Pro tips for keeping a guy’s skin looking great — even in a Chicago winter
Harsh winds and cold temps mixed with dry, indoor heat can wreak havoc on your skin, so to get your flaky, blotchy face back in tip-top shape, we turned to a pro who knows a thing or two about a guy’s face. Men’s grooming expert Randy Wilder has deep roots in the fashion industry working with celebs to make them look their best and working on hit TV shows like “Chicago P.D.,” keeping the tough guys looking tough.
When it comes to giving your face a little TLC, Wilder said that a combination of factors causes dull, lifeless skin, and that building the right skincare routine will help your skin to bounce back from winter’s harsh conditions. “Most guys think that they have a skincare regimen with their shaving oil or a face wash that they use, but they don’t think of the whole package,” Wilder said. “Most guys don’t pay attention to things like moisturizing, but you really need to put that barrier on.”
Wilder likes moisturizing balms because they are thicker than lotions, and stay on longer. “A soon as you get out of the shower, you should moisturize your face,” he said. “It balances your complexion and creates a barrier to protect your face from dryness. Moisturizing right after a shower allows it to absorb into your skin because your skin is prepped. The warm water has opened up your pores, so it can penetrate deep down.”
As tempting as it may be on a cold day, Wilder also suggests cutting out the long, hot showers. “Hot water draws the moisture out of your skin. It’s better to have warm showers and use a light exfoliate once a week,” he said. “In the winter we drink more alcohol, we eat more comforting foods. That all builds up, and your body has to detoxify. If you are not exfoliating, you’re building up a layer of dead skin cells and you will have more breakouts and blotchy skin.”
Wilder added that it’s also important to create an environment that’s conducive to healthy skin. “You can’t have enough moisture in the air, he said. “Everyone should have a humidifier running in the winter.”
Here are a few more ways a guy can keep his skin looking its best even in the harshest winter conditions.
Create a barrier with a balm
Step out of the shower and reach for a balm. Aesop’s Elemental Facial Barrier Cream is an intensely nourishing hydrator that conditions skin and provides a soothing barrier from winter’s harsh conditions. $60, aesop.com
Lighten up on the scrub
Once a week, a gentle exfoliant makes it easier for your post-shower moisturizer to be absorbed. On off days, go with an extra-light wash. Shiseido’s Waso cleanser contains royal jelly extract to deliver amino acids, vitamins and minerals to your skin’s surface for added moisture. $28, sephora.com. Haeckels seaweed and salicylic powder exfoliant sloughs off dry skin with its mix of ground seaweed, tea tree leaves and crushed willow bark. $32, mrporter.com. Kiehl’s Clearly Corrective Brightening & Exfoliating Daily Cleanser is a gentle, exfoliating cleanser that helps to enhance skin clarity and brightness. $32, kiehls.com.
Invest in a humidifier that multitasks
Dyson’s Pure Humidify+Cool air purifier is a space-saving humidifier, fan and air purifier all in one. The unit comes with an app for control from your smartphone and projects purified, humidified air, removing 99.97% of microscopic allergens such as dust, pet dander, pollen and household odors. $799, nordstrom.com
Keep your kisser kissable
Don’t forget to hydrate and heal your chapped lips. Dr. Rogers Restore Healing Balm is hypoallergenic, 100% plant-based and free of common allergens. Malin + Goetz Mojito Lip Balm replenishes dry lips with a blend of fatty acids that offer a layer of nourishing protection. The formula absorbs quickly and doesn’t require constant reapplication. $34, amazon.com, and $14, malinandgoetz.com
Incorporate a post-shave balm into your routine
Dragging a razor across your winter-ravaged skin can cause additional irritation, so post-shave skin care should be an essential step in your morning routine. Baxter of California’s After Shave Balm is a soothing alcohol-free formula that keeps razor burn at bay. Murdock’s Post-Shave Balm is an anti-inflammatory formula that moisturizes your skin to seal pores and calm your skin on impact. $19, amazon.com, and $44, nordstrom.com
