Looking specifically for men but I’m open to all opinions. I’ve been doing some experimenting over the last 2 and a bit years, trying to find what works best for me. I’d love to get some opinions on what has worked for others.
stuff I’ve tried:
L'Oréal Men Expert (no complaints)
Bull Dog (not the biggest fan)
Neutrogena (no complaints either)
SkinCeuticals (borrowed from my partner who got some as a gift)
I work construction and live in an area with high winds pretty regularly (always getting blasted by dirt). I use the CeraVe face wash and moisturizer. It's great and really helped my face.
I have dry skin and eczema. Using bar soap on just my hands equals cracking and bleeding. Let alone attempting it on my body or scalp.
Also I have fine, coloured treated hair.
I use pretty standard supermarket brand body wash on my skin and somewhat expensive shampoos on my hair. I use mid range moisturisers. They're all enough to keep my skin in good condition. I'm not prone to breakout though, so my body doesn't need too much intervention.
My point is to say that I need that level of care in my products. Not at huge expense, but some. Your suggestion would have me literally itching and bleeding all over.
Everyone is different but there is a market for a spectrum of products. Bar soap is very unlikely to be the answer for most people.
You use straight up bar soap on your hair? I feel like that would just end up stripping most people's hair of all needed oils. Unless you have very naturally oily hair I guess.
I’ve shifted to the opinion that the overwhelming majority of beauty products are unnecessary and are just a market in search of a problem.
Fellow guy here.I use CeraVe foaming face wash followed with Clinique Dramatically Different moisturizing gel for oily skin.
I also use CeraVe moisturizer in the big tub for my hands and skin when they're dry. I dare not use that stuff of my face, as it's too greasy and makes me break out.
I've also got some CORSX AHA 7 Liquid for exfoliating with some cotton swabs.
And finally just some proraso for shaving.
But yeah, you really gotta figure out what kinda skin type you've got so you can better match up what products you really need, or see a dermatologist to get a regimen figured out, of you even need one. Like if you've got dry skin, oily skin, or combination, etc.
Another vote for CeraVe here. I have oily skin and still at the age of 40 get some acne and their blemish control cleanser and the SA moisturiser keep it under control. My skin has never been better.
What’s your skin like OP? Is it dry or oily? Do you work outside? I can better recommend some products if I know what you need.
I work inside all day at the moment (I work fully remote). If I don't use a moisturiser my skin will get very dry and flakey. During summer I cycle quite a bit so the perspiration can cause some breakouts.
Definitely have a go of the CeraVe SA smoothing cream. A little goes a long way and it will work miracles for dry skin. You can use it all over your body too. I’ve got a big pot of the stuff and it lasts ages. They also have moisturisers with SPF which you can use together with the SA cream. The foaming oil cleanser or the hydrating cleanser would be great for you.
I struggled with adult acne for a long time. Currently I use:
Toner my aunt makes (it’s basic, she owns a soap business, so it’s not sketchy ha);
Some sort of eye cream because I’m getting crows feet, but I haven’t found one yet that I feel does anything at all (taking recs, but I don’t like spending a lot on this stuff; maybe that’s why it’s all been useless so far!);
Neutrogena sensitive skin moisturizer;
Australian Gold tinted sunscreen.
My skin has changed a lot over time. It got a lot better (less oily) post-kids, but I don’t know if it was baby hormones or age, or if by then I had just gotten the routine down and was no longer super drying it out, which lead to lots of oil.
Paula’s Choice for liquid or gel exfoliant and sunscreen moisturiser - personally I prefer the ultra sheer SPF 15 as the mineral based one feels rough on my skin. I’ll then top up with a higher SPF face sunscreen if necessary, as it usually is in Australia.
I also use Clinique’s All About Eyes cream, All About Clean 2-in-1 Cleansing + Exfoliating Jelly as my daily scrub, and Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+ if I want a moisturiser without sunscreen.
If you try Paula’s Choice, give the routine finder a go to find the right fit for your skin type.
I just Google it and hit the shopping tab to find the best price at that time. a lot of people carry it, but none of them reliably or at of reliable price. sometimes Amazon has the best price, sometimes walmart, sometimes someplace I've never heard of. the last time, I found a bunch of extra large bottles which was amazing
Truefitt and Hill makes a fantastic aftershave balm that I find greatly reduces razor burn and ingrown hairs. For my hands I use lanolin, it’s a bit greasy but works wonders for dry hands.
Gentle exfoliation with a foaming cleanser that won’t dry your skin out and a soft wash rag. A retinoid (adapaline) nightly or every other night, and a moisturizer 2x a day.
Use sunscreen and re-apply every 2 hours to reduce sun damage.
This can all be cheap and have good data behind them.
Retinol can work wonders. Just two things: you probably don’t need it before turning 30, and you should stay out of the sun or wear good sunscreen if you can’t, when you have recently used it. I only apply it once a week in the evening.
Yeah, I'm 41. You probably wouldn't think I need it looking at me, but I've lost some weight, and it's all a bit looser than I'd like. Hoping this will tighten it up some. I live in Arizona and didn't know that about the sun, so thanks for the tip :)
I use all their products and love them all. They actually work, and make my skin look, feel, and smell great. The branding is sharp too. First time I’ve felt this way about a skincare line. They have different uses so it’ll be hard for me to recommend just one. See if you can find some samples at Sephora or something. You won’t regret your purchase.
Our family have always stuck with using Honey, for area as with really bdad skin. Honey is so natural and sweet, for us this has worked wonders. Highly recommend giving it a try. If not pure honey, there are more and more skin care products with honey in it.
Thank you wonderful bees 🍯
Dr bronners for skin and hair (I have very thick indian hair in jata style dreadlocks down to my knees). For a long time I used a charcoal based face wash (lush until they changed their formula for coal face, then some similar brand I found on amazon) but for whatever odd reason after a few years my skin stopped tolerating it and kept breaking out, so I switched to Kate Somerville's sulfur face wash which works wonders (but does have a bit of a smell to it unfortunately).
Dove unscented bar soap and whatever unscented shampoo I find at target or Walmart. My wife got alaffia Shea lotion that I like but she didn't, it goes on without feeling greasy and I use working hands on cold days when my knuckles crack
My hands get really dry after washing bottles for my newborn, and nothing does the trick quite as well as working hands (although it does feel oily after applying, so I only use it right before going to sleep)