In honor of Father's Day, this coming weekend, all week I will be featuring tips, tricks, and products especially for men! Whether you ladies are looking for special gifts, or men want to try something new, these are the things you need to know. Men's skin ages just the same as women's do, and smoking, drinking, sun, and stress affect it in much the same way. However, many men look at skincare as an aferthought, which is a huge mistake. The following is a basic skincare regimine that will work for most men:1. Use a good-quality cleanser. Apply to a moist face and work in an circular motion, and rinse with warm water and pat dry with a clean towel. I like the JACK BLACK Pure Clean Daily Facial Cleanser, which contains antioxidants to decrease free radicals, and sage extract which works as an antibiotic on the skin.$18-$32 Sephora Stores www.sephora.com2. Apply a moisturizer with at least SPF 15. Only a small amount is needed each morning after washing and will protect the skin against the suns harmful rays. My favorite is ZIRH Defend Lotion. It works well with all skin types (even dry and sensitive) and contains avocado oil and vitamin a along with the SPF 15 protection, leaving skin soft, but not greasy.$32.50 Major Department Stores Nationwide.3. Shaving: Cream or Gel / Electric or Classic depends on your personal preference, but there are a few things you need to know about shaving properly. First, using a scrub twice a week will remove dead skin cells and make your shave smoother and more comfortable. There are MANY many scrubs out there, but for this specific segment, I am going out on a limb and reccommending a women's skincare product. KATE SOMERVILLE'S Exfolikate is the best scrub on the market today (for men or women!). It contains a laundry list of ingredients to enhance the skin, clear blackheads, and leave the skin bright and clear!$175 Luxury Stores Nationwide and www.sephora.comNext, when applying your cream or gel, make sure it is applied over a face that has been wet with warm water. Allow the cream to soften the hairs for a minute before beginning to shave. Take your time, and remember that shaving with the grain is FAR LESS irritating than shaving against the grain. The brand and style of cream or gel, and no one is better or worse than the other really. I have even gone so far to use conditioner for the hair. Save some money here and use a drugstore product like Gillete or Edge.4. Last, use an aftershave lotion to sooth the skin. Look for one with aloe vera to sooth razor burn and irritation. I like CLINIQUE Post-Shave Healer, with high aloe content.$17 - Sephora Stores www.sephora.com
