The ABC of Serums For Men

Gone are the days when all you needed were your favourite shaving cream and cologne. In this day and age, when we think of grooming, we don’t just mean shaving your facial hair nor getting a fresh trim at your go-to barbershop. Grooming for men now includes investing your time and effort into practising the perfect skincare regimen too. 

And when we say skincare, this goes beyond the cleansing and moisturising routine. Here’s introducing all-rounders that will take your skincare game to the next level: face serums.

Best Skincare Ingredients For Men!

Deciding to take care of your skin can be intimidating, especially with many terms and hard-to-pronounce ingredients out there. Thus begins an overwhelming journey of choosing between this and that. But the fundamentals of skincare are straightforward: no need for them to be complicated. Everything should all boil down to the active ingredients you’re applying to your skin. (Yup, it’s as simple as that!) Now, let’s cut to the chase because we searched for the best skincare ingredients that will face everything— be it acne, blackheads, ageing, or protection. Our picks, below.

Charcoal

Yes, activated charcoal— the holy grail of men’s skincare products. There is a reason why this is a constant favourite: it has powerful cleansing properties that reach deep into your pores. Men typically have larger pores than women, so you should not sleep on the charcoal ingredient, especially in your cleansers. Activated charcoal can unclog pores and remove deep-seated dirt and impurities in your skin to reduce excess oil and prevent acne, blackheads, and whiteheads.

Retinol

Men’s skin contains more collagen, but it does not necessarily mean you are less prone to wrinkles or lines. Other factors can speed up your ageing process, such as sun exposure. And the ultimate skincare solution to that is retinol, a derivative of vitamin A which helps increase cell turnover, prevent acne, and reduce hyperpigmentation. Another thing we love about this ingredient is it helps in reversing the damaging effects of UV rays. 

Read more: Holy grail ingredients to shoo pimples away!

Hyaluronic Acid

Our skin loves moisture, and hyaluronic acid ensures it gets all the hydration it needs. This humectant can hold up to 1,000 times its weight in water, which means your skin stays plump and hydrated for longer! And because of its ability to retain moisture, hyaluronic acid also boosts collagen production and cell turnover, making it a potent anti-ageing ingredient as well.

Marula Oil

Marula oil comes from the fruit and seeds of marula trees found in sub-Saharan tropical Africa. Wonder why this is a better option among all the other skincare oils? Well, that’s because the fatty acids and vitamins in it seal in all the good stuff for your skin. This lightweight oil keeps skin hydrated, protects it from free radicals, and has anti-inflammatory properties. And unlike other oils, it won’t clog your pores which saves you from acne, whiteheads, and blackheads.

Glycolic Acid

Glycolic acid, derived from sugar cane, is the golden standard of alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) because of its skincare benefits. A benefit we love is its deep exfoliating properties that get rid of trapped dirt and oil and unclog pores. It also dissolves the bond between your skin cells to help remove dead skin cells and resurface newer, younger ones while boosting collagen production to reveal smoother, more youthful skin. The best part? Glycolic acid does almost everything without drying your skin because it also helps lock in the moisture from within. 

Vitamin C

If you’re looking for an all-around active ingredient, vitamin C is the absolute answer. It is a potent antioxidant that shields your skin from damage caused by free radicals, such as sun exposure and pollution. Using vitamin C on the regular brightens and evens out your skin tone and lightens dark spots caused by acne. And it works for all skin types and is present on many products— you can have it on your cleansers, toners, and serums. 

Read more: 5 exfoliating mistakes that are keeping you from the skin of your dreams!

Is A Man’s Skin Really That Different From a Woman’s?

We’ve all heard that men age slower than women, but is there any truth to that? Given that many skincare companies are now going gender-neutral, do we know for sure that both genders can be treated the same? Today, we take you through the essential differences between male and female skin and how that reflects while they age.