1. "Men don’t need specific skin cleansing products 
- regular soap is good enough"

Explanation: The short answer is that this is a myth. Soaps can contain harsh ingredients that are not suitable for any skin. Just as women, men should use a cleansing product that is mild and gentle to the facial skin. It is important to note the differences between men's and women's skin. To illustrate, men's skin develops slightly more sebum, and is typically thicker and less sensitive when compared to women’s skin and the preference when it comes to the performance of a good cleansing product can thus be different between men and women.

What does an effective and skin-friendly cleansing routine for men look like? Our skin expert Ulf recommends that men apply the same skin care principles as women, using a gentle emulsion-based or oil-based cleanser that effectively cleanses the skin while moisturising and preventing irritation. Ulf also recommends only cleansing the face with a cleanser in the evening. In the morning, washing your face with water is sufficient as the skin produces many important substances during the night that we shouldn't wash away - they contribute to better skin health.

2. "Men need specific skincare products for men – is this just a marketing strategy?"

Explanation: Yes, this is true since the reasons why many skincare lines and skincare brands are developed specifically for men are highly marketing driven. Johanna points out that men's skincare products are often gel-like formulations with specific fragrances whose purpose is to induce the sense of feeling “manly”. According to Johanna, there are no specific ingredients that male skin specifically needs more if you compare with women's skin. Ulf adds that men are typically adopting a more simplistic skincare routine, but this behaviour has nothing to do with men having different skin types or skincare needs. Both men and women should rather focus on their individual skin health and select skincare products with relevant functions for their specific skin needs. And remember, a “manly” fragrance or product design are more aimed at storytelling than having a specific positive impact on men’s skin health.

3. "Men should not use anti-aging products"

Explanation: The short answer is that this statement is a myth, but it also very much depends on the individual skincare users’ preferences. Just as women, men will develop fine lines and wrinkles as part of ageing but just as for women, lines and wrinkles can become deeper if the skin is dry. So, using skincare to keep the skin moisturized can help to reduce signs of ageing and proven ingredients, like retinol for example, work as well on men’s skin as on women’s.

Johanna explains that men’s skin age differently since they have oilier and a bit thicker skin. This is the reason why men’s skin tends not to get as dry, and fine lines and wrinkles do not develop as quickly as for women. Usually, men are getting more wrinkles gradually after the age of 30. Ulf reveals that in general, men are using less protection against the sun in comparison with women, but they should do that to avoid skin aging (and of course to protect against skin cancer). In conclusion, it is up to each one of us to decide if we want to prevent signs of ageing when it comes to our skin but if any product should be used more by men, it is sunscreen!

4. "Since men have an oily skin, they do not need to use a moisturizer"

Explanation: This statement is a myth. To use a moisturizer is recommended for men even if they have oilier skin. According to Skinome’s skin expert Ulf, men do in general not need rich and occlusive creams as they typically have oilier skin. However, the use of lighter moisturizers is highly recommended as it adds humectants and protective ingredients that will support the moisture balance and protect the skin, especially after shaving. Furthermore, frequent face cleansing or use of make-up can further emerge the need for using a moisturizer.

Ulf also emphasizes that shaving involves a risk of damaging the skin, which requires the moisturizer to contain anti-irritants that can help to prevent the skin from becoming red and irritated and that can have a calming effect on the skin.

5. "You only need to use sunscreens when it is sunny outside"

Explanation: This statement is a myth. During the summer season, there is not so much difference in terms of UV intensity when the weather is cloudy or sunny. For example, on the warmest summer days, the UV-index, which is a measure of how strong the sunlight is, often reaches 7 in direct sunlight, while in cloudy weather it is 6. This shows the small difference between sunny and cloudy weather in how strong the sun is.

Ulf recommends that a general rule of thumb is that the SPF should be applied from April until the end of September and when skiing or being outdoor during wintertime when the sun is shining, and the snow is reflecting the UV-light. At the beginning of the summer, our skin is more vulnerable and sensitive to the sun and therefore we need to protect it. Nevertheless, at the end of the summer, the sun is still strong and hence the sun cream must be applied to prevent any potential damage to the skin. The sun cream application is equally important when one is exposed to the sun rays through the windows, for instance, when working from home next to the window or when going on a road trip during the summer season. Although the glass window does protect from the UVB, it does not protect from the UVA rays. The UVA rays reach deeper layers of the skin and can hence impact the fibroblasts and other cells that have a crucial role in skin physiology.

Our suggested skincare routine essentials:

Mineral Cleanser

An effective and moisturising cleanser specially formulated for normal, oily, acne-prone and combination skin. The gentle formula effectively removes dirt and makeup without drying out the skin.

Light emulsion

Light gel-based moisturizer specially developed for oily, acne-prone and combination skin. Product ingredients balance the skin's microbiome (skin flora), strengthen the skin barrier, even out the skin tone, reduce sebum production and the risk of clogged pores.

Night Active Control

An active oil emulsion specially developed for oily, acne-prone and combination skin. Night Active Control strengthens the skin barrier, improves skin texture and increases skin firmness. In addition, the product moisturizes the skin and combats irritation and redness.

Humectants* - substances that pull moisture to the skin 

 
Discover our full range here.

References

Dermal Fibroblast-An overview | ScienceDirect Topics (n.d.). Retrieved June 28, 2022, from https://www-sciencedirect-com.focus.lib.kth.se/topics/engineering/dermal-fibroblast

Johanna Gillbro. The Scandinavian Skincare Bible. The definitive guide to understanding your skin. Scribe Publications. ISBN: 9781912854943.

Farage, M. A. (2019). The Prevalence of Sensitive Skin. Frontiers in Medicine, 6, 98. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmed.2019.00098