BALMY BEACH DAYS, open shirts, after work surf sessions and poolside preening– yep, summer has arrived. However, as the temperature rises, so does the importance of good grooming.
Embracing the sunshine is all well and good, but with the accompanying heat, humidity and increased risk of sun damage through extra time outdoors, it’s essential to adapt your grooming routine to the demands of the season. Thankfully, making a few simple adjustments, you can combat the less fun effects of the season while maintaining your cool.
How to stay sun smart
On average, men spend more time outdoors than women, the sun breaks down the skin’s scaffolding, or collagen, and that’s why a sun-lover’s skin appears to age faster.
It’s widely known that sun exposure is the number one culprit behind premature ageing, so when your office is outdoors you could be getting up to ten times the maximum daily dose of UV radiation every working day. And if your hard hat is your only barrier against the harsh Australian rays, then being SPF-savvy is even more important. Many sunscreens and sunblocks only protect against UVB rays. Both UVA and UVB radiation contribute to sunburn, skin ageing, eye damage, melanoma and other skin cancers, so it’s important to use a product that will shield against both UVB AND UVA rays.
Mesoestetic Mesoprotech Light Water Antiaging Veil is an ultra-light emulsion that is perfectly designed for men’s slightly oilier skin type. Offering very high factor (SPF50+) the fast-absorbing product has the added bonus of low-weight hyaluronic acid, which helps to hydrate your skin from within at the same time.
Another great all-rounder – particularly for men’s skin concerns – is Dermalogica’s Invisible Physical Defence SPF30. Blending easily onto the skin, the physical SPF formula that provides added blue light protection and helps soothe away the effects of environmental aggressors. Bio-active Mushroom Complex helps soothe skin, and reduce UV-induced redness and dryness.
It’s important to apply sunscreen daily, so make it a part of your morning routine after you shower. Apply sunscreen to the face, neck, upper chest, arms and hands, or any area that’s exposed to the sun. Swimmers take note, water resistant does not mean waterproof. According to research, waterproof sunscreen may protect for at least 80 minutes, while a water-resistant product may provide cover for only 40 minutes. Before you take the plunge, try La Roche-Posay Anthelios Wet Skin SPF50+. A non-greasy, non-sticky formula is four hours water resistance , even when applied on wet skin.
Remember, sunscreen should be applied about 20 minutes before going outside to give it time to penetrate. Reapply every two hours, or more frequently if you sweat heavily. Lastly, don’t forget the often-missed tips of your ears and back of your neck!
How to tan the healthy way
Achieving a balance between a healthy, natural tan and oompa-loompa orange – while staying SPF aware – treads a very fine line. Of course, with all the information at our fingertips about how bad exposure to the sun is, it seems a little perverse to compliment someone on the colour of their skin following a few weeks of frying on a beach. But, a bit of colour is nice.
So, if you want some colour without the risk of cancer, the most obvious compromise is to fake it. However, subtlety is key. After all, do you really want to look like a pre-pubescent footballer, an ageing member of a boyband, or an Italian fashion designer? Thought not.
O Cosmedics Mineral Pro SPF 50 Tinted is both natural looking and easy to apply. Containing naturally derived mineral Zinc Oxide to provide broad spectrum UVA/UVB protection, the dry touch cream is also packed with other skin-loving ingredients.
Another great option is Dermalogica’s Skinperfect Primer SPF30. Blending into the skin seamlessly without any noticeable traces of pigment, the product is also infused with peptides and pearl powder, which helps to blur fine lines and imperfections for a flawless finish.
How to switch up your skincare
You may not have considered that a seasonal climate change might also necessitate a skincare switcheroo. If warm weather and humidity equate to increased sweat, redness and oiliness, then it’s time to adapt accordingly as the mercury rises.
Men’s skin typically has large pores and very active sebaceous glands. While these glands are critical for keeping the skin naturally moist, they can often produce too much sebum, leaving your skin feeling greasier than an oil slick. Neglecting to wash away the excess oil and dirt can clog pores, which leaves the skin prone to breakouts and in the summer – given the increased activity – there’s even more of this accumulated oil and sweat to mop up. Comprendez?
