Men’s Care

The term men’s care, only some years ago, was a target of ridicule for many people. Water, soap, and perhaps shaving foam, that was all a man needed for his cosmetic care. Today, that has changed dramatically. More than ever before, men attach importance to a well-groomed appearance. By now, they know very precisely that their female partner’s cream jar is no adequate choice. After all, men’s skin is completely different. Therefore men’s care formulations are clearly different from women’s beauty products.

 

Differences between men’s and women’s skin

Men’s skin generally is 20 percent thicker than women’s. Male skin has more connective tissue and collagen; therefore it maintains its firmness longer and aging starts later. Wrinkles, however, are more pronounced. Moreover, men are more prone to oily skin because of the higher number of sebaceous glands and pores. Male skin produces twice as much sebum than female skin often resulting in acne and impurities. Another particularity is the stress of daily shave. Statistically, a man has 16,000 shaves in the course of his life. Skin reacts increasingly sensitive and irritated, suffering from shaving pimples or razor burn.

 

In view of these specialities it does not wonder that male skin has different needs and demands than female skin! Men’s care by no means is an elaborated marketing strategy but a real necessity.

 

Men’s care: optimal for men’s skin

An important aspect is that men’s care is adapted to the skin type of each man. The first step in the choice of men’s care products always is the skin analysis or a scrutinizing look in the mirror. Is my skin normal, dry, oily, or sensitive? Cleansing usually is the first step in the morning, just before shaving. Very dry skin should use lipid-replenishing cleansing milks. Oily skin prefers a gentle cleansing gel. When the skin is free of sweat and dirt, it is ready for shaving. A light shaving foam facilitates the glide of the blade over the skin and prevents razor nicks.

Subsequently the complexion will profit by a good aftershave care. The product is applied to the rinsed and dried face and neck immediately after shaving. It calms the skin, prevents irritations and inflammations. A high-quality aftershave product combines the antiseptic function of a classic aftershave and the smoothing effect of a moisturizer perfect for the skin type. Preferably it should be free of alcohol which could irritate the skin even more.

Aftershave fluids and gels have relatively light formulations and are suitable also for oily skin. They moisturize without leaving a greasy feeling and are quickly absorbed. Aftershave lotions usually have richer formulations and are ideal for skin burning after shaving. The milky-creamy texture of aftershave balms is extremely gentle and a real relief for sensitive, strained, and extremely dry skin.

 

Shaving can cause burning sensations. An aftershave balm offers a comforting and soothing relief for sensitive, stressed, and very dry skin. The man who wants to give his skin a particularly beneficial treat applies anti-aging or moisturzing creams. Men with beard can use a varied range of special men’s care for beard-grooming such as beard oil or beard wax. Men’s care ritual is completed with painstaking dental care and deodorants. Today, there are not only deodorants but also toothpastes explicitely for  men. The progresses in all segments of men’s care are enormous.

 

Outline of active agents in superior men’s care

 

Men’s care to calm skin stressed by shaving

 

Allantoin

INCI: Allantoin

Description: end product of the purine metabolism in animal and plant organisms

Naturally found in chestnut, comfrey, wheat germ, and maple

CAS number: 97-59-6

EINECS number: 202-592-8

Effect: calms skin, boosts cell regeneration, supports wound healing, ideal for men’s care

 

Colloidal silver

Description: produced physically from pure silver

CAS number: 7440-22-4

EG number: 231-131-3

Effect: soothes irritated skin, stops itch, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antimycotic

 

Cannabidiol (CBD)

Description:  a non-psychoactive cannabinoid

Extraction: from Cannabis Sativa flower extract

CAS number: 13956-29-1

Effect: helps skin to regenerate after shaving

Note:  not subject to regulations governing the use and traffic of drugs

 

Men’s care for skin hydration

 

Hyaluronic acid

INCI: Hyaluronic Acid

Description: naturally present in the body, important component in many types of connective tissue

CAS number: 9004-61-9

Effect: binds large quantities of water, important in the hydration of skin, builds a moisturizing film on skin’s surface (high-molecular hyaluronic acid), is stored in the dermal connective tissue (low-molecular hyaluronic acid)

 

Guarana extract

INCI: Paullinia cupana seed extract

Description: extract from the guarana plant, a member of the family of sapindaceae

CAS number: 58-08-2

Effect: Studies proved significants improvement of skin appearance in men.

Areas of use: wide-spread in men’s care, especially in creams, shampoos, and washing lotions

Special feature: contains caffeine

 

Ectoin

INCI: Ectoin

CAS number: 96702-03-3

Description: natural substance of the category of extremolytes

Effect: cell protection, anti-inflammatory, stabilizing and maintaining effects on membranes, ideal for men’s care

 

Acai extract

INCI: Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract

CAS number: 879496-95-4

Special feature: rich in vitamins (A, B, C, and E)

Effect: reduces skin irritations and redness, strong antioxidant properties, moisturizing, maintains natural collagen production

 

Men’s care for skin cleansing

 

Ictasol

INCI: Ictasol

CAS number: 1340-06-3

EINECS/ELINCS number: 215-671-7

Effect: inhibits the growth of microorganisms

 

Saponins

Saponins are secondary plant compounds, among others, existing in soya, ginseng, peanuts, chick peas, and quinoa. When shaken in water, they form stable lathers. In men’s care, they are used as bio-surfactants and foam builders.

 

Lipids for beard oil/wax

 

Jojoba oil

INCI: Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil

CAS number: 90045-98-0

EINECS/ELINCS number: 289-964-3

Production: from the jojoba shrub by cold pressing

Effect: for suppleness and shine

 

Cacay oil

INCI: Caryodendron Orinocense Seed Oil

CAS nummer: 1453469-52-7

Production: from the seeds of the cacay tree by cold pressing

Special features: rich in vitamin E, retinol, and linoleic acid

Areas of use: care for oily for skin, hair, beard, and nails

 

Ingredients for impure skin in men’s care

 

Thyme oil

INCI: Thymus Vulgaris (Thyme) Flower/Leaf Oil

CAS nummer: 84929-51-1

Effect: antibacterial and antiviral

 

Rosemary extract

INCI: Rosmarinus officinalis leaf extract

CAS number: 223747-79-3

Effect: antioxidant, slightly antibacterial, enhances skin metabolism

 

 

Conclusion:  Demanding men‘s skin requires special men’s care.

Cosmacon will develop your superior products in the segment of men’s care. Please consult us.

 

Sources:

The beautification of men within skincare advertisements: A multimodal critical discourse analysis.