To moisturise or not to moisturise - that is the question
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Moisturising is a necessity of healthy skin maintenance, however it is often portrayed in popular culture as a habit of the vain. Moisturising would be considered by some to be a cosmetic act, however it is much more functional than this. Whilst some of the benefits of using a moisturiser would be considered cosmetic - such as soft and healthy skin - it is also practical - avoiding dry, dead skin particles and even itchiness and redness.
It’s become increasingly common for people to moisturise regardless of gender. Traditionally the domain of women’s routines, moisturising is just as much now a part of men’s skincare routines. Some would attribute this to increasingly savvy marketing of cosmetics and skin care products to men by using more masculine packaging, adding different scents to products and simply labelling them as ‘men’s’, however ultimately it’s the same product. I would argue that its more common for men to moisturise because they realise it’s necessary.
Our modern environment demands men’s skincare includes moisturising. Air Conditioning dehydrates skin greatly, and this issue is further compounded by a lack of water consumption, which is easy enough to do in a busy modern lifestyle. This can result in dry and dead skin cells, which you can see when you look the mirror. You may even occasionally enjoy them resting on the shoulders or front of your shirt - not unlike dandruff.
The hydration of our skin through moisturising is hugely important, as skin cells rely upon hydration to regenerate effectively. Why is this important? The regeneration of skin cells creates fresh cells, which has notable effects in slowing the effect of aging. Regular moisturising can result in the development of wrinkles at a slower rate than those who don’t moisturise at all.
Moisturising doesn’t have to be a time consuming or cumbersome task, as some would perceive it to be - presumably adding yet another lotion to your morning routine. You can incorporate moisturising into your clear skin routine, so you’re maintaining healthy looking hydrated blemish free skin. Moisutrising can be difficult for people suffering acne, I know I’ve struggled with it in the past, even going through periods of not moisturising at all to avoid the risk of blocking pores and inflaming my acne.
Avoid greasy poor quality moisturisers that can cause skin problems. I haven’t used moisturiser for a long while until I had started using SkinB5 Acne Control Moisturiser as a part of my clear skin routine. It is light, non-greasy and antioxidant rich, designed for oily and acne-prone skin. This can be applied after cleansing your face in the morning, and I love that it doesn’t feel like there’s anything on your face. Some products do feel like there’s a film on your face, which is less than pleasant.
Shaving can cause irritability and dryness to your skin, and so I avoid it in favour of my beard. However a recent accident with my trimmer has seen me return to life without said beard, and again the problem of how to shave without causing dryness, and in turn inflaming my acne by treating that. I recently was told I could use the SkinB5 Cleansing Mousse as a shaving cream. Aftershaves are designed to close skin pores, which is what the mousse does, but with the added benefit of cleansing your skin. After shaving, I then just have to apply the moisturiser, which takes a moment.
Moisturising is an important part of anyone’s skincare routine, but it doesn’t have to come at the cost of your time of your clear skin. I would suggest using moisturiser topically at first with problem spots if you’re concerned about breakouts, but by combining quality moisturisers with clear skin tablets such as SkinB5, you will soon find that you can maintain healthy and hydrated skin without compromising your clear skin.
Who is Nick Bell?
Nick joins SkinB5 as a writer, contributing monthly to the blog.
A mid-twenties Melburnian cliche, the bearded student suffers wanderlust, a soft spot of his city's cafe culture and a love of cycling. He writes from experience, having suffered acne himself throughout both high school and university, and it's something he still battles today. Nick also writes a personal blog where he is documenting his journey for clear skin with SkinB5, having previously given up after years of ineffective products and medications.
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