Male Skin Care 101

Here are some quick and easy steps to male skin care.

Body Care

Moisture is the key to smooth skin and a youthful appearance. There are some key ingredients you want to look for in any moisturizer, which should be at the beginning of the list, are jojoba oil, shea butter, and olive oil. Jojoba is a vegetable wax that it is absorbed quickly into the skin; it seals in the body’s natural moisture and does not leave an oily residue behind.

Shea butter works a lot like jojoba but is thicker, like a heavy cream whereas jojoba is liquid. Both ingredients accomplish the same thing; they keep your skin from drying out.

When warmed up olive oil is a wonderful ingredient for applying to work-roughened hands. It helps to soften your cracked cuticles and scratchy calluses. Although olive oil will leave an oily residue you can wash with gentle soap then apply jojoba oil to damp hands to provide a protective layer.

Be careful of products that list water as the first ingredient. When it comes to skin water is not a moisturizer, it actually dries out your skin, especially hot water. I’m sure you’re familiar with that dry, stretched feeling your skin gets when you forget to moisturize after showering. The perfect time to apply moisturizer is immediately after you step out of the shower. It leaves the skin feeling smooth, hydrated and looking healthy.

Facial Care

Proper face care is essential especially after shaving. Here are three highly beneficial steps for the guy who wants to take care of his face.

Cleanse

It’s important to clean the skin at least twice a day to remove any dirt and/or impurities. Be sure to use a face wash that is going to work well with your skin type.

Exfoliate

Exfoliating the skin removes dead skin cells and when you exfoliate before shaving it makes for a more comfortable shave and prevents razor burn.

Tone and Moisturize

Most after shaves are made up mostly of alcohol which dries out the skin so you want to look for a moisturizing after shave that safeguards the skin from dehydration. A good toner will contain skin friendly ingredients such as aloe and omegas, which helps to sooth skin of against any irritation.

After about a week or two of this regimen you’ll notice a marked improvement in your skin.

Lavender Amber Body Butter

So I'm completely late on this post (originally to be uploaded on 6 August 2009) but here it is. Here's last night's new creation Lavender Amber body butter.
This is a shea butter based butter mixed with jojoba oil, lavender water, vegetable glycerin and a few other natural goodies. It smells wonderful, glides on smoothly and leaves the skin feeling smooth and moisturized.

Sugar Lemon/Lime Facial Scrub

Here's another quick, easy and budget friendly facial scrub. The juice from the lemon/lime refreshes and tones the skin while the sugar acts as a natural alpha hydroxy.

Sugar Lemon/Lime Facial Scrub
Sugar (raw or organic)
Juice of a lemon or lime

Mix the sugar with the juice of a lemon or lime. Start out with a tablespoon of sugar and keep adding until you get the desired consistency you're looking for. You can also add a teaspoon or two of hemp seed or almond oil (or the oil of your choice) this will give your face added moisture. Apply to your face by rubbing in circular motions to exfoliate the skin. Rinse with warm water.

Exfoliation Made Easy

When you notice that your skin is looking dry, dull and ashy it's time to exfoliate. Sugar and salt make great and inexpensive exfoliants. Sugar, salt or a combination of the two with a little bit of carrier and essential oil makes a wonderful exfoliant for removing dead skin. Removing that dull and ashy skin revitalizes and moisturizes new skin, soft skin.

Field & Sea Body Scrub
3 Tbsp Kelp powder
3 Tbsp Oatmeal
3 Tbsp Orange peel, grated
3 Tbsp Sea salt or Demerara sugar
3 drops Grapefruit essential oil
1-1 1/2 cup Sweet Almond oil

Mix all dry ingredients with essential oil in a jar. Add in sweet almond oil and mix until it reaches desirable consistency.

Please note: You can adjust the amounts and ingredients at your own discretion. If you have or a history of high blood pressure then it's recommended that you use sugar instead of salt.

Herbal Infusions

Here are some simple herbal infusions that you can do in your own kitchen. After boiling the infusions for an hour I let them sit in a dark closet or cabinet anywhere from 2-6 weeks. These oil infusions can be used in various hair and body products just be sure you drain the herbs from the oil before using. Please note that you can substitute apple cider vinegar or water (distilled or floral) in place of the oil. Here's a great video on infused herbs.


Here's a recipe for a sage rosemary infusion. Remember you can adjust the amounts to your liking. Also you can grind these herbs into a powder by using a coffee grinder or food processor if so desired.

2 Tbsp Sage
2 Tbsp Rosemary
1 1/2 tsp Burdock Root
1 tsp Nettle
1 tsp Lavender
1 tsp Hibiscus flower powder
1/3 cup Coconut oil
1/3 cup Rice bran oil
1 cup Jojoba oil
1/3 cup Avocado oil

• Makes 8 oz.

Here's a recipe for a lavender mint infusion.
1/2 cup Lavender flower buds
3 Tbsp Mint
1/2 cup Coconut oil
1/2 cup Jojoba oil

• Makes 16 oz