• A Guy's Guide to Skin Care
• By Jeanie Lerche Davis
• You're a guy. A sports team gets your attention - not your facial skin. But here's a news flash: If you want to look good, you've got to deal with your skin.
  
  “If men want to keep skin youthful and healthy looking, they’ve got to make skin care a part of their daily regimen," says Matthew Avram, MD, JD, director of the Dermatology, Laser and Cosmetic Center at Massachusetts General Hospital.  He’s also a faculty member at Harvard Medical School.
  
  Sun and smoking are your face’s worst enemies because both cause skin damage and wrinkling. "If you smoke, quit." Avram tells WebMD. "Using a moisturizer with sunblock is a very effective way to prevent aging and wrinkling."
  
  A Checklist for Great (Manly) Skin
  
  
  1. Choosing skin products:
  • Think “moisturizers’ when buying soaps – body and hand soaps, that is.
  • Buy a face moisturizer that contains sun block or sunscreen.
  • If you've got dry skin, buy a light moisturizing body lotion for summer.
  • During winter months, buy heavier moisturizing creams or ointments,
  • If dry skin is really a problem, thicker and greasier is better.
  • Always use a good sunscreen outdoors (SPF 15 or higher).
  
  
  2. Preventing dry skin:
  • Take lukewarm showers (instead of hot ones).
  • Limit shower time to 5 or 10 minutes.
  • Apply moisturizing lotion right after drying from the shower.
  • Moisturize after washing hands.
  
  
  3. Getting a great shave:
  • Shave in a warm shower. Or carefully put a hot, wet towel over your face for a few minutes before shaving.
  • Massage shaving cream or gel into skin.
  • Don’t shave too close. Use single-edged razors to protect skin from irritation. You’ll also reduce potential for ingrown hairs – especially if your beard is curly.
  • Shave only in one direction if you tend to get ingrown hairs. Shave in the direction of hair growth.
  • Wash with plenty of water. Pat gently with a towel, don’t rub.
  • Apply moisturizing cream (containing sun block) to soothe and protect the skin.
  
  
  4. Controlling acne:
  • Using a prescription retinol treatment like Retin - A, Renova, Tazorac, Avita, or Differin at night can make skin less prone to breakouts.
  • Daily use of an antibiotic cream or benzoyl peroxide wash or gel can also help.

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