even with only needing to exfoliate two to three times a week, it’s definitely an important part of a skincare routine.

When you don’t exfoliate, dead cells build up residue, pores begin to clog and blackheads and breakouts start to party on your face. You don’t want that! It’s defo not it! This not only affects the appearance of your skin, but it also affects the texture and brightness of your skin too.

You especially need to exfoliate because as men, we have thicker skin than women, so when we don’t exfoliate, it’s a lot more obvious - A good exfoliation product will help to smooth blemishes and even out your complexion, so don’t side-eye it!


Note: Be careful not to overdo it. Even if you don’t have sensitive skin, exfoliating too hard or too often can lead to irritation, inflammation, puffiness, and can cause skin damage. Use small, circular motions to gently exfoliate your face, this your face remember, not the soles of your feet! 


Step 3 - Always apply a toner after washing

Toning is likely to be the step you’ve heard of the least, what’s funny is, it’s actually one of the important steps that you should never skip. Using a hydrating toner to soothe the skin helps bind water to your face and keep it from drying out.

It’s important to use you a toner because it lays the foundation for any product that you apply to the skin afterward so it delivers better. When you use a toner, products are absorbed into the skin more efficiently and toners also rebalance your skin to its natural pH, which makes a huge difference in the appearance of your skin. (You can tell the difference with a person that uses a toner!)

Note: We recommend spraying your toner on to cotton pads and then wiping it across the whole of your face. With each pad, you’ll notice excess dirt being removed (even after using your cleanser). Once done, you’re ready for a moisturiser.

Step 4 - Hydrate your skin with a moisturiser after washing

No matter your skin type, moisture is key! Our bodies mainly made up of water for a reason, when your skin is hydrated, it functions better. Keeping your skin hydrated is one of the best ways to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines that can start to show up as you age.

By moisturising your skin you’re also less likely to have breakouts, you’ll reduce any possible inflammation, and you’ll reduce hyperpigmentation - making sure your skin is hydrated is extremely important as it helps with what has become a major concern among people of colour generally when it comes to skincare.

Note: If you have oily skin, find an oil-free moisturiser that won’t clog your pores and make you look even shinier. If you have dry skin, look for something creamy with no alcohol in it. 

Bonus: As well as moisturising twice a day, increase your water intake to boost your skin’s hydration and DO NOT BELIEVE THE HYPE; you need to protect your skin from the sun, so please add SPF your routine too when you’re moisturising.

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