It’s the gasp heard ‘round the world: ‘you don’t moisturize!?’
For eons, guys have been known to skip this last yet very important and fundamental piece of any grooming routine. But whether you’re a routine rookie or a skincare savant, a good moisturizer is a critical product to have in your arsenal.
Made for moisture.
It probably goes without saying that the main function of a good men’s face moisturizer is to...wait for it...moisturize your face. Your skin has an outer “moisture barrier” made up of natural oils, which are responsible for sealing in moisture and protecting the skin. When you use a moisturizer, you are preventing water loss, which in turn leads to smoother, softer skin. So you’re right to be thinking that a face moisturizer is to help fight or soothe dry skin. But now you know a bit more than you bargained for. You’re welcome.
Don’t forget to hydrate.
What might not be obvious is that hydrating your skin is actually different from moisturizing your skin. All skin–whether extra dry or overly oily–needs hydration. This can be done simply by drinking lots of water or changing your diet. But, believe it or not, you can also add more water into your skin via hydrators. A good, hydrating face moisturizer should contain humectants such as glycerin, hyaluronic acid, and aloe. What’s the dry, cottonmouth-equivalent for the skin on your face? Nobody wants to know. And neither should you.
Forever young.
Because your face is exposed to the oftentimes harsh elements of the great outdoors, your face and neck show signs of aging (i.e. fine lines and wrinkles) much easier than the skin on the rest of your body. The best face moisturizers for fine lines and wrinkles will have sodium hyaluronate, a key ingredient that helps to improve your skin’s texture and hydration levels.
Protect yourself.
Over the past 12-15 months, we’ve all been exposed to a substantial amount of screen time. From Zoom calls to Facetime to social media, we’re guilty of staring at devices for prolonged periods of time. While we’re staring out our screens, Blue Light and other environmental toxins are staring right back at us. But good news, our Face Moisturizer contains a microalgae called Hydrolyzed Rhodophycea, an ingredient known to help fight against damage caused by potentially harmful high energy visible light (i.e. Blue Light).
Shine on...the inside.
If oily skin or shiny skin is one of your major concerns, a mattifying face moisturizer can help with that. And since it’s getting a bit steamier these days, nobody wants that reflective-forehead look. To keep your skin shine-free, look for a men’s face moisturizer that contains silica, a natural, refined quartz powder that is used to mattify the skin. Apply this after cleansing in the morning, and you should be good to go for the rest of the day.
