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Confused by the bewildering array of products available on our site? Allow us to offer clarity.
Our Basic Training Handbook categorizes products into daily, optional daily, and periodic use. We then put it all together into common morning and evening skin care regimens even a rocket surgeon could follow with ease.
Still have questions? Contact us for personalized assistance. We're here to help!
Our Basic Training Handbook categorizes products into daily, optional daily, and periodic use. We then put it all together into common morning and evening skin care regimens even a rocket surgeon could follow with ease.
Still have questions? Contact us for personalized assistance. We're here to help!
Purpose:
Removes dirt, dead skin cells, excess oil, and other pollutants. Helps to unclog pores and reduce the development and appearance of acne blemishes.
Selection:
Stronger, acid-based cleansers for very oily skin; creamy, lotion-type cleansers for very dry skin. Most cleansers are appropriate for all skin types. If your face feels “tight” or slightly irritated when it dries immediately after cleansing and before moisturizing, then the cleanser has removed too much of your skin’s protective oils. As a result, your skin will overproduce oil to compensate. This can lead to mid-day “shine” and clogged pores. Under these circumstances, it is best to select another cleanser with a higher moisturizing function.
Application:
Mix with tepid water. Use your hands or a gentle washcloth to apply directly to face and neck. Rinse with tepid water. Pat dry with a soft towel.
Frequency:
Once in the morning and once at night, before bed.
Order:
Cleanse before shaving and/or toning.
Exceptions:
None.
View All Cleansers
Removes dirt, dead skin cells, excess oil, and other pollutants. Helps to unclog pores and reduce the development and appearance of acne blemishes.
Selection:
Stronger, acid-based cleansers for very oily skin; creamy, lotion-type cleansers for very dry skin. Most cleansers are appropriate for all skin types. If your face feels “tight” or slightly irritated when it dries immediately after cleansing and before moisturizing, then the cleanser has removed too much of your skin’s protective oils. As a result, your skin will overproduce oil to compensate. This can lead to mid-day “shine” and clogged pores. Under these circumstances, it is best to select another cleanser with a higher moisturizing function.
Application:
Mix with tepid water. Use your hands or a gentle washcloth to apply directly to face and neck. Rinse with tepid water. Pat dry with a soft towel.
Frequency:
Once in the morning and once at night, before bed.
Order:
Cleanse before shaving and/or toning.
Exceptions:
None.
View All Cleansers
Purpose:
Softens beard hair so that it is easier to cut. Creates a glide surface for the razor blade, greatly reducing the likelihood of razor burn and post-shave blemishes caused by ingrown hairs and razor bumps.
Selection:
Shave gels for very oily skin. Most shave creams and shave gels are appropriate for all skin types.
Application:
Mix with tepid water. Use the tips of your fingers or a shave brush (with products that are specifically designed for brush use) to lather directly onto the beard area. Wait 30-60 seconds and then shave. Rinse with cool water.
Frequency:
Once in the morning, or as needed.
Order:
Shave after cleansing and before toning. The best time to shave is in or immediately after a shower.
Exceptions:
Not required, if you use an electric razor or grow a beard.
View All Shave Creams and Gels
Softens beard hair so that it is easier to cut. Creates a glide surface for the razor blade, greatly reducing the likelihood of razor burn and post-shave blemishes caused by ingrown hairs and razor bumps.
Selection:
Shave gels for very oily skin. Most shave creams and shave gels are appropriate for all skin types.
Application:
Mix with tepid water. Use the tips of your fingers or a shave brush (with products that are specifically designed for brush use) to lather directly onto the beard area. Wait 30-60 seconds and then shave. Rinse with cool water.
Frequency:
Once in the morning, or as needed.
Order:
Shave after cleansing and before toning. The best time to shave is in or immediately after a shower.
Exceptions:
Not required, if you use an electric razor or grow a beard.
View All Shave Creams and Gels
Purpose:
Cleans pores. Removes cleanser or shaving residue. Restores the skin’s acid mantle (i.e. lowers elevated pH levels) after cleansing or shaving, and makes the skin less vulnerable to bacterial invasion. Reduces mid-day “shine” (i.e. excess oil build-up).
Selection:
Hydrating toner for normal to dry skin; toner-astringent for oily skin.
