Environmentally-Friendly Skincare for Men

We’re lucky to be living in a world that is starting to get rid of gender stereotypes and embracing the genderless. One of the industries that shows the massive worldwide change is the beauty and skincare industry. Now, every gender can enjoy a great skincare routine without judgment!

This wasn’t always the case; historically, men who put effort into their skincare could have found themselves under scrutiny. So, today we’re going to discuss men’s skincare from a specific angle.

The world is going green, and while it may be slightly late, we must embrace the sustainable and environmentally friendly. This is why we will focus specifically on environmentally-friendly skincare for men!

The stigma behind skincare

“It is crucial to eliminate the stigma on men’s skincare in order for men to be able to reach out for help regarding their skin, or even something as little as men purchasing daily skincare products,” says dermatologist Dr Zain Husain, MD, FAAD, founder of the New Jersey Dermatology and Aesthetics Center.

“While the stigma on men’s skincare has lessened over time,” Dr Husain continues, “it is still somewhat existent. And men need to know that it is important to maintain healthy skin care habits.”

Unfortunately, even though we’re working towards a genderless future, stigmas remain for our male populace. A 2019 study showed that men are less likely to recycle because they’re concerned about being perceived as less masculine. Likewise, this study showed a common belief that eco-friendly behaviours are feminine.

While the idea seems far-fetched, the data speaks for itself. Caring for the planet is a gender-neutral concern that we should take seriously, so we must put these perceived ideas aside.

Interestingly, while men are recycling less, more men are (thankfully) buying sustainable skincare. We hope this is due to them realising that saving the planet stands apart from any gender stereotypes.

What do you need to consider?

Firstly, it’s important to note that an excellent personal grooming routine is vital for your health, not just your appearance. A large part of this is sunscreen. Sunscreen is a must for everyone; it helps reduce the signs of ageing and helps in our protection from skin cancer.

The good news is that there are sustainable options with sunscreen, and you’re likely to find a variety of environmentally-friendly options at your local pharmacy.

However, more and more men are increasing their simple skincare routine to include sunscreen, cleanser and moisturiser, antioxidant serums, and even masks and peels.

This is why it’s so important that you make the right choice. There are a number of men’s skincare products out there, many with microbeads that are bad for the environment or those who use practices that aren’t sustainable.

One of the main areas of skincare that plagues men is shaving. A common issue can be aggressive shaving that leads to irritation, rashes and bumps on the skin. This can often be soothed by over-the-counter products that include essential oils. However, choosing the right option should never be a case of grabbing the closest product! Which is all too easy to do.

Not only could this be a wrong decision for your skin, but it is often wrong for the environment. We all are responsible for doing what we can to help climate change, and taking an extra few minutes to ensure you’ve chosen sustainably can make all the difference.

Conclusion

It doesn’t take much to ensure you’re making responsible decisions for the environment’s sake. A quick Google can tell you the products that use ethical and sustainable actions. If you want to go further, you can opt for vegan products with significantly less environmental impact.

Furthermore, looking at the back of skincare products while you’re browsing in the aisle can tell you a lot if you’re in a rush. Firstly, if a product is sustainable, they’re likely to make this well known on its packaging. You can also check to see if the packaging is recyclable, which gives you a good indication that the brand is passionate about sustainability.

Whichever choice you make, invest in your skincare and the environment by choosing environmentally-friendly skincare for men.