Skin, it's one of the most important organs in the human body. It helps to literally keep us together, moderate our temperature and absorb/release both nutrients and toxins. Now that men's skincare has become more popular, and more male specific brands are being released - are you wondering what the real differences are?

The genetic makeup and hormonal levels of people assigned male at birth have skin that is up to 20% thicker and produce higher levels of collagen than women. Men also produce more oil and sweat through their often larger pores, due to larger sebaceous glands.

Some products that are primarily marketed to women, can be extremely effective for everyone, while some may not. Let's dive in to learn more about that your skin may need.

 

Testosterone

Hormones like testosterone have big effects on skin - some that are assigned at birth, and some that fluctuate with stress and life's events.

Testosterone specifically affects your skin, muscle and hair growth patterns. Men produce more testosterone than women naturally, and some men have more or less than other men too. How much you have, and how much you can stimulate to grow (or increase) depends on your genetics, activities, stress response and supplementation.

If you're a guy with a huge amount of testosterone, it doesn't necessarily mean you have more masculine traits (because let's challenge what that even means)! On a 'facts are facts' basis - men's skin can be more impacted by having higher levels of oil/sweat production through a thicker dermal layer. Because of that, you may need to treat your face a bit differently to achieve healthy, clear, and youthful looking skin.

As men age, testosterone also declines, lowering collagen levels, skin's thickness and elasticity. The change can be slow or dramatic depending on how you care for your skin through skincare products, as well as activity, food consumption and sun exposure.

 

More Collagen

Men typically start out with more collagen production than women.

The faces of men can appear firmer with less wrinkles and more elasticity than women. Because of higher levels of collagen (a structural protein) production within the skin and joints of men – they typically can appear more youthful at the start!

This male genetic head-start to amazing skin is quickly put at risk, as many don’t see the effects of collagen loss until later in life - after high levels of sun exposure takes it toll. Since many guys don’t think about anti-aging products due to higher levels of collagen, most don’t think about how the sun impacts their skin, and by the time they do, collagen production has already started to permanently decrease. Women on the other side of the spectrum, can see the impact of collagen loss faster, and typically start using sun protection more quickly - better preventing the signs of ageing.

 

Thicker Skin

Men’s skin is 10-20% thicker than women’s skin. While men may be less sensitive to external exposure (irritants/pollution), it is also a harder barrier to treat - requiring stronger dosages of active ingredients to effectively penetrate the skin's outer layer.

The thickness of skin is due to higher collagen levels too. So the longer men maintain their collagen production, the thicker their skin will be throughout their lives. Collagen gradually decreases after the first 20 years of life and that appearance of skin thickness fades slowly over time as well.

Having thicker skin in your 20’s and 30’s will greatly benefit from products that are formulated specifically for thicker skin in mind, especially men’s skincare that address these issues. Often, uber-affordable brands available at chemists and supermarkets are just the same creams and gels sold to women in different branding. It’s important to seek out products that have high efficacy rates and use premium men’s formulations that are suitable to your skin type when possible. Many women’s or unisex products are tailored to thicker skin and would be just as good for men as they are for women, depending on their ingredients, preferred scents and packaging.

 

Oilier Skin

With more sebaceous glands than women, men also have oilier skin and are more prone to skin issues due to blocked pores, skin bacteria infections and other inflammatory concerns like acne due to having larger pores in general.

Shaving and activities that cause excessive sweating mixed with poor hygiene can increase chances of acne, general skin inflammation, blackheads and other advanced signed of ageing. Shiny foreheads can bring more attention to sun exposure effects, like hyper-pigmentation and wrinkles too. Men in their 30s and above kick up oil production to compensate for loss of collagen, as the body offers this natural way to help hydrate and protect the skin. More oil production, however, can also cause more skin issues. This is the stage when more men include thoughtful skincare steps in their routine, as they start to see major changes in their skin from their teenage and early adulthood years

 

Thicker, Fuller Looking Hair

One of the most immediate differences of men’s skin is the production of hair, specifically around the lower half of their face.

Women grow hair all over their body, including their face, but typically it’s finer and less noticeable. Because of higher levels of testosterone, men might have a significant beard - and that feature requires some special treatment, for both the hair follicles as well as facial skin underneath. Properly treating the beard, maintaining its look and style, as well as conditioning and hydrating it can lead to a healthier, happier looking face.

 

Yes! Skin is skin and it does the same job for both women and men, however, men's skin is still different and can be treated differently for better results.

Men’s skin is different than women’s skin on a hormonal, genetic and physical basis. From higher levels of testosterone, 20% thicker skin, more oil and sweat production to larger glands and pores. However, all of our skin, no matter gender or identity, should be treated uniquely to each persons needs and concerns. All of the products that we have sourced and offer at Wellmate are either uniquely formulated for men’s skin, or are unisex products that are suitable for all men as well.