Grooming Editor

Your Facial Skincare Guide

Now you know which skin type you are from our Mankind Know Your Skin Guide, you’re going to want to invest in the right products to cater for your complexion. Purchasing the right products for your skin type is crucial for maintaining your skin now and in the future. Choosing the right products can ensure your skin is hydrated and prepped for years to come, making sure you grow old gracefully no matter what your lifestyle.

Facial Wash

The foundation of any good grooming routine. All our facial washes are carefully picked to deliver optimum cleansing and ensure that your skin is clean and fresh every day. Whether you’re looking for a foaming gel cleanser, or browsing for a moisturising milk wash, you’ll want to choose the right formula for your skin type from our range of face washes here at Mankind.

Why Should I Use a Face Wash?

Cleansing is crucial for ridding skin of pore-blocking grease and grime on a daily basis. Even during the night you skin can pick up dirt from your pillow, and the pollution from city living can take its toll.

When Should I Use a Face Wash?

Use daily, both in the morning and in the evening. With most face washes you will massage into damp skin with gentle circular movements, concentrating on any areas of concern, yet avoiding the delicate eye area.  Rinse off with plenty of running warm water.

Facial Exfoliators

An essential component of any man’s grooming routine, exfoliating helps to clear any build up areas of grim and unblocks you pores. Facial scrubs contain small ‘polishing’ particles or special enzymes which dislodge dead skin cells and help remove any ingrained dirt., where a chemical exfoliator will remove dirt without disrupting the delicate surface of your skin. You can browse both types of facial exfoliators here at Mankind.

Why Should I Exfoliate?

Using an exfoliator ensures your skin is replenished by revealing newer skin beneath. Physical exfoliants are a bit like sanding down an old piece of furniture to reveal the original (and fresh-looking) wood beneath. Chemical exfoliants gentle remove the dead cells and unblock pores without ‘scrubbing’ the skins surface. Not only does this ‘exfoliation’ leave skin soft and younger-looking, it also removes the gunk and grime that can lead to spots and helps prevent painful in-growing hairs and unsightly shaving bumps.

When Should I Exfoliate?

Use two or three times a week in place of your facial wash. Massage the scrub versions into damp skin with gentle circular movements (avoiding the delicate eye area) and rinse off with plenty of warm water. You don’t need to rub too hard the best face scrubs are designed so that the particles they contain do all the work for you. Use Chemical versions 2 – 3 times a week before bed time to wake up with a clearer, brighter complexion.

Facial Moisturisers

Moisturisers – as the name suggests – replace lost moisture. But they do much more than that, conditioning the skin and keeping it young and healthy-looking. A good moisturiser is the ultimate grooming must-have and by knowing your skin type you can choose the right one for you hassle free. Thankfully, Mankind stock a range of moisturisers for men to choose the right one for you.

Why Should I Moisturise?

Not only will a face moisturiser help protect skin from environmental aggressors and prevent it from flaking and feeling tight, it’ll also limit the formation of wrinkles too. And it’s not just people with dry skin who need a facial moisturiser – since oil and water are different things even greasy or acne-prone skin can be dehydrated.

When Should I Moisturise?

Use in the morning after shaving and at night after washing, applying over the entire face and neck. Don’t rub in the moisturiser too aggressively, simply rub in to the lengths of your fingers and pat against the surface of your face to ensure it really gets in to the top layers of your skin.  If necessary, keep some in your office drawer and apply a little during the day too, especially if you work in an air-conditioned building.

Aftershave Balm

The modern alternative to those stinging (and not-very-good-for-the-skin) aftershaves, aftershave balms come as gels or creams and are used to soothe, calm and moisturise the skin after shaving.

Why Should I Use an Aftershave Balm?

Shaving can be pretty tough on skin (it’s the grooming equivalent of hacking though a rainforest with a machete after all) so adequate aftercare is essential, particularly if you’re prone to razor burn. Aftershave balms are much kinder to the skin than aftershave lotions and contain ingredients to cool the skin and reduce shaving rash. They also help heal any tiny nicks and cuts and moisturise the skin.

When Should I Use an Aftershave Balm?

Use your aftershave balm straight after shaving, especially on the neck where most irritation occurs.

Facial Toners

Many men are strangers to toners but these light, clear lotions are godsends when it comes to removing excess oil, reducing shine and toning the skin.

Why Should I Use a Toner?

