Skin savvy: Moisturisers for men

Nivea Revitalising Cream Q10. Photo / Babiche Martens

If you think your skin is bullet-proof, picture a hangover - dehydrated and drooping - that's the future of your hide if you abuse it. Your skin needs moisture, protection and, from time-to-time, rescue remedies. So treat it with respect and adopt a simple care routine.

Men's skin is thicker and produces more oil than women's and it generally takes longer for wrinkles to take hold. But it can be just as prone to sensitivity, with shaving a real aggressor for some. By the time age lines and sagging become obvious, men can also find themselves troubled by irregularities in skin-tone caused by sun damage and over-indulgence. (A survey of 600 men by Shiseido found their main skincare concerns were sagging and loss of firmness, especially hints of a double chin). There's no miracle cures, but a little self-discipline is the best preventive action against accelerated ageing.

Men's skincare ranges take a straightforward, usually, three-step approach and what you use depends on your skin type and personal preference, so before you spend up get advice from a consultant to ensure the products you buy match your skin condition, age and inclination. You don't want to end up using too rich a formula on an oily skin, or depriving a dry one of moisture, or buying something expensive you're not going to bother using regularly.

If you're troubled by acne, whatever your age, get expert help because you don't want to end up with scarring. If you have blackheads or whiteheads, a good facial at a salon should clear up the worst of these.

A good skincare regime follows these steps:

Cleanse: Use a scrub, foaming gel wash, or cream cleanser daily (in the shower is easiest). Avoid drying soap, unless it's a special gentle skin bar, but wiping down with a clean flannel is a great way of exfoliating and cleansing, just don't use water that's too hot as it stimulates sebum and can rupture capillaries. A non-scratchy scrub or exfoliant helps slough off dead skin cells and clear out blocked pores and should be used at least weekly to boost cell turnover and brighten and freshen your face.

Shave care: Use a shave cream, foam, gel or oil to lessen shave trauma, and follow with a soothing after-shave balm or fluid.

Moisturise: Your skin will lap up a hydrating barrier. A good daily moisturising fluid or cream can also include sunscreen (make it at least SPF15), or use a separate stronger sunblock if you're going outdoors or in the water for an extended period. A lip balm should also be part of your moisturising.

Using a moisturiser at night, as well as the morning, is optional, but as you age, your skin may cry out for it.

Moisturiser is not designed for use round the thinner-skinned eye area, which is where eye-creams and gels come in.

Extras: The basic three-step regime will keep your skin in good nick, but there are also treatment products for a more hands-on approach. Regular use of an eye cream or gel (and wearing sunglasses outdoors) can help keep crow's feet at bay and may also target dark circles and under-eye puffiness. Masks are a way of refining the skin, and radiance boosting balms give a temporary pep-up to tired complexions.

Yves St Laurent Homme and Clarins Men have the latter, and you'll be well served by products from these ranges, plus other men's skincare leaders including: Lancome, Clinique, Shiseido, L'Oreal and Dr LeWinn's. Nivea is cheap but convincing. At the other end of the market are specialist salon ranges such as MD Formulations, Bioelements and Vitaman.

1 Nivea for Men Revitalising Cream Q10 50ml $15.48

A non-greasy day and night moisturiser for tired and stressed skin, with skin's own coenzyme Q10. I thought the smell was nice and light, but my tester found it too much for him and was worried others would pick up on the scent.
(From supermarkets).

2 Dr LeWinn's Men Eye Cream 15ml $44.90

With soothing oceanic algal and herbal extracts, this is an anti-wrinkle cream, with the addition of a peptide to work on skin bagging. The Australian range has a great but not untypical approach to its product packaging, listing: What it does, How to use, Why it is different.
(From Farmers, Life and other leading pharmacies.)

3 The Body Shop Maca Root Shave Oil $24

New to the nice Maca range, this helps lubricate the skin for a close shave. Some men love oils, others don't, but if you find shaving causes burn, an oil might be worth a go. Our tester said it left a nice feel, but he found it tricky to know how much to use and said with his mega-bladed razor the oil tended to bog up the tiny gaps between blades.
(From The Body Shop.)

4 Shiseido Men Facial Contour Refiner 50ml $68

A cooling emulsion with yeast extract to help tighten skin fibres for firmer feeling skin, including through the chin area. Massage with upward motions across the contours of the face night and morning. Our tester said he couldn't be bothered following the recommended massage technique, so this is one for the motivated.
(From selected department stores and pharmacies.)

5 Clinique Skin Supplies for Men Age Defence Hydrator 50ml SPF15 $95

Suitable for all skin types, this absorbs well to hydrate and protect from the sun, while targeting line formations.
(From selected department stores and pharmacies.)

6 L'Oreal Men Expert Pure and Matte Deep Exfoliating Gel Wash 150ml $16.99

Helps unclog pores and is gentle enough for twice-daily use with a soap-free gel formula and tiny microbeads. Good for oilier, younger skins. L'Oreal's big range, covers the bases with lines for different age groups and nothing over $25.99.
(Readily available in department stores, supermarkets and pharmacies).

7 I Colonali Men's Delicate Shaving Cream $30

This soap-free anti-irritation cream contains white willow bark extract to help soften and tone skin which has had surface layers disturbed by shaving. An alcohol-free moisturising aftershave contains similar calming properties.
(From selected pharmacies).

8 Clarins Men Moisture Balm $56

The French skincare specialists make one of the biggest men's ranges, including self-tanning and hand creams and oil-free sunblock. This post-shave and evening hydrating balm has firming plant agents. Use it on the neck also to help fight sagging.
(From selected department stores and pharmacies and Clarins salons.)

9 Lancome Men Renergy 3D lifting, anti-wrinkle firming cream $110

This tres bon heavy duty moisturising cream is from Lancome's 40-plus Renergy range. The French company also has the lighter Energizer Total line for those aged 20 to 30 and Age Fight for 30-40-year-olds. There's a common cleanser, exfoliant and shave foam, then specialised products for each age group.
(From Lancome counters at department stores and pharmacies.)