Is There Really a Need For Men to Use a Different Moisturizer?

We know that you do not often see men in the moisturizing aisle at a department store, but that does not mean that you shouldn’t.  Men often overlook moisturizing as part of their daily routine despite the fact that their skin needs it just as much as a woman’s.  So what exactly are the differences between men and women’s skin? 

For starters, men have thicker skin. Both the dermis and epidermis layers are thicker than a woman’s. Men also continue to produce oil longer. While this helps keep the skin hydrated, it also contributes to adult acne in men and increased pore size. Men who use a razor to shave provide their skin with a little extra exfoliation, which helps to combat this. 

Men are also at an increased risk of skin cancer. Time spent outdoors without sun protection, whether for recreation or a job, is a contributing factor to this. 

What ingredients should men look for? 

SPF- if it is not already in their moisturizer, men should not skimp on this product.

AHA-Alpha Hydroxy Acids, AHAs, help exfoliate the skin and reduce the signs of aging and photodamage. 

Vitamin C- One of the most commonly found antioxidants is commonly known for repairing cells that have been damaged by free radicals such as smoke and sunlight. 

In some products, the only difference between those marketed towards women is the scent. Women tend to want more of a floral scent, while men typically opt for scent-free or a clean scent. Due to their thicker skin, men can also handle a little more intense hydration that women can. 

Women tend to have more skin sensitivities than men, and therefore need more gentle ingredients or ingredients at lower strengths. Therefore, while it is not at all harmful to have one shared moisturizer between a couple, each have different needs that separate moisturizers address. Perhaps it is not a bad idea to try a HIM Moisturizer.

Is Ireland's Proposed Tanning Ban Unfair to Fair Skinned?

Although it's only one day in March, St. Patrick's Day has me thinking about Irish culture for the entire month. And with the beginning of Spring, there's just too much green outside to keep me from thinking of Ireland. Of course, Spring also has a lot of people contemplating how they're going to work off the "winter weight" and "winter white" so they can be tanned and in shape for the beach this Summer. For those of us with naturally fair skin, getting that perfect summer tan can be quite the challenge. Which brings me to an article I came across from Independent.ie.

Earlier this month, the Irish Cancer Society began pushing for new legislation that would ban fair skinned people from using tanning beds because, "if they don't tan under the sun, they wouldn't with a bed or lamp". To further support their oh-so-scientific reasoning in favor of such a ban, the group's Health Promotion officer went on to say that "75 percent of Irish people fall into two types of skin categories".

And the two categories are - pale and paler still.

Of course, these so called "reasons" have little to do with the alleged dangers associated with sunless tanning. In their own words, what it really comes down to is that they "don't want anyone using sunbeds". Stop and think about that for a moment. According to the Irish Cancer Society, 3/4 of the nearly 5 million people living in Ireland are either fair or fairer skinned and should be banned from being any shade darker than a white sheet of 8.5 x 11 printer paper. So much for Phil Lynott.

Statue of Irish rock guitarist, Phil Lynott, at Bruxelles on Harry Street, Dublin.

Furthermore, if the Irish Cancer Society does indeed believe that fair skinned people don't get a tan from the sun, tanning bed, or lamp, then why seek to pass a law banning fair skinned people from getting a tan from a tanning bed?! It also seems laughable that the ban is focused on keeping pale people from tanning, but not those who are already tan, (i.e. the ones that tan frequently in the first place). That's like advocating a law to ban non-smokers from smoking. And is tanning really such a crime? By their line of reasoning, it's a wonder that any fair-skinned Irish people have survived a day of being outside on a sunny day. So much for that part of the old Irish blessing, "may the sun shine warm upon your face".

Fortunately, there's hope for us "fair-skinners" seeking a touch of sun - indoor tanning lotion. Haute Couture by Devoted Creations is a silky, rich tanning lotion that's specially formulated with a powerful blend of antioxidants, botanicals, and tanning boosters known as "Mela-Glow", to help those with fair skin get a deep, dark tan without burning or damaging their skin. In fact, Haute Couture has 14x silicone emulsion to moisturize your skin, and healthy, natural ingredients such as; coconut oil, ginger root extract, rosemary leaf oil, aloe vera gel, Vitamin B2, and Vitamin B5 to enhance your tan and reduce the appearance of wrinkles. Now, that's a pretty "fair" way to get a great tan!

Indoor Tanning for Fair Skin

Lots of people feel more attractive with a sun-kissed glow.  Most fair skinned people are afraid that their skin may burn from UV exposure because they have less melanin than those with a darker complexion.  Melanin is a pigment that absorbs and gives color to the skin and protects the skin from radiation. 

You do not have to harm or burn your fair skin to achieve a nice tan.  Although, selecting the right bed and the right exposure time is important factor.  The most important thing to understand is why you need to use lotion in the first place.  When you tan you are exposing your skin to damaging UV rays.  Without preparing yourself, you put your skin at a higher risk for burning and possibly a variety of other skin conditions. 

When choosing the right lotion to use on fair skin, do not shock your delicate skin by using intense bronzer or tingle tanning lotions.  Start with a step 1 accelerator lotion.  This will prevent your skin from becoming irritated because your skin will gradually get used to tanning. 

An example of a great beginner lotion is Devoted Creations Blonde Obsession.  This dark tanning maximizer utilizes the skin toning and tightening benefits to fight skin’s sagging and reduces the appearance of cellulite.  Intense tanning stimulators will ensure a perfect, just from the beach tan while the anti-aging benefits will reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles for long lasting youthful skin.

Turn to a trained tanning consultant to help you choose the best lotion for your skin type.  They can also assist you in choosing the right bed and the ideal amount of tanning time.  Most salons have upper and lower beds to choose from.  The higher beds will cost more but tend to burn less and brown more than the lower level models.  As far as how long your sessions should be do not go over 5 minutes for you first initial tan.  You should not go tanning more than once in a 24 hour period, this will prevent any over exposure.  Once your body gets used to tanning, you can slowly increase the length of your sessions.