In his second column for TheLatch—, Ryan Channing, founder and CEO of The Blaq Group, talks about how easy it is to establish a daily skincare routine that works for you.
You probably grew up watching your mum or sister applying creams at night and washing their faces each morning with a pretty packaged bottle. But, the thought of your own routine never crossed your mind at the time.
I’m a firm believer that men aren’t aware of skincare until they reach their mid-20s to early 30s, and when this happens, they notice a certain “something” that they swear wasn’t there the night before. Lifestyle changes are one of the most significant factors in skin changes — the switch-up not only takes effect below the surface but also on the outside as well.
As my schedule gets increasingly busier, the thing that remains the same and consistent is my skincare routine.
I recommend that these steps should be performed daily — most likely upon waking and before going to bed. It’s honestly that easy that you’re going to thank yourself for actually following through!
Cleanse daily
The benefit of this practice is the removal of dirt, oil and other unwanted traces that are on the surface of your skin. Throughout the day, your face is exposed to bacteria, pollutants, viruses, dirt, and dead skin cells. Washing your face every day removes these impurities and gives the skin a fresh look. I would suggest trying the Effaclar Foaming Gel by La Roche-Posay as it’s super gentle for all skin types — think of this as Hydralyte for your skin. You will look and feel hydrated to the fullest.
La Roche-Posay Effaclar Foaming Gel, $25.95
Moisturise
Your skin may feel tight after cleansing or sometimes even after shaving. To restore elasticity and movement into your skin, apply a moisturiser. I love using La Mer’s Creme de la Mer. The texture has the right amount of thickness and doesn’t feel heavy on the skin. It also helps with reducing appearance of wrinkles and fine lines.
La Mer Creme de la Mer, $445
After shaving, follow up with a hydrating serum like Flight Mode’s Look Alive in the Sky Repair Serum. Having a fresh, clean face will help those ingredients penetrate deeper into your complexion and result in a more refined skin texture. And, don’t skimp on SPF in your routine. It’s paramount for preventing ageing and protecting the skin from sun damage.
Flight Mode Look Alive In The Sky Repair Serum, $69
Don’t dismiss products because of their packaging. While it may appear to be for women, you’d be surprised by how many products work effectively (or sometimes even better) on men’s skin.
Up until the age of sixty, men have an advantage when it comes to ageing due to having thicker skin. This means men won’t have the same fine lines as women, but once we reach that age the decline is real. Best to prep before that — they don’t call it ageing like a fine wine for nothing! And remember, routine is critical.