A Guy's Guide to Skin Care

If you're a man who's plagued with dry skin or razor burn, here's a quick face-care checklist.

You're a guy. A sports team gets your attention -- not your facial skin. But here's a news flash: If you want to look good, you've got to deal with your skin.

"If men want to keep skin youthful and healthy looking, they've got to make skin care a part of their daily regimen," says Mathew Avram, MD, JD, director of the Dermatology, Laser and Cosmetic Center at Massachusetts General Hospital. He's also a faculty member at Harvard Medical School.

Sun and smoking are your face's worst enemies because both cause skin damage and wrinkling. "If you smoke, quit," Avram tells WebMD. "Using a moisturizer with sunblock is a very effective way to prevent aging and wrinkling."

A Checklist for Great (Manly) Skin

Choosing skin products:

    * Think "moisturizer" when buying soaps -- body and hand soaps, that is.
    * Buy a face moisturizer that contains sunblock or sunscreen.
    * If you've got dry skin, buy a light moisturizing body lotion for summer.
    * During winter months, buy heavier moisturizing creams or ointments.
    * If dry skin is really a problem, thicker and greasier is better.
    * Always use a good sunscreen outdoors (SPF 15 or higher).

Preventing dry skin:

    * Take lukewarm showers (instead of hot ones).
    * Limit shower time to 5 or 10 minutes.
    * Apply moisturizing lotion right after drying from the shower.
    * Moisturize after washing hands.

Getting a great shave:

    * Shave in a warm shower. Or carefully put a hot, wet towel over your face for a few minutes before shaving.
    * Massage shaving cream or gels into skin.
    * Don't shave too close. Use single-edged razors to protect skin from irritation. You'll also reduce potential for ingrown hairs -- especially if your beard is curly.
    * Shave only in one direction if you tend to get ingrown hairs. Shave in the direction of hair growth.
    * Wash with plenty of water. Pat gently with a towel; don't rub.
    * Apply moisturizing cream (containing sunblock) to soothe and protect the skin.

Controlling acne:

    * Using a prescription retinol treatment like Retin-A, Renova, Tazorac, Avita, or Differin at night can make skin less prone to breakouts.
    * Daily use of an antibiotic cream or benzoyl peroxide wash or gel can also help




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Men these days are more vain about their looks more than women do. It's nice to know that men are learning how to take good care of their skin. For men, who are starting to learn things about their skin, here are useful tips you can try.

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Celebrity Skincare on a Budget

Skincare Tips for Those Without the Hollywood Salary

While stars such as Charlize Theron and Renee Zellwegger spend the day relaxing at Ole Henrikson Face/Body in Los Angeles, most of us aren't quite as willing to spend hundreds of dollars on a facial or skincare treatment. Hollywood beauties have access to plenty of resources for high-end skincare regiments; even though it's not easy looking like a million for the red carpet, many pull off their looks with the help of elaborate body treatments and luxurious pampering at a stylish resort.

Back in the real world, most women look to quality cosmetics and beauty products for glamorous looks and healthy skin. A healthy skincare regimen is essential for glowing skin, regardless of products used. Yet many people, women in particular, make the mistake of thinking they need to shell out the big bucks to see results. It's actually quite easy to learn from celebrities and enjoy a treatment without a severe impact on that (Gucci) wallet. Here are a few skincare product recommendations for those who live life just a little below the ranks of a Hollywood salary:

For a fresh glow that doesn't require that caked-on foundation look, follow the style of Cameron Diaz who uses a mineral powder sunscreen from Colorscience. Colorscience is a leading brand for mineral makeup and supreme coverage. Clear pores are only natural when you're not filling them with toxic material; try the i.d. bareMinerals brand for a low-cost alternative, or the line from Jane Iredale that uses micronized crystals.

Eva Longoria insists on the SunFX Glow All Over skin care line to stay far away from those harmful rays--all without compromising the Mediterranean-kissed glow. SunFX features an all over spray tan, body shimmer, body polish, and tinted moisturizer, and application sessions are available through spas at a price of $85-$100 per treatment. For a similar look, pick up a St. Tropez starter collection for just $49.95; you'll get at least two treatments from this quality lineup.

Thread lifts, Botox, and Restalyne are always top picks for stars on the red carpet, a microdermabrasion treatment or Botox therapy come at a high price. Without upkeep and maintenance, even a single treatment can prove to be less than fruitful. If you need a deep pore treatment or exfoliation, try a basic 30-minute facial at the local spa that includes a mud-based mask. For improving the texture and tone of your skin, look for a overnight firming creams such as Estee Lauder's Resilience Lift Extreme Overnight, or a Phyto Corrective Gel from Skinceuticals.com

In early February, the partnership between Giorgio Armani and L'Oreal led to the Crema Nera skin care line, an anti-aging skin care formula that's scheduled to launch in Fall 2007 at Armani stores. If you're having trouble justifying the $400 per product price tag, consider anti-aging creams and brands with similar properties. Crema Nera is a rich white cream infused with silicium, potassium, and volcanic obsidian rock. You can find quality anti-aging treatments from brands such as Clinique's Repairwar and Derma White, or an organic approach with Eminence Organics.

From exfoliating facials to spray-on tanning products, looking like a celebrity doesn't require spending like one! When you're on the hunt for some fresh alternatives to your beauty lineup, take some time to research key ingredients and track down those budget-friendly alternatives.




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All of us wanted to have a celebrity-like glowing skin, we can have it by finding the right products for our skin. For me, I recommend using natural products. Just be careful in choosing beauty products because not all products that celebrities uses are also good for our skin. It's better to know what your skin needs and never over use beauty products.

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