Skin care
Do – Moisturize
All women know that quenching thirsty skin is the single most
important thing you can do for your overall appearance. It fights
against premature signs of aging and prevents cracking, which can open
the door to nasty bacteria and blemishes. But basting your body in
grease is not the way to go. Use a lightweight moisturizer with SPF for
your face and an all-purpose, unscented one for everywhere else. Leave
the frilly fragranced moisturizers for females, and pay particular
attention to joints like the elbows and knees since those are the areas
that tend to tighten up most.
 Don’t - Pop pimples
Zapping zits with two fingers and a bathroom mirror is begging for
trouble. Dirt on the hands and underneath the nails can invade broken
skin, which, needless to say, makes matters much worse. There are some
instances, however, that do require intervention. If you can’t resist or
you’re being weighed down with a massive whitehead, there is a proper
protocol that must be followed. Disinfect a needle with rubbing alcohol,
gently prick the skin’s surface and carefully squeeze from both sides.
If the blemish is ready to let loose, it will go easily. Blood or clear
liquid are surefire signs you should stop immediately and allow things
to heal on their own with basic cleaning care.
Don’t - Dry shave
Dry shaving just feels like ripping off your skin, and it leaves
behind a path of destruction, including nicks, cuts, scratches, and
incredibly itchy razor burn. Almost any cream, gel or oil will work its
magic when you shave as long as you go with the flow of the hair rather
than against the grain. And using an electric shaver isn’t a free pass.
Guys partial to going automatic aren’t exempt from lubing up.
Do - Care from the inside
Drinking alcohol causes capillaries to dilate, which can become
chronic in heavy drinkers. Flushness after a couple of drinks is fine,
but developing acne rosacea from regular drinking isn’t exactly
attractive. Smoking, likewise, affects the capillaries by restricting
blood flow and preventing vital nutrients from making their way to the
skin. It also breaks down collagen, which leads skin to lose its
elasticity and wrinkle easily. It can also undoubtedly age men 10 to 20
years beyond biology.
Promoting healthy skin from the inside out starts with avoiding toxic
substances and is supported by regular water intake. The eight-by-eight
rule (eight ounces of water, eight times a day) has become the gospel,
but it all depends on body proportion and activity level. Let your lips
and bathroom breaks be your guide. A soft, supple pucker and
clear-to-light-yellow urine are the semi-scientific litmus test.
Don’t - Sleep on dirty sheets
 Every hour of sleep leaves 1.5 million clusters of dead skin cells on
your sheets. It’s a prime germ cesspool for dust mites and bacteria that
thrive in seemingly harmless sweat, tears, saliva, mucus, and other
unmentionable bodily discharges. Sheets must be washed at least once a
week in 150°F to 160°F water and dried in medium to high heat in order
to keep skin blemish-free.
Do - Sweat it out
Exercise stimulates blood vessels, opens pores and aids in the
excretion of toxins from the body. Regular workouts two to three times a
week of at least 30 minutes are what help clear debris to make a
difference in the appearance of your skin and overall health. But sweat
shouldn’t stop there: A trip to the sauna after exercise is critical not
only for relieving sore muscles but also for continuing to cleanse the
body and skin. It helps wipe away blackheads and eczema. A maximum of 20
minutes is all you need to get a healthy glow.
Don’t - Touch your face
Ensuring your skin stays acne-free depends on you not touching,
scratching or picking your face. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to
realize that hands transfer harmful bacteria from the surface of
everything you touch, which can irritate and infect pores. Sometimes
it’s impossible to stop, because the act itself is almost involuntary,
but being aware is a start. Even less obvious is the amount of time we
allow everyday objects like telephones to come in contact with the face.
These things are teeming with bacteria, so wipe them clean often.
Do - Block the sun
 The sun is public enemy No. 1 when it comes to skin. When you go on
that much-needed beach vacation, you may be walking away with more than
just a tan. Sun burn could result in cosmetic damage in the form of
permanent, uneven pigmentation from increased melanin production and
unsightly wrinkles. But more ominous outcomes like skin cancer put your
health at risk, and can happen to anyone, regardless of ethnicity.
Facial moisturizers with an SPF of at least 15 are a start, but using a
sunblock all over the body with 30 SPF is ideal for prolonged periods of
time outdoors.
Look for formulas that block both UVA and UVB rays without
allergy-inducing PABA-based chemicals. Titanium dioxide and zinc oxide
sunscreens rarely cause irritation and provide the broad-spectrum
protection you need.
- askmen.com
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