Mojaworks Blog What Men Should Know About their Skin

What Men Should Know About their SkinWith Father's Day just around the corner, we wanted to spend a little time talking to guys about their skin care routines and products.It used to be that a guy couldn't show an interest in his appearance without his manhood being questioned. But, as evidenced by the influx of popular male Youtubers like @TheGentlemansCove and @SkincareWithRoss who focus on men's skincare and fashion, more men are expressing an active interest in the health and well-being of their skin.So, here's to the guys who are slightly perplexed by their skin care options: Just buying the stuff in the dark bottle that smells like Axe isn't all you need to do to maintain your skin's health and prevent breakouts. The fragrances and harsh ingredients used in a lot of Men's products aren't typically being used because they perform better (harsh stuff makes you manlier, right?) but because many cosmetic manufacturers don't think most men care or know better. The following is information to get you navigating the skin care isle like like a pro:Know what skin conditions you can treat with a topical product:Some skin conditions like cystic acne and eczema are best handled by a dermatologist because the issue is more internal than external. You can cause real damage, or exacerbate existing problems if you depend too much on a manufacturer's claims about their product or use certain harmful at-home remedies like lemon juice or baking soda to manage these conditions.What makes a product smell "manly" isn't necessarily a good thing:Who wouldn't want to smell like a gun made of muscles wrapped in every Bruce Springsteen song ever written? Manufacturers know how much the olfactory glands play a part in the decision-making process for those in the market for a new product. Chances are, if it smells too good to be true, it's probably got a lot of irritating fragrances in it. Many fragrances can cause irritation, are bioaccumulative, and can behave as hormone disruptors.Yes, You Want a Different Product for Your Face than Your Body:Not all the skin on your body is created equal. If you need any evidence, just compare the skin on your neck to the skin on the soles of your feet. The skin on your face is more delicate, gets moved around more and is more prone to sun & enviromental damage than almost any other part of your body. A product formulated for your hands might have more occlusive ingredients while one formulated for your face will have more active anti-aging ingredients, SPF, and a less filmy feeling on the skin.It might be slightly more expensive, but it's not all just the same stuff.Products that tingle are doing a better job:The tingly sensation caused by menthol, peppermint and other ingredients like them are actually causing inflammation. This sensation might not only trigger allergic reactions, but it makes your skin more susceptible to oxidative damage in your environment. Tingly skin is definitely more trouble than that cool sensation is worth.People with oily skin don't need to moisturize:This is especially true for men who suffer from acne. A lot of men will wash their face with a harsh cleanser and call it a day. The trouble with this approach is that when you cleanse the skin, you not only remove bacteria, but your skin's natural barrier function called the acid mantle. This leaves your skin vulnerable to oxidative damage, bacterium, and it makes your skin over-correct with additional sebum to compensate for this immune system breach. Don't strip your acid mantle away without replacing it. Also, name your band "Acid Mantle."Don't be Afraid to use what works for you:There's a common misconception that the products formulated for men are somehow more fitting for their genetic makeup. The truth is, that when it comes to skin, if it's good for the gander it's also likely good for the goose. If what works for you doesn't look like it was packaged in pure, plasticized testosterone, you're still entitled to use it. At MojaWorks, we strive to keep our skin care simple. We mean what we say when it comes to not including fragrances or dyes (the blue color of our MojaCare products comes from Copper Peptides and Copper Gluconate). If you're interested in giving our 2-step skincare system a shot (3 steps if you spring for our stellar eye cream) click here.If you want more information on the science of skin and responsibly formulated, natural skin care be sure to follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.This Father's Day, treat yourself [or the favorite guy in your life&91; to a simplified skin care routine without all the fuss.