ORLANDO — Men who care about health and fitness know how important it is to stay clean, to have a fresh smell, to use their deodorant, and to look their best. But how often do they think about how they maintain their skin?
Actually, soft skin has a lot to do with fitness and health. Your skin, for example, plays a key role in how our bodies get rid of toxins.
And it’s important to keep in mind that your body endures a lot every day, whether it’s cold outside, raining, or sticky and humid. Depending on the conditions, we can end up with skin that’s dry, rough, and chapped. If we allow our skin to be poorly maintained, that actually makes it easier for an illness to seep into our system.
But once you recognize that, and realize our skin is something well worth protecting, the next question becomes: what’s the best Body Lotion for men?
Although women can be solid consumers of body lotions, a lot of men may be playing catch-up on this. So where to begin?
Why Use a Moisturizer?
Your skin is your suit of armor– your best defense against overly dry sinuses, microbes, and germs. It’s well worth taking care of.
But today, a lot of men curiously don’t bother using a body moisturizer. Do they know something we don’t know? Probably not. But what they might not realize is avoiding a body moisturizer really only works if you have very naturally oily skin. A lot of us don’t, and our skin is naturally dry. And the easiest solution is to use a moisturizing shower bar or cleanser. But how many men make it a habit of using body moisturizer when they shower?
Maybe it all comes down to the issue of masculinity in men — the idea that real men work hard, and so they sweat, and they get dirty. Who has time for something like a moisturizer? Isn’t that a “beauty” product, anyway? That’s what women use.
What they might want to keep in mind is what women think about this. No, not about using moisturizers — most women are probably keenly aware of the benefits that has on their skin. But what do women think about men using moisturizers on their skin?
Chances are, if women had a vote on it, the idea of men using moisturizers would win in a landslide. Why? Well, most women will tell you they like men to smell, look and feel good, which includes the man’s skin.
So what should men be looking for in a body lotion? Glad you asked!
The Subtle Benefits of Body Lotion
How exactly should men be using body moisturizer? First, you need to know where to focus: on areas where skin typically dries out. That includes the elbows, shoulders, knees, and lower legs. It’s particularly important to moisturize your legs, since chronic dry skin, or xerosis of the legs, can exacerbate eczema. It can even make your skin turn a brownish color once you start aging.
Another reason why men may feel some reluctance about using lotions is that for a long time, the concept of men’s body lotions was thought to be a fairly niche product. It was far more common to find a host of products designed more specifically to provide care for women’s skin.
Was that fair? Perhaps not, but let’s face it, women were the main consumers and buyers for body lotion products, so naturally the numerous products were designed for their use.The truth, though, is that a man’s skin likely needs it far more. A man’s skin is both thicker and tougher than a woman’s skin, by about 25%, which means it also requires more attention. Differences in skin texture are an important issue, though this hasn’t always factored into the way these body lotion products are manufactured and marketed.
While it’s true that any generic moisturizers can serve both genders, today there are also different types of moisturizers produced and marketed for both genders. How are they different? Well, the ones made for women are more likely to have fragrances. Not that many moisturizers made for men put the emphasis on scent.
On the other hand, the manufacturers of body lotions have also come to recognize that men are more likely to work outdoors or have exposure to the sun, which means they’re more likely than women to need a moisturizer that provides skin protection from the sun’s rays.
There are other notable differences in the skin of men and women, such as:
- Men’s skin contains more oil
- As men reach the age of 50, their testosterone will increase their oil production
- Estrogen acts to suppress oil production, so men’s skin may naturally age better
- As they age, men can be more susceptible to adult acne
Women’s skin is thinner, making them more susceptible to the aging effects of sun damage. However, women may have been far more likely over the years to have employed protective measures like using moisturizers.
Frequent shaving can make men’s facial skin more sensitive than women’s.
As we mentioned above, one difference between men’s and women’s moisturizers is the way they smell, with men’s moisturizers often free of fragrances. Another key difference is that since men are at higher risk of skin cancer than women, men’s moisturizers offer them greater protection from the sun. That’s why some moisturizers designed for men block both UVB rays (which can damage the outer layers of skin and cause sunburn) and UVA rays, which can lead to premature aging and cancer.
