Synergie Skin Blog – What Men Want

Whether male or female, looking your best at every age has a huge bearing on self-esteem, and indirectly on personal success, and that is the fundamental basis for using good skincare. When surveyed, men considered their appearance to have bearing in their success and longevity in the business world. Men have also become increasingly aware of the importance of protecting their face and body from solar and pollution damage to reduce premature ageing and irreversible skin damage.

How does male skin differ?

• Male skin is about 25% thicker than that of a females: A man’s skin also thins more gradually with age, whereas the thickness of a woman’s skin remains constant until about the age of fifty. After menopause, female skin will thin rapidly. The ageing process of men starts considerably later, but is also accelerated once it commences.
• The male dermis has a higher collagen density than female dermis, making male skin appear firmer: The collagen fibres in men’s skin form a tighter mesh; in women they tend to run in a less dense, more parallel fashion. This may explain why some women appear to age faster than men of the same age under the same environmental conditions.
• The male outer layer (stratum corneum) is 20% thicker than women: Thus, male skin barrier function is slightly better and male skin tends to be better hydrated than female skin.
• Ageing men often exhibit less fine wrinkling but more deep facial folds than women: This is related to higher levels of subcutaneous fat loss with age in men.
• Men have larger pores and produce 75% more sebum: Since men do not enter menopause, their sebum production remains the same throughout their life. Due to the higher sebum levels, acne and seborrheic dermatitis are more common in males.
• Males have more lactic acid in their sweat: This accounts for a slightly more acidic acid mantle (.05 lower pH) compared to females.
• Men have more shaving-related skin issues: This includes ingrown hairs and razor burn and is possibly due to their larger pore size.
• Men have naturally higher levels of testosterone: This results in increased collagen production and blood flow.

What is hormone replacement and what are the alternatives?

Many women opt for hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to reduce the symptoms of menopause and the changes in their skin. This can be controversial because of the link to breast cancer. Again, I stress, this is a personal choice and must be considered with your trusted physician. Bioidentical hormone therapy (BHRT) is considered a safer option than tradition hormone replacement because BHRT is chemically identical to human female hormones. Despite natural claims, BHRT can be synthetically created. If you are experiencing severe menopausal symptoms, I suggest you discuss options with a medical specialist such as an endocrinologist (a hormone specialist).

My recommended Men’s routine

The male skincare routine primarily focuses on cleansing, exfoliating scrubs and multifunctional moisturisers with a recent growth in anti-ageing serums and eye products.

DAY

1. UltraCleanse – Apply ½ pump of our gel cleanser and lather with plenty of water, before rinsing and patting face dry.
2. SupremaC+ – Apply 1 pump of our vitamin C antioxidant serum to face and neck, avoiding the eyes. This powerful serum reduces the appearance of hyperpigmentation and tackles signs of ageing at the source.
3. ÜberZinc – Sun protection is key. Apply 1 pump of your daily zinc oxide moisturiser for broad spectrum UVA and UVB solar protection.
4. Improveyes Day (optional) – If you’re experiencing dark circles and fine lines around the eye area, add in this step of patting a small amount of ImprovEyes Day eye serum to the upper and lower eyelids. Apply sparingly using your fourth finger.

NIGHT

1. UltraCleanse – Apply ½ pump of our gel cleanser and lather with plenty of water, before rinsing and patting face dry.
2. MediScrub – Use this exfoliating scrub gently twice weekly to prevent ingrown hairs and address blocked pores around the nose and T zone.
3. Ultimate A – Apply 1 pump of vitamin A night serum to assist in regulating skin processes.
4. Vitamin B – Apply 1 pump of this active niacinamide (vitamin B3) serum to boost collagen and skin immunity, strengthen the skin barrier and reduce uneven skin tone.
5. ÜberZinc – Apply 1 pump of your moisturiser again in the evening or opt for a moisturiser specifically targeted for your skin type. For example, BrightEnlite milk moisturiser for oily skin, or DermaCalm moisturiser to calm skin and reduce skin redness.

OR TO KEEP IT SUPER SIMPLE…

If you’re new to skincare, here is a simpler yet still effective combination:

DAY

1. UltraCleanse – Apply ½ pump of our gel cleanser and lather with plenty of water, before rinsing and patting face dry.
2. Vitamin B – Apply 1 pump of this active niacinamide (vitamin B3) serum to boost collagen and skin immunity, strengthen the skin barrier and reduce uneven skin tone.
3. ÜberZinc – Sun protection is key. Apply 1 pump of your daily zinc oxide moisturiser for broad spectrum UVA and UVB solar protection.

NIGHT

1. UltraCleanse – Apply ½ pump of our gel cleanser and lather with plenty of water, before rinsing and patting face dry.
2. Vitamin B – Apply 1 pump of this active niacinamide (vitamin B3) serum to boost collagen and skin immunity, strengthen the skin barrier and reduce uneven skin tone.

DON’T FORGET THE BODY…

Body acne is a common concern for men, especially those who gym frequently. BAcne contains lactic acid, salicylic acid and aloe vera to specifically target and clear stubborn congestion while reducing inflammation. Apply to areas of congestion after cleansing or showering. It is also excellent for addressing ingrown beard hair!

So, what do men really want? I believe embracing simplicity and straightforward choices is the key to satisfying the male market. Packaging must be user-friendly, sophisticated and contain simple and clear instructions. Men want to perform their routine quickly and on average, spend less than five minutes on their face. The shaving cabinet no longer consists only of deodorant and shaving cream as men now place greater significance on their personal appearance and skin health. After all, we all just want to be the best version of ourselves.