SKINCARE FOR MEN WITH SENSITIVE SKIN: PRODUCT ROUNDUP

Men’s skincare hasn’t had much time in the spotlight. Not nearly as much as, say, women’s skincare. Luckily for discerning gents, conversations around men’s health and beauty or skincare have changed dramatically over the last decade, with the old mindset of the “manly man” not needing such things or discussing them with other men giving way to the much more logical, practical and realistic one of men openly looking after and caring for themselves, body and mind.

Men with sensitive skin may still face more of a struggle though, and if you find yourself in that category, you already know that you need to take particularly good care of your skin or the discomfort gets REAL. The products we’ll discuss are the perfect ones to slot into your existing routine and keep your face looking and feeling fresh, smooth, and healthy this year.

TO NOTE

While many men have very different skin from women, there are a lot of products in the women’s skincare section that will work really well for you if you have sensitive skin. There are a few ingredients in particular to look out for:

●      Plant-based products are far more gentle than their chemical counterparts, in general.

●      Ceramides will help to repair and strengthen your skin barrier, minimising sensitivity and flare-ups.

●      Glycerin is good for drawing in and retaining moisture without clogging up pores.

●      Squalane is very lightweight and deeply moisturising.

●      Green tea, aloe, and tea tree (be careful of tea tree around the eyes) are extremely soothing and green tea is full of antioxidants to fight skin damage.

1.   MOISTURISER

BLACK TEA ANTI-AGEING CERAMIDE MOISTURISER BY FRESH

Price point: £88

This is hands down the best moisturiser in the sensitive skin category, and one of those unisex products mentioned earlier. While fresh does market mostly to women, their packaging (sturdy glass, in this case) and branding are geared to a more neutral, soft look, so it's appealing to anyone looking for excellent skincare products.

Ceramides are a key ingredient here, working on your skin to combat the early signs of ageing (which sensitive skin can be especially prone to) that come along as your skin’s collagen production begins to slow down. The cream is lightweight, and a little goes a long way, so just take a dab out of the jar, pat it all over your face (except your eyes) and rub it in. This cream has a retinol-like power without actually using any of this effective but often complicated ingredient. Skin will become smoother, firmer, and a lot brighter, too.

2.   EYE CREAM

MOISTURISING EYE CREAM BY HORACE

Price Point: £20

Eye cream probably sounds like a schlepp (and no, you cannot just use your moisturiser over your eye area) but it is necessary. Especially for sensitive skin, as the skin around the eye area is naturally extra fine and sensitive, even for those with more robust skin types.

This highly moisturising eye cream from Horace smooths and hydrates your eye area, chasing away dark circles and puffiness. The applicator is metal (and reusable, so hold onto it), helps minimise decongestion, and glides the cream on easily. Use only a tiny dab, dot it around your eye, and tap it in GENTLY.

3.   CLEANSER

SCENT FREE CLEANSER BY GREEN PEOPLE

Price Point: £27

Scent is one of the biggest culprits of irritated and inflamed sensitive skin, and since your entire skincare routine is built around your cleanser, it's important to have a solid, reliable, unscented one. Green People’s Scent Free Cleanser is a calming, nourishing wash that is dermatologically tested and proven to be non-irritating. The plant actives in the formula are skin softening and the prebiotics help to build up your skin barrier with every wash.

The lack of ethyl alcohol keeps skin from drying out, and the efficacy of the product at washing away all daily debris while still managing to care for and hydrate your skin deeply is the perfect combination. Just squeeze a small amount into clean, wet palms and rub gently all over your face and neck. Wash away with cool, clean water.

4.   SPF

LA ROCHE-POSAY ANTHELIOS SUNSCREEN SPF 40+

Price Point: £20

Yes, an SPF is essential and yes, you do need to wear it every day, indoors or out, summer or winter! The sun is harsh, even in the UK where summers are usually not as aggressive as in, say, Africa. Sun damage is a no-no for all skin types but again, particularly for sensitive skin as everything damaging is more damaging to this skin type.

Once you’ve cleansed and moisturised and the moisturiser has sunk into your skin properly, apply this UVA/UVB (all the different things that can harm your skin) SPF over your entire face and neck, avoiding the eyes. The formula is non-greasy and fluid, so it sinks in fast and leaves no white cast or sheen behind. It's also waterproof for up to 40 minutes, so remember to re-apply it if you’re using this at the beach! The formula is fragrance-free too.

SENSITIVE SKIN SORTED

These are the most basic steps of a skincare routine for sensitive skin and will keep your face well-balanced, hydrated, breakout- and flare-up-free. Healthy skin is happy skin, so don’t skip any of the steps or even a day of your full routine.