The Skin's Building Block - Collagen
A luxurious advantage of men's skin is that it contains significantly more Collagen than women's. Collagen is a protein consisting of amino acids that form peptide chains and Collagen fibers. Some of the most important amino acids for building Collagen are glycine, proline, and alanine.
Collagen is the most important building block in the skin, as a full 70% consists of this protein. It helps maintain elastic, hydrated, and firm skin, while also providing strength to bones, blood vessels, and joints. This protein keeps the skin youthful, smooth, and enables repair after injury.
As we age, Collagen production decreases. The skin contains the most Collagen during childhood, and after the age of 25, the body begins to break down more Collagen than it produces. The reduced amount of Collagen leads to fine lines, wrinkles, and drier skin. Skincare for men therefore becomes just as important as for women, as about 1% of the body's Collagen disappears each year.
Differences in the Skin
Men's skin is between 20–25 percent thicker than women's. This means the skin is less sensitive to external factors like free radicals, but also results in a higher amount of sebaceous glands. Because sebum production in men is almost double that of women, male skin is more prone to impurities and problems with acne.
Faster Aging
Both the skin's thickness and higher Collagen content contribute to men's skin aging more slowly initially. Fine lines appear later, but once the skin starts to age, the change happens faster than in women, which is often visible through sagging skin and dark circles. Men's wrinkles take longer to become visible, but once they appear, they are often deeper.
Shaving
Shaving places great stress on the skin. In addition to removing hair, the outermost layer of skin also disappears, exposing new and sensitive skin that requires extra care.
The Right Skincare for Men
Always adapt your skincare to your specific skin type. Oily skin should be treated with light, hydrating creams and a cleanser containing AHA to remove impurities from the pores. Active ingredients like Niacinamide are excellent for minimizing pores and regulating sebum production.
Be careful with which shaving products you use. Lather well and choose mild products on shaved areas, as the skin there is extra sensitive and in need of antibacterial care.