NOUCADEMY #4: Finding the right skincare routine for men with Dr. med. Ahlemann
In the last NOUCADEMY blog post, we already learned that lack of sleep, stress, little exercise, an unhealthy diet and skincare all have an impact on our skin's appearance.
Our expert Dr. med. Lela Ahlemann confirms: "You have to understand that there is not one product that you use once, provides short-term relief and you don't have to worry about the problem any further."
Now for the good news. By following the dermatologist's tips below, we men can get one step closer to clear, healthy skin. Best of all, they're super simple.
Only 3 steps to an effective skincare routine
Step 1: Cleansing
When? ⏰
In the morning and in the evening before subsequent skincare.
Why? 💡
Gentle and soothing cleansing is important to remove the dirt and sweat that has accumulated on the skin throughout the day.
Men tend to produce more sebum due to hormones, which makes the skin look greasy and oily. These fats can be a good base for all kinds of microorganisms. At the same time, our environment is full of pollutants. These harmful substances cause the production of free radicals, which in turn damage the skin. Effective cleansing of the face is therefore essential.
Step 2: Day care
When? ⏰
In the morning after cleansing.
Why? 💡
Apply a moisturiser to the skin to nourish it while strengthening the skin barrier to promote the skin's own defences.
If the skin is shaved regularly, small wounds will appear. To take care of these in the best possible way, the day care should be soothing and anti-inflammatory.
Effective ingredients:
- Antioxidants (e.g. Vitamin C), which neutralise free radicals and help the skin take care of the real problems. Because if the skin is distracted all the time fighting pollutants and UV radiation, then it can't repair itself and focus on its actual protective function.
- Anti-inflammatory ingredients, such as Aloe Vera or Chamomile, to treat shaving irritations and fight impurities
- Ceramides to strengthen the skin barrier
Step 3: Night care
When? ⏰
In the evening after cleansing
Why? 💡
While sleeping, when the body is at rest, important repair processes take place in which the body deals with the oxidative stress of the day.
Wound healing also takes place during sleep, so a skincare product for the night should be regenerating and anti-inflammatory.
"A night cream should not be as demanding on the body at this time, but should basically help it to regenerate," adds Dr Ahlemann.
5 tipps for healthy skin
1. C-o-n-s-i-s-t-e-n-c-y 🙌🏻
Consistency is the foundation of a skincare routine. The most important thing is to stay consistent and not expect overnight miracles.
"It's extremely important not to be like, 'Oh, this isn't working' after three weeks. It's a marathon. This skincare marathon has to be long, sustained and consistent," stresses Dr Ahlemann.
2. Change towels regularly 🧖
The dermatologist advises: "Make sure the towel is always fresh. You shouldn't reuse the towel too often because germs can cluster and multiply on it."
3. Cleaning the smartphone screen 📞
Classic. How often do we really make sure to clean the screen before holding it up to our ear again? To ensure that bacteria don't stand a chance, it's best to clean the smartphone with a cleaning cloth every day.
4. Regularly change the pillowcase 🛏️
Even if you clean your face every night, bacteria will still settle in the pillowcase. Especially if you have blemish-prone skin, the cover of your pillow plays a major role.
"Pillows should be changed very regularly because they are also a place for bacteria to grow, where you can get infected over and over again and stimulate your acne," says Dr. Ahlemann.
5. Consideration of all lifestyle factors 🍎
Skin care, diet, exercise, sleep and stress - the skin basically reflects a person's entire lifestyle. You can find out exactly how these influences affect the skin in this blog post.
Conclusion:
Getting completely clear skin quickly - unfortunately, that's not possible. The above tips won't work overnight, but in combination with the right products, they are the best way to achieve healthy skin in the long term. And honestly: the tips are super easy and cost us maybe 5 minutes a day.