Proper skincare is a gradual process involving numerous products designed to keep you younger and radiant. So, men who use a skin care regimen should know that no product can meet all their needs. As beginners, there's a lot to learn regarding toning, moisturizing, and sunscreen protection (to mention a few), and it's quite common to make several skin care mistakes that can be detrimental in the long run.

Fortunately, once you become aware of the mistakes you're making initially, it's simple to fix them. Curious? Read on as we discuss men's top 5 skincare mistakes and how to fix them.

Not cleansing properly

Cleansing is a common regimen in men's face routines for oily skin and all other skin types. It is important to completely clean your skin to remove dirt, makeup, and anything else that could clog your pores or make your skin appear dull. If you feel you are not cleansing your face, chances are you are not, as many men have confessed to being confessed about washing their face properly. 

The process of washing your face does not involve scrubbing with a bar of soap and rinsing; it takes more than those simple processes. Common bad habits in face wash, or poor face cleansing routine, contribute to acne, skin pores, delayed results while using your products, and other skincare concerns.

How to properly cleanse your skin

A proper men's face cleaning routine requires a good face cleanser (suitable for all skin types or specially designed for your skin), lukewarm water, and a clean towel. We advise you to keep it simple and use at least 20 to 30 seconds lathering your face with a face cleanser like Dermaclara's cream-to-foam face cleanser. While you wash, note that excess scrubbing is detrimental to your skin, and if your cleanser contains any exfoliating components, washing too vigorously might irritate you.

In addition, use lukewarm, not hot, water on your face and apply the cleanser in a circular motion with your fingertips. Wash your T-zone and U-zone (because they are frequently neglected areas). Rinse and gently pat dry with a soft, clean towel before applying other skin products.

Not wearing sunscreen

Sunscreen is an important, neglected skin care product that offers short- and long-term protection. Sunscreen has advantages beyond just shielding your skin from the sun. It guards against wrinkles, fine lines, prevents hyperpigmentation and photodamage. It shields the skin proteins, including elastin, keratin, and collagen, allowing them to keep your skin healthy, supple, and glowy. But a lot of men use sunscreen incorrectly and don't get to enjoy its beneficial effects.

How to properly wear a sunscreen 

The recommended amount of sunscreen to apply is compared to the size of a golf ball or two long stripes of your fore and middle finger. Men often apply a little in a bit to save more skincare products, and it provides little to no protection from the sun. Also, choose a sunscreen that offers UVA and UVB protection at all times. By choosing such a product, you will shield your skin from UVB and UVA rays, which raise your chance of developing skin cancer, sunburns, and other skin damage. 

Use sunscreen with an SPF (Sun Protection Factor) of 30 or greater at all times and ensure it fully absorbs and deflects the sun's rays away from your skin. Unlike other skin products that get absorbed almost immediately — Sunscreen might take up to 30 minutes to fully soak into your skin. So you should apply sunscreen for 30 minutes before going outside for better effectiveness. Although many brands promise 24-hour protection against the sun, sunscreen loses its effectiveness in just a few hours, so apply another layer every 30 to 90 minutes.

Incorrect product use

No matter how much skincare advice for men you read daily, you need to use your skincare product properly to get all the benefits it has. Some common daily bad habits skin care men engage in include applying comedogenic ingredients, especially if acne-prone, storing skincare products wrongly, over-exfoliating, and inconsistent usage of skin care products.

How to correctly use skin care products

Avoid comedogenic products if you're prone to breakouts or have oily skin. Always use a moisturizer after using hyaluronic acid-based products like Dermaclara's Clarasome hyaluronic acid moisturizer to trap the substance inside the skin's barrier. If you don't, hyaluronic acid can seep out moisture from the skin's interior rather than from the surface. This will further reduces moisture levels, leaving your skin even drier than before.

Applying skin care is important because it affects which ingredients and products absorb into your skin first. This can inadvertently impact how your skin feels and looks when your routine is over. So, make sure you apply the items properly, starting with the thinnest ones and building up to the thickest (in the order of molecule size or texture.)

Poor shaving routine

Men shave for sanitary, religious, or personal reasons to get rid of body hair. However, using a dull razor or shaving sensitive skin might cause irritation (razor burn, folliculitis, or itchy red lumps.) Additionally, using shaving products with artificial fragrances and harsh chemicals, like alcohol, can irritate the skin and make itchy skin worse.

How to shave properly

Before shaving, start by carefully trimming as much hair as possible with scissors or a clipper. Soak your face with a warm towel and apply shaving cream or gel. Shave slowly and in the same direction as the hair grows while holding the skin firmly in place with one hand. Rinse the area with warm water and dry it with a clean towel. 

Apply a fragrance-free moisturizer to prevent irritation after rinsing the area with warm water and patting it dry. Apply a cool compress right after shaving to soothe irritation and lessen inflammation. We advise you to apply a calming topical ointment like hydrocortisone cream and antibiotics to reduce inflammation in case of cuts or bumps.

Untreated acne

Acne can damage one's emotions and cause more skin problems the longer it persists; however, it can be avoided with early treatment. Concerning acne treatments, the inconsistent approach by men to treating acne has given rise to several skin disorders and untreated acne that require regular maintenance to prevent breakouts.

How to treat acne 

Topical treatments that can be purchased over the counter are used to treat mild cases of acne. Combinations of topical antimicrobials that focus on certain kinds of skin bacteria are used, and the common types include benzoyl peroxide, erythromycin, and azelaic acid.

Stronger drugs, many of which are taken orally, can treat moderate, severe, and mild acne that does not respond to the treatments mentioned above. They include the oral antibiotics doxycycline and minocycline, which work against specific skin germs. Other treatment methods include chemical peels, physical exfoliation of the skin's outer, and laser.

Why should men have a skincare routine? 

With new trends like "men's skincare 40s" that aim to promote skin care for older men, many people, especially younger men, are questioning the importance of a consistent skincare routine. Men are more likely to develop skin cancer and premature wrinkles if they don't follow a prescribed skin care regimen from a qualified specialist. To reduce these risks, they should take care of their faces with the right cleansers, moisturizers, and sunscreen.