or "five steps to a less unhealthy-looking you"
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 By Michele Probst
Menaji Founder
Published June 2004
Michele Probst is founder of Menaji and a recognized expert in men's skin care.
In the summer, men's skin becomes oilier because its moisture content rises with the humidity. Men's skin is 20 percent oilier than women's and has significantly larger pores. This means men need to take more care of their skin during those hot and hazy months. It doesn't take much. Just follow this simple regime and stunning, healthy-looking skin can be yours all summer long.
Step 1: Cleanse
Clarify your skin by washing your face every day. Cleansing products should be all natural and chemical free. Never use deodorant soaps on your face. These contain harsh ingredients that may irritate your skin and clog your pores. In hotter weather, clogged pores always lead to blemishes.
Step 2: Exfoliate
This is essential for flawless, glowing skin. A good scrub will remove dead cells and smooth the skin's surface. When selecting a summertime scrub, look for products with Jojoba beads as these provide immediate results and won’t tear into or dig at the pores.
Step 3: Tone
Everyone spends more time outdoors during the summer, which means environmental debris and pollutants can have an additional impact on your skin's ability to remain elastic. Toning helps keep your face clear and firm. Astringents and toners with glycolic or alpha hydroxyl acids work best. These acids actually reduce pore size and help with ingrown hairs, which can be very painful in hotter climes.
Step 4: Nourish
Always use a light moisturizer on your face after cleansing and shaving. It is very important to hydrate the entire surface of your skin, especially the sensitive under-eye areas. This is one of the first places to show signs of aging, especially with the additional sun exposure, and should not be overlooked. An eye gel or serum that contains chamomile or Vitamin E will refresh and nourish the delicate skin beneath your eyes.
Step 5: Protect
Defend your skin by avoiding over exposure to the sun. As stated by Brian S. Biesman, M.D., F.A.C.S.:
90 percent of premature aging of the skin is caused by overexposure to the sun. Failure to protect and care for your skin not only leads to wrinkling and aging but it increases your risk of developing skin cancer, the most prevalent of all cancers in the United States. More than one million Americans are newly diagnosed every year, and nearly every affected individual has a strong history of over exposure to sunlight or tanning. The likelihood of developing cancer is even higher when sun exposure results in burning and blistering.
Apply sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or greater at least 30 minutes before sun exposure.
Select prescription eyeglass lenses such as Transitions® Lenses, which provide automatic protection by blocking 100 percent of UV rays. Think of it as sunscreen for the eyes.
Avoid direct sun exposure during the peak UV radiation hours (between 10:00 am and 3:00 pm). Regularly perform self-examinations to familiarize yourself with existing growths and be more aware of changes to the topography of your skin.
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