Your skin constantly removes dead skin cells that have accumulated on the its surface and replaces them with newer ones. This is called cell turnover. Unfortunately, the rate at which cells renew slows down due to factors such as age and sun damage. When this happens, the dead skin cells can clog the pores, leading to skin concerns such as dull skin, enlarged pores, and acne. It can even make the signs of skin aging such as fine lines and under-eye wrinkles more pronounced.
So, what can men do to get their glowing skin back? Enter exfoliation. Exfoliating for men is a great way to get rid of dead skin cells and trigger cell renewal. That way, you can prevent common skin concerns and improve your skin’s appearance.
If you’re new to the world of exfoliating, we’ve put together a man’s ultimate guide on how to get smooth skin through exfoliants. You’ll find out why exfoliating for men is a must. We’ll also walk you through how to exfoliate your face according to your skin type, and give you the lowdown on the dos and don’ts of exfoliating.
Why Do Men Need To Exfoliate?
Men who are wondering how to get smooth skin will find their answer in a good exfoliating agent. Here’s why exfoliants are a must in a man’s skincare routine:
Keeps Breakouts At Bay
Sebum build-up can contribute to acne, and since men’s sebaceous glands are more active than women’s, that means they’re more susceptible to pimples. Exfoliating products can clear the pores of acne-causing oil. But be careful not to over-exfoliate as this can cause your skin to produce more sebum.
Gets Rid Of Dead Skin Cells
Cell turnover is vital to how men get glowing skin. Skin cells typically renew themselves every 27 days, however, this cycle will slow down with age. For men aged 50 and older, the skin regeneration cycle can last up to 84 days. This means that dead skin cells can clog your pores for longer and make it harder for skincare products to penetrate your skin. By exfoliating, you can get rid of those dead skin cells, kickstart skin regeneration, and get brighter-looking skin.
Prevents Ingrown Hairs And Gives You A Closer Shave
Dead skin cells can clog hair follicles, causing the hair to grow inward instead of toward the skin’s surface. To unclog your pores, you’re going to need to use an exfoliating agent. Exfoliating before shaving also gives you a closer shave as it gets rid of any dirt and dead skin cells that are in the way.
How To Exfoliate The Face For Men
To get glowing skin, you must first decide how you want to get rid of your dead skin cells. Below, we break down the two main methods of exfoliating for men:
Manual Exfoliation
This type of exfoliation uses textured products such as face scrubs for men, brushes, and loofahs to dislodge dead skin cells on the skin’s surface. Exfoliation can even extend to other parts of the face. For example, you can use a lip scrub for men to smoothen your lips.
Chemical Exfoliation
Chemical exfoliants use acids to aid in cell turnover. This method may sound intimidating, but don’t worry — it only uses gentle acids such as alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) and beta-hydroxy acids (BHAs).
- Alpha-hydroxy acids. AHAs such as glycolic acid and lactic acid dislodge pore-clogging cells from the skin’s surface. That way, new skin cells can emerge and skincare products can penetrate the skin more deeply. Since AHAs are water-soluble, they can also be used to maintain the moisture barrier and protect the skin from external pollutants.
- Beta-hydroxy acids. BHAs are oil-soluble, meaning they can penetrate deeper into the pores to get rid of sebum build-up and improve the skin’s appearance from within. Some of the most common BHAs include salicylic acid and citric acid.
Which method should you use?
Many dermatologists don’t recommend manual exfoliation. While this method gives you smoother skin almost immediately, face scrubs for men are often made of large, gritty materials such as ground walnuts and salt. These granules can cause micro tears — tiny tears or cuts on the skin’s surface. You might get the instant gratification of having a softer face, but you’ll also be damaging your skin barrier. If you have to use this method, don’t be too aggressive with your scrubbing, and remember that big particles such as apricot seeds and fruit pits are no-nos.
To be on the safe side, choose chemical exfoliation for your face. Chemical exfoliants are gentler than manual exfoliants, making them more suitable for most skin types. For the rest of your body, it’s safe to use granular exfoliants.
What’s the best chemical exfoliant by skin type?
Not all men’s skin is the same. Whether you have oily, sensitive, or acne-prone skin, it’s critical to choose a chemical exfoliant that suits your skin type and concerns.
Oily Or Acne-Prone Skin
Too much oil can cause clogged pores and lead to acne. If you’re wondering how men can exfoliate their faces if they have excessive oil, the answer is with salicylic acid. This BHA unclogs the pores, but since it can be a bit drying, it’s best suited for men with oily skin. Salicylic acid can also combat breakouts by keeping oil production under control.
Dry Skin
Men with dry or sun-damaged skin can benefit from an exfoliating agent that doesn’t lead to more dryness. With that said, AHAs — which can help maintain the skin’s moisture content — are your best bet. Some good exfoliants include glycolic acid, mandelic acid, and lactic acid. These ingredients gently get rid of dead skin cells to reveal more even-toned and glowy skin.
Sensitive Skin
If you have sensitive skin, stick to AHAs. However, if you have very sensitive skin, you could consider polyhydroxy acids (PHAs). They’re similar to AHAs but their molecules are much larger, meaning they can’t penetrate as deeply into the pores and cause irritation. Some common PHAs include galactose and gluconolactone.
Exfoliating for men: The Dos and Don’ts
Now that you know how to exfoliate your face as a man, let’s tackle what you can and can’t do when exfoliating:
- Do cleanse first. Whether you use AHAs, BHAs, or PHAs, acids can penetrate the skin better if you start with a clean slate.
- Don’t overdo it. A common mistake that men make is exfoliating too often. Over-exfoliating can lead to troubled skin, so don’t go overboard even if you’re using gentle AHAs. Oily-faced men can safely exfoliate two to three times a week. Meanwhile, men with dry or sensitive skin should limit it to once or twice a week.
- Do moisturize. Your skin needs moisture to stay healthy. Use hydrating ingredients such as hyaluronic acid to restore some of the moisture that was lost during exfoliation. Our mens moisturizers are custom-formulated to meet your skin's specific needs.
- Don’t put it on your eyelids. The skin around your eyes is sensitive. To safely exfoliate the skin around the eyes, use skincare products specifically formulated for that area such as an eye cream or serum.
- Do wear sunscreen daily. Exfoliants make your skin more sensitive to UV rays, so always wear sunscreen even on days when you aren’t exfoliating. To protect the skin from the sun, be sure to use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF.
It’s time to get that glowing skin
If you’ve gone years without exfoliating, don’t worry — it’s not too late to get your the glowing skin you desire. As long as you use the right ingredients and don’t overdo it, you should be able to reap the full benefits of exfoliating.
To make sure you purchase products that meet your skin’s needs, take PROVEN Skincare’s Skin Regimen Quiz. Using AI, our skincare specialists will create a custom skincare routine formulated with the right ingredients for your skin type. That way, you can confidently experience the magic of exfoliating for men.
And don’t worry, ‘gents. We know you want your routines to be as uncomplicated as possible. To simplify your skincare routine, we’ll infuse your exfoliating ingredients in your facial cleanser to create one powerful product that targets all of your skin concerns.
