HOW TO KEEP YOUR SKIN HEALTHY

There is nothing wrong with men using skin care treatments. In fact, many men neglect their skin when they’re young.

Caring for your skin now when you are younger will mean a lot less problems when you’re older.

One of the major problems I see in men’s skin is the issue of washing with ordinary soap and hot water. This strips the protective oils from the skin, and this is compounded by using the wrong shaving creams, which I discuss a bit later in this article.

 

 

You should use a cleanser, as I describe below; this will clean your skin without drying it out.

There are products available today that you can use yourself, which help maintain healthy skin, while also reducing the onset of age-related changes. It only takes a few minutes twice a day.

The Essentials for Keeping Your Skin Healthy

Here is a basic skin care regime you can start now:

MORNING ROUTINE

 

EVENING ROUTINE

 

WEEKLY ADDITIONS

Frequency	Product Type	Recommended Products	Effects
2x per week	Exfoliant (BHA/AHA)	Paula’s Choice 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant	Removes dead and damaged skin cells à smoother, softer skin

 

SIMPLE RULES

• Cleanse twice daily
• Always moisturize after cleansing
• Use SPF every morning
• Exfoliate 2-3 times per week maximum
• Start slow with new products
• Don’t use the exfoliant and the retinoid on the same day, as this may cause skin  irritation

This routine takes 2-3 minutes morning and evening

Now you might have very little signs of aging or sun damage, so just sticking to the above routine is fine.

However, you may have done a lot of outdoor sports or other activities, and your skin is starting to look a bit weathered.

You may notice some of the following:

Common Signs of Aging / Sun damage that 40-year-old men don’t want to see!

• Forehead lines and crow’s feet, becoming permanent.
• Sunspots on face, hands, and shoulders.
• Nasolabial folds deepening (between cheek and nose, aka jowls).
• Under-eye bags and dark circles.
• Rough skin texture from sun damage.
• Enlarged pores, especially in the T-zone. (nose and forehead)
• Loss of firmness around the jawline.
• Uneven skin tone and dullness.

If you are noticing some of these changes in your skin, then you should start a more comprehensive regimen that will help reverse many of these unwelcome visitors, as well as prevent them from getting worse.

Here is a more comprehensive routine in table form, which may be easier to understand.

It contains recommendations for products that will reverse many age and sun-related changes, as well as protecting you from further damage

Use one product after another, leaving 30 seconds to a minute between applications. When starting new products, introduce only one new product per week (except for the cleanser and moisturizer).

You should only need to spend about 5 minutes twice a day, and you will notice significant improvements within a few weeks.

Time	Product Type	Recommended Brand	Skin Benefits
Morning	Gentle Cleanser	CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser	Removes impurities without stripping moisture barrier
	Vitamin C Serum	The Ordinary Vitamin C 23%	Brightens sunspots, protects against free radicals ( molecules that damage your skin cells)
	Growth Factor Serum	SkinMedica TNS Advanced+ Serum.	Stimulates cellular repair and production of new cells
	Moisturizer	Neutrogena Hydro Boost	Hydrates and plumps skin, reduces fine lines
	Sunscreen SPF 30+	EltaMD UV SPF 46 Clear	Prevents further damage
Evening	Gentle Cleanser	CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser	Same as morning routine
	Retinol (3x/week)	Differin Gel 0.1%	Prescription-strength retinol – reverses aging and sun damage
	Peptide Serum (alternate nights)	The Ordinary “Buffet”	Firms skin and reduces wrinkles
	Night Moisturizer	Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream	Longer lasting- repairs and regenerates overnight

 

How to Use Retinoids (Differin or Retinol) :

1. Cleanse with gentle, non-drying cleanser
2. Wait 20-30 minutes for skin to completely dry
3. Apply pea-sized amount to entire face
4. Start retinoid 2x/week, gradually increase to 3x/week
5. Avoid eye area and lips initially
6. Follow with moisturizer after 10-15 minutes
7. Adjust frequency of retinoid based on skin tolerance
8. Skip retinoid on exfoliation days to avoid irritation
9. Always use SPF 30+ the next morning

Weekly Schedule Notes

• Use growth factor serum daily for maximum anti-aging benefits
• Never skip sunscreen – it’s both preventive and reparative
• Be consistent for 12+ weeks to see reversal of photoaging
• Always patch test new products
• Consult dermatologist for persistent concerns

This routine above targets the reversal of early aging and sun damage, while preventing further aging through scientifically backed ingredients and daily sun protection.

