Skin question for you girls... from a guy.

[minastrilla]

Ok, I'm asking you girls this cuz I figured you'd know more
anout this than the guys here. What can I do to take better
care or any care at all for my skin (facial)? I clean my skin
everyday with Neutragena facial soap but what can I do to
get that nice nice skin that I see alot of girls and some guys
have?

[Emma-Leigh]

What can I do to take better care or any care at all for my skin (facial)? I clean my skin everyday with Neutragena facial soap but what can I do to get that nice nice skin that I see alot of girls and some guys have?

Besides good genetics ;)

You have to work on the whole package - so that means:

1. Good Diet - diet is a key in how your skin looks. So, stay away from refined sugars and crappy saturated fat laden foods. Good 'skin' food is things with omega-3s and antioxidants. So, lots of salmon, and bright, fresh fruits and vegetables like blue-berries, green leavy vege's etc. Vitamin E, Selenium (anti-oxidants), Vitamin C (esp in relation to the health of the collagen in your skin), Vitamin A and Zinc are all important in your skins health... So - this means eat a wide variety of healthy foods.

If I remember correctly there has also been new studies into the effect of GI on your skin - with higher GI foods linked with acne.... So stick to low GI.

2. Water - Drink LOTS of water. Hydration is the key.

3. Stay out of the sun - If you do go out, go for a good sun-cream (SPF of at least 30) and wear a hat as well.

4. Wash your face daily - don't get a harsh facial wash though... I am not sure what that facial soap is like, but if it is really drying then it is not going to be the best thing to use. You want something that cleans your skin, while not dehydrating it.

5. Moisturiser - Add this to your face after you wash it and dry it. Go and get a good facial moisturiser - not just a body one.


That is all I do.... I don't know anything else about other facial creams or make-up or anything so the other girls might be able to help you out with that one.

[adrenalin18stud]

Originally posted by Emma-Leigh


Besides good genetics ;)

You have to work on the whole package - so that means:

1. Good Diet - diet is a key in how your skin looks. So, stay away from refined sugars and crappy saturated fat laden foods. Good 'skin' food is things with omega-3s and antioxidants. So, lots of salmon, and bright, fresh fruits and vegetables like blue-berries, green leavy vege's etc. Vitamin E, Selenium (anti-oxidants), Vitamin C (esp in relation to the health of the collagen in your skin), Vitamin A and Zinc are all important in your skins health... So - this means eat a wide variety of healthy foods.

If I remember correctly there has also been new studies into the effect of GI on your skin - with higher GI foods linked with acne.... So stick to low GI.

2. Water - Drink LOTS of water. Hydration is the key.

3. Stay out of the sun - If you do go out, go for a good sun-cream (SPF of at least 30) and wear a hat as well.

4. Wash your face daily - don't get a harsh facial wash though... I am not sure what that facial soap is like, but if it is really drying then it is not going to be the best thing to use. You want something that cleans your skin, while not dehydrating it.

5. Moisturiser - Add this to your face after you wash it and dry it. Go and get a good facial moisturiser - not just a body one.


That is all I do.... I don't know anything else about other facial creams or make-up or anything so the other girls might be able to help you out with that one.


you didn't mention exfoliating, thats good for removing dead skin and stuff plus makes your skin more clear, i do that too to take care of my skin, everything else is right in what your saying, i got good skin and i'm a guy.

one last thing is quit smoking........this makes your skin dryer as prevents oxygen getting to the skin and it encourages wrinkles.

[MsFit]

The Sun is actually healthy and needed daily, as it's a good source of vitamin D. You should avoid burning.

Exfoliating sparingly is good, but daily could damage the skin.

When it comes to facial cleaners and such, you get what you pay for. I would opt for cheapos in that department. Spend some money to get a quaity product.

[BionicSuperChik]

Clinique Skin Care range for men...the 3 step method the soap, scuffing lotion, and moisturizer your skin will feel so soft and healthy you'll be glowing...

http://www.clinique.com/templates/products/multiproduct.tmpl?CATEGORY_ID=CATEGORY4909

been using it for years... great stuff...

[wantmoresize]

Being a "metrosexual" guy--here is my daily skin routine for face:

A.M.-->Clinique Face Scrub for men (exfoliates)
Clinique Foaming Cleanser
Moisturizer (currently Dr. Perricone)

P.M.-->Clinique Foaming Cleanser
Clinique under-eye repair
Philosophy Retinol mixed with Salicylic Acid (anti-acne) to reduce fine lines and size of pores

and there you go--hope this helps--and I am glad I can at least talk about this stuff on the women's board-my name is Douglas :) have a great day!!!

