Skincare for men with sensitive skin

Created on 1st September 2023 by Avindo Gonsalves

What causes sensitive skin in men?

Gentle skincare routine

Cleansing for sensitive skin

Moisturizing for sensitive skin

Sun protection for sensitive skin

Many men presume that skincare is only for women. This is a skincare myth and following a good skincare routine can help maintain skin health. You can reduce the appearance of wrinkles, acne and achieve an even skin tone.

Skincare becomes more important for men with sensitive skin due to the various challenges the skin type presents. Sensitive skin can easily become inflamed and irritated by environmental factors or certain substances. This can lead to redness and discomfort.

Sensitive skin is mostly dry and flaky, but it is also more prone to acne. This is because it is susceptible to irritants. Sensitive skin is more allergic to certain skincare ingredients and is also susceptible to sunburn.

What causes sensitive skin in men?

Genetics is the most likely cause for sensitive skin in men. A family history of eczema or allergies can increase the likelihood of having sensitive skin.

The outermost layer of the skin protects it from external irritants. When this layer is damaged due to frequent use of harsh products and exposure to harsh weather conditions, it can result in sensitive skin.

People are allergic to certain substances such as fragrances, preservatives and certain chemicals. This can trigger skin sensitivity. Exfoliating the skin too frequently and using abrasive exfoliants can lead to sensitivity and irritation.

Certain medications like retinoids can increase the sensitivity. Chronic stress can weaken the immune system making the skin more susceptible to irritation.

Skin sensitivity depends from person to person. What may trigger sensitivity in one person may not cause the same in another.

Gentle skincare routine

Now that we know the causes for sensitive skin in men it is time to build a gentle skincare routine. A minimalistic routine is important for sensitive skin. A simple routine will include lesser products which means lesser potential irritants.

With a minimum number or products used, it becomes easier to identify products or ingredients that cause negative reactions. Thus you can pinpoint triggers and eliminate them more effectively. Also fewer products means lesser chance of ingredients interactions that could lead to unexpected skin reactions.

Finally, a minimalistic routine will always emphasize on hydration. This can help to alleviate dryness which is a common problem with sensitive skin.

Cleansing for sensitive skin

Use a gentle cleanser while cleansing your skin. This will remove all the dirt, pollution and makeup from your skin.

Choose a cream or lotion based cleansers as they are less harsh and drying than gel or foaming cleansers. Avoid added fragrances or essential oils as they can irritate the skin and choose products labelled hypoallergenic. These minimize risk of allergic reactions. Avoid sulfates and choose alcohol-free products.

Avoid harsh scrubbing particles in cleansers like walnut shells or microbeads. Such particles can cause micro-tears in the skin. Avoid cleanser with high concentrations of AHA’s or BHA’s.

Gently cleanse your skin with an appropriate cleanser and pat dry your skin. Be careful not to over-cleanse.

Moisturizing for sensitive skin

The next step of a minimalistic skincare routine is moisturizing. This is a very important step for sensitive skin as this skin type is mostly dry. Thus, it needs adequate amounts of hydration. Moisturizers help to soothe skin sensitivity and provide hydration to prevent dryness.

They can improve the skin’s barrier function, which is mostly compromised for men with sensitive skin.

Choose a hypoallergenic, fragrance-free and alcohol-free moisturizer. If you have acne-prone skin then look for non-comedogenic moisturizers. Look for ingredients like hyaluronic acid, ceramides (restores protective barrier), shea butter and aloe vera.

After cleansing your face, apply the moisturizer. Gentle pat it on your face instead of rubbing. Use the moisturizer twice a day.

Sun protection for sensitive skin

Sun protection is important for any skin type. For sensitive skin, it is more important as this skin type is prone to sunburn. Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30. Apply it when you move out in the sun.

Re apply the sunscreen every two hours of staying out. If possible, try to stay indoors during the afternoon time. The sun rays are most intense at this time of the day. This is the third and final step in a skincare routine for sensitive skin.

In conclusion

Sensitive skin needs a minimalistic skin care routine that includes cleansing, moisturizing and using sunscreen. You need to choose products that suit sensitive skin.