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Wednesday, April 2, 2014

A Man's Guide To Skin Care

By Eric Burbank


Especially in arid climates and cold seasons, there is no shortage of people with dry skin. While most women will gladly use moisturizer, there seems to be a large number of men who choose to ignore the discomfort and pain of dry, bleeding hands. For whatever reason, skin care just isn't on the male mind that much. This can be a problem, since serious dryness can create cracks, and that means holes in your first line of defense against pathogens. In the worst cases, dangerous infections can enter through the tiny cuts that come from dry skin. But there are measures that can prevent skin from becoming excessively dry.

The first step is the most obvious: use moisturizer. Your body creates a protective layer of oils and grease naturally, but not everyone has the same genetics. In some people's cases, their skin simply does not produce enough natural moisturizer to prevent dryness. And people who wash their hands often remove that layer every time. Additionally, there are certain health issues that can exacerbate skin dryness.

Applying moisturizers might not win you any points in the manly department, but just sitting there and letting your hands become painfully dry and cracked is frankly stupid. So, picking a good moisturizer is one of the keys. You may have to do some experimenting before you settle on a product that works to your needs and tastes, since there are many, many brands available. Once you find one that shows good results without being overly greasy, you can stick to that.

Nothing is ever simple, unfortunately, and even good moisturizers have the potential to exacerbate dry skin if not used correctly. Most products contain elements that form a seal over your skin to keep the moisture locked away underneath. But if there's no moisture to lock in, the seal will instead keep it out. It's best to take some water and splash it on your face before you put the lotion or cream on.

While still on the subject of splashing water on the skin, just remember that everything has the potential to be overdone. Showering is relaxing, and is essential to feeling clean and smelling good. But spending too much time under a hot shower can have adverse effects on the skin. Try to limit the amount of time you spend under the showerhead.

Soaps can dry your skin out quite a bit. If possible, try to find milder, unscented types, avoiding the stronger and antibacterial ones unless you need some serious cleaning.

Dry winter air is the leading cause of dry skin. When the temperature drops, so does the humidity. The best tactic to fight this is to control your own climate. Buying a good humidifier can alleviate dryness while you are at home. Having it running while you sleep can drastically improve the condition of your skin.




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