[Lynne]

One of the best skin treatments for anyone is Alpha Hydroxy Acid. It is a fruit acid that is an exfoliant. I'm 46 and look at least 10 years younger because I have only a few crow's feet. I laugh a lot! Especially on these bb forums. I've seen 20 year olds with deeper lines from sunning. I apply AHA Enhanced Lotion twice a day. The other keys are water, a handful of nuts a day. The other key is that nonsoap you are using.

L

[wantmoresize]

just be careful the AHA does not ruin your skin as it takes away layers so do not use too often :) just my 2 cents

[mirror]

Agree. AHA can be very harsh.
EFAs are fantastic for skin and nails. Eat your fish oil!

[AuroraManson]

well I think that this is completley sexist. I'll answer anyways.

Just play queer eye for the straight guy. Don't be scared to use facial products that are normally kept for women. Don't worry about this or that cause it can get expensive and confusing.

Basically just take care of your face, I wash mine in the morning and at night. I also exfoliate (ok I really don't know what that word means but I take a washcloth and use hot water to scrub the **** out of my face.) Look into pour refining masks and if your getting older age defying creams along with tones, mosterizers and if you have the bags under your eyes eye cream.

[girlno3]

hmmm, what works for me is

1. dont go on a really low fat diet, it seems to dry skin out alot...
drink alot of water... maybe a keto diet? i heard it was good for the skin...

1a.more importantly, enough sleep! lack of sleep will dehydrate you alot..i had to learn this the hard way, at school everyone is always pulling all nighters and one guy actually had to go tot he hospital because he got so dehydrated (he stayed up for a week straight...)

2. use a good moisturizer...vaseline is actually supposed to work the best, but is heavy...i like palmer's cocoa butter, smells like chocolate and is rich, but i live in a colder climate, so it depends on your environment, try different stuff...i also have heard that dove moisturizing bodywash works so well you won:t even need a moisturizer for your body..i have really dry skin so i use the moisuturizer like every 30 mins even...

3. take a vitamin supplement, esp the Stresstabs, a b vitamin complex..that works really well, i find, plus vitamin e...

[sunangel514]

i work at a salon and the worst thing to do is use stuff like nuetragena and clerisel and stuff like that.. u need to go and talk with a estetician (facialist) and get a facial and see what she says about products.. facials are normally about $85 and products that really work are a little more expensive but they wok wounders

[Calco76]

I've used everything imaginaeable that you can get OTC....my face is very prone to breakouts and I have a filthy habit of picking at any blemish that even "tries" to pop up on my face...almost an obsession...but anyway, the best thing that I have found so far is Mary Kay Velocity cleanser followed by the Velocity moisturizer once at morning and once at night (and after a sweaty workout). And about three times a week, i will use Aveeno Daily Facial Scrub after cleansing for exfoliating, it's very mild. In the winter, I dab a little vaseline around my eyes and other spots that get really dry on top of my moisturizer, and always on my lips.
Whatever you do, though, don't let your skin get dried out because your oil glands (or whatever they are called) will OVERPRODUCE oil to compensate for the dryness and you will still breakout. I learned this the hard way, I use to put straight alcohol on my face and leave it and when I'd wake up in the morning, my face would be SOOOOOOO oily. I've heard, though, that people with really naturally oily skin can get away with it...don't know if that's true or not.

[girlno3]

hmm, just a note..it depends on the type of skin problem you have, if its oily i have no clue since i only know about really dry skin...see a dermatologist if you really want a permanent solution, everything that happens to my skin only gets better when i see a derm, not even your gp can help... (with really sensitive skin)

no offense to anyone, its just my two cents but my derm says just use water, or stuff like specto jel which is a cream cleanser you can get at any pharmacy... alpha hydroxy products, scrubs or soap are really drying...even some moisturizers dry out the skin alot! my derm prescribed eucarin, or aquaphor, also avail at any pharmacy without a prescription and pretty cheap compared to pop. cosmetic lines ....both are moisturizers with a petroleum base are the only things that work with me and i have really really sensitive skin...

[moody_weasel]

To clean my face I just use water on my face, a mild, non -perfumed soap and cleaning gel for the nose and chin area.
About two or three times a month I use a no-name exfoliating product. Every morning I apply some moisturizing daycare stuff mostly on the cheeks, never on the nose or chin. That's it.

