Growing up, you may have observed that only the female-identifying humans in your family performed skincare rituals. And that may have made you believe that only women have skincare needs. But is it true? The answer is No. Just like women, men have skincare needs, too. And it goes far beyond using shaving creams and blades.
Studies say that men and women have similar skin structures but slight differences. And one of the major differences is oiliness. Men have more oily skin than women.
Men and Oily Skin.
As a man, your self-confidence may be affected if you deal with oily skin issues such as greasy skin, acne, and enlarged, clogged pores.
Real talk, there's absolutely nothing wrong with having an oily-skin type. Oily skin is beautiful but it has its fair share of challenges just like every other skin type. What matters is how you learn to understand your skin and care for it.
Below are some factors responsible for oiliness in men and how to deal with it.
Hormones
Men have high concentrations of sex hormones called androgens.These hormones cause an increased secretion of oil from the oil glands of the skin. Within the oil glands, are hair follicles and when oil is oversecreted, it clogs the pores, traps dirt within the follicles, and causes acne outbreak.
Also, men lead more stressful lives than women and this may activate the secretion of the stress hormone, cortisol. Cortisol stimulates the skin to produce more oil, which further worsens the situation.
Larger Oil Glands
The oil glands in a man's body are larger and more active than those in a woman's body. What this means is that a man's skin produces more oil at a faster rate.
Lifestyle Habits
As a man, if you consume anabolic steroids, alcohol, and a high sugar diet, it can trigger oil secretion in your sebaceous glands. Alcohol causes dehydration which is a trigger for over secretion of oil, while steroids set off the oil glands to produce more oil.
Skincare regimen
When it comes to caring for the skin, guys still have a lot of catching up to do. Many men invest in inferior quality products that do nothing to control the greasiness on their skin.
Low quality products contain harsh chemicals such as fragrances and alcohol that can irritate the skin and trigger oiliness. So, it's not uncommon to observe constant shine and oiliness if you use poor quality skincare.
How to Control Oiliness
- Avoid hot showers
- Use a non-stripping foaming facial Cleanser to get rid of oil, dirt, makeup, and sunscreen.
- Select a soothing toner such as the Lavender Dew Skin Drink to balance your skin and control overproduction of oil.
- Opt for a lightweight moisturizer that contains non-comedogenic ingredients. A great recommendation is the Glass Glow Rose Dew Moisturizer
- Treat your skin with a product containing an oil-control ingredient such as the Matcha Moisture Balance.
- Kick abrasive mechanical exfoliants to the curb and invest in the use of gentle chemical exfoliants such as AHAs, retinol, or enzymes at least twice weekly. You'll love the Optimized Retinol 2.5% Maximum Strength. Bear in mind that this retinol product is not suitable for beginner retinol users.
