Proper skin care is important in your self-care practice to keep you looking great and also help protect your skin from issues down the road (more on this in Part 4). Well, the same philosophy goes into taking care of the skin on your body. There are subtle differences between facial skin and body skin (thickness, oil production, and hair follicles among them), but the general tenets of skin care still apply.
Still, like on their faces, most men are not taught to care for their bodies the way women are. This lack of knowledge leaves their skin particularly vulnerable to aging and other skin issues caused by inflammation and dehydration. Unless you already have an issue with dry skin, chances are you’re not paying attention to the skin below your neck.
This is mostly because lotion is gross. At least, it can be. The way most men think of lotion is akin to sunscreen: a goopy, messy product that leaves you feeling greasy and uncomfortable. Men would rather forgo lotion completely and deal with the repercussions later than have to walk around with a film over their entire bodies, making it awkward and uncomfortable to move. Not to mention, many lotions smell terrible.
Men see lotion and other forms of body moisturizing as a tool to fix something (like chapped hands or crusty elbows) instead of something to prevent those things in the first place. In fact, we’re taught from an early age that a soft hand isn’t manly and rough patches are signs of ruggedness. In reality, self-care doesn’t take away from your masculinity and neither does using lotion. In fact, it takes a confident and strong man to know what his body needs to be healthy and actually do it, soft hands be damned.
Taking care of your body in a meaningful way isn’t hard. It’s as easy as switching your body wash and finding a lotion you can actually stomach using (seriously, they’re out there). The most important thing in consistency. Too many men use things like lotion only when they think they need it, and at that point, it takes a really long time to work. After all, once your hands are so cracked from winter wind that they’re bleeding, lotion can only take you so far. Once you find a lotion or body oil that you actually like, start using it regularly, as often as you can remember. It’s one of the easiest self-care moves you can make.
Taking your skincare routine downtown, like to your torso, arms, hands, and yes, even lower, is important for the same reasons you take care of your face. Things like exfoliation and hydration can not only improve the immediate look of your skin, particularly if you have tattoos (we’ll get to those later), but also ensure that the skin cells on your body are working the best they can. In order to do this, they need to be turned over (exfoliation), hydrated (moisturizing), and kept clean (washing).
Men are also prone to inflammatory skin issues on their bodies, like eczema and psoriasis, which are characterized by chronic dryness, itchiness, flaking, and irritation. Not taking care of your skin properly makes these issues worse, and using things like lotions and proper cleansers can help keep them at bay. If eczema and psoriasis are issues for you, seek the advice of a doctor to find out how best to manage them (gentle, unscented lotion is only the beginning). Even for men who don’t struggle with these issues but do get dry skin occasionally from things like outdoor sports, taking care of the skin on your body is an important part in dealing with it.
The good news is that an effective skincare routine for your body doesn’t require a ton of steps.
The type of cleanser you use on your body is important. Make sure you’re using a gentle cleanser that doesn’t strip your skin completely (that telltale squeaky-clean feeling is not good). Instead, look for cleansers and body washes with moisturizing ingredients designed for sensitive skin. If you’re especially sweaty, you may want to consider one of the many options with charcoal, which helps absorb dirt easily. Lots of men’s body washes contain ingredients like tea tree and peppermint oil, but those can be irritating and drying if you have sensitive skin.
The skin on your body has a life cycle about twenty-eight days long. Dead skin cells can accumulate on the surface and need to be cleared to make way for the smoother, better-looking skin beneath. For some people, a loofah sponge can do the trick. Also, consider using a body scrub or exfoliating wash with salicylic acid every so often, especially if you’re prone to body acne (which is actually folliculitis, an inflammation of hair follicles, and can be avoided by regular exfoliation).
After showering, apply a moisturizing lotion. The lotion will not only help lock in the moisture still on your skin from the shower, but will also have additional moisturizing ingredients to help keep skin hydrated. Look for lightweight formulas that won’t leave you feeling sticky or filmy. Use a fragrance-free lotion if you’re sensitive to fragrance or have irritation-prone skin. Lotions are best suited for people with especially dry skin and anyone with chronic issues like eczema.
If lotions aren’t your thing, try a body oil instead. These oils typically use natural ingredients and essential oils to help hydrate skin and keep it moisturized just like a lotion, but can feel more lightweight and dry faster. They’re also best when used directly out of the shower. The main difference between oils and lotions though is that lotions have ingredients called humectants, which actually draw moisture from the air and put it into your skin, while oils don’t. Oils will soften skin by retaining moisture but won’t actually moisturize skin on their own.