Top 10 Trends in Men’s Skin Care

The male skin care sector has been growing at an impressive rate in recent years, and is currently worth over $20 billion each year, with this number steadily growing. In fact, it is set to reach $43.6 billion by 2020.

Wondering what all the fuss is about?

Here are 10 of the hottest trends in men’s skin care, many of which are definitely worth taking notice of.

Peptides are one of the most effective skin care ingredients out there, and they are now increasingly finding their way into men’s skin care products.

This is a trend that the women’s skin care market has also been experiencing lately, and this is likely due to all of the recent research that has been carried out on the power of peptides.

So, what exactly are peptides?

Peptides are amino acids, and are basically the building blocks of protein. Since the protein within your skin, such as collagen and elastin, are vital for keeping your skin firm and smooth, peptides can really boost your overall complexion.

There are several different types of peptides out there, and each one will have its own set of benefits, from reducing wrinkles to increasing hydration.

Wondering which peptides you need?

Try to find a product that combines multiple peptides together, as this means that you will be able to experience their full range of benefits. Peptides are usually found in leave-on products, such as serums and creams, making that the perfect place to begin your search.

Spots and acne are one of the biggest skin care concerns for men, with research showing that 46% of men feel self-conscious when they have a spot on their face.

Since male skin is generally oilier than female skin, acne is an extremely common issue that many men face.

It only makes sense then that anti-acne treatments are one of the fastest growing trends in men’s skin care.

Are you looking for an anti-acne treatment for yourself? Here are a few key ingredients that you should keep an eye out for in the products that you purchase:

• Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs) – these include ingredients such as lactic acid and glycolic acid, and gently exfoliate the skin while unclogging pores

• Clay – clay is fantastic for temporarily reducing oil production while soaking up bacteria and impurities

• Benzoyl Peroxide – one of the most effective anti-acne ingredients out there, as it reduces oil production and kills acne-causing bacteria

• Salicylic Acid – a beta hydroxy acid that keeps the pores clear

• Tea Tree Oil – a natural anti-inflammatory that is extremely effective at clearing acne

The anti-aging skin care sector is a huge one, and while this has usually targeted just women in the past, men are now starting to take notice.

Men experience the same age-related skin concerns that women do, from wrinkles and fine lines to age spots and discoloration. The anti-aging products that are now available for men to purchase target these different issues, although anti-aging products that are targeted at women would also be just as effective.

If you are looking to keep your skin as youthful as possible, for as long as possible, here are some tips to help you out:

• Exfoliate Regularly – exfoliation speeds up the cell turnover process, which naturally declines with age

• Use a Retinoid – a derivative of vitamin A, retinol and retinoids are the most effective anti-aging ingredients out there, and really help to boost collagen and elastin production, which is key to smooth skin

• Keep Skin Hydrated – as you age, your skin thins out and loses its ability to retain much moisture. Keep your skin hydrated from the inside as well as the outside, as this will keep it soft and supple

• A Healthy Diet – try to consume a diet high in fresh fruits and vegetables, of a wide range of colors, as this will ensure that you are getting all of the antioxidants that your skin needs to maintain its health

For many men, the world of skin care can be quite terrifying, and even though they want to dip a toe in, they have no idea where to begin.

Can you relate to this?

If so, you will love one of the latest trends in the industry.

Male beauty bloggers are now popping up all over the internet, and they all have a shared goal…

These bloggers want to make skin care more accessible to men, and are producing everything from YouTube videos to step-by-step photo tutorials.

Want to follow some? Here are a few of the top male beauty bloggers, and vloggers, that you can check out:

• Gary Thompson aka The Plastic Boy – with perfect skin and exceptional contouring skills, Gary Thompson’s feed is packed with skin care and makeup tutorials

• Jake-Jamie Ward – shares great tips on everyday skin care, and proves that makeup is genderless

• Jules Von Hep – a bespoke tanning expert who shares useful advice and videos on skin care, beauty and fashion on his blog

• Georgie Aldous – creates men’s makeup video tutorials, and writes about how to end the stigma when it comes to men and makeup 

Face masks have already become quite a staple in the men’s skin care industry, so it only makes sense that the multi-masking trend was soon to follow.

Wondering what multi-masking is?

Quite simply, multi-masking refers to using multiple face masks on different parts of your face, all at once.

Why?

By multi-masking, you are able to treat a wide range of different skin issues, all at the same time.

This is a time when consumers really want to be able to personalize their skin care products, and multi-masking is the perfect way to do this, with many equating it to a customized facial.

Curious? Want to give it a try?