Application:
Moisten a cotton ball or cosmetics pad and swab face and neck.
Frequency:
As needed, though most commonly applied once in the morning and once at night, before bed.
Order:
Tone after cleansing or shaving. Tone as a mid-day treatment to remove dirt, excess oil, and other pollutants, or after prolonged sun exposure, to restore the skin’s acid mantle.
Exceptions:
Not required, if you use a pH-balanced cleanser (i.e. a cleanser that contains alpha or beta hydroxy acids).
View All Toners and Astringents
Cleans pores. Removes cleanser or shaving residue. Restores the skin’s acid mantle (i.e. lowers elevated pH levels) after cleansing or shaving, and makes the skin less vulnerable to bacterial invasion. Reduces mid-day “shine” (i.e. excess oil build-up).
Selection:
Hydrating toner for normal to dry skin; toner-astringent for oily skin.
Application:
Moisten a cotton ball or cosmetics pad and swab face and neck.
Frequency:
As needed, though most commonly applied once in the morning and once at night, before bed.
Order:
Tone after cleansing or shaving. Tone as a mid-day treatment to remove dirt, excess oil, and other pollutants, or after prolonged sun exposure, to restore the skin’s acid mantle.
Exceptions:
Not required, if you use a pH-balanced cleanser (i.e. a cleanser that contains alpha or beta hydroxy acids).
View All Toners and Astringents
Purpose:
Restores moisture to the skin after it has been shaved. Relieves mild post-shave irritation. Soothes freshly inked tattoos (alternate use).
Selection:
Toning after-shave liquids for very oily or very sensitive skin. Most after-shaves are appropriate for all skin types.
Application:
Massage a dime-sized amount into freshly shaven skin.
Frequency:
Once in the morning, or as needed.
Order:
Use immediately after you shave and tone, and before you moisturize.
Exceptions:
Not required, if you regularly use moisturizer and do not experience problems with post-shave irritation.
View All After-shaves
Restores moisture to the skin after it has been shaved. Relieves mild post-shave irritation. Soothes freshly inked tattoos (alternate use).
Selection:
Toning after-shave liquids for very oily or very sensitive skin. Most after-shaves are appropriate for all skin types.
Application:
Massage a dime-sized amount into freshly shaven skin.
Frequency:
Once in the morning, or as needed.
Order:
Use immediately after you shave and tone, and before you moisturize.
Exceptions:
Not required, if you regularly use moisturizer and do not experience problems with post-shave irritation.
View All After-shaves
Purpose:
Prevents moisture in the top layer of skin from evaporating, or absorbs into the top layer of skin to promote water retention.
Selection:
Oil- or silicon-based (occlusive) moisturizers for dry skin; oil-free (humectant) lotions for oily skin. Some “oil-free” moisturizers may, in fact, contain small amounts of oil emulsified in water. These do not tend to complicate oily skin.
Application:
Use the tips of your fingers to gently massage small dabs of moisturizer into your skin.
Frequency:
As needed, though most commonly applied once in the morning and once at night, before bed.
Order:
Moisturize after cleansing or shaving and toning.
Exceptions:
Not required, if you have very oily skin. Not required at night, unless you have very dry skin or follow an anti-aging regimen.
View All Moisturizers
Prevents moisture in the top layer of skin from evaporating, or absorbs into the top layer of skin to promote water retention.
Selection:
Oil- or silicon-based (occlusive) moisturizers for dry skin; oil-free (humectant) lotions for oily skin. Some “oil-free” moisturizers may, in fact, contain small amounts of oil emulsified in water. These do not tend to complicate oily skin.
Application:
Use the tips of your fingers to gently massage small dabs of moisturizer into your skin.
Frequency:
As needed, though most commonly applied once in the morning and once at night, before bed.
Order:
Moisturize after cleansing or shaving and toning.
Exceptions:
Not required, if you have very oily skin. Not required at night, unless you have very dry skin or follow an anti-aging regimen.
View All Moisturizers
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Notice to Reader: The men's skin care and grooming advice on this web site or in correspondence with customers is intended to educate and entertain. It does not replace the counsel of a physician. Seek the advice of a doctor if your skin condition warrants medical attention.
Copyright © 2009 MenEssentials Corporation. All rights reserved.
Copyright © 2009 MenEssentials Corporation. All rights reserved.