Well groomed

Body and personal care advice for men from our health store experts

There are certainly differences between men’s and women’s skin – thickness and toughness to name a few," says Niamh Larkin, beauty specialist at health store Evergreen in Mainguard St, Galway. "Due to differences in hormone production (namely testosterone) men’s skin tends to be around 25% thicker than women’s. Having tougher and thicker skin calls for more intensive skincare – think thicker creams, richer moisturisers and strongly fragranced colognes and deodorants."

"I don’t think that enough men really get skincare to the point that they feel it to be a justifiable part of their daily regime," says Matt Ronan, owner-manager with health store Evolv in Enniscorthy, Co Wexford. "I think there is a great deal left to be done in educating men to even just get the basics done. Therefore if it were simplified to the very basic issues of basic skin protection and anti-ageing it would be an achievement in many cases. I sometimes find that I will make the effort, and other times see myself making no effort with my skin."

Other natural ingredients

Bamboo contains natural antioxidants which can protect the skin against free radicals. It also helps to replenish the skin’s collagen stores and improves flexibility and prevents moisture loss.

Lemongrass is packed with natural vitamins including A and C which help to keep the skin radiant. It also has astringent properties which help to minimise pores.

Help for specific male skincare issues

Dark circles

"When I see someone with dark circles I always think about the likelihood of there being a major deficiency in their nutrition, those being either sleep or iron," says Matt Ronan.

"For dark circles look for natural eye creams that contain caffeine," says Niamh Larkin. "Caffeine energises the skin, reducing the appearance of dark circles and giving the skin a new lease of life."

Dry skin

"For dry skin make sure to avoid harsh detergents in personal care products like shaving foams, body washes and hand soap," says Niamh Larkin. "Check the ingredients list and avoid anything with SLS or SLEs (sodium lauryl/laureth sulphates) and instead opt for plant-based skincare – shaving oil instead of foam and pure shea butter to lock moisture into the skin."

"I always like to make sure that the person has sufficient omega-3s in their diet and then if it is still an issue there may be a case to be made for using something like a skin repair serum," says Matt Ronan.

Eczema

"Here I look for what is making the body too inflamed," says Matt Ronan. "I ask about a customer’s intake of acidic foods, so items like oranges, tomatoes and an excessive quantity of quick release sugary foods would be the first area of examination with a carefully chosen regime of non-drying soaps and shampoos."

"With eczema, dietary choices can play a huge part in the maintenance of your skin’s comfort and appearance," says Niamh Larkin. "Try to monitor flare-ups and take note of any particular foods that may trigger a reaction. Dairy and sugar are two common irritants, so keep an eye on their consumption. Supplementation can also be beneficial – omega-3 is very important for moisturising the skin from the inside out. For topical application coconut oil is cooling and melts easily onto the skin, it’s also moisturising and nourishing. As with dry skin, avoid harsh detergents and use gentle shampoos and personal care products."

Oily skin

"Do not scrub oily skin," says Niamh Larkin. "Over-exfoliation or stimulation of the skin will strip the skin’s natural oils, causing the skin to produce an excess as a reaction, leading to a vicious cycle of excess sebum on the skin. instead cleanse the skin with a witch hazel-based cleanser and apply a light plant-based facial oil or serum which will prevent the skin from producing more oil than needed, and assist the skin in regulating its long-term oil production."

Wrinkles

"Hyaluronic acid is your best friend for wrinkles," says Niamh Larkin. "It plumps the skin out and reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Take it as a supplement or find it in a good quality natural night cream. Night creams tend to be richer than day creams, so are perfect for men’s skin. Remember to drink plenty of water for the best results and for added skin elasticity use alongside collagen."

Avoiding the nasties

"Harsh chemicals found in more mainstream products can actually worsen pre-existing skin conditions, as well as trigger new ones," says Niamh Larkin. "Naturally derived cleansers and foaming agents can have the opposite effect, with many contributing to skin hydration. Brands that carry the Natrue logo guarantee natural origin ingredients – keep an eye out for this certification when investing in natural alternatives."

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