How to Look 25 in Your 40s Using This Skin Care Guide For Men

He’s in his 40s.”

“But, it doesn’t look like he’s in his 40s.”

“Instead, he looks younger.”

How can he?

Because of his regular skin care routine. He also dresses really well (but, that’s not the point here).

Sure, he’s super rich and has won an Oscar, but that doesn’t make him have that amazing skin.

In fact, he’s no different and, he’s like any other man, like us.

If you haven’t guessed yet, I’m talking about Leonardo DiCaprio.

Your skin has a lot to say about your looks and how people guess your age. With good care and attention, you can look younger, if not, look 25 in your 40s, 50s and so on.

Better enough to get anyone’s attention.

Anyways, who said only women can have beautiful skin?

For some, this may seem like a joke, but the truth is every man can have great skin.

In this step-by-step guide, I’m going to show how to have better skin and a basic routine that you can follow.

1. Wash Your Face Every Day Twice

There is nothing more important than a daily wash to maintain your skin.

Sure, a daily bath or shower is a must and everybody does that (you do, right?). But, your facial skin needs extra attention.

To remove extra dirt and grease, use a face wash. They often come in various types like an oil-free, oil-based, cream-based and gel based.

Here, these questions arise…

“Which one is right for me?”

“How many times should I face wash?”

In simple words – it depends.

For Oily Skin

Use an oil-free cleanser (foaming).

Too much washing usually strips off the moisture and leads to producing more oil. In turn, it may cause inflammation and acne. So, wash your skin once a day.

For Dry Skin

Wash your skin twice a day (morning and before bed).

Use a cream-based cleanser that will clean the dirt and let your skin pores breathe. It’s great if your skin gets more dry in the winters.

For Normal Skin

Shake a leg because your skin needs the least attention!

Although your skin does not require much serious product, but still it requires something. Look for a mild cleanser and wash twice daily.

The kind of cleanser depends on what suits you best. Try different cleansers and see which one gives you non-drying feeling.

2. Moisturize Your Skin

After cleansing your skin, the second step is to hydrate your skin. A skin moisturizer will do the job. It is important to keep your skin moisturized and healthy all day.

Also, it makes sure that your skin does not feel like a sandpaper.

Moisturizers usually come as oil-based, but look out for the ones which are light and less oily.

A moisturizer with less thickness is a better option for all kinds of skin. But, if yours’ is super dry skin, then use a cream-based moisturizer (which is a thick formulation).

A facial moisturizer is generally of two types:

Morning Facial Moisturizer

It will keep your skin hydrated all day. A product with an SPF of at least 15 is recommended to protect and minimize skin damage.

Some products also have anti-aging ingredients, but a sunscreen is a must.

Bedtime Facial Moisturizer

At night, your skin needs to repair, renew and regenerate skin cells. Using a bedtime moisturizer will keep your skin hydrated, soft and make it better looking for the next day.

Some are able to slow the process of aging, reduce fine lines and wrinkles.

3. Stay Hydrated All Day

So, you thought moisturizers are enough for your skin? Cheating huh? A moisturizer gets the job half done. Your skin still needs moisture from inside too.

An adequate water intake increases the blood flow to the skin pores to get filled in. Thus, making you look younger and healthier.

Without proper supply water, your skin can get dull and wrinkled. It helps in removing the dirt, making skin elastic and less likely to crack.

What’s that worse that could happen?

Dehydration will make your skin super dry, resulting in increased dead cells on the top layer of skin. These dead cells clog the pores and develops acne pimples.

Drink Enough Water

Take 2.6 liters of water (about 10 cups) to fulfil daily body requirements.

Do Not Depend on Other Sources of Water

Though solid food and beverages have water, but they are definitely not the primary sources. Drink plain water. No excuses.

4. Get Your Sleep

So, you want beautiful skin? Go get your sleep.

That said in simple words, now let’s talk why.

During sleep, our human body rests from the voluntary actions and focuses on involuntary activity. That means, it repairs and recovers itself, including skin.

If you are not getting enough sleep, you are directly affecting your appearance, in a bad way.

How bad?

• More wrinkles
• More fine lines
• Lifeless skin
• Decreased flow of blood
• Puffy eyes
• Tiredness

That much bad.

Action Step:

Read this post to learn how to get better sleep (opens in new tab) and come back.

5. Eat Vegetables, Fruits & Have a Balanced Diet

See, you can have a great skin care system, you can sleep well and stay hydrated all day. But, everything fails when you don’t provide your skin the fuel it needs to stay right on track.

