Does skin have a gender?

When we talk about a healthy complexion, we’re usually referring to a woman’s skin. Partly because the beauty industry has made considerable generalizations about what women desire and what men need. Women get bright and beautiful fonts, sensual fragrances and efficacious products, while men get ‘grooming’ products that are packaged in basic, predictable colors. In the past few years, the beauty industry has moved away from these traditional stereotypes, focusing on gender-neutral personal care. The question is, should skincare be purchased based on your gender? Or does it depend more on your skin type and concern? To decode this, we find out the real differences between men and women’s skin, and what men should keep in mind when investing in skincare.

Understanding the differences between men and women’s skin

• According to the American Academy of Dermatology, a man’s skin, on average, is 25 percent thicker than a woman’s. Thanks to androgens, the male sex hormone, collagen and elastin don’t deplete as rapidly in men. Therefore, brands don’t promote collagen and elastin-producing ingredients in men’s products as much. However, skin thickness starts to reduce for men as well as women in their 40s.
• Men have higher levels of testosterone, which is responsible for hair growth, and higher sebum production, which can lead to acne and blackheads. Because of this, men’s skincare products often focus on treating acne and oily skin.
• On average, men shave their beard 16,000 times in their lives. This is why men deal with issues of ingrown hair, folliculitis, skin irritation and inflammation. This statistic is why grooming products—from scrubs, aftershave and razors—are one of the most common categories of products for men.

A GUIDE TO MEN’S SKINCARE

Knowing your skin type

One thing that we know in the beauty industry is that one product does not fit all. What your skin needs depends on your skin type. We designed our Amrutini® range keeping this in mind—including ingredients that work for most skin types, be it a man’s or woman’s, and helping skin strengthen, repair and revitalize itself with the precise composition of these ingredients.

• Dry skin requires products with nourishing ingredients like vegan ghee, a star ingredient in our Precious Potion, and antioxidants — such as those of BioTransformed Makaibari Silver Imperial Tea leaves, used in our True Brew, are easily and effectively absorbed by the skin.
• If you have oily or acne-prone skin, AHAs, benzoyl peroxide and matte-finish moisturizers with hyaluronic acid are your best friends. You can opt for our Amrutini® Luminosity Dewdrops for its hydrating and therapeutic properties.
• Sensitive skin is best served with calming ingredients—think ashwagandha or tea extracts. At Love, Indus, we make sure that the products we develop are artificial fragrance-free as these can cause skin irritation, especially for sensitive skin.
• For combination skin, maintain your skin’s texture by keeping it adequately moisturized without clogging it with oils and heavy creams. Our pick? The Amrutini® Luminosity Dewdrops that is packed with high-performance hyaluronic acid.

Busting myths

• Myth: Vigorous scrubbing gives you clearer skin.

Abrasive scrubbing, with harsh chemicals or physical exfoliants, can leave your skin inflamed and dry. This also leads to more oil production, which can be problematic if you have acne issues. Using harsh soaps will remove defensins, the natural oils that protect skin from bacteria-causing pimples. Try the silk cocoons that accompany our Amrutini® Luminosity Dewdrops, which provide a gentler form of exfoliation while also polishing your skin.

• Myth: Shaving isn’t skincare.

Dermaplaning, a growing trend of the beauty world, is often compared to shaving. This is because the clinical treatment requires a practitioner to ‘shave’ off the peach fuzz and dead skin cells using a surgical scalpel. While dermaplaning is different from traditional shaving, both, when done properly, are great ways to exfoliate skin.

• Myth: Oily skin doesn’t need to be moisturized.

Oil production and hydration are two separate issues. If you have oily skin, you should use products that are non-greasy and mattifying. Look for non-clogging humectants like vegan ghee, found in some of our Amrutini® products, creams with linoleic acid and dry oils that hydrate.

• Myth: Sunscreen should only be used on the beach.

Ninety percent of skin cancers are caused by the sun's UV rays. Whether you’re sitting on a beach or next to your widow, sun protection is a must. Opt for a broad spectrum sunscreen, which will not only minimize the harmful effects of UV rays and prevent free radical damage, but also contain the effects of blue-light from screens.

• Myth: Beards don’t need to be washed every day.

Washing your beard is just as important as washing the hair on your head. Invest in a good-quality beard cleanser, which will clean your beard without stripping away your skin’s natural oils.

Meaningful tips

• Reach for a salicylic-based cleanser. It will remove impurities on the top layer of the skin, target dead skin cells and excess oil and unclog pores. Always use light circular motions when washing. Remember to pat your skin dry with a towel instead of rubbing it (which might irritate skin).
• Look for the right ingredients. Use peptide-based moisturizers, eye creams or serums, which stimulate your body to make more collagen. Copper peptide is a safe and effective ingredient to use, see its transformative powers in our Amrutini® range. Hyaluronic acid, another must-have in your routine, is a key ingredient in the Amrutini® Luminosity Dewdrops. Use it to help your skin stay hydrated by holding water in your skin. Free radical damage from UV rays and environment pollution can accelerate collagen breakdown. Include clean and potent ingredients like ashwagandha and tea extracts that promise to build new healthy cells.
• Prep your face. While you may have mastered your shaving technique, it is also important to use the right tools—wash your face with warm water to prevent hair tugging, use a rich cream to moisturize your skin and an aftershave balm to help with razor burns. Our Precious Potion works double duty: Liquefied Muga Silk heals the skin and vegan ghee intensely moisturizes.

An easy routine

• STEP 1: Cleanse The skin on your face is the most sensitive, which means you should opt for a gentle cleanser that is specifically formulated to clean without stripping skin’s natural oils.
• STEP 2: Exfoliate Exfoliation is a must. Doing this two to three times a week will help clean out clogged pores and leave you with a smoother complexion. Try: The silk cocoons that accompany our .
• STEP 3: Shave Take a warm shower and exfoliate to open your pores, use a lathering brush to completely coat the hair and make sure to change your razors regularly.
• STEP 4: Moisturize Look for a multi-ingredient moisturizer that is suited for your skin type and tackles your concerns, whether it’s acne or dry skin. Try: Amrutini® Precious Potion.
• STEP 5: Groom A good quality grooming kit is the final step towards looking and feeling good. Keep it handy to pluck errant hair and prime your nails.

The takeaway

While products for men are marketed differently than those for women, there are underlying fundamental requirements that are similar - think sun protection and hydration, or skin strength and repair. A good product, for you, is one that is suited to your skin’s specific needs, not one that merely categorizes your needs based on gender.