Journal 

 We know what you’re thinking: “I thought men didn’t need skincare?” Unlike food, water, oxygen and beer, skincare isn’t considered essential to our survival. Then again, neither are most of the things we rely on to get around in this modern world. But just try to get through a single week without wearing deodorant, brushing your teeth or wearing pants. Essential for survival? No. Essential for being a functional adult? Yes.

We know that the biggest barrier to men accessing skincare is the misconception that skincare is confusing. So we’ve broken it down with our simple, easy-to-understand (and implement) guide on everything you need to know. Think of it like your cheat guide to skincare.

YOUR SKINCARE CHEAT GUIDE 

BODY WASH

Body wash is exactly what it sounds like: a product that washes your body. To explain it in an even simpler way, it cleans you while taking away the bad smells and replacing them with good smells.

Tip: Body wash comes in either a solid or a liquid— a soap or a liquid wash in a bottle. Whichever one you choose really just comes down to personal choice. And yes, you should be using this every time you shower.

FACE WASH

Face wash, also known as cleanser, is a product that washes your face. The skin on your face is much more sensitive than the skin on the rest of your body. This is why you can’t wash your face with the same stuff you use to wash your body.

Everyone should use cleanser, even if you don’t think you have “bad” skin. Just think about all the gross stuff that builds up on your face throughout the day or even while you sleep. This is why it’s ideal to wash your face before you go to bed and when you wake up in the morning.

Tip: To get the most bang for your buck, use a face wash that will reduce the appearance of fine lines and aging with AHA.

MOISTURISER

Moisturiser is applied after cleanser to hydrate your face. Everyone needs moisturiser, even if you have oily skin. You might actually find that once you start using moisturiser regularly, your skin stops over-producing oil to compensate. Even if you only wash your face at night, you should still use moisturiser both in the morning and at night before bed.

Tip: Look for a moisturiser that contains SPF. This will protect your skin from the sun during the day.

FACE SCRUB

Face scrub is used to — you guessed it — scrub away stuff like dead skin that might be built up on your face, leaving your skin feeling smooth. You don’t need to use face scrub every day— just 2-3 times a week will do.

Tip: Make sure you choose a face scrub that uses natural exfoliants like walnut shell rather than microbeads- the ocean has enough plastic in it already!

PRE-SHAVE OIL

A good shave starts before the razor ever comes out. It’s important to first prepare the skin and hair, and this is where pre-shave oil comes in. It helps guarantee a smooth shave and reduces the risk of the dreaded razor burn.

Tip: The ingredients in pre-shave oil make it perfect for moisturising your beard, too!

SHAVE GEL

We all know how much harder it can be to shave coarse hair and stubble. This is where shave gel comes in. It not only softens the hair to make it easier to remove with a razor, but lubricates the skin for an effortless, smooth shave.

Tip: Shave your cheeks first to allow more time for the shave gel to soften coarse hair on the chin and upper lip.

AFTERSHAVE LOTION

Does your skin ever feel sensitive or inflamed after shaving? Then you need to soothe it with aftershave. This is a soothing lotion that calms and repairs the skin to keep you looking and feeling fresh after every shave.

Tip: Choose an aftershave that not only smells amazing, but contains ingredients that specifically reduce redness and inflammation. Look for natural oils like almond and macadamia.