Routine maintenance

Young-looking skin begins with healthy skin. Fortunately, getting healthy skin is simple. The key is in maintaining a consistent skincare routine that cleanses, protects and hydrates your complexion morning, noon and night. And, remember anything that’s good for your body is also good for your skin, so developing healthy habits is important.

1. Morning: Wash, shave, protect

   Your anti-aging routine begins and ends at the bathroom sink, but you need the right tools for the job. Don’t be tempted to use your wife or girlfriend’s skin products, writes Peter Rubin in The New York Times. Women’s products contain more oil, as their skin tends to be drier. All that oil “can irritate men's skin and clog their pores,” writes Rubin.

   • Use a facial wash. An invigorating wash not only cleanses your face, but it also gives you a boost of energy before you head to work. Try Menscience Daily Face Wash, which cleanses and exfoliates the skin for a clean, clear complexion. Lab Series Multi-Action Face Wash also preps your face for shaving.

   • Shave in steps. Many men have followed the same shaving routine since their teen years. Even worse, others attempt a dry shave. Unfortunately, an improper shaving routine can irritate the skin, leading to post-shave bumps, scratches and dryness. About’s Dave Alexander, a licensed master stylist, breaks shaving down to three steps:

     1. Prep it: Shower first and use plenty of lather. For a smooth shave, try Korres Absinthe Heady Shave Cream or Anthony Logistics Shave Gel, which soothes sensitive skin and prevents inflammation.

     2. Shave it: Go with the grain and rinse often. For details on getting a close, smooth shave, read 10 Steps to a Perfect Shave.

     3. Protect it: Rinse with cool water and moisturize. Award-winning aMENity After Shave and Face Moisturizer is a fragrance-free option that diminishes the look of lines.

   • Apply sunscreen. Sunscreen isn’t only for a day at the beach. Any exposure to the sun during the day, especially from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., can lead to skin damage and premature aging. In fact, according to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), the sun’s rays cause 80 percent of the damage on aging faces.

     • Go light. With so many options, your sunscreen doesn’t have to be a thick, greasy mess that smells like coconuts. Ultra-light and non-greasy, Menscience Ti02 Sunblock SPF 30 provides subtle protection when you’re outdoors.

     • Save time by using a combination product. Many moisturizers now offer sun protection, saving you money and time. Choose lotions with SPF 15 (or higher). Jack Black Double Duty Face Moisturizer, a fragrance-free, vitamin-packed lotion, hydrates the skin and protects it with SPF 20.

     • Keep a bottle at work to reapply. Therefore, if you need more moisture or sun protection throughout the day, the product is at your fingertips.

2. Noon: Make healthy choices

   Some of your workday choices can add years to your skin. Tweak your daily routine by incorporating these healthy habits.

   • Quit smoking. It isn’t only your lungs that pay for those smoke breaks. Mayo Clinic dermatologist Lawrence Gibson, M.D., points out that smoking narrows blood vessels on your skin’s outer layers, robbing skin of oxygen and nutrients. The result? Sagging and wrinkles. Even the facial expressions smokers make can lead to wrinkles, Gibson writes.

   • Eat well. What you eat can hurt or help your skin. Dermatologist and author Nicholas Perricone, M.D., tells WebMD: "Age-related changes may be reversed by consuming foods and beverages that are rich in a variety of compounds, including antioxidants, and are anti-inflammatory.”

     For lunches that double as age-fighters, Perricone recommends:

     • Fish for its anti-inflammatory properties
     • Fruits and veggies, which are powerful antioxidants
     • Nuts to help skin stay strong
     • Water for hydration and circulation

3. Night: End on a clean note

   Not taking care of your face in the evening can lead to dull skin, breakouts, blemishes and other unsightly irritations. Just a few steps and several minutes, however, can fix an unhealthy face.

   • Clean the skin. Washing the face eliminates dirt, grime and sunscreen, all of which can clog the pores, leading to acne. You can either use your morning cleanser or invest in a scrub, which helps to exfoliate dead skin.

     Lab Series Invigorating Face Scrub unclogs pores and leads to smoother skin. Men prone to acne may opt for the deep-cleansing Yonka for Men Foam Scrub, which helps with ingrown hairs and blackheads.

   • Treat it. You might want to boost your routine by adding a product that directly combats aging skin. PCA SKIN Total Strength Line & Pore Minimizer For Men is a serum that reduces lines and wrinkles and minimizes the appearance of pores, contributing to a firmer, younger complexion.

   • Finish off with lotion. Lotion keeps skin soft, supple and hydrated, which makes your complexion look healthy, smooth and young. Menscience Advanced Face Lotion gently eliminates damaged layers of skin. If your complexion is oily, try Anthony Logistics Oil Free Facial Lotion to leave skin soft but never greasy.

Before you know it, your daily skincare routine will be a breeze. Remember that healthier skin helps you look younger and more polished. What’s more, don’t underestimate the appeal to your partner, either: A man who takes care of himself is more attractive and touchable.

See also:

Strategies for Soothing Pruritus (or Itchy Skin)

5 Rules for Reading Product Labels

What to Do After Getting a Tattoo

Guide to Men's Skincare

Natural Skin Care for Athletes