SouthGain Blog

Men are from Mars, Women are From Venus

Though the questions of the differences between the genders are often the subject of debate, one fact holds true – men and women have different skin properties.

Even though each person has a unique skin makeup, there are general aspects to male and female skin.

Key Differences:

Skin Thickness

The skin is a “hormone sensitive organ.” Thus, since men are ruled by testosterone and women are ruled by estrogen, it plays a major role in the makeup of a man and woman’s skin.

Male skin is thicker than female skin. Thus, they are less vulnerable to damage from the sun. Men also have more elastin and collagen. Thus, compared to women, men are less susceptible to ageing.

Aging

However, though the thickness of male skin helps protect them from ageing, it does not last forever. Men’s skin grows thinner as they age, while women’s remain relatively constant throughout their older years.

Nerve Fibers

Men have about 50% less nerve endings than women, making them less sensitive to pain.

Delicate

However, male skin, surprisingly, is much more delicate than a woman’s. This is due to male shaving, which strips off the hydrolytic film on the skin’s surface, making it more prone to irritation and skin issues.

Sebaceous glands, oil and pores

Men have smaller sebaceous glands (oil glands). However, men also have oiler skin than women due their thicker skin and produce sebum for much longer. Women’s skin on the other hand, decreases oil production as they age.

Men also have larger pores (for oil and hair) which make them more susceptible to acne, blackheads, ingrown hair (from shaving incorrectly) and outbreaks.

Care Tips:

For Men

• Use facial scrubs to get rid of dirt, grease and clogged pores. – Invest in a quality shaving kit (shaver/razor, foam, foam brush, aftershave).
• Use a gentle aftershave and remember to moisturize afterwards lightweight products such as Diana Stalder’s His Facial Lotion.
• To sooth irritated skin (or merely maintain soft and supple skin) try Diana Stadler’s Oatmeal Beauty Bar.
• Though male skin is thicker, always use an oil-free sunscreen such as the Diana Stalder Sunblock Gel, which is specially formulated for oily skin.
• Begin an anti-ageing regimen – moisturize/anti-wrinkle cream in the forehead, jowls and around the mouth (smile/frown lines) which are where male wrinkles are most prominent.
• Get a facial 1 to 2 times per week or you can also give yourself one by washing your face with warm water and a gentle cleanser (using a washcloth and cleaning in a circular motion) to push out deep-seated dirt and oil.

For Women

• Invest in anti-wrinkle/anti-ageing treatments even in your twenties.
• Use an oil-free sunscreen and moisturizer such as the Diana Stalder Sunblock Cream.
• Exfoliate skin regularly
• Use gentle cleansers or products without any harsh ingredients such as the Diana Stalder Clean and Tone Lotion.
• When using wrinkle creams, concentrate on the eye, mouth areas as well as the spot between the eyebrows since these locations are where female wrinkles are the most prominent. For evening care, try the Diana Stalder Nourishing Creme which exfoliates dead skin cells and maintains its elasticity. For daytime care, the Diana Stalder SBF Collagen Cream (SPF 30) helps protect skin from sun damage and sustains the skin’s moisture and elasticity.