If you’ve ever read the book ‘Men are from Mars and Women and are from Venus’ you would already know how very different men are to women. As well as psychological differences, physically there are many structural differences too and this includes the skin.  

It was back in the year 2000 that I realised men’s grooming was going to become a booming business and with  the opening of a first ever men’s only one stop grooming and spa experience in London called The Refinery, business has flourished ever since.
 
So I guess the question to ask is that is this all really necessary? Do men need dedicated salon treatments tailored to meet their specific needs? Is their skin really very different to women’s? Or can they just reach for whatever is laying around in the bathroom?
 
The answer is yes; men really are doing themselves a disservice when they reach for any old cream or shaving product because their skin is very different to a woman’s. 
 
The most obvious of course is their ability to grow a beard!  But there are some differences that may be harder to spot:
 
Skin thickness – Men’s skin is about 25% thicker than women’s and this can be attributed to the hormone testosterone. Men’s skin tends to thin gradually with age whereas women’s skin tends to thin rapidly as menopause strikes after the age of 50.
 
Collagen density - For some reason men have a higher density of collagen in their skin than women (Grrr!). It is a fact that the higher the collagen % in the skin the smoother the skin will be. In recent research, it has been said that women look about 15 years older than men of the same age. Having said this, I know that women more often have a daily skincare routine, and combined with the fact that men do not use sunscreen as often as women, it can mean that men’s skin might not look 15 years younger!
 
Loss of collagen - After the age of 30 years old both men and women lose about 1% of collagen per year but because men started out with a higher density than women in the first place they do have a head start! Also as women go through the menopause collagen drastically depletes and as result they can age quite significantly.

Texture - The texture of a man’s skin is rougher, and the Stratum Carenum is thicker. There are also a higher number of sebaceous glands which are responsible for producing oil due to the male hormone, testosterone. This can cause large open pores, spots, blackheads and redness.
 
Hydration – Whilst male skin appears to be better hydrated than women’s, with daily shaving, the use of harsh shaving products, and the lack of moisturiser, men’s skin can become very dehydrated and that can cause a dull, lacklustre appearance.
 
So with all this knowledge in our hands, it tells me that the treatment of a man’s skin is just as important as that of a woman and with Father’s Day looming what better time to introduce Dad to a skincare regime.
 
Cleansing
Cleansing is a vital part of a man’s skincare routine as their skin can become blocked with a dull complexion. Gatineau’s Mélatogénine™ Refreshing Cleansing Cream is a wash-off cleanser that lathers up to a rich and creamy formula when mixed with water, making for the perfect shaving medium. Plus, it’s formulated with an Anti-ageing Youth Complex so keeps skin soft and smooth when used on a daily basis.
 
Serums
I am a strong believer in the daily use of serums in a skincare regime. They can often be overlooked but a serum is designed to be the workhorse product and can penetrate much deeper into the skin to work at the heart of the problem. With men’s skin likely to become dehydrated due to daily shaving, the Gatineau Aquamemory™ Moisture Replenish Concentrate is the ideal solution. Enriched with powerful Marine Technology, it hydrates the skin in depth and lasts throughout the day. The texture is a gel formula and it feels incredibly cooling on application which I think is perfect as a post shave treatment.

Moisturiser
Men do need to moisturise as every skin needs daily protection against external aggressions – I think a lot of men are put off by heavy textures but choosing a light gel-cream consistency, such as our Aquamemory™ Moisture Replenish Cream, will provide maximum hydration without leaving a greasy residue.

Spot treatment
Because of the high concentration of oil produced in men’s skin it can become very clogged causing blackheads and blemishes. But help is at hand with a product that has real longevity; Clear and Perfect S.O.S Stick is a clever little roll-on formulated with Lentil Seed Extract to treat blemishes and blackheads, unblocking pores. It’s also highly anti-bacterial so clears up breakouts in a couple of days! Use when needed on spots and blackheads.

Regardless of whether you're male or female, the key to a healthy skin is commitment and consistency. Come on guys, it doesn’t need to be complicated. In as little as 3 products a day you can have a clean, smooth and energised complexion! After all you do have collagen on your side!

Lucy x