Here’s the deal:

Food gets broken down into various nutrients, which maintains your skin. For example, proteins break down into amino acids to produce collagen, making your skin supple and strong.

Also, your skin needs:

• Vitamins E and C (help collagen synthesis)
• Vitamin A (antioxidant properties)
• Fatty acids like omega-3 fatty acids.

Eat Your Vegetable & Fruits

A good meal is the one that involves vegetables & fruits of different colors. Include red, green and yellow colors in your diet.

• Red ones like apples, tomatoes and carrot
• Green ones like broccoli, spinach, and kale
• Yellow ones like lemons, mangoes, pumpkin and papayas

Don’t Eat Much of Sugars

Apart from being bad for your waistline, high sugar level is also bad for skin.

Sugars increase the insulin levels, which causes inflammation and acne. The inflammation caused by sugar results in wrinkles and aging faster.

Do this:

• Avoid simple carbohydrates – Fried food, baked food, cereal, chips, candy, pizza, solid sugar, packaged snacks, etc.
• Eat complex carbohydrates – Vegetables, nuts, rice, protein rich foods, whole wheat, etc.

The breakdown process of complex carbohydrates is slower than the simple ones. They are high in fiber and digest slowly.

Cut The Crap & Crash Diets

I always believe that “what you eat is what you become.” You eat crap (particularly junk food), your skin will look like crap.

Crash diets are a no go. They are short on nutrients.

6. Exercise & Sweat Out

Regular exercise can do wonders to your body and life. Not just losing weight and gaining muscle, it benefits other things like boosting self-esteem, relieving stress, and making your skin better.

Exercise:

• Increases the blood flow throughout the body (including skin).
• Keeps your cells healthy by supplying the necessary stuff.
• Helps removal of dead skin cells and produce new ones faster.
• Releases sweat from the skin, which removes the dirt out of your body.

So, what kind of exercise should you do?

Any exercise that increases your heart rate. Like running, cycling, skipping ropes, etc., for about 20-30 minutes, 5-7 times a week.

Use this formula to calculate the heart rate:

Minimum heart rate (BPM) = (220 – Your Age) * 0.6

Maximum heart rate (BPM) = (220 – Your Age) * 0.8

For example, if your age is 20 years, between 120 BPM and 160 BPM (heart beats per minute) is the sweet spot. Higher than that is harmful.

To find out your heart rate, you can use fitness gadgets or heart rate calculator apps. Search for “heart rate calculator” on your Smartphone App Store.

7. What About Sex?

Did you know, regular sex can make someone look five years younger?

During sex, the “feel good” hormones – Endorphins are released which…

• Boosts blood circulation and oxygen supply
• Reduces anxiety/stress
• Helps get better sleep
• Releases HGH (human growth hormone)
• Boosts collagen production

Due to these reasons, it…

• Makes your skin glow
• Controls acne and blemishes
• Prevents reasons of aging, wrinkles and fine lines
• Prevents dry skin
• Cleanses skin pores

This act of lovemaking is so good that I have already discussed the action steps of it earlier. Check out the post where I talk about sex to build self confidence (#3).

8. Exfoliate Your Skin

Exfoliation keeps your skin pores clean from dead skin cells. It can:

• Get rid of whiteheads and blackheads
• Smoothen your skin
• Add texture to your skin
• Increase blood flow
• Make you look younger

Awesome, right?

Exfoliation is a simple process that takes away your dead cells, leaving your skin soft and young.

How Much to Exfoliate?

Twice a week, but if you have a sensitive skin, do it once. Remember, over exfoliation can harm your skin.

This process requires a scrub product, or if you don’t have a product, you can do a little DIY:

Mix sugar and coconut/olive/any other oil. You can also add honey and lemon to add more qualities. Store in a closed container at room temperature.

How to Exfoliate Your Skin?

1. Clean Your Face

The way you do (or going to do) on a regular basis. Then splash warm water on your face to open the skin pores.

2. Time To Scrub

Get a tablespoon of your scrub and gently massage over your face in a circular motion for about 30 seconds. Do not make it hard, let your scrub do its job.

3. Clean Up

Now, wash your face with cold water to close your skin pores and towel dry your face. Then you can apply your moisturizer.

9. Don’t Stress Out & Stay Happy

Skin has a tendency to react according to our feelings, mood and several emotions. For example, when someone experiences embarrassment, his face blush.

But, why this happens?

With the change in emotional state, blood flow increases, resulting in different skin color. Out of different emotions like anger, embarrassment, fear, depression, etc., stress is your skin’s biggest enemy.

