June is most likely the month where Men's Skincare sales skyrockets, as Father's Day draws near! Although many products are suitable for both men and women of the same skin type, it is also important to recognize the differences between both genders' skin composition in order to make the most suitable suggestions. The major differences include skin thickness, collagen density, loss of collagen as we age, texture and hydration.

 

Thickness of the skin varies by location and age, but there is also a significant difference between genders. A man's skin is typically about 25% thicker than a woman's skin due to the androgens men produce (i.e. testosterones). A man's skin also gradually thins with age, where as a woman's skin stays a consistent thickness until around the age of fifty, and thins significantly after menopause.

Since their skin is much thicker, moisturizers that are suited to their skin type and readily absorbed into the skin would be a great recommendation.

 

One theory is that men tend to have more hydrated skin as they are more prone to sweating due to their higher body temperatures, and sweat more than twice as much as women do. Their sweat also contains more lactic acid, which is a natural humectant for the skin. With the excess sweating and production of Lactic Acid, this could be why men have a higher level of tissue hydration!

 

Men generally have a higher collagen density than women, which is the ratio of collagen to thickness of the skin. This means that men's skin tend to age more slowly than women of the same age. To put a number on it, women are about 15 years older than men of the same age!

You might be thinking that the difference doesn't seem as obvious in real life, but this could be because most men don't use sunscreen as often as women. The sun damage to the skin adds years back to a man's skin, which balances the skin age between both genders. With that being said, it would be beneficial to suggest a water resistant sunscreen with an SPF 35 or higher.

 

Both men and women lose about 1% of their collagen each year after reaching 30. However, in the first five years of menopause, the loss of collagen escalates significantly before slowing down to a loss of 2% per year. In other words, men's skin ages at a more consistent rate and would not require as powerful anti-aging products as women of the same age would (lucky them!)

 

On the surface, the texture of a man's skin looks rougher and thicker than a woman's because of the difference in composition of sebum and its production. Men produce more sebum than women after puberty, due to androgen secretions, which also explains why acne stays around longer for men. Rhynophyma (redness, proliferation of the sebaceous glands and swelling of the skin on the nose) is only seen in males.

A good exfoliating cleanser will help slough off the excess sebum and ensure that the razor has a clean shaving surface, which helps prevent ingrown hairs and razor burn.

 

What other differences have you noticed between men and women's skin? What are some of your favourite products to recommend for men? Let us know in the comments below! 

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First, you should identify the different types of formulas, textures and finishes of foundations that are available to you. For example, the formula and finish can help you select the appropriate foundation for the appropriate skin type. A dry skin would naturally want a foundation that hydrates and protects the skin while enhancing a dewy and luminous finish. An oily skin with high shine, may want to minimize the appearance of pores and excess oil along with creating a matte or flat finish.

When it comes to selecting the right foundation colour, try and establish the natural pigment in the skin; a helpful tip to identify the natural pigment is by looking at the palm of the hand, you will be able to distinguish if the individual leans towards pink cool tones or yellow warm tones. This will help give you clues as to what your customer’s natural pigment is.

To keep your foundation looking natural, select colours very similar to the natural skin colour and apply small amounts near the jaw line.

To correct skin tone, use this tip:

If the skin is prone to pink, red or high colour, select foundation shades that are ivory or have a slight yellow pigment to help tone down the pink or red in the complexion. For those with yellow pigments, it’s best to brighten the complexion by selecting foundations that have a slight pink or beige hue.

If you are looking to conceal imperfections such as brown spots or broken capillaries, select a foundation one shade slightly darker than the natural skin colour and apply the foundation in a patting motion, which will further help conceal imperfections.

To avoid any line of demarcation with your foundation near the jaw line, apply your foundation generously in the T-zone and cheekbones and blend outward and downward for a natural looking gradation.