Gel-based facial cleansers are ideal for hot weather, as they remove all your excess oil and sweat without over-drying your skin. Look for one that is strong enough to cut through the grease and yet gentle and affordable enough to be used at least once a day.
Allies of Skin Molecular Silk Amino Hydrating Cleanser is gel based but emulsifies into a milky texture to break down grime and impurities, while nourishing the skin with excellent reparative benefits.
O Cosmedics Gentle Antioxidant Cleanser is the brand’s best-selling cleanser thanks to its formula of anti-pollutant boosters that trap and remove dirt and excess sebum and antioxidant and peptides that hydrate and refresh skin at the same time.
Lastly, SumaNurica’s Amino Acid Gentle Cleanser has been designed for easier sunscreen removal (crucial during the summer) and its blend of plant extracts deeply cleanse without stripping the skin’s natural pH balance.
It bears repeating: with increased temperatures, your skin may produce more oil. Enter toners. Targeting enlarged pores and shine, toners tackle both the outward physical results of an overactive T-zone and actually help control the oil production itself.
Perricone MD No Rinse Intensive Pore Minimising Toner gently exfoliates and purifies skin of residue and excess oil, minimising enlarged pores and reducing excess shine. Its gentle formulation means it can be used not only as part of a morning or night time routine, but also during the day when a refreshing touch-up might be required.
A convenient 3-in-one product combining the steps of toner, essence and lotion, Innisfree Forest For Men Pore Care All-In-One Essence is a refreshing gel-essence that absorbs and controls visible excess oil, visibly tightens pores, leaving a matte finish.
The most variable and temperamental product, according to the weather, are moisturisers. In the warmer months you need hydration but without weight – moisturisers with a light oil-free consistency formulated for easy absorption should be the way to go.
A lightweight moisturiser formulated specifically for combination and oily skin types, Aesthetics Rx Daily Moisturiser Combination is a great option for hazy, humid days, given its ability to both control shine and sebum secretion.
Another winner is Dr Jart’s Vital Hydra Solution Hydro Plump Water Cream. This gel-based water cream offers intense hydration for up to 24 hours.
How to needle your way to summer skin perfection
Given that male skin is coarser, has larger pores, is more inclined to be sun damaged, and has to contend with being shaved on a regular basis, us guys need facial TLC even more than women. And while you previously may have balked at the idea of microneedling, over the last five years this technique has become a standard treatment in both clinics and homes worldwide. Working by creating tiny micro-injuries in the skin – which trigger the body’s natural healing process — this boosts collagen and elastin production, leading to smoother, firmer skin with improved texture and tone.
“Men tend to have oilier skin and larger pores, which makes microneedling especially beneficial for refining skin texture and reducing pore size,” says founder and cosmeceutical director of Dermapenworld, Corri Matthews. “It can also help control excess oil production and improve the absorption of skincare products. Additionally, microneedling can stimulate hair growth by boosting blood circulation to the scalp, making it a great option for men experiencing hair thinning.”
And now you don’t need to schlep to a clinic to get this wonder treatment – you can do it from the comfort of your own bathroom thanks to the Dermapen HOME microneedling pen.
Gliding over the skin creating millions of fine, vertical fractional channels – which carry up to 80 percent more topical nutrients deeper into the skin – the latest model of the Dermapen is more than 100 percent faster than other microneedling pens and is proven to visibly reduce the appearance of wrinkles, pigmentation, problematic skin including acne, open pores, uneven skin texture, rosacea and more with virtually zero pain.
“Unlike dermarollers which use a less precise rolling motion that can cause extra skin trauma, the Dermapen HOME applies needles vertically for more controlled results,” explains Corri. “With regular use, men can start noticing improvements after just one or two treatments, depending on their skin concerns. Over time, consistent use – around four to six weeks – will lead to reduced fine lines, smaller pores, and smoother skin. Continued treatment can further improve acne scars, even out skin tone, and provide lasting results with sustained use.”
