A variety of societal and personal factors determine whether a person decides to participate in a ritual or trend. Skincare, for instance, a necessary routine to maintain a healthy epidermis, has evolved as mainly a women-dominated industry.
While it is difficult to pinpoint why this is exactly, this article sheds light on some probable causes and argues that there’s no reason men shouldn’t participate.
Phony Perceptions
Skincare brands create products and immediately market them toward women, through brand messaging and symbolism. A common promise of skincare companies is beautiful, younger, and glowing skin — three traits that most men won’t gravitate toward.
We can’t blame them for dismissing a major portion of the population because, like any business communication, marketing must be targeted. Companies purposefully define their target market to ensure their messages are reaching the people who are most likely to buy their products. In the case of skincare, it has overwhelmingly been women but really, these products are just as suitable for men.
Why Women? Why Not Men?
Why is it that women take a particular interest in this basic self-care ritual while men watch from the sidelines? A paramount consideration is the societal influence of the residual effects of toxic masculinity.
There are many ways to define this concept but The New York Times boils it down to three main ideas: the belief that men should suppress emotions and mask distress; the belief that men should maintain an appearance of “hardness”; and the idea that violence is an indicator of power.
This counterproductive societal expectation for men is likely a cause of their overall reluctance to skincare. Why washing and moisturizing your face is perceived as feminine is beyond our understanding but regardless, a lack of male education around skin products is also contributing to their absence in the industry.
Related Articles: The Violence of “Boys Being Boys” | No, You Don’t Need a Crazy 10 Step Beauty Routine
The Bare Minimum
Let’s face it, 12 step skincare routines are not only wasteful but also intimidating! How can we expect men to embark on this habit when even women are confused as to which serum comes before that toner and when exfoliators should be used? It’s much too complicated and could easily be broken down to two simple steps.
Cleanser is the first step in any skincare routine and is an essential part to cleaning the skin of any dirt and excess oils. You can wash your face twice a day; when you wake up and before you go to bed.
The second and final step to a bare minimum skincare routine is moisturizer. This is crucial, especially in colder temperatures, to give your skin a boost of vitality and give you that glow. Moisturizer is applied after cleanser, two times a day.
If you’re looking to progress one step further, you should highly consider a morning moisturizer that contains SPF. This will protect your skin from the sun’s harsh rays, which is imperative to maintain its smoothness. You can circle back to a basic moisturizer before bed.
A Man’s New Norm
Defy societal standards that hinder you from taking care of the largest organ in your body. Self-care should have no gender and a skincare routine does not have to be complicated to be advantageous. Start with just the basics — cleanser and moisturizer — and take it from there.
You may fall in love with skincare and soon teach us that absurdly difficult 12-step routine!
Even better, you can kickstart your journey to soft and supple skin with sustainable products on the Impakter Eco Marketplace. With hundreds of items to choose from — all made by eco-friendly skincare brands — you’re guaranteed to find something that works for you.
Editor’s Note: The opinions expressed here by Impakter.com columnists are their own, not those of Impakter.com. — In the Featured Photo: Male Skincare. Featured Photo Credit: Lumin.
