Men's Skincare: Shaving, Beard Care and Sun Protection

What is the basic skincare routine for men?

A two-minute routine is enough for most men, and it can be adjusted to your skin type:

If your skin is oily, choose gel textures; if it is dry or sensitive, choose a richer, fragrance-free moisturiser.

• A gentle cleanser morning and evening instead of ordinary soap, which dries the skin.
• A light moisturiser after washing and shaving, especially with air-conditioning.
• A broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher every morning, even on office days, because UV rays pass through car and window glass.
• Washing your face after exercise or working in the heat to remove sweat and oil.

Why do razor bumps appear, and how can you reduce them?

Razor bumps, or ingrown beard hairs (pseudofolliculitis barbae), happen when a cut hair curls back and grows into the skin, causing a red, painful bump and sometimes a pimple. They are more common in men with curly or thick hair and can leave dark marks and small scars if they keep recurring.

The most helpful steps include:

• Prepare the skin with warm water before shaving, and use shaving foam or gel.
• Shave in the direction of hair growth, not against it, and do not stretch the skin while shaving.
• Use a sharp, clean blade and limit how many times you pass over the same spot.
• Try a trimmer that leaves a short length of hair instead of a close shave.
• Do not dig out ingrown hairs with tweezers or squeeze the bumps.

How should you care for your beard and the skin beneath it?

The skin under the beard needs cleaning like the rest of the face, because oil, dead cells and food residue collect there. Wash your beard with a gentle cleanser or mild shampoo, dry it well, then you can use beard oil or balm to soften the hair and ease itching.

If yellow or white flakes appear with redness and itching under the beard or around the nose and eyebrows, it may be seborrhoeic dermatitis, a common condition that improves with treatment chosen by your doctor. Note that beard oils moisturise the hair, but they have not been shown to make a beard thicker.

How can you protect your skin from sun and heat at work?

Many men in the Eastern Province work long hours outdoors, at sites, plants and in the field, or spend a lot of time driving. Strong sun causes dark spots and early wrinkles over the years and raises the risk of skin cancer, especially on the ears, back of the neck and backs of the hands.

A shemagh, ghutra or cap gives useful shade but is not enough on its own. Apply sunscreen to your face, ears, neck and the backs of your hands, reapply every two hours outdoors or when sweating, and drink water regularly.

What other skin problems are common in men?

Besides razor bumps, men often see a dermatologist for back and chest acne, especially with sweating and tight clothing, fungal infections in skin folds and on the feet with heat and closed shoes, and pigmentation from sun or spots.

Men who use muscle-building supplements or hormonal enhancers may notice more breakouts. Any skin problem that persists or gets worse deserves an examination rather than trying random products.