I would only use vaseline under the eyes not anywhere in the face. Of course, as mentioned by someone else, it always depends on what type of skin you have. :-)

[oStarGazerXVII]

Ok, gotta butt in and open my big mouth on one thing, from experience-

I did a keto diet for a while, but it's absurdly diuretic- you'll dry out like a sea sponge in a kiln and need to drink two gallons of water a day... I'd stay steer clear of that for more than just skin purposes.

Other than that I'm just as clueless as most guys.

[Amanda]

I've suffered a few problems with my skin over the years - cystic acne in my 20's, & I now am getting mild rosacea. As such I've spent a lot of money, not just on products, but on dermatologists. I also read too much, & wanted to know the why's & wherefores of my skin's misbehavior.
First of all, if you're looking for professional advice, see a professional - a dermatologist. NOT an asthetician, or facialist, or whatever they want to call themselves. They usually only have a certificate which required about 4 weeks training if that, whereas a dermatoligist has studied (& been tested, & had to have passed) for 8 years. Also, facialists etc will usually try & sell you whatever products they happen to sell, not what might be best for your skin.
Below are key points to looking after your skin in no particular order -

- Do not use bar soap, or bar cleansers. Soap is too drying, & the ingredients that keep it in a bar can clog pores.

- Avoid fragranced products. The may smell nice, but they irritate the skin. This one cannot be over emphasised!

- Do not use a moisturiser unless you have dry skin. If your skin is oily, you have your own built in moisturiser, & you will only encourage breakouts if you add more.

- If you have sun damaged skin, use an AHA to exfoliate, however if you have oilier skin, blackheads etc, use a BHA (Beta Hydroxy Acid). They have different actions, & BHA's will exfoliate from inside the pore, making them a better choice for anyone with blackheads/pimples etc.

- What you pay is by no means indicative of the quality of a product - many ingredients are manufactured by the one company, & they sell the same thing to everyone.
A prime example of this is lip pencils. All lip pencils are manufactued by one company in Germany (go on, check your pencils, it'll say 'made in Germany' no matter what the brand). Yet some lip pencils are $5 & some are as much as $60!!

- The sun is the greatest cause of visible ageing of the skin. If you don't care how old you look, that's fine, but if you want people to think you're 40 when you're 50, invest in sunscreen.

Hope that helps!!

[Prad Bitt]

Another reason girls/women generally have smooth, hairless skin is that estrogen makes it that way. (Of course you have to take care of it too, but the estrogen makes it easier).

[dressagerulz23]

while on the topic of skin, does anyone here use anti-wrinkle creams/lotions? i've heard too much bad stuff about the AHA...

...i don't know if the key to younger looking skin/less wrinkles (other than eating right, taking vitamins, drinking lots of water, and not getting too much sun), would be to keep my skin moist by using lotion instead or what. i'm afraid of all the stuff i've read about many anti-wrinkle creams actually making the skin age faster, and my determatologist is a real @$$hole - not to be rude or anything but he is - when i ask him about stuff like that he tells me i don't need it and won't answer any questions about it.

[onehawaiian]

diet, water, moisturizing and exfoliation.
i'm a guy and would normally be ashamed to admit the above-mentioned advise, but i am the sales/marketing director for a beauty supply company.

it's my job to sell beauty. i think it's a cool job. :)

[maranne]

I agree with needing a clean diet, water and exercise, nevertheless skin conditions seem to be inherited to a certain degree. It also depends on the climate you live in and the pollution etc.

I live in a fairly clean environment, observe the things mentioned above and I am very much in favour of non-petrochemical cosmetics and detergents in general.

I use stuff from companies such as Weleda and Aveda for example.

There is nothing wrong with a man taking care of himself and using exfoliatiors, masks and so on. It doesn´t turn me off having a bf who cares about his appearance. Like with everyone, if the preoccupation with looks is the only occupation then there is something wrong. Other than that I gladly encourage any man to make the best of himself.

marianne:)

[onehawaiian]

aveda is the bomb in skin care, but hair care is really differentiated. i like it, but a lot of women don't rank aveda very high on their products list when it comes to their wetline.

aloe is industry standard nowadays, but it is a vital part of having a good complexion. the advice in all the above posts are good. and guys having a nice clean look isn't non-masculine at all so going after products usually reserved "for women" in salons shouldn't be overlooked. :)

[Prad Bitt]

Yeah, I think the original idea was that some guys cared WAY too much about their looks and that was kind of stupid, but now some guys are scared that people will think they're acting gay if they admit to using exfoliators and stuff because the whole thing got exaggerated by the media (note: most guys don't like to be called "metrosexual"). Personally, I try to look nice, but I don't like dressing up on a frequent basis (occasional is fine) and I don't like to spend hours in the bathroom mirror. I think it's mostly older guys who worry the most about it. I know lots of straight guys my age who use special face products and hair gel. Some of us even tweeze between our eyebrows (but usually won't admit it). I still don't get what's up with pedicures though...

