Today’s millennial man is more up to speed with skincare than ever before. So much so, that there always seems to be an endless supply of new male-grooming products appearing on the market. Navigating the aisles, whether in the physical sense or online, can be tricky with so much choice on offer. And you might be wondering why men can’t just use all the female skincare products that have already been tried and tested? Is it all down to marketing puff or is there really a difference between male and female skin?
Is Men’s Skin Different from Women’s Skin?
Absolutely yes! Male skin is most definitely thicker, tougher, and oilier. It also has larger pores and produces more sebum. Then, of course, they have more facial hair which can lead to oil getting trapped on the surface to the skin, especially in the case of beards and moustaches. Shaving also brings with it the opportunity for irritation, bumps, and blocked hair follicles.
But they do have some luck on their side too because men have a higher collagen density for longer, which is why our male counterparts often look annoyingly youthful even when they’re the same age as us. Oh, and they don’t have to go through the skin transitions caused by menopause either!
Why is Men’s Skin Different from Women’s Skin?
The differences between male and female skin are caused by hormones, in particular testosterone. This ‘male’ hormone increases the thickness of men’s skin. Additionally, it affects the sebaceous glands meaning that more sebum is produced making men’s skin oilier.
Greasy and shiny skin across the nose, forehead and chin is such a common skincare concern for men because it causes pores to become clogged up. Without effective deep cleansing and exfoliation, spots, blemishes, blackheads, and acne can result.
Aside from better collagen density, having oily skin also helps to keep it supple and preserves it, minimising fine lines and wrinkles. That said, having an unhealthy lifestyle, smoking, drinking or not using sun protection, is often where men fall down, and these can all negate the male advantage.
What Obagi® Products Work for Oily Skin?
Fortunately, the Obagi® skincare range has been created to include non-gender products that are suitable for men and women’s skin. The clever formulations are based on skin type (normal, dry, oily, combination, sensitive) and on the Fitzpatrick skin types that tell us what level of sun protection is needed as well as the likelihood of sun damage.
Cleansing
For an ultra-simple, effective cleansing routine, choose the Pure Obagi Facial Twin Kit Normal to Oily. This includes Obagi Nu-Derm Fx® Foaming Gel and Obagi Nu-Derm Fx® Toner. These are scientifically-backed, clinically proven products that work in sync with each other to smooth and brighten the complexion, target visible signs of premature ageing like lines and wrinkles and prevent future damage.
Exfoliation
It’s important to exfoliate skin to clear excess dirt, debris and sebum which cause blockages, impurities, and blemishes within the skin. For oily skin, opt for Obagi Nu-Derm Fx® Exfoderm Forte, a deep exfoliator that derives its incredible power from alpha hydroxy acids to create a more even tone, reduce excess oil and minimise pore size, leaving a fresher and smoother complexion.
Moisturising
It may feel counterintuitive to moisturise the face when it’s oily but it’s a vital step in your daily skincare routine. That’s because it keeps the skin hydrated which prevents the pores from overcompensating with more oil.
Obagi Hydrate® is a clinically proven, non-greasy moisturiser that delivers continuous hydration for up to 8 hours. Star ingredient Hydromanil™ forms a tight matrix across the surface of the skin, preventing moisture from evaporating from the skin’s surface whilst also capturing water molecules and continuously releasing nourishing compounds into the skin.
Sun Protection
Men often negate the huge benefit of having a higher collagen density by not protecting their skin from harmful UV rays. You can put this right by applying Obagi Sun Shield Matte™ Broad Spectrum SPF 50 as the last step in your morning skincare routine.
This light SPF lotion offers broad-spectrum protection from both UVA and UVB rays, to prevent premature ageing and skin cancer as well as leaving skin mattified. Using a two-pronged approach, Zinc Oxide deflects the UV rays, while Homosalate and Octisalate absorb and release radiation to supply extra-strength daily protection.
