Is Your Grooming Routine Causing Skin Blemishes?

Pimples. Zits. Breakouts. Blemishes. It’s all bad news. Thought you had left acne behind after you graduated high school? For too many guys, acne is a long term problem.

The worst part is that your skincare and grooming habits could be to blame for your blemishy breakouts. Especially if you’re using products that weren’t designed for your skin type or that contain harsh chemical ingredients.

Do your grooming efforts cause your blemishes? That’s basically the definition of frustrating. But don’t let it stop you from finding a simple daily skincare routine for men that won’t cause acne or irritate your sensitive skin. Here are a few common reasons men’s skincare and grooming routines cause breakouts - and how to fix them if you’re making these mistakes.

Showering with Hot Water and Harsh Soaps

This is a two for one. For starters, hot water can cause a lot of dryness and irritation for your poor sensitive skin. The hotter the water gets, the quicker it strips away your skin’s natural oils. You need those oils to protect your skin from bacteria, to prevent dehydration, and to stop blemishes from forming before they start.

To fix this, try turning down the water temperature a few degrees. Maybe this is hard for you. Maybe it’s not your preference. But better skin is worth it. And you don’t have to turn it down to ice cold. Just dial back the water to a lukewarm setting so that your skin doesn’t suffer.

The other major mistake guys make in the shower is using a harsh soap. If you notice dry or rough spots regularly after you shower, your soap is probably to blame. Take a look at the ingredients. If you see sodium lauryl sulfate or sodium laureth sulfate, consider making a change. Both of these chemical detergents create lots of lather and wash away oil - but they also cause skin irritation in many men. The same is true for artificial fragrances. They might smell nice, but they commonly cause irritation.

Look for a natural body wash for men or a natural all in one wash for men instead. When you check out the ingredients, look for sodium lauryl sulfoacetate. It might sound similar to those other detergents, but this one is very different. It’s much gentler on your skin, being of 100% natural origin - derived from coconut and palm oils.

You Don’t Exfoliate (Or You Do But Not Enough)

Some guys are still resistant to the idea of exfoliating. It seems unnecessary to them. Isn’t face wash enough?

The fact is a face scrub for men that exfoliates your skin could be just what you need to get rid of blemishes. It’s different from face wash because it contains scrubbing particles that dig the junk out of your pores - including oily buildup, bacteria growth, and dead skin cells. Exfoliating also triggers your skin’s renewal process. So you get an improved skin tone, clearer skin, and a much lower risk of developing skin blemishes.

You shouldn’t be exfoliating daily - use face scrub for men 3-4 times each week. If you have oily skin, make it 4 times to keep that oil under control and prevent shiny skin. For guys with dry or sensitive skin, make it 3 times each week and don’t apply the scrub to the driest, most sensitive parts of your face.

Improve Your Routine and Products for Better Results

There are lots of ways to take better care of your skin, but they all start with this: using the best natural skincare products for men. Make your men’s grooming routine a priority and make sure it’s not causing your blemishes and breakouts. With the best products and a smart weekly grooming routine, you will soon see your best skin ever.