When it comes to health, men are encouraged to talk about fitness, eating well, supplements, hair, even clothes and shoes. Yet more often than not, there’s something missing from the conversation, something that’s important to overall health: their skin.
At some point, skincare got lumped into the “beauty” department and became something that concerns women only. But why?
Men have skin too
Our skin is the largest organ on our body. It’s our first line of defense against germs, bacterial, harmful UV rays, environmental pollution, seasonal elements and more. It plays a critical role in our immune system, in our movements and growth, in regulating body temperature and transmitting information about our environment to our brain.
It’s also important for our emotional health. Studies show that skincare issues can worsen a person’s emotional state, and these negative emotions can have serious impacts on our entire body and mind. In short, our skin functions in a lot of ways beyond just making us look good.
The difference between neglected skin and supported skin is remarkable. Once your skin is supported in the right ways, it can perform its natural functions without having to constantly fight. That means looking better, yes, but also feeling better.
Beyond masculine stereotypes
Take a look at the body or skincare advertising for men. You’ll find a lot about shaving. And I do mean a lot. You’ll also find lots of soaps to keep men clean. And I mean super strip-the-skin clean. Another thing you’ll find is fragrances. Basically, men are supposed to smell like synthetic versions of nature – very specific scents of nature that have been deemed ‘masculine’, using artificial fragrances that irritate the skin and do nothing to support its health.
But constantly stripping the skin with harsh cleansers dismantles the natural acids and oils we need to keep us strong, supple and protected. Furthermore, our bodies absorb a large percentage of what we put on our skin. If anyone, irregardless of gender, regularly uses chemical- or fragrance-laden products, it can affect everything from the metabolic system to neurological function and possibly cause premature aging.
It’s time to go beyond clichéd images of masculinity, as well as gender-biased marketing. Time to create products for real people and not masculine or feminine stereotypes.
Regardless of our gender, we should all feel empowered to find the daily rituals that work for us. We all need to bring more attention and joy to small, everyday moments. We all need the space to understand who we are and want to be. None of us should be neglecting our skin or missing out on the pleasure that a simple skincare ritual can bring.
Read more in our post, Finding your ritual.