58% Of Men Skip This Simple Daily Ritual, And It's Crucial As You Age
Moisturizing regularly is essential for healthy skin. But men often skip this crucial practice, dermatologists say, and it could causes them some unexpected skin problems.
“Men are generally low-maintenance when it comes to skin care regimens,” said Dr. Purvisha Patel, a dermatologist and cosmetic surgeon. “Culturally, they may have been told that skin care and beauty is something girls do to be attractive; however, this is changing.”
While that may be a generalization (and we all know there are exceptions to the rule), there are also numbers to back it up.
In a recent YouGov poll, only around 40% of American men said they have a consistent skin care routine, and 58% of men said they rarely or never use moisturizer — but a number of them were concerned about dry skin and wrinkles.
Those findings aren’t surprising to Dr. Aubrey Chad Hartmann, a dermatologist for U.S. Dermatology Partners in Cedar Park, Texas. “Most men do not moisturize adequately,” he told HuffPost.
But doing so is crucial, especially as you age, he said. If you’re a man who typically doesn’t moisturize, read on to see why doctors believe you should change that.
Why Men Might Avoid Moisturizing
Men usually aren’t accustomed to applying products to their skin, Hartmann said. They also may not like the heavy or sticky feeling that some products can have.
Though women tend to develop a multistep skin care routine starting at a young age and discuss skin care with their mothers or friends, Hartmann said it’s traditionally been rare for men or boys to have these conversations.
Another issue is that many people don’t associate wrinkles with dryness or the need to moisturize, said Dr. Kenneth Mark, a cosmetic dermatologist. These days, he said treating wrinkles is more commonly linked to dermal fillers or Botox.
Why Men (And Everyone) Need To Moisturize Regularly
The skin is your body’s largest organ, and it acts as a barrier. When it’s healthy, the skin prevents bacteria, allergens, irritants and other environmental elements from entering the body, and it keeps water and moisture inside, Hartmann said.
“You can think of the skin as a brick wall,” he explained. “The cells are the bricks, and the mortar is made up of different substances the body produces to fill the gaps and maintain the barrier.”
People with dry skin may lack some of these compounds, Hartmann said, which can give your skin a dry, rough, wrinkly appearance that might be itchy, irritated, inflamed and more prone to injury.
“Using a moisturizer can help by acting as a temporary barrier and allowing the skin to repair itself,” he explained.
In the YouGov poll, 35% of men said they were concerned about dry skin, while 18% said they were concerned about wrinkles and 19% about sun damage.
Moisturizing is crucial as you age, Mark said, since your skin naturally loses moisture and collagen, which might increase redness, fine lines, wrinkles and dryness. But these are all things that skin hydration can improve.
Another thing to note is that shaving can strip the outer layer of the skin, Hartmann said. If you shave too closely, you might experience razor bumps, razor burns or ingrown hairs, according to the American Academy of Dermatology, or AAD. Moisturizing afterward can help repair the skin barrier and prevent some of these problems, Hartmann added.
What Type Of Moisturizer Should You Use?
Choosing the most effective moisturizer often depends on your skin type. The AAD outlines these categories:
Once you know your skin type, look for moisturizers labeled “for dry skin” or “for oily skin.”
Beyond that, Hartmann recommended applying daily moisturizers with an SPF of at least 30 to your face and any other sun-exposed areas. In a 2020 survey from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, just 12% of men said they always used sunscreen when outdoors for an hour or more on a sunny day.
You should also look for products labeled “noncomedogenic,” meaning they are formulated to not clog pores or cause acne. Moisturizers containing antioxidants, like vitamins C and E or niacinamides, can minimize sun damage and inflammation, improve discoloration and lighten dark spots, Hartmann said.
Along with antioxidants, he suggested choosing products with ingredients that preserve and restore moisture, such as glycerin, hyaluronic acid, lactic acid, ceramides or coconut oil.
If you don’t like thick, heavy or tacky-feeling moisturizers, there are plenty of lighter lotions with sufficient moisturizing benefits, Hartmann said.
