The epidermis is a mystery to men the world over.
Though they stare at it in the mirror every day, they have no idea what to do with it in terms of a skin care regimen.
For many men, a quick, semi-regular rinse with a body wash or bar soap is all the TLC their face receives.
Unfortunately, they're even doing that wrong, according to Dr. Terrence Keaney, a dermatologist working with Dove Men+Care.
"Men, in general, are not great at using skin care products," Keaney told Business Insider.
Harsh words, but it's true. In Dr. Keaney's experience, men are "overaggressive in how they cleanse the skin by really scrubbing themselves until they create some irritation," which he says also creates dryness. That's mistake number one.
Mistake number two: Not only are men over-scrubbing, they're using cheap soap that's not intended for the skin on your face.
Harsh bathing soaps and body washes can strip away the natural oils that your skin needs to function, Dr. Keaney says. And if you think you need an anti-bacterial soap, think again. For most men's skin, it's unnecessary.
Instead, Dr. Keaney recommends cleansers and soaps that are formulated for the skin on your face. You want to look for something with a moisture component, like shea butter or vitamin E — a product that will clean your skin but also maintain "that balance of lipid content that male skin needs."
