The Benefits Of A Weekly Facial Treatment
Your skin is considered the largest organ on your body. An organ by definition is a group of related cells performing one or more specific functions vital to the health and survival of the body. Some of the things your skin is up to without any conscious effort from you are:
– Maintaining the balance of fluids and preventing moisture loss.
– Insulation and regulating body temperature by keeping heat in or letting it out to cool.
– Sensing pressure and pain to alert us to danger
– Guarding the whole body from external pollution and aggressors.
Why does any of this matter? Basically, your skin protects you from disease, prevents pollution from chemicals, protects you from UV rays, absorbs pressure, blows and knocks and guards you from changes in climate. Again, why does any of this matter to you? Because the condition of your skin is the most visible indication of your health and age. So the condition of our skin affects how we feel about ourselves and how others view us. In short – I’d recommend taking care of it.
But I get it, you’re a man, you don’t know how to take care of your skin; and that’s why i’m writing this, i’ve got your back. Without oversimplifying things – to stay looking well balanced and youthful, you must regularly Cleanse, Tone and Hydrate the skin on your face and neck. Not to say the skin on the rest of your body is less important. However, the skin on your face, neck and hands is exposed to the elements a lot more and of course, it’s where people will be looking. So extra care is necessary.
Step 1 – Cleanse
Using a face wash daily is a good idea. A face wash will softly remove excess oil, dirt and bacteria from the skin without leaving the skin too dry. But the real magic comes from exfoliating (using a face scrub). Exfoliating once or twice a week will unblock pores preventing breakouts and blackheads, lift ingrown hairs caused by shaving and remove dead skin cells and dry skin. Another benefit to using a scrub is to help with pigmentation changes. As we age our skin can become blotchy and show darker patches. Regular exfoliating can help to break down the pigmented skin cells, encouraging them to fade. The process of exfoliating also stimulates blood flow creating even more of a healthy glow.
Step 2 – Tone
To tone your skin and detoxify it in the process I’d recommend using a clay mask. Leaving the skin feeling and appearing tighter and more balanced in complexion clay is a great ally in your fight for healthy looking skin. Clay also kills bacteria and mould whilst drawing out impurities from deep within your pores, adding to the cleansing process. Using a clay mask once a week is especially important for those with oily skin. The mask will absorb all the excess sebum whilst removing dirt from clogged pores, preventing breakouts from happening so frequently. Expect tighter, more balanced and less breakout prone skin if you add this to your skincare routine.
Step 3 – Hydrate
It’s 2019 so if you haven’t been told you need to moisturise more yet, i’ll assume you’ve been living under a rock. I know what you’re thinking, why such a fuss over moisturising? Let me explain. Your skins defense system is it’s moisture barrier, to protect you, it needs moisture. The common reason men’s skin drys out is not drinking enough water and dehydration from alcohol. Showering too much and using the wrong soaps is also a culprit. The fact of the matter is, if you want your skin to be wrinkle free for longer and have a more appealing texture then you need to moisturise. Remember this isn’t just about health, this is about feeling great by looking great. Nobody feels good with dry, flaky skin. Don’t neglect your lips or the skin around your eyes as these areas have the least oil glands so are naturally the driest and the first areas to show signs of aging. A good quality lip balm and eye serum should be included in the hydration part of any skincare routine.
To conclude I have to mention the obvious. The best thing you can do to make your skin appear healthy is to actually be healthy. Avoid fried and processed foods at all costs. This is not food regardless of what marketers will lead you to believe, it’s just a food like substance. Eat food rich in vitamins and minerals (the things your body needs to function optimally). What are these? Fruit and vegetables of course. Drink plenty of water, sleep well and exercise regularly. Cliche advice? Absolutely! Accurate advice? Absolutely!
Book in for a Luxury Men’s Facial Treatment with your next haircut to experience everything we’ve discussed above and learn exactly how to create this skincare routine at home using our favourite Baxter Of California products.
Words By Joshua O’Callaghan
