Moisturisers & SPF For Men With Dry Skin (2022)
An guide for men to dry vs dehydrated skin and tips on how to keep it moisturised and protected.
Aug 26, 2022
Trying to figure out what if your skin is dry or dehydrated? Confusing between dehydrated and dry skin is a pretty common mistake. It might sound a bit complicated as even though they are different things, they can sometimes go hand in hand and be talked about together, but they have different signs, causes, and methods of treatment.
Let’s find out if you have dehydrated or dry skin in order to find the best moisturiser and SPF for you. Spotting the difference between the two will depend on how your skin looks and feels (source). But don't panic, we are here to help clear it up.
Dry vs Dehydrated Skin
If you are wondering how you can tell the difference between hydrated and dry, wonder no more. Let's start with dry skin, which, unlike dehydrated skin, it's considered a skin type along with sensitive, oily and combination skin. Dry skin lacks oil. Dehydrated skin on the other hand, is in need of water (source).
Men’s dry skin as well as dehydrated skin will need attention. It’s important to be able to identify which is which, so you can determine what treatment and products are best to use. Remember that using the incorrect products on your skin can worsen the conditions you have or cause new issues.
- Dry Skin is a skin type lacking oil, which causes it to look drier and flakier in appearance. As a result, you might experience redness and irritation. Although it can’t be completely fixed, it can be improved. This can be done with nourishing moisturisers, which will replace the oils that your skin isn’t producing.
- Dehydrated skin, on the other hand, is a skin condition seriously lacking in H2O. It can affect people with any skin type, and it causes the skin to look duller and flat. This is due to surface cell deflation; the cells aren’t being held up because there isn’t any moisture in them. Your face can feel tighter, and you may notice small, triangular fine lines on your skin. Not ideal!
One way to check if your skin is dehydrated is to do the pinch test. Pinch a small amount of skin over the back of your hand, your abdomen, or your chest, and hold it for a few seconds. If your skin doesn’t bounce back immediately, then the likelihood is that you’re dehydrated. Drinking water throughout the day will keep you hydrated, but you can also use hydrating serums and face mists to top up your moisture and give you bouncy skin (source).
Why Is SPF For Men Important
There are many factors around you that can affect how your skin is inside and out. The sun is not left out from said factors. Daily sun protection is vital to keep your skin healthy. Adding sunscreen to your daily routine, regardless of skin type, decreases your risk of skin cancer as well as help prevent premature ageing (source). Doesn’t that sound good?
Why You Should Use A Moisturiser Every Day
When it comes to moisturising, just like SPF, it’s very important to add it to your daily routine. Besides taking care of your face and helping reduce potential skin problems, your whole body can really benefit from moisturising, specially around ears, neck and chest. They are more exposed to the exterior than the rest of the body, and might know that what’s around you can also affect your skin (source). You can moisturise once or twice a day after a bath, shave or exfoliation - so, whenever your skin is clean.
Best Moisturiser Ingredients For Men With Dry Skin
When looking for moisturisers to treat dry skin, you’ll want to keep an eye out for the following ingredients. Some of these words might be unfamiliar or intimidating to you, but don’t worry, we’ve explained below what each ingredient does along with some examples:
- Humectants: These keep your skin hydrated, and will also help you to shed dead skin cells. Common humectants include hyaluronic acid and lactic acid.
- Occlusives: These work alongside humectants, going a step further by preventing the loss of moisture. Common occlusives include dimethicone and petrolatum.
- Emollients: These fill the cracks that dry skin causes, therefore smoothing and softening the skin. Common emollients include mineral oil and virgin coconut oil.
- Ceramides and other anti-ageing ingredients: These help to lock moisture in, and therefore may help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Men’s Moisturisers With SPF
You know you can also get your hands on moisturisers with SPF? Not only will it keep your face feeling soft and nourished, but it will also improve your skin’s defence against UVA and UVB rays. Sunburn may lead to dry skin, hence using an SPF moisturiser will help you avoid this, and keep your skin protected. The other benefit of using an SPF moisturiser is that it’s essentially doing two jobs in one product.
More Men’s Skincare Tips
To up your skincare and get soft, moisturised skin, consider the following tips:
- Moisturise a minute after washing: Applying moisturiser onto damp skin will lock in the moisture and ensure that your skin is well-hydrated.
-Use night cream: As well as combating dryness, using a night cream can also boost your collagen production. This will improve the elasticity of your skin, reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
-Always wear SPF: Regularly using sunscreen is an optimal way of preventing skin damage. It also fights the effects of premature ageing.
-Eat a healthy diet: Diets that are high in fat, or contain a lot of sugary foods, can cause skin inflammation; nutrient deficiencies may also contribute to dry skin. Try including sweet potato, avocado, and cod liver oil in your diet to get those extra vitamins.
So now that you’ve learnt the difference between dry and dehydrated skin and the importance of SPF and moisturiser, it’s time to put your knowledge into action. Get your dry skincare routine started.
