Men's Aging Skin Care: Finding the Best Anti-Aging Products

When it comes to the skin on the face, there is a certain benefit in being a man. Men's facial skin is generally thicker than a woman's and usually not as sensitive to skin care products. However, studies have shown that skin cancer from sun exposure sun appears faster in men, which makes using skin anti-aging products very important. Read on for a detailed look at men's skin and aging, and learn what skin products to use.

What Happens to Aging Skin

How you care for your skin at a young age and throughout your life, along with your exposure to environmental factors, will affect how your skin ages. The average man will begin to notice certain milestones in the appearance of the skin at different stages in his life:

• In his 20s, he may see small lines and creases, especially in the brow area, and perhaps the first signs of crow's feet.
• In his 30s, his skin may begin to look dull and the lines between the brows will become more prominent.
• In his 40s, aging skin around his mouth may begin to show fine lines and wrinkles may appear on the forehead.
• In his 50s and after, depending on exposure to outside environmental and lifestyle factors, the skin may start to sag, wrinkles will deepen and the skin can appear thinner or discolored.

Skin Products to Keep You Looking Young

One of the most important skin anti-aging products you can use is sunscreen. The easiest way to use sunscreen every day is to use a men's facial moisturizer with sunscreen in it. Other anti-aging skin care products you should keep in your arsenal include:

• Astringent, which will leave the skin looking firmer
• Exfoliant to use regularly (but not daily), to eliminate dullness
• Eye cream to protect the thin layer of skin around the eyes, which is highly susceptible to the signs of aging skin
• Lip balm with SPF to protect the lips from dryness and flaking
• Products with retinol, an antioxidant that neutralizes free radicals responsible for aging skin cells.

Lifestyle Factors and Aging Skin Care

It's natural that the older you get, the more your skin will show the signs of aging and the more important skin care becomes. However, the following are the dreaded "four S-factors," or lifestyle choices that will increase the visible signs of aging skin:

• Sleep: Inevitably, the older you get, the more your skin will sag. The thin skin under your eyes is perceptible to a puffy or swollen look and is only made worse by not getting enough sleep and sleeping flat on the back.
• Smoking: Smoking causes a narrowing of the blood vessels, which hinders how blood can flow to your skin--leaving less oxygen and nutrients, which results in increased wrinkling in the skin.
• Stress: Stress cannot only cause a breakout--all that frowning can cause wrinkles. Scientists have shown that chronic stress shortens the life span of the genes inside cells, which revs up the body's deterioration process.
• Sun: Limit the negative effects of sun exposure by wearing sunscreen that blocks both UVA and UVB rays and is at least SPF 15.

Resources

Stein, R. (2004). Study confirms that stress helps speed aging. Retrieved March 22, 2010, from the MSNBC Web site: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6613721/.

Fox, A. (n.d.). Get better skin in 5 steps. Retrieved March 22, 2010, from the Ask Men Web site: http://www.askmen.com/grooming/appearance/2_get-better-skin-in-5-steps.html.

Mayo Clinic Staff. (2009). Bags under eyes: Causes. Retrieved March 22, 2010, from the Mayo Clinic Web site: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/bags-under-eyes/DS01151/DSECTION=causes.

Hurt, R. MD. (n.d.). Is it true that smoking causes wrinkles? Retrieved March 22, 2010, from the Mayo Clinic Web site: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/smoking/AN00644.

Mayo Clinic Staff. (2009). Skin care: 5 tips for healthy skin. Retrieved March 22, 2010, from the Mayo Clinic Web site: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/skin-care/SN00003.