For men, moisturizers tend to have common ingredients, including water to carry oil-based ingredients into the skin, Glycerin, petrolatum and stearic acid to help block the evaporation of water from the skin, and magnesium aluminum silicat.
What Men Are Looking for Today in Skin Care?
Times have changed. More men are interested in protecting their health, and there’s also been a boom in men’s grooming products, taking the concept of “beauty brands” to a new level, and launching more premium lotions that provide the moisturization and protection that men want. For a lot of guys today, the beauty and healthcare advantages keep adding up.
They now see a lot of benefits to body lotions, including:
- Anti-aging treatment, since lotion can pump up your skin
- better complexion from lotions adding radiance to your skin tone
- Protection from pollutants that damage skin
- A way to smooth calluses for thickened pieces of skin, since moistening makes those spots more supple 5.
- Enhanced relief from stress, since lotions can help relax the body
What should men be looking for as they select a body lotion? All of the above. Check the ingredients list, and avoiding the harmful. Don’t go for products that contain alcohol, which can enlarge pores, and Butylated Hydroxyanisole, a food preservative, and stabilizer that can disrupt hormones. Again, check those ingredients.
Instead, look for:
- Antioxidants (grapeseed oil, pomegranate, and rosemary extract) which purge the skin of free radicals
- Ceramides, which are lipid molecules that hold skin cells together
- Emollients, which lead to smoother skin
- Natural ingredients like aloe vera, plant oils, shea butter, and vitamins
- Sunscreen, which offers protection from UV ray damage
- All-natural and organic body lotions are a good option to be looking for, and there are plenty of fine men’s body lotions to choose from, tailored for different skin types.
What Else Do Men Care About in Lotions?
Something else that men today look for in lotions is different types of pheromones, because they understand the pheromones’ natural — and powerful — attraction to women. And there’s a real magic to the power of pheromones.
The body produces different levels of pheromones during the day. As the level of pheromones increases, you become more attractive to the people around you. Now body lotions recognize that power as well, which is why many of today’s formulas contain pheromones, so men don’t have to worry about producing them the old-fashioned way.
In fact, if you’re aware of the power of pheromones in humans and want to know how to increase pheromones, body lotions are a key method.
Pheromones are hormones that have been proven to trigger responses in both males and females. Pheromones get secreted naturally from the body every day, but increasing their output is something a lot of men want, since studies indicate that the scent of male sweat and body odor can be naturally attractive to women. That’s why pheromone-dense products keep getting sold in different forms. That ranges from which pheromones work the best to which foods increase pheromones. The studies keep coming.
However, these products are usually targeted to men, helping men pick up women more successfully. But it’s important to understand how pheromones work to ensure that you buy the right products.
Pheromones are naturally produced by the body, so the best pheromone body lotion products create the same results. And the best manufactured pheromones are able to successfully trigger the same emotional responses in the brain that the natural ones do.
In other words, specially designed pheromones in body lotions can help trigger the feelings of sexual arousal in people nearby. And today, there are a number of products on the market with pheromone scents.
What are the most popular types of pheromones on the market today? Good question. If you know what each type of pheromone does, and does well, that can definitely help you in your ongoing search for the ideal product. There are a lot of different brands, literally thousands in fact. But several stand out.
Alpha Androstanol is popular because it has a unisex formula, and it enhances feelings of friendliness, approachability, and comfort. Beta Androstanol is one of the most widely used, and is believed to help promote meaningful communication and feelings of closeness.
Androsterone is one of the most powerful and potent alpha male scents on the market, a pheromone found naturally in men.
A more subtle and less aggressive product is AndrosterRone, which inspires feelings of protection and safety.
Body lotions today can protect your health, improve your skin, and make you feel more confident. Lotions with good pheromones are also going to make your social and sexual life even better.
Today, there are a lot of pheromones marketed through body lotion products, and not all of them are reliable or created equally. Some are a big waste of money. What’s important is to do your research and know which products truly have the ingredients you need for a healthy, vibrant and sexy life.
Michael Freeman is an Orlando journalist, playwright and author of the book When I Woke Up, You Were All Dead. Contact him at Freelineorlando@gmail.com.
