If you are like most men, you pay very little attention to the care of your skin. Let us be realistic about it. We live hard and play hard. Many men spend hours each day working, playing, or participating in some kind of activity. They are out in the sun, the cold weather elements, rain, or whatever nature throws at them. All the while, not giving the slightest bit of concern about their skin.
However, over time, this can have a detrimental effect. Without caring for your skin, it can eventually cause a man to look far older than he is. Worn and dried out skin can have a very unappealing look, adding 10 years or more to the way you look. While you may not like to care for your skin, you sure will not like the idea of looking older than you are.
So, what can a man do? You may not have a significant amount of time to devote to cleansing and nourishing your skin. You probably do not want to spend hundreds of dollars a year on skincare products. So, what do you do? Here are some basic things that a man can do that will greatly improve the way your skin looks.
Water, Water Everywhere
We all understand the importance of water. You cannot survive without it. You are told to drink eight glasses of water every day to provide an optimal level of health for your body. We all get that.
What you may not realize is that water also has a significant impact on your skin. If you are dehydrated, one of the first places your body looks to get water to assist in internal processes is by taking it from your exterior, from your skin. This can quickly lead to aging, wrinkles, and dry skin.
To combat that, the smartest thing you can do is to drink plenty of water, even more than what is recommended. This is especially true if you spend a lot of time outside each day. The heat of the sun or cold weather can dry skin, removing moisture and protective oils. You can combat that by drinking plenty of water.
Clean Your Skin
Again, most men use basic soaps, likely inexpensive to clean their skin. The problem with many of the soaps is that they either dry out the skin or they leave chemicals behind. You need a good quality so that will clean your skin, nourishing it at the same time.
There are great options out there without you having to spend a lot of money. Do not feel like you have to spend $5 on a bar of soap. That is not required at all. However, using dish soap or something you bought at the dollar store may not be the best option for you.
Know Your Skin
One thing to keep in mind is that you know your skin better than anyone. You have spent every minute of every day of your life with your skin, so you know how it reacts to heat, cold, wind, or any other kinds of condition.
Because of that, you know that if you have been outside for an extended period of time in the blazing hot sun what that will mean to your skin. Maybe you get severely burned, or your skin becomes dry, maybe even irritated. If this is the case, then you need to take care of your skin properly. Maybe there are lotions or creams you should apply to protect against the effects of the sun.
If you are going to be outside when it is extremely cold, make sure you protect your skin by covering as much of your body as possible. Cold weather can have a devastating impact on your skin. Protect it by wearing layers of clothes and warm your skin as quickly as possible once you are inside.
Watch What You Drink
We mentioned the importance of drinking plenty of water. It is also important to watch the kinds of things you drink beyond water. There are some beverages that naturally cause you have to urinate more. This reduces the amount of water in your body, which can lead to dehydration.
This is true of such beverages as sodas, coffee, and beer. The funniest thing is that you may be drinking plenty of those beverages, which would make it seem that they would be replenishing your body with water, but that is not the case. They cause you to have to urinate more, discharging more water from your body. So, be careful what you drink.
Give Yourself the Once Over
That probably sounds a little weird, but it is important that you give your skin a thorough examination on a regular basis. Look for such things as rashes, moles, discolored spots, or any other thing that looks out of the ordinary. If you are married, have your spouse take a look as well.
This is a proactive step to help protect your skin for the future. If you notice that there are any issues that seem apparent, such as a mole or discolored spot, look for treatment for that area. You may have to have a mole removed or you may need to see a dermatologist.
If you find that there is a suspicious spot or if an area becomes irritated and itches uncontrollably, this is something you mean you have looked at as well. These kinds of things can be a sign that something is wrong with your skin.
Keep in mind that you are the first defense against any issue with your skin. You know when something looks, feels, or is out of the ordinary. Take care of yourself, drink plenty of water, eat well, and protect your skin when you are outdoors. If you do all of these things you are going to find that your skin will remain beautiful and keep you looking young. Failing to do so is going to mean you look much older than you are. No one likes that no matter what gender you are.