Subtle differences between male and female skin sometimes do matter when it comes to skincare. Still, makeup is unisex fun meant for anyone!
TLDR
Oh, the dreaded morning reflection – we've all been there. A new wrinkle? Shyly landing.
A new pimple? Slowly stepping up. Dark spot? Of course, right under the eye.
So, in any of these, or similar, cases – Are you a prepare & prevent or patch & paint type?
Let's find out.
Skin is our biggest organ, and as an external one – it’s a mirror of our internal state.
We all know that doctors often check our skin for signs of an illness or infection, and that's a very smart feature there. But, our skin will also proudly broadcast everything else to the world - if we are happy, embarrassed, suffer from insomnia, or have had too much sugar lately. Not to mention if we had too much fun last night – there's no hiding the joy! 🤣
Skin is affected not only by genetics and lifestyle but also by many external aspects like sun exposure or air pollution. Luckily, 21st-century skincare products solve many skin issues we experience and makeup…
Well, makeup is there to make up for what we lack – an even tone, rosy cheeks, or big lips; and also - to enhance our best features or shift our appearance entirely. 💁♂️
We're talking about the differences in male and female skin and how skincare and makeup intertwine. Get your favorite face mask tightly on, and read up! 🤩
Skin Gender Battle
Male skin somehow always looks better… up to a point.
Among other factors, skin varies depending on sex as well. Male skin (on the entire body, not just the face) - has some features that are different from female skin. These differences are not biological but more physiological – in the “mechanics" of how the skin works on a molecular and cellular level.
In simple terms, because males have more of the male hormone – testosterone, it gives a different structure to male skin, making it thicker, oilier, and differently aging.
Male skin is 20% thicker than female skin; it has more collagen and a tighter, firmer appearance. Men also have more active oil-producing (sebaceous) glands and, therefore, more pores than women. Not only do they have more – both glands and pores are also larger in male skin. Due to this structural setup, aging signs appear later in male skin. 😏
On the other side – once these changes start happening, they do occur more quickly than in female skin.
Men would also practice shaving, very often, and… that baby butt smooth face? Comes with a cost. Constant shaving makes male skin way more stressed than female skin. Shaving removes some of that thin top layer of skin cells every time, making the skin more sensitive to many external factors.
Transgender & Skincare
It's a unique journey for each person, and being in control is the key.
Since skin is yet another organ, necessary hormone therapies and other gender-affirming procedures usually affect the skin as well. They might change the frequency and the way of showing your normal skin conditions.
Understanding the (not unique, but specific) dermatological issues which trans men and women are facing is therefore important. Knowing how they manifest and what you can do to prevent (in the long run) or repair them immediately is the key. It can help improve one's overall health and lifestyle and boost confidence.
Some dermatological issues that require medical help may also be triggered by hormone therapy during the gender transition process. These can be acne vulgaris (rosacea), different pigmentation issues, and unwanted hair loss or growth – all treated the same way on any patient, regardless of sex. You should see your general practitioner or dermatologist in these cases since this goes beyond your daily beauty routine and using over-the-counter cosmetic products. ✌
Everyday skincare for trans women It sounds like a cliche, but your lifestyle matters and reflects on your skin! So, the easy way to an easy skincare routine is to tweak your everyday lifestyle for the better. You can quit smoking or vaping, cut back on alcohol, use lots of SPF creme every day, have a proper diet, or exercise routinely. Easy peasy! 😅 But honestly – even if you make only one of these changes, it will matter and have a significant impact.
Keeping your body healthy will reflect on your skin.
Although it's on the outside, skin is an organ as well, and it's best not to consult the internet and self-diagnose but to pay a visit to a skin doctor – the dermatologist, to get basic steps nailed and to ensure you're not making any counterproductive choices.
Lastly, it's important not to turn your skincare into a mental prison and realize that each person's skin texture, sensitivity, and reaction to external factors are unique. 💁♂️
Everyday skincare for trans men Because of that top symbol of traditional masculinity – facial hair, a unique and distinct set of skincare issues can happen here. Everyday gentle exfoliation and using a highly moisturizing shaving cream can do wonders for easy and stress-free facial hair growth. Also, downward strokes while shaving will help prevent ingrown hairs. 😉 To combat acne caused by testosterone, you can use soothing topical treatments with serums containing retinoids, salicylic acid, or benzoyl peroxide.
It can't be denied that we feel at least a little bit better about ourselves when we get in a great outfit, right? But, if our "nature’s outfit" doesn't look good, it can chip our self-esteem piece by piece, day by day, since skin problems often occur little by little.
Mental health and stability are related to the things we find important. If a person feels that their complexion is important but has some skin issues, it may lead to anxiety and depression. Knowing this, we can say that transgender people are more prone to mental challenges in this area, as their path to a skincare routine is not very well paved.
Adding skin anxiety on top of the challenges of a transitioning journey may lead to more extreme coping methods, and this is why it’s essential to understand what’s going on and what you can do about it. 👍
When skincare and makeup collide
What's what, and what goes where?
Yes, skincare and makeup both go on the skin, but they are not the same. They belong to a bigger group of skin products – cosmetics, and they have different roles with only one goal: to enhance or change the appearance of the face or body.