Here’s the deal:

Stress can age your face far more rapidly than the passage of time. Because stress stimulates release of cortisol, which makes your skin cells:

• More fragile
• Limits re-formation
• Age faster

Chronic stress can also cause serious skin problems like acne, eczema, psoriasis, vitiligo and alopecia.

Although, a bunch of ways listed in this post contributes in overcoming stress, you can also find more here.

The Reverse Is Also True

See, if stress causes bad effects, then the good emotions like happiness, joy, etc., contributes in benefiting skin health.

Good mood improves your other habits like eating good food, hydration, sleep, etc.

Maintain The Balance of Emotions

As every emotion has its effect, it is important to maintain a balance between different emotions.

That means, a person who always looks happy may not necessarily mean he is actually happy. He is forcing positivity/happiness.

Also, every man must realize that crying is good for health, if not necessary at times. A good cry releases hormones which results in a better mood and lowered stress levels.

Remember, crying does not make you less masculine, only one’s mentality does.

Visit a Psychiatrist or Therapist

If nothing works, it is better to consult them.

10. Don’t Forget Your Eyes – The Most Neglected Skin Care Area

We often neglect the skin around the eyes, one of the first places where we see the signs of aging.

The skin around eyes is thinner than elsewhere on the body. Also, it is less hydrated because of absence of oil and sweat glands. Thus, wrinkles and fine lines are more likely to appear faster.

Do Simple Home Remedies

Give the skin some love by using coconut oil, castor oil, olive oil or any other oil. They will deep moisturize and reverse wrinkles.

They also work well:

• Avocado
• Juices like cucumber, lemon, pineapple, etc.
• Egg white
• Aloe Vera
• Honey

Use an Eye Cream

Nothing is better than having an eye cream that does the job for you. Look out for a product that reduces wrinkles, increases blood flow and has antioxidant properties.

How To Apply?

Use a little (half pea size), lightly rub around your eyes and you’re done.

11. Wait! What About Your Lips?

After eyes, your lips are the second ones that ages faster than any skin.

Like eyes, they are also devoid of those glands and they do not have a protective layer. The older you get more wrinkled your lips look (if you neglect taking care of them).

Our lips lack melanin, so UV protection is also required.

Use a Lip Balm

It will keep your lips hydrated and prevent cracking. Some also come with SPF to give extra protection against the sun’s UV rays.

Use Oils

Also apply coconut oil, castor oil, olive oil or any other before bed, so when you wake up, they are fresh and young.

12. Do Not Shower for Too Long With Hot Water

Often, there are two big mistakes that people make while having a shower. First, showering with hot water. Nothing is more relaxing than a hot, long shower, so they spend more time, usually up to 15 or 30 minutes.

Sure, it relieves stress and clear nasal congestion, but it has its bad effects. Frequent, long hot showers and baths:

• Strips away the natural oils
• Leads to itchy skin, causing rashes – like a sunburn
• Dry out your skin

1. Take less time bathing – Not more than 5 to 10 minutes, will benefit your skin and save water.
2. Decrease the water temperature – It should be close to body temperature. This will keep your skin hydrated and prevent rashes.

What else is cool?

Cold water shower.

The reverse of hot water is actually beneficial in a lot of ways. It:

1. Will prevent loosing natural oils. It tightens skin, but not skin pores.
2. Makes your hair stronger, shinier and reduces hair loss by improving the grasp of hair.
3. Will wake you up, keep you cool, calm and energetic (shower at night with cold water interferes sleep).

13. Lesser The Blades, Better The Shave

A lot of men make these two mistakes:

• Using razors with multiple blades
• Buying low quality razors

See, a razor is something that you use throughout your life. So, obviously you’d like to choose once and then buy the same thing for the rest of your life.

What if the product you chose is not good enough for your skin? If it’s a bad one, you may experience razor burns or ingrown hair. It is important to choose wisely.

These days, there are more razor products with multiple blades and that’s why, you are more likely to buy one.

Why Single Blade Razors Are Better Than Multiple Blade Razors?

Multiple blades pass over your skin several times, which end up cutting the hair beneath the skin. This causes inflammation and ingrown hair, especially with curly hair.

On the other side, a single blade (double-edge safety) razor cuts the hair gently without pulling. It reduces the chances of ingrown hair and skin irritation.

Expensive Is Not Always Better

Try different brands and test which one is high in quality and works best you.

14. Don’t Shave Against The Grain

Shaving against the grain cuts the hair very close to the skin, which is a good thing. But, it has its consequences.

