Why does knowing Your Skin Type Matter?

If you’re washing your face with the same soap you use for your hands (or if you’re not washing your face at all), you’re probably doing more harm than good. Luckily, men’s skincare doesn’t have to be complicated. It really just comes down to understanding a bit of basic science, and acting accordingly. Today, we’re answering the question: Why does knowing your skin type matter?

The difference between the skin on your face and on your body

Let’s start with the basics. The skin on your face is different than the skin on your body, and especially the skin on your hands. The skin on your face is:

• Thinner

• More fragile

• Oilier

• More exposed

The skin on your face needs to be flexible in order to bend and allow facial expressions, while the skin on our hands needs to be tough in order to help us touch the world around us. The cells on your face also shed faster than the skin on your body, meaning that dead cells can accumulate faster there. This can make the skin on your face look dull or even flaky, and it can make it feel itchy.

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Can you use hand soap on your face?

The answer is no! Different compositions, different needs…different cleansers. Hand soap tends to be harsher than face wash, and it can strip away the natural oils in your skin that help protect it. When you wash your face with hand soap, you may feel very fresh—but that often turns into a feeling of uncomfortable tightness. That’s what several sources refer to as the “squeaky clean” feeling, and while it may seem like a sign that you’ve done a good job, it’s actually a warning sign.

What are the different skin types?

So, no hand soap. The next step to taking care of your skin is understanding how to know your skin type, as this will affect the type of men’s skincare you’ll choose. There are five broad skin types: normal, combination, dry, oily, and sensitive. Normal skin is, well, normal—it’s not too oily or dry, feels comfortable, and is generally blemish-free. Combination skin means that some areas, like your t-zone (your forehead, nose and chin), are oilier, while the rest of your skin may be normal or even a bit dry. Dry skin is sometimes irritated, prone to itchiness and redness, and has more visible lines. Oily skin is prone to blemishes like pimples and blackheads, and it looks, well, oily. And sensitive skin gets irritated easily, often in response to the products you use on it. This skin type can require a bit of trial and error to find the right men’s skincare products, as it may be more sensitive to the ingredients. “Why does knowing my skin type matter?” Basically, because the better you know yourself, the better decisions you can make for yourself.

Why does pH matter in men’s skincare?

Looking at that list, you may have a pretty good idea of what your skin type is. If you’re wondering what determines skin type, the answer is pretty simple: it’s the pH, or “potential of hydrogen”. As you may remember from high school science, pH is a scale used to measure the acidity or alkalinity in substances. From the soil we grow plants in to the water we drink, pH is a key part of how these substances affect us. The same applies to your skin.

What is my skin’s pH?

If your skin’s pH is disrupted, this will affect its microbiota—the colonies of bacteria that live on it and help to regulate it. This can lead to your skin feeling and looking sub-optimal, and can cause it to tilt to one of the types mentioned above, making it dry, or overly sensitive, or oily. In all cases, this will probably look like blemished or dull skin, and it may make your face feel tight or even itchy.

For most people, the perfect skin pH is a little—but not too—acidic. On the pH scale, that means about a 7.

Why does pH balancing men’s skincare matter?

So does this mean you have to break out the little paper strips from science class and figure out your skin’s exact pH? Well, you could…but you don’t have to. Knowing your skin type, or the challenges with your skin (for example, excessive flakiness or acne) is usually enough to help you find the men’s skincare that will work for you. You can also look for products designed for all skin types—these are usually gentle enough to not irritate sensitive skin, and lightweight enough to not promote oiliness while penetrating enough to moisturize dry skin.

At SAVAGE, our goal is to create affordable men’s skincare that will help nourish your skin while promoting a healthy pH for all skin types. Our products are designed to be gentle and to help your skin retain its elasticity, so whether you have oily or dry skin, our cleansers, moisturizers and masques can help balance your pH while deeply hydrating. You can learn more about our affordable men’s skincare products here.

Many men pour attention, research and effort into every aspect of their lives. They plan workouts, learn about nutrition, invest in education, and work hard to get ahead professionally and financially. But what about their skin? The body’s largest organ is easy to overlook, but that doesn’t make it less essential.

Learning about your own skin—its type, and how to care for it properly—is about more than just looking good. You face is what you show the world, and your skin is the vehicle for who you are. When it feels good, you feel good, too. Ready to take charge of your skin? Check out our range of SAVAGE products to find the right skincare for you, and don’t miss our beard care, while you’re at it! There’s only one you—make sure you take care of him.

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