For first-timers or any fledgling micro needlers that need to be shown the ropes before they’re let loose on their own, needling facial veterans at The Facial Room are on hand to offer their decades of expertise. Under the direction of renowned facialist, Fabienne Rich, the Bondi-based clinic – who have partnered with Dermapen – offer deeper needling treatments as well as tutorials for home use of the Dermapen HOME at the same time.
How to increase the oil in your fragrance
While your new summer skincare regime is designed to reduce excess oil, when it comes to your fragrances, you actually want to INCREASE the oil. You may not realise it, but the warmer months – especially Down Under – wreak havoc on the lifespan of your regular scent. A typical eau de cologne has a fragrance oil concentration of a mere two to five percent, which will only last a few hours, due to evaporation. In short: the higher the fragrance oil concentration, the longer your scent will last.
Using a much higher concentration of perfume oils than most high street brands, Tom Ford is already a go-to. But out of the crop of scents, the newly released Oud Wood Parfum has even even higher concentration than other fragrances. Formulated with rich, dark blend of notes of cardamom, tonka bean, amber and the smoky blend of oud and other exotic spices, this woody scent is rich, warm and enthralling.
Another great option from the scent maestro is Fucking Fabulous. Launched in 2017, this spicy-sweet leather fragrance infuses clary sage and fresh lavender with almond and notes of vanilla to create a decadent combo that endures throughout the day.
Combining the rustic scent of vetiver with the smooth scent of sandalwood and earthy patchouli, MarieJeanne’s Vetiver Santal fragrance has both a fresh scent AND a high concentration of perfume oils (25 per cent) for extra staying power. It also happens to be the French Rivieras-based perfumer’s biggest seller in Australia, which is unsurprising given its powerful blend of oils.
Another high-end perfumery brand from France, Parfums de Marly don’t skimp on fragrance oil with some of their scents – including Haltane Haltane – boasting a large 20 percent of perfume oils in their formulas. Long-lasting musky and with citrus profiles, Haltane’s bold fragrance pairs a freshness with herbal top notes and smooth leather with a precious woods.
Treat yourself
When it comes to professional skincare TLC, the arrival of summer means that many of the more invasive treatments, such as lasers and peels (which make skin super-sensitive to damaging rays) should be put on hold. However, there is one treatment that can be done throughout the season without any need for concern. Dubbed the “lunch hour face lift” Sofwave is at the pinnacle of anti-ageing tech – tech that involved no needles or toxins, just your body’s own natural healing.
“As we age, our body produces less collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid,” says Michael Raghib, NSW sales manager for High Tech Medical. “These three elements are key to keeping our skin firm, smooth, and plump. When their production slows down, we start to notice sagging skin, loss of volume, and wrinkles. Sofwave uses a unique non-surgical and safe method to spread the ultrasound energy evenly across your skin. This helps provide strong results of lifting, tightening, increased volume, and smooths out wrinkles – all in one session – and the best part is, it’s comfortable!
An innovative treatment, Sofwave uses advanced ultrasound technology to deliver energy comfortably and evenly into the middle layer of your skin, stimulating collagen production, resulting in a lifted, rejuvenated, and more youthful appearance.
“Simply put it works by laying a controlled set of ultrasound beams arranged in parallel, crossing through the middle of your skin, much like reinforcing a structure with steel rods or wooden studs, explains Michael. “This special approach, combined with the right temperatures and energy levels, encourages your skin to naturally produce collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid. The result? A natural lift, tighter skin, added volume, and smoother lines and wrinkles.
“It’s also suitable for all ages – younger men can use it for prevention, middle-aged for reversal of signs of ageing, and mature skin can see dramatic improvements over time, plus it’s a great option for those wanting to avoid surgery.”
The clinically-proven treatment has zero downtime and can be done on all facial areas. In addition to treating the fine lines and wrinkles on the face, Sofwave was recently cleared to lift eyebrows, under the chin, and the neck too. And for time-poor gents only ONE session is required and the results typically last between 12-18 months! And, best of all, the impact is seen immediately but optimum results are achieved three months in which means that, as the summer goes on, your skin will just keep getting better and better.
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