Anti-Ageing Tips For Men

When it comes to men’s beauty routines, our focus is usually on general hygiene and grooming. If we’re being honest, anti-ageing tips for men tend to go unaddressed.

But just like male hair loss and baldness, skin ageing is something many men are genuinely concerned about - even if they don’t say it out loud.

There’s also not a lot of information around about how men’s skin ages compared to women’s - so I decided it was time to chat to Registered Nurse from Cynosure, Sandra Sostres, and founder of men’s skin care brand gentSac, Shira O’Sullivan-Linker.

Here’s what I found out…

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Men’s skin ages more slowly than women’s skin

Surprising, right? While factors such as sun exposure and lack of a skin care regimen can exacerbate men’s skin ageing, men’s skin actually ages more slowly than women’s. Why? According to Sandra, it’s all to do with “the different level of androgen hormones”. Men have more, “and as a result they have thicker skin and a higher collagen density”, which means they don’t age as quickly as women.

As well as having thicker, tougher skin, men “also have more sebaceous glands, producing more oil”, which means “they require less hydration and moisturising on their skin than women”. Unfortunately, “this excess of oil and androgen hormones makes them more prone to acne” and enlarged pores. On the other hand, although the signs of ageing (wrinkles, loss of elasticity, pigmentation) in men are the same, blokes won’t cop these until later on in life. Case in point: Hugh Jackman's wrinkle-free forehead!

Men are still concerned about skin ageing

In Shira’s experience, men are worried about their skin ageing - she just doesn’t think “Australian men are used to being open about their concerns when it comes to skin care”. As a result, they’re sometimes “not as proactive [as they should be] about moisturising or having a routine that is caring for their skin.” Sandra suspects men feel self-conscious about fine lines and wrinkles “later in life in comparison to women” (due to the aforementioned, comparatively slower onset of skin ageing) - but that doesn’t mean it isn’t on their minds.

There are products specifically formulated to help

If you visit bh on the reg, you’re probably aware there are plenty of skin care brands out there catering specifically for men. When it comes to anti-ageing products, Sandra says “the most important product is a good sunscreen [with] SPF 50” - particularly if the man in question is an outdoorsy type. She also recommends an anti-ageing cream containing vitamin A, a good exfoliator and a cleanser formulated with AHAs and BHAs to help reduce the appearance of already-visible wrinkles.

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In case you haven’t already noticed, the ingredients used in men’s anti-ageing products are actually incredibly similar to those used in female counterparts. The biggest difference is the look and feel of the products - not to mention the scent (no florals, please)! If you want to establish a man-friendly, anti-ageing skin care regimen, look no further than these buys:

Sun protection: SunSense Sport SPF 50+, Banana Boat Ultra SPF 50+, Paula’s Choice PC4MEN Lip Balm SPF 50

Cleanser: Nutrimetics For Men Cleansing Face Wash, MooseHead Dirt Eliminating Face Wash, L’Oréal Paris Men Expert Vita Lift Cleanser

Exfoliant: Rubifresh Skincare Men’s Daily Face Scrub, Davinci Scrub Up

Anti-ageing cream: NIVEA Men DNAge Anti-Age Moisturiser, ClarinsMen Line-Control Cream (Dry Skin), Clinique For Men Anti-Age Moisturizer

In-salon and professional skin care treatments are available

While some men wouldn’t be caught dead in a girly beauty salon and, according to Shira, would “prefer to find a product they can use themselves in the comfort of their own home”, Sandra stresses there are now more “men-only cosmetic and beauty clinics” offering treatments “tailored for men” - so professional treatment is absolutely an option.

The expert recommends “laser/IPL treatments to address concerns such as pigmentation, uneven skin texture, wrinkles and skin laxity”. Chemical peels can also be used to prep the skin for these procedures, as well as to help maintain the results post-treatment.

Do the men in your life take good care of their skin? Are any of them concerned about skin ageing?

38 Member Comments

mania1 23 Aug 2020 7:53 PM

The women are very keen about thier skin and aging that everyboy known but now the trends move towards the men now most of the men are take care of their skin and very worry about the aging then they apply different anti aging products ..

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skincare junkie 9 Jul 2018 7:18 PM

I don't really see a reason for the need for men-specific skincare, apart from perhaps the packaging!

