Simple Skincare for the Modern Man

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MEN’S SKIN

Is men’s skin really that different than women’s? Absolutely! There ARE many similarities, and many of the same products and treatments used for women still work very well on men’s skin, but there are some key differences to be aware of.

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Men’s skin is 25% thicker than women’s, meaning it is also tougher. Men also continually battle shaving-related skin issues. When a man shaves, his face experiences a fairly intense exfoliation, therefore leaving it more prone to breakouts, razor burn, dryness and ingrown hairs if not treated correctly.

Men have a totally different hormonal makeup, produce more sebum, have larger pores, and grow more facial hair than women. Some studies have even shown that men’s skin has a lower pH level then women.

With these differences, the pH level of the cleansers and topical products becomes an important factor. Products with a higher pH may elevate the overall skin pH and disrupt the acid mantle, which serves as an important protective barrier.
Testosterone also regulates men’s skin. In the epidermis and dermis, it is responsible for increasing the number of granular cells, collagen production and blood flow, stimulating the production of sebum, and toughening hair in the follicle. For any treatment or formula to be effective, it must address sebum, hair growth and sensitivities, as well as the thicker epidermis and a lower pH.

NOW ARE YOU CONVINCED THAT MEN NEED A GOOD SKIN CARE ROUTINE?

Great!… Now what? I hope you can see why a simple skincare routine for men is essential. I’ll break it down and go over simple steps that ANY man can do.

Don’t worry, we’re not going to get all fancy here with masks, serums, or toners. If you are looking for clearer, younger-looking skin, all of those will help, but they’re more for the enthusiasts out there (which, hey, men need a little pampering and TLC too). But for now, I’m here to teach you the basics with core essentials. You won’t add more than a few minutes to your daily routine, but that time spent can make a world of difference and keeping you looking younger, long-term. Ready?  Let’s do this!

 

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STEP 1: CLEANSE TWICE DAILY

When you wash your face, you remove the dirt, grime, and excess oil that has settled inside your pores and your skin. Men’s skin is generally oilier than that of majority of women, which can lead to acne issues. Cleansing will prevent clogged pores, breakouts, and will minimize shine.

It’s also important to cleanse before using any other products, otherwise you’ll limit the effectiveness of a moisturizer, exfoliant, or mask. Think of it this way: You want to clean  before you wax (your car, come on guys), so consider your skin the same. Do it when you wake up—to clean the grime you accumulated while you slept (since your pillowcase it a hotbed of bacteria). And then once again before bed, to flush away the day’s buildup.

Using face gels helps to prevent the same and is highly recommended. Facial gels also help you avoid pigmentation and blemishes.

This is what I recommend: LUMIÈRE DE VIE HOMMES Cleansing Gel

This creamy cleanser effectively eliminates dirt and excess oil for clean, shave-ready skin. Cucumber extract awakens the senses while prepping skin for a comfortable, smoother shave and yes men, you can shave with it!

LUMIÈRE DE VIE HOMMES Cleansing Gel

 

STEP 2: MOISTURIZE TWICE DAILY

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If you’re not moisturizing, you’re missing out. After cleansing, it’s time to hydrate and protect your face. This is that protective wax job! Though men have a higher collagen density than women (hate you), it’s important because moisturizing delivers soothing vitamins and nutrients to the skin, while also creating a protective barrier to shield you from complexion-compromising toxins, AKA pollution.

Apply it in the morning to recover from lost moisture during sleep, as well as before bed to maximize the potency of the skin-strengthening nutrients while your body’s cells regenerate.

 

 

This is what I recommend: LUMIÈRE DE VIE HOMMES Hydrating Aloe Cream

An ultra-light hydrating cream that deeply moisturizes, helps to maintain elasticity, and conditions even the toughest skin. Aloe vera reduces redness while hyaluronic acid fights dry skin.

LUMIÈRE DE VIE HOMMES Hydrating Aloe Cream

 

STEP 3: CONDITION YOUR FACIAL HAIR

LUMIÈRE DE VIE HOMMESIn the past few years facial hair has morphed into the ultimate style accessory – and one that’s not just an adjunct to your overall look but an expression of the inner you, too. My man can’t grow hair facial hair to save his life, but if you can it is SO important to not only use that cleanser on your facial hair, but also use a beard oil to help soften & condition not only the hair, but the skin beneath.

Beard oil is hydrating to the skin and helps soften and tame beard hair, which means it is also a great styling agent.  I’m so pumped to get this baby in my pro kit! The ideal beard should look shiny and groomed, and not dusty, flaky and shaggy. Beard oil keeps facial hair flake-free and smelling fresh. Thanks to moisturizing oils, a little beard oil is just enough to tame those flyaway hairs and eliminate flakes (a.k.a. beard-druff)

The best time to apply beard oil is right after washing your face. Get in to the habit by putting it on beard oil first thing in the morning after showering or cleansing. That way, your hair follicles and pores are open and can easily absorb the oil. Just rub the beard oil into your hand, then massage it throughout your beard.