[onehawaiian]

^^^ dude, i get my brows waxed every month. and i give credit to u ladies... i now know the pains u go thru for beauty. :D
but i like looking clean. i'm lucky i never really had an "oily" or dry face. it's been pretty "normal". now i am trying to maintain it.

to the original poster, take a look at clinique's men's facial line.

[nannouface]

For skin wash it is best to use something that is as natural as possible. Some products have too many chemicals that can be damaging to the skin in the long run. Everyone was right when they said drinking lots of water is the best thing but if you need a cleanser natural products are the best way to go.

[mtruther]

The single best thing you can do to slow the affects of aging in your face is to protect it from the sun, so you might want to get a moisturizer with an spf built in. Just get up in the morning and apply. I also keep another bottle at work and reapply lightly before heading outside to lunch.

I personally use Oil of Olay Complete moisturizer, which has spf 15 and vitamin E. It's cheap, applying it is second nature by now, and I really like it. It doesn't feel oily, either, unlike a lot of other sunscreens.

[CanadaBBOY]

Originally posted by girlno3
hmmm, what works for me is

1. dont go on a really low fat diet, it seems to dry skin out alot...
drink alot of water... maybe a keto diet? i heard it was good for the skin...

1a.more importantly, enough sleep! lack of sleep will dehydrate you alot..i had to learn this the hard way, at school everyone is always pulling all nighters and one guy actually had to go tot he hospital because he got so dehydrated (he stayed up for a week straight...)

2. use a good moisturizer...vaseline is actually supposed to work the best, but is heavy...i like palmer's cocoa butter, smells like chocolate and is rich, but i live in a colder climate, so it depends on your environment, try different stuff...i also have heard that dove moisturizing bodywash works so well you won:t even need a moisturizer for your body..i have really dry skin so i use the moisuturizer like every 30 mins even...

3. take a vitamin supplement, esp the Stresstabs, a b vitamin complex..that works really well, i find, plus vitamin e...

Stop buying palmers cocoa butter right now. It contains mineral oil, which is like baby oil, it does not absorb into your skin. that's how i got another stretch mark, by using that stuff. Never buy a moisturizer with mineral oil in it.

A good routine is to clense - tone - moisturize in the morning. In the evening every other night do the same as the morning, and on the other nights, clense - exfoliate - moisturize. Exfoliating is hard on your skin so only every other day. I jsut get some stuff with the crushed up walnut shells in it.

Cetaphil is an awesome clenser! It's super gentle, it has absolutely NO odour. It smells like water, nothing.

Also wash your face after you workout.

[asuguy]

any thoughts for someone like me who has skin that is very oily, but when I get out of the shower it is extremely dry,tight and flaky. I think im a freak!

[jle]

bump on the cetaphil!

[samanthalynne21]

Ok, I'm asking you girls this cuz I figured you'd know more
anout this than the guys here. What can I do to take better
care or any care at all for my skin (facial)? I clean my skin
everyday with Neutragena facial soap but what can I do to
get that nice nice skin that I see alot of girls and some guys
have?

it depends on how bad of skin you have. if need be, go to a dermatologist. They'll give you pills, cream, and your own facewash. If it's pretty managable, stick to your neutragena and get the cream to put on your face at night. Also, remember to wash before and after your work out and in when you wake up and before you go to sleep.

[Emma-Leigh]

it depends on how bad of skin you have. if need be, go to a dermatologist. They'll give you pills, cream, and your own facewash. If it's pretty managable, stick to your neutragena and get the cream to put on your face at night. Also, remember to wash before and after your work out and in when you wake up and before you go to sleep.
original post from 2003 <<< me thinks things have changed. ;)

[samanthalynne21]

original post from 2003 <<< me thinks things have changed. ;)

haha oh i just saw that.