Gender stereotypes are deeply rooted in human society and significantly influence our behaviors and decisions. Most men are culturally hardened and unwilling to adopt a ‘good’ and not just ‘adequate’ skincare routine involving moisturizers, especially if their skin is oily. In this article, we will take a look at why moisturizers for oily men skin are essential.
Only 22% of all men in the US said that they follow a skincare routine.
–Statista
What is the Importance of Moisturizers for Oily Men Skin?
In the 1950s, Blank demonstrated that low moisture content in the skin could cause dry skin.
However, moisturizers not only improve the skin texture, but also reinforce the skin barrier to protect the skin against irritants, allergens, and infectious agents.
The moisturizing ingredients present in some sunscreens can offer the dual role of moisturizing and protecting against the sun.
Men’s skin is different from women with:
- Thicker dermis
- Less subcutaneous fat
- Slower wound healing rate
In addition, men are more likely to get skin damage from their curly beards, shaving those beards, or being in the sun for too long due to work or physical activity. Therefore:
It doesn’t make sense why more men shouldn’t be using a moisturizer and, in fact, a definite skincare routine.
Look around you, for example.
How many of your ‘male’ friends are using a moisturizer: after taking a bath, before going to sleep in the night, or the time in between?
I’m guessing about 2-3 or even less (assuming you have around 4-5 times more friends).
In fact, according to a 2017 survey:
Less than 1/3rd of the ‘male’ respondents reported using body lotions or face creams every day.
Reasons Why Moisturizers for Oily Men Skin are Essential
- Helps balance the skin’s natural oils: Oily skin produces excess sebum, which can clog pores and lead to acne breakouts. Moisturizing can help balance the skin’s natural oils, preventing the skin from overproducing sebum.
- Prevents dehydration: Even though oily skin produces excess oil, it can still dehydrate if it’s not properly moisturized. Dehydrated skin can appear dull and feel rough, and it can also lead to the overproduction of sebum.
- Protects against environmental stressors: Moisturizers can help protect the skin from environmental stressors like pollution, UV rays, and harsh weather conditions. This can help prevent damage to the skin and reduce the risk of premature aging.
- Reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles: Even though oily skin is less prone to wrinkles than dry skin, it can still benefit from the anti-aging properties of moisturizers. Moisturizing regularly can help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and keep the skin youthful and healthy.
- Soothes and calms the skin: Moisturizers can also be soothing, reducing redness and inflammation and promoting a healthy, even complexion.
Drinking Water Doesn’t Moisturize Oily Skin or Any Skin for That Matter!
Your body is unaware of around 400 ml. of water lost insensibly every day. The figure is compounded by the loss of water through urine, stools, and saliva. These losses should be replaced by drinking water. That’s why most doctors, trainers, or health coaches always stress about drinking excess water to stay hydrated to recover from these losses.
In addition, people believe that drinking enough water can help to maintain healthy skin, but is it true?
The answer is no.
No amount of drinking water can hydrate your skin and if you have read or heard someone saying the same, this is a myth.
People with oily skin suffer from more acne breakouts. It may sound counterintuitive at first to use moisturizers for oily men skin. But there is a difference between oil and moisture. Regardless of how you feel, moisturizers are essential even for oily skin, especially since those with oily skin wash their face more often.
All Moisturizers Don’t Have a Greasy Feel
Many moisturizers give the skin a ‘greasy’ texture after application. These oily products do a better job of holding the moisture inside the skin usually by forming a layer over it and are cheap.
However, such products may not be the best choice when choosing moisturizers for oily men skin, requiring water-based moisturization products.
Labels to look out for while selecting the best suitable moisturizers for oily men skin include:
- Non-comedogenic
- Oil-free
- Water-based
Preferable moisturizing ingredients for oily skin:
| Prefer | Avoid |
|---|---|
| Dimethicone | Paraffin |
| Hyaluronic acid | Petrolatum |
| Glycolic acid | Petroleum |
| Salicylic acid | Oils |
| Retinol |
