The Skin Nerd: Men's self-care means skincare too — here's where to start (2024)

And the Irish aren’t missing out, with Ireland men’s grooming products market expected to see an increase of US $43.5 million, which is a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of around 3.3% from 2024 to 2029.

In the past three years, Mintel has also revealed an 8.4% increase in skincare products marketed as gender-neutral.

Despite expanding the product market further for men, some believe that a rise in gender neutral skincare products is not completely beneficial as there are differences that set apart the skin of men and women, meaning specific skincare may be necessary to get the desired results.

"Men’s skin generally has a thicker dermis with higher collagen density, making it about 20–25% thicker than women’s," explains Professor Caitriona Ryan, a dermatologist at Institute of Dermatologists, Ireland.

"Men also tend to have oilier skin with larger pores due to more active sebaceous (oil) glands. Men’s skin ages differently as well — often with a slower rate of fine line formation but deeper wrinkles once they appear. These physiological differences mean that skincare should be tailored accordingly."

Men’s skin issues can be as varied as women’s

"Men frequently deal with acne, ingrown hairs (especially from shaving), and skin conditions such as rosacea, eczema, and folliculitis. Sun damage is also common, particularly for those who may not prioritise sunscreen. Men are twice as likely as women to have a melanoma by the age of 65. For men over 40, signs of ageing and pigmentation often become concerns as well.’

One of the most frequent questions that Caitriona is asked by her male clients is 'What’s the simplest skincare routine I can do?'

"Men often seek routines that are straightforward but effective. A regular skincare regime not only keeps the skin healthy and protected but also enhances confidence and supports overall wellness. Proper cleansing, moisturising, and sun protection can prevent signs of ageing, acne, and environmental damage.’

An increase in disposable income among men has allowed for more spending on specialised products.

"Over the past decade, Irish men have becoming increasingly focused on anti-ageing strategies and skin health in general. Men want to look and feel younger, more attractive, and more confident, not just in their personal lives, but also in the highly competitive workplace. In this busy world, there has been an increasing demand by men for quick, easy, non-surgical procedures, particularly anti-wrinkle injections and laser treatments."

An example of this is an increase in the use of Botox: "Male patients want to look fresher and more relaxed, with a reduction in their frown lines and crow's feet. Subtlety is everything, and this is even more important to men — a patient should not lose the ability to make normal facial expressions."

Caitriona explains that many Irish men are also plagued with rosacea, the ‘Curse of the Celts’, and so many come to the clinic for help in improving UV-induced broken veins. "Men do not have the luxury of being able to conceal this redness with makeup, and many patients report feeling self-conscious when meeting with clients or giving presentations. IPL photo rejuvenation can be used to treat redness and broken veins. A treatment lasts about 20 minutes and a course of 4-6 sessions is typically needed to achieve optimal results."

Three tips for men to achieve healthy skin

• Cleanse daily: ‘Start with a gentle cleanser to remove oil, sweat, and impurities without stripping the skin.’
• Moisturise and protect: "Another frequently asked question is ‘do I really need sunscreen?’ Despite its importance, sunscreen can still be a hard sell. Use an SPF containing zinc every single day. Even if it’s cloudy, UV rays can still damage the skin."
• Use a retinoid at night: "After sunblock, topical retinoids should be the cornerstone of an effective anti-aging skincare regimen. Retinoids are the most effective topical therapies to reverse the signs of ageing, increase collagen production, reduce fine lines, discolouration, enlarged pores and have a minor but appreciable impact on reducing precancerous skin changes."

Male skincare picks

• A stripped back daily cleanser like Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser, Face & Body Wash, €34.99, boots.ie is non-irritating and can be used in the shower or sinkside.
• ESPA Age Rebel Moisturiser, €65.54, cultbeauty.com contains acai, velvet horn, and black oat to keep the complexion soft and hydrated.
• Tackle lines and discoloration with budget friendly The Ordinary Retinol Serum 0.5% in Squalane, €9.95, boots.ie
• Dr Dennis Gross Skincare All-Physical Lightweight Wrinkle Defense SPF30, €47.40 is lightweight and contains zinc to protect the skin from the sun’s damaging rays.
• While more men are willing to use genderless grooming products, Mintel’s statistics reveal that men still prefer to use products designed specifically for them, making Clinique for Men Skincare Starter Kit, €23, brownthomas.com, ideal.

Today versus Payday... Skincare starter kits

Today... Grown Alchemist Skin Function Starter Kit, €45, boots.ie

This travel-friendly set features four bestselling products to simplify daily skincare, including: Gentle Gel Facial Cleanser (50ml) – a calming, aloe-infused gel cleanser, Hydra-Restore Cream Cleanser (20ml) — a soothing formula that removes makeup and impurities without drying out the skin, Hydra-Repair Day Cream (65ml), which contains vitamin E and Aloe to protect, brightens and soothe, and Hand Cream Vanilla + Orange Peel (20ml) - which is great for healing dry or cracked skin on your hands.

Payday... Environ Daily Essentials Starter Kit, €143, theskinnerd.com

The ideal intro to the brand’s bestselling vitamin A range, Environ® Daily Essentials Starter Kit contains an award-winning set of healthy skin essentials. This collection includes Skin EssentiA AVST 1 (full size) daily moisturiser, Vita-Peptide Eye Gel (full size) — a brightening and nourishing eye gel containing vitamins A, C and peptides, Pre-Cleansing Oil (60ml) to melt away makeup, sunscreen and dirt whilst protecting your barrier, Body EssentiA Vitamin A, C & E Body Oil (60ml) and Derma-Lac Lotion (60ml) — to hydrate and smooth the skin.