See, when you shave against the grain, the razor pulls away the hair instead of cutting it. It seems beneficial, but the truth is that it damages your skin, ingrown hair and thus causes inflammation, irritation and scratches .

To maintain good health of your skin, shave/trim with the grain (in the same direction of hair growth).

What if you still want a close shave, without affecting your skin health?

Action Steps:

1. Warm Up Your Skin

Wash your skin with warm water to open up the skin pores. You can also shave in the shower or right after. Then apply a pre-shave oil. It will soften your hair and provide lubrication for a smoother shave.

2. Shave It Off

Use a razor with less amount of blades, with the grain and shave like the way you usually do.

3. Clean Up

Wash your face with cold water to close the skin pores and towel dry. And then…

15. Ditch Your After-Shave, For Good

Do you know, alcohol is super bad for your skin?

Whether you apply that on skin or drink (more on that later), it affects your skin, in a bad way.

Usually, men use an alcohol-based aftershave product and they’re off to work. But, they don’t realize that it is worsening the situation than doing any good.

After a regular shave, your skin craves for moisture, which is not compensated by that alcohol-based aftershave. Instead, it further dries out and irritates your skin, causing a burning sensation.

Indeed, it is able to kill bacteria, but it does more damage to your skin, which seems unfair.

Which Skin Care Product To Use Instead?

There are many other substances that have a sterilizing effect without drying out the skin.

The products that consist of some moisturizing component and doesn’t have alcohol are called moisturizer-based aftershave.

They replace the moisture that was lost while shaving, leaving it soft and smooth. They also have certain oils that can prevent the growth of bacteria.

16. Alcohol & Smoking Will Swallow Your Skin

See, alcohol in any form is bad, whether you drink or apply on your skin.

Drinking Alcohol

Alcohol damages the liver, and its regular consumption causes many skin diseases. It doesn’t matter which kind of drink it is, they all dehydrate the skin.

Its regular use can make you look old, swallow, with huge pores. In short, miserable.

What if you still want to get a little high with the least harm possible?

• Don’t mix your drink with sweet drinks like Coke, juice, soda, etc., and avoid other mixed drinks in general. They are all loaded with sugar, which causes acne.
• Drink clear shots like Vodka, Tequila, Whiskey and Rum. There don’t have additives and sugar.
• Avoid beer and wine. However, red wine supports skin health and minimize aging signs, but drinking in excess may cause serious skin issues like Rosacea.

Always remember that any alcohol in excess is harmful.

Alcohol as an Ingredient in Skin Care Products

All alcoholic compounds are not harmful, but many of them are.

Fatty alcohols like cetyl, stearyl and cetearyl alcohol are non-drying and beneficial for skin, whereas simple alcohols like denatured alcohol, SD alcohol are bad.

Smoking Is Even Worse

If you smoke, this is going to happen (or happened) to your skin:

• Premature aging
• Skin loses its elasticity and moisture
• Skin discoloration, forget about glowing skin
• Wrinkles at an early stage
• Much likely to have infections, skin cancer and psoriasis.

17. Avoid Scented Products As Much As You Can

Before you get all crazy on me, let me tell you why.

There are three kinds of alcohols used in skin care products:

1. Simple,
2. Fatty, and
3. Aromatic alcohols.

The latter one is often used to add aromatic fragrance to the products.

As you know, many people like when their skin care products smell nice. That’s why, big brands make sure to add fragrance as it impacts the consumer’s decisions and experience.

But, (many of the) consumers don’t understand that fragrance is not a necessity. It does make your nose happy, but not your skin.

What’s Bad About It?

Aromatic alcohols cause a sensitizing reaction on the skin, which are responsible for negative skin reactions.

Now, you must be thinking – “But, I haven’t experienced any reaction or anything…”

Of course. Because our skin is very good at hiding. We don’t see those minor reactions, but they are being aggravated. All the damage takes place every day silently, but won’t show up until years to come.

They may produce allergies, cancer or other long time effects.

See if There are Aromatic Alcohols

Benzyl Alcohol is the most common irritant used for adding fragrance. Avoid that. Sometimes, “Frangrance” word is written, which means some compounds are added that they don’t want to tell you.

There are thousands of chemicals that are being used to create a fragrance or a masking agent.

Use Products that:

• Have a light smell, and fades away in few minutes
• Don’t have a very strong smell
• Have ingredients derived from natural sources like rose water, lemon, peppermint, eucalyptus, cinnamon, etc. (Natural ingredients usually fades away faster because of the volatile oils present)