And you don’t have to spend a fortune for an effective moisturizer; plenty of inexpensive drugstore products will do the trick. For example, Mark recommended AmLactin’s Daily Nourish Lotion, which contains lactic acid. It moisturizes and exfoliates, and the brand says it’s “non-greasy.” Mark also suggested using Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunscreen, which is lightweight.
How Often Should You Moisturize?
You should apply moisturizer to your face and body daily, while also using sunscreen on exposed areas, Hartmann said. The best time to moisturize is right after showering, cleansing your face or shaving, when your skin is damp. This helps trap water in the skin.
However, you may not need to moisturize your entire body every day, especially if you have oily skin, Hartmann said. For instance, your skin might need less moisture in the summer, but it may need more in winter when the air tends to be drier.
“I normally advise my patients with seasonal dry skin to use a daily moisturizer when they are using the heater in their homes,” Hartmann said.
If you’re not regularly moisturizing your skin, get into the habit of doing so, Patel emphasized. This can help prevent dry skin, irritation and breakouts, while minimizing signs of aging.
Need to shop for a moisturizer? Check out these highly reviewed products that are all available for $20 or less.
HuffPost and its publishing partners may receive a commission from some purchases made via links on this page. Every item is independently curated by the HuffPost Shopping team. Prices and availability are subject to change.
Amazon
CeraVe PM facial moisturizing lotion
CeraVe's moisturizing night lotion was recommended by board-certified dermatologist Dr. Nava Greenfield. She said that it was "basic and affordable and provides the necessary hydration one would need for daily use." Like all products from the CeraVe line, this evening treatment is formulated with their iconic blend of three essential ceramides, hyaluronic acid and niacinamide.
$13.99 at Amazon (regularly $19.99)
Amazon
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hyaluronic Acid Hydrating Water Gel daily moisturizer
Oily skin types or those prone to acne might benefit from using a gel moisturizer instead of a rich cream formulation, and this water gel moisturizer by Neutrogena came at the previous recommendation of board-certified dermatologist Dr. Annie Gonzalez. According to her, this is "a lightweight gel that gives a nice, cooling sensation when applied. It’s free of what people don’t want, such as dyes and fragrance.”
The non-comedogenic and oil-free formula contains purified hyaluronic acid, a beloved humectant that draws moisture into the skin to keep it hydrated.
$14 at Amazon (regularly $15.63)
Amazon
CeraVe moisturizing cream
Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Seemal R. Desai previously spoke to HuffPost and mentioned that he recommends the CeraVe Moisturizing Cream to his patients. He described it as “a rich, non-greasy and fast-absorbing cream that releases a steady stream of moisturizing ingredients.” It' as great option for anyone looking to manage crepey, dry and aging skin. Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Corey L. Hartman previously suggested CeraVe as an ideal solution to help razor burned skin while another board-certified dermatologist, Dr. JiaDe (Jeff) Yu formerly recommended it as one of the best products to treat eczema. And it's just as popular among skin care fanatics as it is with dermatologists.
Amazon
Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentré
This multipurpose French pharmacy staple has earned itself quite a reputation here at HuffPost. The Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentré was brought to our attention by Los Angeles-based makeup artist Susan Zeytuntsyan, who favors this emollient moisturizer for not just hydrating the skin, but for offering the perfect base for foundation and makeup. As it turns out, the timeless formula, which includes calming aloe vera, protective beeswax, nourishing soy proteins and skin-softening shea butter, has been a longtime secret weapon among makeup artists.
Sephora
The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA
HuffPost shopping writer Tessa Flores has been a longtime fan of The Ordinary's simplistic, straightforward and accessible approach to skin care, and this moisturizer was one of the products that first sold her on the brand. She says she "loves the way it soaks deeply into my parched skin and contains a total of 11 tried-and-true hydrating ingredients like lipid-loving fatty acids, glycerin, barrier-restoring ceramides and hyaluronic acid. If you want a facial cream that will play nice with all of your actives, will actually do a really solid job at hydrating your skin and won't cost an arm and a leg, then you can just stop scrolling now." No wonder it's one of the most popular moisturizers among HuffPost readers!
