is there a gender monopoly in skincare?
Sparkly pink face masks and creams scented like jasmine and cherry blossoms. Skin care products made to appeal to the feminine gaze. But what about the men?
The world of skincare is ever-evolving and always working to be more. More accessible, more reliable, more convenient. Reaching this goal follows a constant analysis of current issues, and inquiry into how to best combat them.
One of these issues most prevalent and overlooked today is the lack of male participation in the dermatological domain. Men are the minority not only when it comes to skin specialists, but also in the demographic of people engaging in skincare routines, purchasing common skincare products, and even visiting skincare professionals.
Of course, it’s not rare to hear jokes about how lazy men can be when it comes to taking care of themselves, but data shows that this isn’t plain ignorance, it’s a cry for help.
A survey conducted by ACUPOLL in January of 2020 recorded that 33% of men surveyed admitted that they don’t wash their face on a daily basis. Furthermore, 53% used bar soap or body wash to wash their face, 63% saying that they don’t regularly use face wash and 11% saying they’d never even tried it. Throughout all of this, nearly 80% of men believed that products designed for women's skin would work just as well for them as men, and 40% had never tried a skin care product designed for men. [1]
This raises multiple red flags, the most alarming being that men and women in fact have very different skin with sometimes opposing needs.
Male skin tends to be about 25% thicker and tougher in texture (mainly due to facial hair and increased levels of Androgen. This means that intense exfoliation can lend to more youthful booking skin but may lead to razor bumps and ingrown hairs if not careful. Men also have higher collagen density, which means they probably don’t need the many wrinkle prevention products in women’s skincare. [2]
Not to mention, smaller sebaceous glands and higher sebum production (oilier skin) can mean that many men should be washing their face daily and additionally, should be using a gentler, p-H balanced, non-soap formula commonly found in face wash.
This is to be berating or attributed to the fault of the male audience however, and concerns should be redirected to the propagation of social stereotypes and market availability that cater mainly to the female audience.
Historically, societal expectations and gender norms have played a significant role in shaping perceptions of skincare.
The idea that skincare is exclusively a feminine or cosmetic concern has discouraged many men from actively participating in self-care routines or visiting skincare specialists.
Women are more than two times as likely to have a skincare routine than men (62% vs. 29%) and three times more likely to do one daily (32% vs. 11%). Conversely, nearly 60% of men report they're not interested in skincare, which more than doubles the percentage of women who say the same (26%) [3]
Skincare is not merely a cosmetic pursuit; it is an essential aspect of overall health. Men, just like women, can benefit from establishing a consistent skincare routine. Regular cleansing, moisturizing, and sun protection contribute to healthy skin, preventing issues such as premature aging, acne, and skin damage. Not only would destigmatizing skincare be beneficial to men’s health, it could also unlock the many potential benefits of fostering greater diversity within the dermatological community.
Thankfully, much of the youth and up and coming scholars are already recognizing and striving to resolve this issue through positive displays of men’s skin care in social media and through further discussion of data in medical journals.