AlaysiaButler 5 Jun 2018 12:09 AM

Amazing products you have shared. I have never used these above. But according to my experience natural skin care products are great to use like Annimateo'S product.

Coconut Jayne 23 Apr 2016 1:05 AM

My brother is more pedantic with skincare than I am!

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clearcrystalwater 4 Apr 2016 7:13 PM

My hubs does like to keep his younger looks - but his hair has half fallen out and so he shaves his head now - I tell him he looks younger because of this!! ; )

Caroline_e 1 Apr 2016 7:43 AM

My husband was very reluctant to using skincare products. He eventually gave in and now uses them morning and night. Sometimes I have to go look mine out as he takes them to.

Lin294 30 Mar 2016 1:02 AM

My husband dips into my Monsia day moisturiser because he says it already has sunscreen protection & it is not greasy! I've steered him away from using my night repair cream by handing him his own vit E oil/shea butter cream (made by me).

Petal 29 Mar 2016 5:30 AM

Thanks for the photo of Hugh Jackman!

Beautybabe140194 27 Mar 2016 8:22 PM

I think men are more concerned about ageing than they let on, it definitely affects them too.

Neel8888 27 Mar 2016 8:04 PM

How unfair is that. We spend all that money and time on skin care and yet our partners end up looking better than us :(

Shop A Everyday 25 Mar 2016 11:33 PM

Men seem to look more distinguished as they age

Rabi 25 Mar 2016 6:07 PM

my man takes care of his skin more than i do! he has more skin face and body products than i do

Trish_D 25 Mar 2016 3:58 AM

Thankfully my husband is good with moisturiser which includes sunscreen.

maggieball 24 Mar 2016 9:58 PM

Some good gift ideas here - for my son, who likes his products.

Linda_Vesinger 24 Mar 2016 8:31 PM

One of my sons takes regular care and the other really doesn't care too much for facial skin care

Neel8888 24 Mar 2016 5:09 PM

The best my boyfriend will do is to apply moisturiser when he remembers it. It makes me mad since he has flawless skin and while I am super meticulous about my skin care I still don't have flawless skin. Life can be so unfair at times :/

Jlgaddes 24 Mar 2016 10:27 AM

My husband doesn't bother with any special treatment for his skin, he says he is aging gracefully :)

Candyfairy 23 Mar 2016 6:29 PM

My hubby is pretty good when it comes to helping me when I need my nails painted or dying my hair, etc. But it isn't something that interests him. Blokes, heh?

Yohanna 23 Mar 2016 4:10 PM

By the way, that pic has been brushed heavily and there is a heaps of light. He has forehead wrinkles and quite deep and long crows feet. Strange...he has very rough skin for his age (only 47). He looks like my dad who is in his late 60s

I do not think that they age slower...they just do not care as we do. Women are under pressure to stay young (societal brainwashing).

I am this year entering 40 and have friend who is 28, he has forehead wrinkles and around the eyes...and I do not even have fine lines. Know quite a few like this. Most guys my age look so old to me

Seezora 23 Mar 2016 12:05 PM

I bought targeted 'Men's' products for my husband, but he said they don't work as well as mine do on him...so he uses mine. He says mine smell better too. LOL so now I just buy what I want, and he helps himself when he feels the need.

Moisturiser and eye wrinkle creams are the most used.

Can I also say that he was SO excited when I was invited to trial a clinical deodorant a few years back, and he was part of the trial to test the men's deodorant. He loved it, and that's the deodorant he insists I buy for him now.

thelifeoflaura 23 Mar 2016 7:56 AM

My partner, since starting dating me, has loved skin care! He is now signed up to a male skin care subscription and everything haha it's good because hopefully it'll mean he stops stealing my stuff ;)

Beth E 24 Mar 2016 4:27 PM

So impressed by this, lauratough! Well done you for influencing your partner to explore good skin care :)

Stensen 23 Mar 2016 1:34 AM

I knew they aged better than us, now I know why. Lucky them.

OnFire 22 Mar 2016 11:15 AM

My partner cares about "how old" he is getting however doesn't use any of the products I have suggested and even bought for him!

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Male beauty: Anti-ageing tips

Men’s skin ages more slowly than women’s skin

Men are still concerned about skin ageing

There are products specifically formulated to help

In-salon and professional skin care treatments are available

Have you tried any of the products mentioned above?

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38 Member Comments

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