Progress Tracking

Tip: It’s a good idea to have a friend or partner take photos of your face from front and both sides every month so you can compare changes- starting from before you commence your new skin care regime.

And have a look at my articles about the various products here-Growth Factor Serums, Retinoids, Peptides, Cleansers and Moisturizers to understand more how these will help your skin.

Timeline	Expected Results	Key Indicators
2-4 weeks	Improved texture, hydration	Smoother feel, less dryness
6-8 weeks	Reduced fine lines, brighter tone	Visible line softening, even color
3-4 months	Significant sunspot fading	Lighter pigmentation, improved clarity
6+ months	Overall skin transformation	Firmer skin, reduced photoaging signs

 

Shaving and Skin Care

Shaving creams you should consider:

For Sensitive Skin

Nivea Men Sensitive Calm o

For Normal Skin

Blue Atlas Shaving Cream – Listed as a top choice in the ultimate guide to smooth and hydrated skin.

For Dry Skin

Body Shop Maca Root and Aloe Softening Shaving Cream –The aloe component provides extra moisture and softening properties.

Pre-Shave:

• You can try using a gentle cleanser as a shaving lotion
• Apply treatment serums after shaving, not before

Post-Shave:

• Skip actives immediately after shaving if irritated
• Use soothing moisturizer with ceramides
• Consider Jack Black Post Shave Cooling Gel ($20)

Shaving Tips:

• Shave after shower when hair is soft
• Use sharp, clean razors
• Shave in direction of hair growth
• Don’t skip moisturizer after shaving

Lifestyle Factors

Diet Impact:

• Try to reduce your sugar consumption as it accelerates skin aging through glycation, where sugar molecules attach to fat and protein in the skin, which accelerates the aging process (also in other parts of the body). Even “sports” drinks contain 5-6 teaspoons of sugar in a 12 oz bottle.
• Increase antioxidants – berries, leafy greens, nuts
• Stay hydrated – 8-10 glasses water daily
• Limit alcohol – dehydrates skin, dilates blood vessels

Oral Supplements For Skin Health :

• Collagen peptides: 2.5-10g daily
• Hyaluronic acid: 120-240mg daily
• Ceramides: 40mg daily
• Astaxanthin: 4-12mg daily- an antioxidant found orange and yellow vegetables, and tomatoes
• Resveratrol: 100-500mg daily- another powerful antioxidant found mainly in grapes

Sleep & Stress:

• 7-9 hours’ sleep – crucial for skin repair, or more if that’s what your body is telling you
• Manage stress – causes increased cortisol production, which accelerates aging
• Exercise regularly – improves circulation and skin health

INTRODUCTION TIMELINE

Week 1-2: Foundation

• Start with basic cleanser, moisturizer, and SPF sunscreen
• Get comfortable with routine timing
• Take baseline photos

Week 3-4: Add Treatment

• Introduce vitamin C or niacinamide in the morning
• Add gentle retinoid 2x/week in evening
• Monitor for any irritation

Week 5-8

• Increase retinoid frequency gradually
• Add BHA exfoliation 1-2x/week
• Introduce eye cream if needed

Week 9-12

• Add AHA exfoliation for sun damage
• Include targeted pigmentation treatment
• Consider professional consultation

Month 4+

• Consistent daily routine
• Monthly professional treatments
• Seasonal adjustments as needed

• Increased confidence and satisfaction

How to get the best out of your skin care regime:

Common Mistakes to Avoid:

• Using too many products at once – Start slow
• Skipping sunscreen – You have to protect your skin from further sun damage, use a sunscreen every day.
• Over-exfoliating – Can damage skin barrier
• Expecting overnight results – Patience is key
• Inconsistent application – Consistency beats perfection

Red Flags:

• Persistent irritation Reduce active ingredients
• Increased breakouts beyond initial purging
• Excessive dryness or flaking
• New or changing spots See dermatologist immediately
• Tender red scaly patches on sun-exposed areas could be early skin cancers that need proper medical assessment and treatment, OTC creams that you can obtain yourself should only be used after medical evaluation and advice.

These recommendations address the most common concerns of 40-year-old men: preventing further aging, maintaining hydration, and protecting against ongoing environmental damage.