As much as the cosmetic industry would like us to believe it, our hygiene is not fixed by following some new trend for a week. Grooming & cleaning is a cumulative effort, made up of small, virtually inseparable units that, in the end, all come together to make you who you are.

This is why it is important to have the right habits in terms of grooming so you can reap the rewards of consistency. Your skin will thank you, and you can bet your bottom dollar you will have the ability to hold someone’s gaze for a few more seconds if you really try your hardest. From the right products to the right lifestyle, attempting to find the best is no easy task. But once you get the hang of it, you will quickly see how valuable it’s, it is all.

Here are some great tips for improving your grooming tactics:

Never Use Standard Soap On Your Face

Everyone knows that you need to wash your face regularly. What most people do not know is that regular soaps/cleaners are very harmful to your facial skin.

You may not have the ability to feel it, but the skin on your face is different from skin anywhere else on your body. Namely, thinner and much smoother. Even the mildest body washes are harsh on the face, causing an imbalance in the pH of the face that will lead to dehydration, wrinkles or worse. Plain soap can remove most of the protective layer that’s naturally present on the skin, making it a good day for undesirable dirt to move into your pores. Buy a cleanser especially formulated for facial use, do not use bar soap!

Protect Your Skin

Completely comprehensive kits work best for this, such as Action Becomes Essential Defined. Why precisely do you need a full set rather than something all-in-one? Well, some of the steps necessary for healthy skin involve rinsing the product thoroughly while others require a little bit of soaking time to get absorbed into the skin. Protecting your skin is not a one-stop solution.

Your skincare routine should start with a cleanser that has exfoliating properties in addition to ingredients like salicylic acid to help draw out impurities from your pores. After that, it is time to replenish your skin’s nutrients, after the facial wash removes you from it. Cleansers tend to strip your skin of its natural oils, so it is important to restore moisture in the form of lotion or oil afterward. Good ingredients include antioxidants, vitamins (like vitamin C), and other naturally derived oils like Baobab and Argan.

Having a good shaving cream in your grooming kit is a big plus, shaving with soap or facial cleanser is a big no no. The right, even luxurious, shaving cream can prepare your skin for razor contact, in addition to smooth out hairs for a close shave. Shaving cream with clean ingredients is also a plus for your skin.

Avoid Skin Stressors

Sun Stress

The first major environmental stressor you need to remember of is none apart from UV rays. When we go outside in the sun, our skin is bombarded with UV rays which dry out our skin. It also contributes to the breakdown of collagen (a building block for skin) and the formation of free radicals. Grab a hat, most of the time, to protect yourself from the sun.

SPF should even be a necessity before going out. Make sure your sunscreen is SPF 30 and above. Choosing a sunscreen that uses the term “broad spectrum” means it will protect you from UVA/UVB rays, this is what you should choose.

Dehydration Stress

More water in your body means more hydration for your skin cells. This will make sure that your skin stays as healthy and elastic as it should be. Dehydrated skin can even stimulate more oil production to make up for the absence of hydration. Overstimulated oily pores can lead to pimples, dry patches and irritation. Not to mention, dry skin is more prone to wrinkles! If unsure, drink another glass.

Stress, Stress

The final stressor is stress itself. The usual side effects of a stressful lifestyle include sleep deprivation and poor nutrition, further complicating matters. Stress is also very taxing on our immune system and can cause free radical damage, which obviously will lead to premature skin aging.

When you are stressed, your body has very few resources left to dedicate to the repair & maintenance of your skin cells. Your energy is tied up elsewhere. Try to slow down a bit, go to bed on time, see a therapist if you need to, do more of the things you enjoy, and manage your responsibilities well. Evidence of your fast-paced and stressful lifestyle can show up on your skin.

Most Men Don’t, But You Should

Most guys do not take advantage of these easy habits, so adopting even half of them will put you ahead of the rest. Take care of your skin in the same way as any other part of your body, it protects us from the outside world, but it’s delicate in itself. Investing in good skincare will be worth every penny in the future. More men need to put down the bar soaps and pick up products formulated to help their skin.