To begin with…

Cleanse your skin, and then exfoliate it, especially if you have not done so for a few days. This is an important step, as it removes the dead skin cells sitting on the surface of your skin. These would have prevented the ingredients in your face masks from penetrating into your skin and working their magic.

Then, apply each mask to the area of your face that you want it to target. If some masks end up overlapping, this is absolutely fine.

Wondering how to choose your masks?

Here are a few tips:

• Vitamin C masks are great for brightening and repairing the skin, as well as for fine lines and eye puffiness
• For oily areas, pick a mask that contains either clay, charcoal, glycolic acid or salicylic acid, as these will help to remove excess oil, while soaking up impurities
• For dry, dull or rough skin, opt for a hydrating mask that contains hyaluronic acid and antioxidants
• For irritated, red areas, apply a nourishing mask with calming ingredients, such as aloe vera and chamomile

However, when trying out a new trend such as this, you need to be careful that you do not overdo it and be sure to perform a patch test of each new mask on a small area of your skin before applying it to your face.

Is there any difference between a facial for a man and a facial for a woman?

No, not really. The difference comes in the way in which the facials are branded and promoted, with the same applying to the spa that is offering it.

While a facial is generally quite a unisex treatment, since it is usually tailored to your skin’s exact needs rather than your gender, many spas are now branding themselves to be more male-oriented.

Whether they have a treatment menu just for men, or come up with clever names for facials, such as the dacial, also known as the dad facial, spas are now looking for more ways to entice their male clientele.

7. Concealer and Other Cosmetics

While men wearing makeup has not quite become completely mainstream yet, there has been quite the trend lately with men wearing concealer. Whether to hide a blemish or even out the complexion, the rise in popularity of men buying, and wearing, concealer really indicates a shift in the industry.

In fact, concealer is actually the most popular cosmetic product that men buy, since it can be applied in such a subtle way. 

Want to give concealer a try but not sure where to start?

You need to begin by purchasing a concealer formula that works with your skin type. These tips will help you to do that:

• If you have oily skin, avoid creamy or stick concealers, as these will clog your pores and lead to breakouts
• Avoid liquid concealers if you have dry skin, as these will emphasize the dryness
• BUT liquid concealers are great if your skin is prone to breaking out

Now to choose a color that works with your skin tone:

• For the under-eye area – choose a color that is a couple of shades lighter than your natural skin tone
• For the face – make sure that the color exactly matches your skin tone

DON’T FORGET…

Your skin will change color with the seasons, meaning that you will probably need to use a different shade of concealer in the winter than you do in the summer.

Many men are only just beginning their skin care journey, and are not quite sure about the different products that they may need.

This is where subscription boxes come in…

These are boxes that get mailed to your home each month, although this changes depending on the company that you choose.

What’s inside?

Inside each box will be a variety of different skin care items. Some boxes may have a wide range of miniature-sized products, while others may have one or two larger sized products.

This gives you the opportunity to try out new skin care products on a regular basis, so that you can find out what really works for you and your skin.

Thanks to the number of celebrities and larger brands out there who are now pushing for advancements in men’s skin care and beauty, the male cosmetics and grooming industry is starting to become much more mainstream.

Here are a few examples:

• Leading makeup brand Maybelline recently released a mascara campaign, featuring a male model rather than a female one
• Grammy Award winner Justin Bieber launched his own nail polish collection
• Irish band One Direction launched their own makeup range

The same thing is going on in Asia, where K-pop stars are backing skin care and makeup products, which then helps to bring more of them into retail stores.

Once these products reach the shelves of retail stores, this in itself can make men feel that it is much more socially acceptable for these products to now be purchased.

What does this mean?

Well, once men’s makeup products begin to go mainstream, which is already happening, it will not be long before we experience a huge boom in the industry, as it will soon really begin to take off.

Could the men’s skin care market soon rival the women’s?

It looks as though we may soon find out…

As mentioned above, men’s skin care products are becoming more and more mainstream, and you will now find a much wider range of products available in stores around you.

While many people believe that it is just the packaging that differs when it comes to men’s and women’s skin care products, this is not always the case…

Many men’s skin care products are designed for the specific needs that men, as well as their skin, have:

• Male skin is more prone to pigmentation and inflammation than female skin, so the ingredients in men’s skin care products will cater to this
• Wounds on male skin heal slower than wounds on female skin, so specific vitamins, as well as extras, such as caffeine, are often added to help with this
• Male skin experiences 20% more oil production, making breakouts an especially common issue
• Men tend to be more results-driven, making products such as face washes and anti-aging creams especially popular

So, while there is nothing wrong with men using skin care products aimed at females, so long as the product is formulated for their skin type, products designed specifically for men are not always just a marketing scheme, and could also really help the skin.