Amazon
La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Balm B5
Products by the iconic French pharmacy brand La Roche-Posay often come highly recommended to us by dermatologists, as was the case with this Cicaplast cream, a favorite of Dr. Lauren Penzi, a board-certified dermatologist. This cult-fave cream from La Roche-Posay is a whiz at soothing visible signs of skin irritation caused by dryness, damage or over-exfoliation. Glycerin, shea butter and vitamin B5 come together to form a rich, healing balm that can be used as a spot treatment or all over.
Amazon
LilyAna Naturals retinol cream
HuffPost readers swoon over the popular and highly-rated LilyAna Naturals eye cream, but this retinol-powered facial moisturizer is even more highly rated at Amazon. Get all the benefits of retinol, like reducing typical signs of aging and smoothing skin, while the potent hyaluronic blend can help keep skin soft, supple and hydrated. You really can't beat the price.
Amazon
Cosrx Snail Mucin 92% repair cream
While the Cosrx serum usually gets all the glory, the repair cream also deserves a place in the sun. It's an incredibly highly-rated and beloved moisturizer that harnesses the power of snail mucin to deeply hydrate the skin, leaving it plump, soft, hydrated and lush.
Sephora
The Inkey List Bakuchiol Retinol Alternative moisturizer
The Inkey List's bakuchiol cream was previously suggested by Dr. Loretta Ciraldo, a Miami-based board-certified dermatologist, as a moisturizer for those curious about this natural retinol alternative. According to her, it performs well, and for under $15, it can be a good way to see if you tolerate this ingredient that can promote cellular turnover. The lightweight cream is formulated with 1% bakuchiol to target the appearance of fine lines and loss of elasticity, as well as hydrating squalane and nourishing sacha inchi oil, a plant-derived oil rich in omega-3.
Amazon
Weleda Skin Food original ultra-rich cream
There's nothing like Skin Food for parched flesh. Reviewers say it's the fastest way to heal a damaged moisture barrier and repair the skin, leaving it soft and supple. The original ultra-rich formula is perfect for cracked, flaky skin. It's ideal for itchy, dry areas like elbows, toes and feet, but I've definitely slathered it on my face during times of need. Everyone should have a tube of this in their home and enjoy the benefits ASAP. It might not be an everyday cream for everyone, but it's a must for emergency hydration situations, and our readers seem to agree.
Amazon
Seoul Ceuticals Multi-Function All-In-One anti-aging snail repair cream
This snail mucin-powered cream can help to brighten and improve the appearance of skin, improving the appearance of lines and wrinkles and keeping your complexion hydrated and smooth. It’s also cruelty-free, as the snail secretions are harvested ethically. With a 4.6-star rating on Amazon across over 20,000 reviews, customer are overwhelmingly happy with the product, saying that it hydrates “like a dream” and leaves skin “moist but not greasy and a lot firmer.”
Amazon
E.l.f. Holy Hydration! face cream SPF 30
This nourishing cream from E.l.f. is always an Amazon favorite among readers. Just because it's dreary and gray out doesn't mean you can skimp on sunscreen. This beauty is perfect for anyone who doesn't want to sacrifice hydration and healing ingredients for sun protection. It's made with hyaluronic acid and peptides and provides SPF 30 protection, which is perfect for the transitional season.
Amazon
CeraVe Skin Renewing night cream
Formulated with peptides, hyaluronic acid and ceramides, this cream can help deeply hydrate the skin while helping to renew the skin’s natural barrier overnight. It's ideal for dry winter months or for anyone who battles dry skin year-round. And the price point can't be beaten. It's one of our readers' most popular choices at Amazon.
Amazon
La Roche-Posay Lipikar AP+ Triple Repair moisturizing cream
This incredibly popular multitasking cream is reparative, nourishing and wildly hydrating. It's a great option for dry, sensitive skin but it won't clog pores, so you can use it on your face with peace of mind.
Sephora
Sephora Collection Nourishing moisturizer
This nourishing prebiotic moisutrizer is an editors' pick thanks to its creamy, fragrance-free formulation. The naturally derived prebiotics in this cream work to help deeply hydrate the skin while marula oil strengthens the skin barrier, effectively boosting its ability to fight the elements. Aside from making skin feel ultra comfy, it doesn’t sit heavy on the face like some other moisturizers intended for dry, sensitive skin.
