Dude! What’s your skin type?

You might not be the kinda guy who’s into grooming or manscaping, but everyone and their dad should be switched onto skincare. It’s your armour against the elements, so it needs to be handled with care. Where do you begin, though, when you ain’t even got a clue what type of skin you have? Well, that’s what we’re here for. We’re going to break down the four main skin types, so you can find out the one you are and the products you should be using.

mens skincare products in different containers depending on skin type

Oily skin

Do I have it?
If your skin is shiny and thick, and looks waxier than the residents at London’s Madame Tussauds, you’ve almost certainly got oily skin. This is caused by glands in your skin producing too much oil and can be the result of diet, hormone imbalances or even genetics. The excess oil blocks your pores, so you also tend to get whiteheads or blackheads – and nobody wants that.

What can be done?
To put a stop to pesky pimples, make sure you’re cleansing your skin twice a day with a product designed for oily skin. Bulldog Oil Control Face Wash contains salicylic acid, which helps to clear your skin of spots. If you want to tackle the oiliness, shine and clogged pores with one product, a clay mask is the way to go. Try the L’Oreal Paris Pure Clay Purity Face Mask once a week.

mens skin products for oily skin in wooden box

Dry skin

Do I have it?
Does your skin feel tight and itchy after a shower? And is your face flakier than your mates’ when they’re hung over? If either of these sounds familiar, your skin is probably on the drier side. This may be caused by your skin’s inability to produce enough oil, or it can be down to the cold weather – as if anyone needed another reason to hate winter!

What can be done?
Well, it starts in the shower. Long, steamy showers strip your skin of the oils they’re able to produce, so keep the time to 10 minutes and turn down the heat. Good skin begins with a gentle daily cleanser like the L’Oreal Men Expert Hydra Sensitive Face Wash. There’s no such thing as too much moisturiser, so get a good one and apply it liberally. Superdrug 24-Hour Hydrating Gel is specially formulated to hydrate dry skin and relieve that tight feeling straight away.

mens skincare products for dry skin in a wooden box

Combination skin

Do I have it?
A combination skin usually means your T-zone (forehead, nose and chin) will be oilier than your cheeks, but it could be the other way around. Either way, you need to know your skin, listen to it and give it what it needs where it needs it.

What can be done?
Wash your face with a product that’s suitable for all skin types, like the B. Men Charcoal Face Scrub. To determine what you should be using on the different parts of your skin, use the advice given for oily and dry skin. You may notice that the oily areas of your face are prone to breakouts. Use Deep Action Anti Blemish Gel to target spots precisely.

mens skincare products for combination skin in a wooden box

Normal skin

Do I have it?
If you’re reading this blog, thinking none of it applies to you because you’re sailing through life with the skin of a god, you’ve got normal skin – and lucky you! You don’t have issues with dryness, and your face never feels like an oil slick. And although you may get the odd spot here and there, you’ve never suffered with acne – trust us, your mates are cursing you under their breath for it. All in all, your skin is bossin’ it on your behalf.

What can be done?
Don’t take it for granted. If your skin is in good condition, keep it that way. Use a gentle face wash like Nivea Men Active Energy Fresh Look Face Wash Gel twice a day to keep your face clean and your pores clear, to prevent breakouts. And don’t forget to moisturise. You might not want to use anything too thick or heavy, so go for a lightweight formula like B. Men Hydrating Gel, which will give you all the moisture you need.