A skin toner will help remove the excess oils that can cause clogged pores and blackheads. It’ll also help close the pores and refresh the skin, especially important if you’re susceptible to oily patches.

When should I Use a Toner?

After shaving, splash a little toner on the face or soak a cotton pad and wipe over problem areas, Since applying a toner is a great way of getting rid of the excess oil that can build up during the day, think about keeping one with you at work too.

Face Masks

You might feel a bit of a plonker when you’re wearing a face mask, but a good face mask provides an unbeatable, deep-down cleansing treatment, helping keep skin in tip-top condition. Here at Mankind we have an awesome range of Face Masks for Men to choose from and this skincare treat has been rising in popularity lately. So what are you waiting for?

Why Should I Use a Face Mask?

No longer the preserve of women, face masks are great weapons to have in your grooming armoury, enabling you to get a spa-style treatment without the expense (or the embarrassment of having to wear paper pants!). There are two main types: cleansing masks, which use clay to absorb excess oil, impurities and unblock pores, and hydrating masks which help add critical moisture to the skin, improving its texture and preventing it from drying out.

When Should I Use a Face Mask?

Use once a week after prepping skin with a face scrub. This will increase the mask’s efficiency by removing any dead skin cells that would otherwise act as sponges for the mask. Then apply the mask over your face – avoiding the delicate eye area – and leave on for the stated time (usually 10 minutes) before washing off.

Eye Creams

Eye Creams are a specially formulated cream or gel, which contains powerful active ingredients to help reduce the appearance of fine lines (and not-so-fine lines), eye bags and the kind of dark circles only Uncle Fester would be proud of. Perfect for perking up tired skin and making you look more awake (even if you don’t feel it!) Take a look at the range of Eye Creams for Men at Mankind and choose one which suits your needs.

Why Should I Use an Eye Cream?

Their special formulations and light texture make them ideal for the delicate skin around the eyes which, at less than 0.12mm thick, is some of the thinnest on the body. If you were to use an ordinary moisturiser on the eye area it could easily overload the skin, leading to spots and irritation, which is why a separate eye cream is essential.

When Should I Use an Eye Cream?

As part of your daily grooming routine. Apply a small blob (no bigger than a grain of rice) around each eye socket using your index finger and gently pat around the eye to help stimulate the removal of toxins from the area. Choose eye creams if you want to tackle wrinkles and a gel if eye-bags are your problem. Both work best if kept cool so try storing them on a windowsill, out of direct sunlight, or chill in the fridge before use.

Anti-Ageing Serums

These are specially formulated products using cutting-edge technology to target the natural ageing process and reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and age spots. Some support the production of the skin’s own building blocks collagen and elastin while others contain powerful antioxidants to limit cellular damage. They all have the same objective though to make sure you don’t end up with a face like a Shar-Pei’s.

Why  Should I Use an Anti-Ageing Serum?

As we get older our skin begins to lose its elasticity and firmness. Add years of sun damage, late nights and exposure to harmful free-radicals and it’s little wonder it ends up looking a little worse for wear.

When Should I Use an Anti-Ageing Serum?

For maximum results use as part of your daily skincare routine. If you haven’t time in the morning, opt for an anti-ageing night cream instead and apply just before you hit the sack.

Sunscreen and SPF

These creams and sprays help limit the damage caused to the skin by the sun’s harmful UVA and UVB rays. SPF protects your skin from the harmful rays of the sun, ensuring that premature ageing doesn’t have to be an issue. You can find SPF in many day time moisturisers, but you can also use a suncream which is lightweight for daily protection.

Why Should I Use an SPF?

According to dermatologists, up to 80% of wrinkles are caused by sun damage. And that’s before you consider the added risks of skin cancer a disease that claims the lives of more than a thousand men each year in the UK.

When Should I Use an SPF?

Apply 20 minutes before skin is exposed to the sun and make sure the cream is properly applied. Go for a high SPF (sun protection factor) if you’re fair skinned, don’t skimp and massage the cream in until it completely disappears. If you’ve a lot of body hair try using a spray, which will give better coverage, and if you’re a bit thin on top don’t forget to protect your scalp with a product containing SPF.

Now you know your facial skincare basics you can browse the impressive range here at Mankind to ensure that you are using the correct products for your complexion.



Vanessa

Vanessa

Writer and expert

Creative storyteller. Believer in the power of natural ingredients and cruelty-free formulas. Always puts skincare first for a no-makeup look.