Cosmetics is a broad term usually used to describe the variety of face and body items in the beauty market, from creams and cleansers to nail polish and lipstick.
When researching how to care for our skin, we often see morning routine, nighttime lotion, eye cream, cleanser, toner, sunscreen, serum, exfoliating face mask, scrub, and even the entire body lotion - the list is too long. The purpose of all these products is to treat our skin from any issue or to make it last as long as possible in its best condition.
Skincare can turn out complex, especially if one uses more than one active. Actives are formulas that handle a particular issue with your skin. To name a few:
vitamin C serums manage dark spots and fight oxidants,
retinol promotes skin cell turnover, and
hyaluronic acid deals with necessary hydration.
Now, for formulas to actually do their thing - the skin must absorb them. However, when we try to put thick moisturizer cream and follow with a light toner, that toner is wasted - it can't break through the cream to get into your skin. This is why the general rule would be to layer products from the thinnest to the thickest, based on their consistency. 👍
Here is a simple 3-step journey to define your best skincare routine:
Knowing your skin state and conditions or issues that occur,
Discovering what heals or helps maintain your skin state, and
Learning how and when to apply remedies and products.
The good thing is that you don't have to go on this journey alone - your dermatologist, certified beautician, or pharmacist can provide valuable advice and suggestions. ✌
Good makeup starts with good skincare
Your daily skincare routine is how you prep & prime for makeup...
When thinking about makeup application, remember that the better the canvas, the better the painting. In a word, makeup looks better on healthy skin. Many brands realized this and started to incorporate skincare ingredients into their makeup. And customers recognized it. Just a few percent of hyaluronic acid or niacinamide in a foundation can boost the function of the base.
Skin care products can treat your skin, but it does take some time to deal with imperfections. On the other hand - makeup will cover any issue on your skin in minutes, but it will last only one day or until you remove it. Easy come – easy go. 💁♂️
Makeup is a lifesaver on days you need to look your best, or at least presentable. Dark circles around the eyes could be a betrayal, but with the right concealer, no one will know how little you slept the last night. The work week sucked the life out of you, but that blush will make you look alive for a Friday night date.
There is a makeup category for each facial feature, and the list of formulas and products in every category is long and only getting longer. A few simple guides on mixing and matching powders, creams, and liquids - open a world of endless combinations. Do you need your skin matt or radiant, your cheeks rosy or peachy, bold or soft lips, big or cat eyes? Want everyone to see that strobing cheekbone or the curl on your lash? Want that supernova shine level all night long? No worries. It's all right there, one click away. It's the 21st century.
Makeup application is never-ending entertainment. Every choice we make counts. Which formulas to combine because if your primer is silicon-based and you cover it with a water-based foundation, your base might not sit as you hoped. Be aware it's all chemistry going on there; if you did not pay attention at school, google it! Knowledge to the rescue. Tools are the next level. Some people enjoy using fingers, and that's more than ok, but hey, clean-hands-club: have you seen all those brushes and sponges? Fluffy, flat, dense, short, big, small… An infinite number of possibilities. It inspires art.
Ok, now you know what to put and how to put it, and your next choice is – which one? So many undertones and moods! Wanna look sunkissed – a perfect rusty orange blush is waiting for you! Or do you prefer a cold look with pink cheeks? Whatever suits your vibe.
And don't forget – it's a crime not to prime. Always make sure your skin is prepared for all those layers and colors!
Putting makeup on is fun but taking it off is essential. There can be many steps and even more products used in removing makeup. Still, two are the most important – remove all of your makeup & hydrate your skin after.
If your skin is not cleaned up properly, your skin pores may remain clogged, all the pollutants from the air could stay attached to your skin, and your sweat will add to that all-night torture. All this can cause different issues with skin and complexion, and the next makeup application not going as smoothly as planned would be the least of your worries.
Makeup for all
Does anyone remember the day women started wearing pants? Of course not. But would you notice if a man passing by is wearing a skirt? 🧐 Yet… isn't it the very same exchange of clothing items?
Makeup goes way back. It's as old as pyramids. People always wanted to emphasize their looks or at least hide unhealthy marks on their faces. Queens, emperors, judges, and many more wore specific makeup to distinguish their roles from others. And centuries later, we have headlines when a man has long hair and eyeliner on the Eurovision stage. 😏
Another point here is - it was all the same makeup products everyone used from the beginning. So don't fall for marketing tricks, and rest assured - makeup is unisex.
Yes, the packaging can be more on the feminine or masculine side (to support that same marketing trick), but everyone can enjoy the fun of applying makeup and getting that instant boost of confidence - regardless of sex or gender.
Dragička's makeup tip:
Everyday "no-makeup" makeup
This is the kind of makeup that you can wear every day without looking like you are wearing makeup. It is a more natural look, and it suits everyone!
A no-makeup makeup look is perfect for everyday wear because it has a natural finish, and it's easy to apply on your own in the morning. You can also get ready faster, which means you have more time to do other things!
To get this look, start by applying moisturizer and sunscreen. ☝ Then use a concealer to cover any blemishes or dark circles under your eyes, and then use a light foundation to set your base. For eye makeup, simply use eyeliner and/or mascara on both upper and lower lashes. Finish with a light lip gloss or sheer lipstick!