Common Skincare Mistakes Men Make, and How to Avoid Them

In the beauty world, it is not uncommon to come across certain individuals who believe that skincare is a woman’s thing. However, that mindset is slowly coming to an end as more people are beginning to understand the fact that skincare isn’t just a “woman’s thing” it is for both genders and that doing skincare doesn’t make you any less of a man.

But despite this gradual change in orientation, a lot of men in Nigeria continue to make several skincare mistakes that delays their progress in getting a clear, healthy skin or even make mistakes that cause more damage to their skin.

And what is the problem? You may ask, the problem is that a lot of men simply have the wrong routine as well as make use of the wrong product. Thereby making them skip essential steps that would have made a great deal of difference in giving them a healthy skin. And the end result is usually a dull skin with breakouts, razor bumps and premature aging that a few simple corrections could have easily prevented. 

But do not worry, hope is not lost as in this blog post, we will be looking into the most common men's skincare mistakes and exactly how to fix them, with a few product recommendations along the way. Let’s go!

Why Men's Skin Needs Its Own Approach

A lot of people (both men and women) do not understand the fact that men's skin needs its own approach. And this is not because it is “rougher” but rather because it is structurally different from that of a woman’s skin. Most men’s skin are thicker and produce more oil and sebum than women’s skin and the reason for this is that men have higher levels of testosterone than women. Also, their skin tends to experience more damage from daily shaving, sun exposure, and quite frankly, neglect on their side.

What all of the above translates to is that vague skincare advice like “ensure you moisturize" wouldn’t cut it for men, rather a proper skincare that addresses all of their skin needs. This means a skincare routine that accounts for oil production, beard and shaving irritation and years of skin that's simply never been given any real attention. Once all of these are addressed, it becomes easier to achieve clear, healthy skin.

The Most Common Men's Skincare Mistakes

1. Using Only Soap or Body Wash on Your Face

This is the number one offence that most men are guilty of. It is important to note that regular bar soap and body wash are formulated for the tougher skin on your body and not your face. Therefore, when you use them on your face you are unknowingly disrupting the natural oils on your face, disrupting your face's pH balance which results in leaving your face feeling tight and dry; which, ironically, triggers your skin to produce even more oil to compensate.

As a man, if oiliness, breakouts or blemish-prone skin is what you deal with, what you need is a cleanser that is formulated to actually manage oil, not just remove dirt. And this is why facial cleansers from brands such as CeraVe are usually recommended by dermatologists and estheticians when building a skincare routine for men. Products such as the CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser and Facefacts Ceramide Hydrating Gentle Cleanser are formulated specifically for the face and are designed to remove excess oil and impurities while supporting the skin barrier.

If you prefer a locally formulated option that was designed to fit the same goal and works as effectively as either CeraVe of Facefacts then the ORÍKÌ Tea Tree Oil Control Face Wash is another product worth considering, Its formula is designed to deeply cleanse the skin, remove impurities and provide antimicrobial benefits, leaving your skin feeling fresh, clean  and balanced  without the over-drying feel that harsh soaps cause. 

Whether you're dealing with occasional breakouts, excess shine or simply want a more appropriate cleanser for your face, switching from regular body soap to a dedicated facial cleanser is a good place to start.

2. Skipping Moisturizer Because "My Skin Is Already Oily"

All types of skin need hydration; including oily skin. In fact, skipping moisturizer often makes oiliness worse, because when you don’t moisturize your skin becomes dehydrated and dehydrated skin overcompensates by producing more sebum. Therefore, skipping moisturizer isn’t going to fix your skin’s oiliness, rather, choosing the right one for your needs will help control it.

For men who want a moisturizer that will help hydrate their facial skin, help balance oil production and target anti-aging, the best approach to take is to choose lightweight, non-comedogenic moisturizers that contain ingredients such as ceramides, glycerin or niacinamide ( Vitamin B3). Using moisturizers that contain these ingredients can help hydrate the skin without necessarily leaving it feeling excessively greasy.

A good example of a product from globally recognized and trusted brands that provide these benefits is the CeraVe AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion, which combines ceramides and hyaluronic acid to help hydrate the skin while supporting the skin barrier and if you prefer to have both your body cream and you face cream in just one one jar, then FaceFacts Ceramide Moisturising Cream is another product that combines the power of ceramides and hyaluronic acid to keep the skin hydrated. 

And if you prefer locally formulated alternative that is formulated with the right ingredients as well as the African weather in mind, the ORÍKÌ Skin Rejuvenating Face Cream with Vitamin B3 is worth considering. It is an ultra-hydrating face cream for glowing skin that nourishes, protects, and restores the complexion, while helping to defend against sun damage and keep skin firm and radiant. The Vitamin B3 also works to brighten dull, tired-looking skin, making it a solid pick for anyone chasing a more even, healthy glow.

Then there is also  For men who prefer a locally formulated alternative, the ORÍKÌ Skin Rejuvenating Face Cream with Vitamin B3 is designed to hydrate and nourish the complexion while helping improve the appearance of dull, tired-looking skin. Its niacinamide content also makes it a useful ingredient for supporting a more even-looking complexion.

If you'd rather simplify your routine with a product that can be used on both the face and body, the ORÍKÌ Whipped Shea Butter Soufflé is another local formulated alternative that can is worthy trying. It is a great multi-purpose option that can be used on the face and body  as long as your facial skin can tolerate it.

