The face of the average man is affected by improper moisture balance on a daily basis. And in many cases, it can go unnoticed until the skin itself sends alarming indications like acne breakouts or the look of dry, wrinkled skin.
Here are two reasons why this can happen:
- The skin of a man is 25% thicker than a woman’s, therefore requiring the skin’s oil glands to naturally produce more oil. This can lead to the appearance of very oily skin and worse, acne.
- The average man shaves his face anywhere from 3-7x’s a week. This process is actually an exfoliation that removes a layer of skin every time we shave, thereby potentially causing the skin to become very dry.
So with the shaved area being more dry and the area above the mustache (nose to forehead) being oily, it’s safe to say that different focuses are required for the two separate areas.
So how does a man get both areas of his face to look and feel properly moisturized?
- Stick with a daily face wash regimen of morning and night, followed by a daily moisturizer. This practice keeps the dirt and oil away long enough for the moisturizer to penetrate and coat the skin.
- Exfoliating creates a cleaner, smoother and healthier looking skin. So consider a once, but no more than twice, a week exfoliation. However, since a wet-shave is also considered an exfoliation, you will want to be mindful of not over-doing it. (Follow this step with a moisturizer)
- Always, always follow your shave with an aftershave balm. This practice will help to heal and moisturize the skin, quickening the healing time and preparing the skin for tomorrow’s shave.
Adding these 3 steps to a weekly routine will guarantee a consistent balance of moisture, all year round!
Hello Sam,
Thank you for the comment! Although I am a big fan of fragranced aftershaves. I would suggest not applying them to the shaved areas of your face. Alcohol has the potential to dry, harden and even darken the skin. So stick with aftershave balms that are unscented or lightly fragranced (w/o alcohol).
I hope that helps!
Thank you for the great article, Craig.
i am dark skinned am an extra careful to avoid any product that could make my skin tougher or darker. I am wondering if it would be okay to use a cologne or Eau De Toilette , like Eternity as a after shave lotion stand alone or along with a regular moisterizer on the face? Is this safe or could it have the same negative effects like an after shave?
Great questions James! If your breaking out is in reference to ingrown hairs, then the use of ‘alcohol based’ aftershaves do allow for the reduction of these bumps. Alcohol dries out the area where the razor bumps form, allowing the hair to grow out of the skin easier. However, long term use can result in the darkening and the toughening of the skin. My suggestion would be to use a ‘non-alcohol’ based aftershave balm dedicated to preventing ingrown hairs, while also helping to heal and moisturize the skin. Here are two that I like: 3-in-1 Post Shave by Lab Series and The Cool Fix by Shaveworks.
As for not using a face wash before shaving? It’s not an issue as long as proper preparation (ie. wet face, pre-shave oil, shave cream) and post shave practices are used. However, don’t forget that caring for the skin above your mustache is just as important. So a face wash should still be considered for the overall care of your face.
If I regularly use an aftershave balm my face tends to break out. I’ve been using aftershave splashes only for about 1 year now and my skin has never been healthier. Should I be worried about long term effects of the alcohol splashes? I keep reading how they’re bad for your skin, but they seem to be working great for me. I also quit using face washes since I shave nearly every day using shave soap and brush that seem to do better than any face wash I’ve used. Is my face going to break out, or turn into saddle leather one day?
Great question Thomas! Although alcohol based aftershaves do provide some disinfecting properties, long term use can potentially harm your skin.
Since the practice of shaving removes a layer of skin every time, your face is more susceptible to being dry. Unfortunately, the application of alcohol based after-shaves will only further dry out the area and in many cases, harden and darken the skin. Sticking with non-alcohol based aftershave balms that infuse moisture and promote quicker healing, allows for better preparation for your next shave. As for the closing the pores this can be accomplished by a simple splash of cold water or an astringent (w/o alcohol) to satisfy your disinfectant concerns.
I hope that helps!
Recently I’ve re-discovered the pleasure of a really close by using safety razors I have purchased at estate sales and the like. Your well-made videos have provided a wealth of information and tips. Thank you. I’ve noticed that many wet shaving bloggers talk about the importance of using a post-shave balm to moisturize the skin. I have also located and started re-using the Clubman line of aftershaves, that contain a fairly high percentage of alcohol. Some guys might shy away from such preparations for obvious reasons; but if you are a careful and skillful shaver, doesn’t an alcohol-based aftershave serve a good purpose; i.e., disinfecting the face and closing the pores?
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