Vagaro’s Ultimate Guide to Men’s Summer Grooming
With July comes the peak of summer heat, and it’s more
important than ever to adjust your grooming routine to protect against the sun’s
swelter! Luckily, personal maintenance in skin, hair, and nails has become more
gender-inclusive lately, with an impressive spread of products that cater to
men’s grooming needs. In our Ultimate Guide to Men’s Summer Grooming, we’re
giving you tips that you can easily adjust from season to season to help you
feel—and look! —your best.
Skin
Did you know that increased testosterone levels make men’s skin 25% thicker than women’s? Consequently, men’s skin also contains more collagen and elastin. But there’s a downside to being thicker-skinned—the American Academy of Dermatology reports that men are more susceptible to skin cancer, particularly melanoma. This is in part because of the increased thickness, elastin and collagen, but it’s also because men tend to be less proactive about skin care. Here’s how to keep your skin looking its best and protect yourself from harmful UVA and UVB damage!
Grooming Tips
- Wash Your
Face. That’s an easy one, right? Daily cleansing helps control oil, clogged
pores, blackheads, and adult acne. In the summertime, this is doubly true
because you’re adding more sweat and dead skin cells into the mix because of
the hotter weather. Make sure to take care of the T-zone (forehead, nose, chin)
at least twice a day. Cleanse once before you go out into the elements, and again
before bedtime so you’re not mashing the day’s dirt into your pillowcases.
- Use a Good
Cleanser. Traditional bar soaps dry out your face and strip away natural
oils. Make sure you choose a cleaner that’s suited for your skin type (oily,
dry, sensitive, combination, or a standard daily cleanser.) Look for cleansers without
alcohol, which can dry out your face.
- Exfoliate!
Exfoliants slough off dead skin cells and give your skin a smooth, brightened
look and minimize blackheads, clogged pores, and ingrown hairs.
- SPF Is a
Must! Look for a broad-spectrum SPF
that protects against both UVA and UVB damage. Many men’s daily moisturizers
and facial hair grooming products include SPF protection these days, so you’ve
got plenty of choices.
- Moisturizers
Matter. Staying hydrated is key in the summertime, but moisturizers will
help your skin stay hydrated from the outside-in. If you’re not into layering products,
look for a multi-use moisturizer with SPF protection to keep your skin routine
simple. Don’t forget to keep lips moisturized with SPF lip balms!
- Treat
Sunburns Immediately. Nobody’s perfect, so if you get a sunburn, treat it
like you would treat any other burn or skin injury. Calamine lotion and vitamins
A, C, and E dosage will help soothe your skin, ease the pain of a sunburn, and
neutralize dangerous free radicals.
Vagaro Top Skin Care Picks
- Bulldog
Skin Care Oil Control Face Wash
- GIBS
The Handlebar Exfoliating Soap
- St. Ives
Energizing Coconut & Coffee Face Scrub
- American
Crew All-in-One Face Balm SPF 15
- Rugged
& Dapper Age + Damage Defense Men’s Facial Moisturizer
- Jack
Black Oil-Free Sun Guard Very Water-Resistant Sunscreen SPF 45
Facial Hair
In the summertime, shaving can wreak havoc on dry skin. Redness, irritation, razor burn, and ingrown hairs are more common for summer shavers. But maintaining facial hair in the summertime comes with its own set of concerns. Whether you prefer a clean shave, a mustache, or a well-groomed beard, here’s how to take care of facial hair in the summer (and beyond!)
Grooming Tips
- Use the
Right Tools. Because shaving dries out already-parched summer skin, look
for a moisturizing shave cream and a high-quality razor, as well as a quality trimmer
for any facial hair style. While you’re trimming, seize the opportunity to stay
well-kempt and take care of stray hairs in places like nostrils, ears, and
eyebrows.
- Don’t Over-Shave.
Even with a great skin care routine, your facial skin takes a beating in the
summer heat. Try to keep shaves to twice a week with regular trimming
in-between to minimize razor burn when the hotter temperatures make skin more susceptible.
- Invest in
Quality Products. Aftershave balm moisturizes and balances pH levels, which
repairs the damage done by the sun. While facial hair doesn’t retain body heat,
scruff can cause irritation. If you’re sporting a beard, a ‘stache, or anything
in-between, try to keep it trimmed and clean. Beard wash and beard oils are
products that help you keep it clean, and most perform double-duty as facial cleansers,
moisturizers, or sun protectants.
- Don’t
Skip SPF! Just because you’re sporting a beard doesn’t mean you can skip
the SPF! It’s important to protect your facial hair (and the skin beneath it)
from UV damage. Sun damage can lead to dry skin, brittle facial hair, overall
itchiness, and increased risk of sun damage.
Vagaro Top Facial Hair Care Picks
- Stubble
& ‘Stache Protect Beard Loving SPF 30 Daily Facial + Beard Moisturizer
- GIBS
Bush Master Beard, Hair & Tattoo Oil
- LUSH Prince
Shaving Cream
- Nivea
Sensitive Post Shave Balm
If this post inspired you to take charge of your summer grooming, use the Vagaro Marketplace to find local service providers to help make sure this summer, the hottest thing on the beach is YOU! If you like what you read, make sure you don’t miss Part 2 of Vagaro’s Ultimate Guide to Men’s Summer Grooming, which focuses on men’s hair care, hand and foot care, and general summer grooming tips.
Header Image: @SashaNell
via Twenty20
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