7 Tips to Help Men Get Clear Skin

Dear men, the path to clear-looking skin can seem complicated. And like all things in skin-care what may work for some, may not be the solution to getting rid of your most stubborn blemishes like, post-shave irritation, dark spots and acne. So instead of stealing your mom’s or girlfriend’s face wash and calling it a day, try adopting a couple of skin-care tips from board-certified dermatologist and Skincare.com consultant, Dr. Kim Nichols. 

TIP #1: Cleanse Your Face

A good cleansing routine helps rid your skin of dirt, impurities, oils and debris that can clog your pores and lead to subsequent breakouts. Dr. Nichols recommends washing your face two times a day with a gentle cleanser. If you need a recommendation, we love the House 99 Purefectly Clean Face Wash for its charcoal-infused gel formula that offers a deep clean and reduces the appearance of clogged pores.

TIP #2: Exfoliate

Exfoliating is important because it removes dead surface cells to keep skin feeling smooth and looking clear. It can also help keep ingrown hairs at bay. “Men should exfoliate two to three times a week,” Dr. Nichols advises. “There is such a thing as too much exfoliation, so as a general rule, don’t over exfoliate with harsh scrubs or brushes, or by exfoliating every day.” If you exfoliate every day you run the risk of irritating your skin. Reach for the Baxter of California Facial Scrub, which promotes smooth, youthful-looking skin thanks to its formula that gently buffs away dead skin cells and other impurities. It’s also formulated with honey, chamomile and lavender extracts to brighten, condition and soothe inflammation.

TIP #3: Don’t Forget the Sunscreen 

Harmful UV rays aren’t exclusive to the sweltering days of August, and protection from sun exposure is required year-round. Daily use of broad-spectrum sunscreen has been shown both to help prevent skin cancer and reduce the risk of premature signs of skin aging, like dark spots. Keep your skin protected and clear by applying the La Roche-Posay Anthelios Melt-In Milk Sunscreen SPF 100 every day. It’s the highest level of protection you can get and is suitable for all skin types, including sensitive. 

TIP #5: Don’t Touch or Pick at Your Face

Your hands come in contact with so many germs and bacteria on a daily basis. When you touch your face after touching your keyboard, doorknob, subway pole, etc., you run the risk of transferring that bacteria onto your skin where it can wreak havoc. Dr. Nichols suggests avoiding touching your face altogether, and to especially leave pimples alone as it can lead to permanent scarring. 

TIP #6: Stay Hydrated

In addition to hydrating your skin on the outside with moisturizers and creams, drink the recommended amount of water per day to help keep dryness away. Consuming enough fluids, along with the use of skin-care products, can help improve the skin’s barrier function and improve the look and feel of dry skin.

TIP #7: Establish a Skin-Care Routine

Dr. Nichols finds a daily routine to be very important, and we agree. She says: “An effective, custom skin-care routine helps to protect, prevent and correct healthy, youthful-looking skin.” Among your daily products, she suggests including a vitamin C or antioxidant product, like our favorite SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic Serum, a broad-spectrum sunscreen, a gentle cleanser, a retinol and an eye cream.

Read More: 
4 Easy Anti-Aging Skin-Care Tips for Men
7 Best Exfoliating Facial Scrubs for Men
7 Oily Skin-Care Tips for Men