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By Hannah Sivak, PhD
Senior Scientist
Skin Actives Scientific LLC
Why is it that men don't need skin care? Is it because their skin is different from women's skin?
Men's skin is different from that of women, but I don't think this is why they don't "need" skin care. The expectations of society are different, but not the need of the skin to be protected from the elements, pollution or age.
Men's skin is different, though. The skin of both men and women have receptors for sex hormones, e.g. androgens and estrogen, but starting before puberty the concentrations of sex hormones in the blood is different for boys and girls, and they will affect the skin metabolism through the receptors to which they bind with great specificity.
As androgens start to increase, sebum secretion increases too, pores get larger and so do comedos and acne. Men and women have both estrogens and androgens, so unless the receptors for androgens are missing (a relatively rare condition) most of us are likely to get comedos and acne, whatever our sex.
Probably the higher androgen level is responsible for the thicker skin that men have in practically all the body, not just the face. The thicker skin may be responsible for the fact that men's skin seems to age more slowly that that of women's. Another big factor is that estrogens, which affect the synthesis of hyaluronic acid and other dermis macromolecules, decrease sharply in women after menopause, while in men they stay more or less constant.
In my opinion (and that of our male clients) men should still look after their skin, even if they get a better deal when it comes to skin aging. And they clearly should look after their scalp, because I don't know anyman who does not care about his hair, and unless the scalp is well looked after, there will be no good hair. SAS hair serum with keratinocyte growth factor is probably the best scalp care product you can find anywhere.
Product suggestions:
Large pores and other "imperfections", our salicylic wash is a product that will benefit skin of men of any age, starting in the teen years. The SAS alpha/beta (lactic/salicylic acids) exfoliant is another option.
Acne: acne kit by SAS, salicylic wash.
"Tired" skin: niacinamide, sea kelp bioferment, anti-age cream.
Some advice from one of our clients, Mark in Brighton (UK):
2) Sea kelp bioferment mixed with the mild detergent makes an excellent shaving gel. You only need a very small amount as well (don’t need a separate cleanser).
3) Marine nutrient serum (MNS) is an excellent post-shave healer, add a layer of moisturiser if you have dry skin. Alcohol-based aftershaves will dry your skin, bad idea!
4) An observation is that women are better able to hide poorer skin, eye bags etc using makeup. Perhaps it is even more important for men to make sure their skin is in tip top condition because it is less acceptable for men to use makeup and/or concealers.
5) I don’t know if its true but many companies say that men need to exfoliate to make it easier to shave and to prevent in-growing hairs the alpha and beta exfoliator (don’t use straight after shaving) and pumpkin enzyme peel will be great for this.
6) Copper peptide would be good in a cream for after shaving because of its healing properties (according to Pickard).
Senior Scientist
Skin Actives Scientific LLC
Why is it that men don't need skin care? Is it because their skin is different from women's skin?
Men's skin is different from that of women, but I don't think this is why they don't "need" skin care. The expectations of society are different, but not the need of the skin to be protected from the elements, pollution or age.
Men's skin is different, though. The skin of both men and women have receptors for sex hormones, e.g. androgens and estrogen, but starting before puberty the concentrations of sex hormones in the blood is different for boys and girls, and they will affect the skin metabolism through the receptors to which they bind with great specificity.
As androgens start to increase, sebum secretion increases too, pores get larger and so do comedos and acne. Men and women have both estrogens and androgens, so unless the receptors for androgens are missing (a relatively rare condition) most of us are likely to get comedos and acne, whatever our sex.
Probably the higher androgen level is responsible for the thicker skin that men have in practically all the body, not just the face. The thicker skin may be responsible for the fact that men's skin seems to age more slowly that that of women's. Another big factor is that estrogens, which affect the synthesis of hyaluronic acid and other dermis macromolecules, decrease sharply in women after menopause, while in men they stay more or less constant.
In my opinion (and that of our male clients) men should still look after their skin, even if they get a better deal when it comes to skin aging. And they clearly should look after their scalp, because I don't know anyman who does not care about his hair, and unless the scalp is well looked after, there will be no good hair. SAS hair serum with keratinocyte growth factor is probably the best scalp care product you can find anywhere.
Product suggestions:
Large pores and other "imperfections", our salicylic wash is a product that will benefit skin of men of any age, starting in the teen years. The SAS alpha/beta (lactic/salicylic acids) exfoliant is another option.
Acne: acne kit by SAS, salicylic wash.
"Tired" skin: niacinamide, sea kelp bioferment, anti-age cream.
Some advice from one of our clients, Mark in Brighton (UK):
1) Many men’s products contain fragrances to make them smell more masculine.
These are often quite unpleasant, overpowering and possibly irritating . SAS
actives and products do not contain fragrances.
2) Sea kelp bioferment mixed with the mild detergent makes an excellent shaving gel. You only need a very small amount as well (don’t need a separate cleanser).
3) Marine nutrient serum (MNS) is an excellent post-shave healer, add a layer of moisturiser if you have dry skin. Alcohol-based aftershaves will dry your skin, bad idea!
4) An observation is that women are better able to hide poorer skin, eye bags etc using makeup. Perhaps it is even more important for men to make sure their skin is in tip top condition because it is less acceptable for men to use makeup and/or concealers.
5) I don’t know if its true but many companies say that men need to exfoliate to make it easier to shave and to prevent in-growing hairs the alpha and beta exfoliator (don’t use straight after shaving) and pumpkin enzyme peel will be great for this.
6) Copper peptide would be good in a cream for after shaving because of its healing properties (according to Pickard).
Guide created: 10/10/06 (updated 11/27/08)
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