Subtle differences between male and female skin sometimes do matter when it comes to skincare. Still, makeup is unisex fun meant for anyone!
TLDR
Makeup knows no genders, but your skincare just might.
Male vs. Female skin – physiological differences are subtle and might matter in skincare but not at all for makeup.
Everyday skincare matters – it keeps your skin healthy, and it primes your "canvas" for makeup.
Skincare for transgender people is somewhat specific, and there are a couple of things to pay attention to.
Some makeup products can complement your skincare routine, depending on their ingredients and how and when they're applied.
Good makeup starts with good skincare - your daily routine is actually prepping your skin for makeup.
There is no male and female makeup - don't fall for marketing tricks and the brand's suggestive packaging. Just pick up some makeup and have fun!
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.