Why Should Men Give a D*mn About Skin Care?
Gone are the days when the sole purpose of grooming was to attract a date. Men’s skin care isn’t just about putting your best face forward in the office or in your social life — it’s also about maintaining your health.
Now, I know what you’re thinking: “I don’t have time to slather on five different products twice a day!” Or maybe you’re thinking: ‘I don’t care about whether my skin looks good.”
This is where the psychology of “masculinity” comes in.
Traditionally, it used to be that a man’s role was to be a provider: Hunt, kill, bring the food home. In modern times, that translates to being the breadwinner or keeping your emotions to yourself. Likewise, the concept of self-care — whether in the form of getting regular facials, manicures, or massages — has traditionally been seen as “feminine,” “frivolous,” or “superficial.” Consider that the gym has long been a refuge for men to take care of their mental and physical health — how is that not superficial?
Thankfully, toxic masculinity is slowly but surely being chipped away as men are more willing to talk about their mental health and breaking free from gendered stereotypes. As an aesthetician, I’ve seen first-hand how people deprived themselves of things that are good for their health because of their ideas of “male” and “female.”
So back to the original point: Why should men give a damn about skin care
For one, our skin is the largest organ in our body, making it first line of defense when it comes to our health. Taking care of the skin on our face and body should be part of a holistic health routine. While skincare products does help to reduce fine lines, wrinkles, and other signs of aging, first and foremost I believe it’s all about hygiene. In the same way that you take care of your hair, brush your teeth, and cut your nails, skincare is all about strengthening and nourishing the skin so that it can continue to protect you.
As you can see, it’s not just about pampering — and even then, what’s wrong with that? You spend money on a good diet, a gym membership, and clothes that reflect your style. Skin is the protector and guardian of all that, and it needs to come first.
Men’s skin health doesn’t necessarily call for a 12-step routine. It just needs to be efficient and effective. So if you’ve yet to delve into a good skincare routine, I challenge you to be a risk-taker. Take a positive step towards your personal well-being and good health — and stay tuned as I’ll be sharing my best men’s skincare tips soon.
In the meantime, feel free to check out my LA brow grooming and skin care services and see my treatment menu here.