This is what I recommend: LUMIÈRE DE VIE HOMMES Conditioning Beard Elixir

This light-weight oil hydrates and smooths facial hair for a softer, more manageable beard. An advanced blend of fruit and nut oils tame coarse beard hairs for a healthy-looking beard that starts at the root.

 

LUMIÈRE DE VIE HOMMES Conditioning Beard Elixir

 

I hope that after reading this article, you can see how adding these simple 3 steps can make a big difference for all of you modern men out there!   I am SO excited about providing you with products designed just for you, it’s about darn time! Elevate your face with advanced skincare with proven results, designed to elevate ordinary to elite!

LUMIÈRE DE VIE HOMMES is now available, and I’m looking for some men to be part of a launch campaign for me! You’ll be some of the first to get your hands on it!! Who wants to be part of our marketing campaign for this line?! It doesn’t matter where you live, all are welcome!  Simply fill out this form and I will contact you.

Ready to try it?  Sign up here for a 20% OFF exclusive introductory offer!

Sometimes You Just Need a Minute

Once every month I have a dreaded day.  Ladies, I know you feel me on this one.  It’s the 2nd day of my monthly “friend” and I’m SPENT.  Brain doesn’t work, body doesn’t work, actually….body actually REVOLTS. Guys just don’t get it. No matter how hard I try to get it together, I’m simply no good to anyone on this day once a month.  And you know what? I used to feel guilty!  As a full-time entrepreneur working from home, if I took any time during “working hours” to spend time on me (vs business) I’d feel guilt and regret.  I get to do what I love full time and there’s more that I want to achieve.  How dare I do something that doesn’t help me grow?  How dare I do something that isn’t on my list?

Shut up inner Maleeva! Here’s the deal:  if you’re not good, nothing is good.  And how can I expect to thrive in business if I don’t listen to my body?  How can I expect to have a healthy life if I’m not healthy?  I realized that the only person putting this pressure on me was me, and I needed to stop.

So instead of making breakfast and turning the computer on, I made breakfast, a hot cup of tea, and tuned in to one of my shows snuggled up with my pup and a blanket.  Then I took a hot shower and even indulged in a scrub and a mask!   By 11am I was refreshed, less crampy, and began my day.  And here I am at 3:57 having accomplished everything I needed to for the day!  But I guarantee you I wouldn’t have been nearly as productive if I hadn’t taken that time this morning.

We have TIME.  We’re so used to thinking that we don’t, but truly it’s just a matter of prioritizing what’s important and being disciplined with time management.  Don’t look to me for the answers to that one haha, I’m still figuring it out.  But the truth is that we have more time than we think when we cut out the nonsense.  So I’m telling you to take that bath, read that book for pleasure, go for a walk or learn the guitar.  Do SOMETHING that takes care of you and helps you feel fulfilled.  Everything around you will become better as a result 😉 xoxo

Do it Wrong

I never thought of myself as an entrepreneur.  If I could sum up my entire journey in business and beauty in one short sentence….I just keep failing forward.

I know that doesn’t sound impressive.  But I’m not an impressive person.  I’m just a gal who wants more out of life and is figuring sh** out along the way.

I listened to a video this morning while doing my dishes and something struck me.  So hard in fact that it inspired me to build this blog and write a post!  All in the same day!  Something I’ve been meaning to do for years and just haven’t.  Now THAT’S impressive 😛 (does this show up as a sticky-outtie-tongue face? Guess we’ll find out when I publish)

In this video it said “If it’s worth doing, it’s worth doing wrong until you figure out how to do it right”….WHOA.  My view of everything I’ve ever known just tilted a little bit in the best freaking way.  If it’s worth doing…it’s worth doing wrong.  Let’s munch on that for a second.  I love this quote because it showcases action over perfection.  No one is perfect. Sure it might seem that way if we are measuring ourselves against everyone else’s social media highlight reels, but seriously people.  The makeup artist I am today is NOT the one that did her first music video 9 years ago (thank God, I was not that good).  But if I had waited to start my career until I knew everything there was to know about skincare, and beauty, and my industry- shoot I wouldn’t be here today.  I’ve done a lot of things wrong but I’m grateful I’ve always done something.  And I’m still trying to figure out this whole entrepreneur thing.  All I know is I’m going to keep doing, and learning, and growing.

And that’s why I’m here.  This blog is going to be my adventures in beauty, business, and life and I’m inviting you to join me. I encourage you to dream and then to do because after all “if it’s worth doing, it’s worth doing wrong until you figure out how to do it right.”

xoxo Maleeva

 

 

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