That said, not every skin type does well with the same product on both face and body. So If your face tends to be more sensitive, oily or breakout-prone, it's best to use a dedicated facial moisturizer like the ORÍKÌ Skin Rejuvenating Face Cream with Vitamin B3  and keep the Shea Butter Soufflé strictly for the body. All you have to do is listen to how your skin responds and adjust your product from there

3. Never Using Sunscreen

Dear men, sun exposure is the leading cause of premature wrinkles, dark spots and uneven skin tone therefore incorporating SPF into your daily skin isn’t a “girly” thing, it is about protecting your skin’s health. It is the single most effective anti-aging product you can own. If your target is truly to get the best out of your skin, sunscreen is not optional. Here are some effective and affordable options that you start with:

• CeraVe Invisible Hydrating Sunscreen SPF 50+UVB+UVA

• Uncover Aloe Invisible Sunscreen

• Tiam B3 Niacin Sunscreen

• Nivea Sun UV Face Shine Control SPF50 Sunscreen

• La Roche-Posay Anthelios UVMune 400 Anti Dark Spots Fluid Sunscreen - SPF 50

4. Shaving Without Proper Prep or Aftercare

Dry shaving, using dull blades or skipping a pre-shave routine leads to razor burn, ingrown hairs and irritation that can last for days which often leads to post inflammatory blemish (dark spots). A good shave starts with softened skin and ends with proper aftercare; not the harsh, stinging kind of aftershave most men use.

And if you're growing out facial hair rather than shaving it off, the skin underneath still needs attention most especially the beards part. Beards trap dirt and oil which can make the hair dry and feel uncomfortable. Some good product recommendations for proper beard care are both Cantu Men’s Beard Oil and the ORÍKÌ for Men Beard Oil with Jojoba.  They are both premium beard oils that moisturizes and nourishes both the beard and the skin beneath it. 

Cantu Men’s Beard Oil is a product from the widely known Cantu haircare brand, the men’s hair and beard oil is suitable for men with all skin types while the ORÍKÌ for Men Beard Oil with Jojoba is a locally formulated beard oil that is a lightweight formula that hydrates, softens and tames beard hair while doubling as a styling agent, helping promote the appearance of a fuller, healthier-looking beard. When you add this beard oil into your routine, you will notice just how well put-together your facial hair looks and feels within a short period of time.

5. Ignoring the Body And Focusing Only on the Face

Skincare shouldn't stop at the jawline or even the neck. Many men focus entirely on their face and forget the rest of their skin, not paying attention to the fact that it is not only the face that ages and dries out, the skin on the body does too. To care properly for the skin on your body, you need to pair a dedicated body lotion with your facial routine to ensure your skin looks and feels consistent from head to toe, not just from the neck up.

6. Having No Routine at All

Sometimes,  the biggest mistake isn't a specific product misstep, it is sometimes the absence of any consistent routine. Skincare isn't a one-time fix all procedure, rather it's a habit. Sporadic effort to wash and moisturize isn't going to cut it, rather a consistent skincare routine does.

Practical Tips for Building a Simple & Effective Routine

The process and products needed to achieve a clear and healthy skin isn’t as difficult as people make it out to be. You don't need a 10-step Korean skincare routine to see results. All you need is a simple skincare routine that you remain committed to. Here is a simple blueprint that you can follow:

Morning:

1. Cleanse with a gentle, face-appropriate cleanser. 

2. Apply a lightweight moisturizer. 

3. And finish off with SPF 30 and above. Ensure to apply on the face and on all other parts of the skin that would not be covered by your cloth that day.

4. If you have a beard, finish with a few drops of beard oil to keep hair and skin underneath soft and healthy

Evening:

1. Cleanse again to with a mild but effective cleanser like the ORÍKÌ Tea Tree Oil Control Face Wash to remove dirt, sweat and oil from the day

2. Moisturize your face and follow up with a body lotion, keeping the two separate if your skin needs different levels of hydration in each area

Weekly extras:

1. Exfoliate 2–3 times a week to prevent dullness and clogged pores. A hydrating body scrub like the ORÍKÌ Mint Sugar Body Scrub or will get the job done perfectly. However, if your skin can’t take constant exfoliation, you can switch it up to just once a week or 3 times a month.

2. Use a purifying face mask like the ORIKI Clarifying Face Mask with Spirulina & Moringa

once or twice  a week.

Final Thoughts

Great skin is not only about genetics, it is about eating well, having a healthy lifestyle and taking conscious efforts to choose the right skincare products for your skin and building the right routine around these products. 

Are you ready to build a routine that actually works and will give you your desired results? Ready to build a routine that actually works? Then you should explore ORÍKÌ's full range of men's skincare and grooming essentials on the official ORÍKÌ website and you can stop by one of ORÍKÌ's physical stores in Lagos to speak with the skincare consultants to help you find the products that are right for your skin.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Do men really need a skincare routine that is different from women’s own? Yes, they do. Men's skin is generally oilier and thicker than that of women. And also, it deals with situations such as shavings and bumps, hence the reason why it is necessary to incest in products and skincare routine practices that are formulated specifically for men's skin.  

2. Can I use the same moisturizer on my face and body? It depends on your skin. A multi-purpose product like the ORÍKÌ Whipped Shea Butter Soufflé can work well on both face and body if your skin tolerates it. However, if your face is more sensitive, oily or acne-prone, it is advisable that you use a dedicated facial cream and keep a separate body lotion for the rest of your skin.

3. How many skincare products does a man actually need? Not much really, with a proper cleanser, a moisturizer, a body lotion and a good SPF 30 and above you will definitely see visible differences.

4. Is it necessary to use sunscreen every day, even indoors? Yes it is. Most especially if you will spend time near windows or you will spend any time outdoors during the day. 

5. Where can I find quality men's skincare products in Lagos? ORÍKÌ offers a full range of face care, body care and grooming products for men, which are available both online and at our physical shops across Lagos.