The Ultimate Clockblockers: A Man’s Guide To Ageless Skin

The notion that men tend to age better than women is not as sexist as it sounds. A man’s skin has some unique advantages. First, male skin is about 25 percent thicker and has greater collagen density than a woman’s. And a man’s skin thins at a more consistent pace with aging, whereas a woman’s skin thins rapidly following menopause. Men have more androgen hormones (the ones that produce sebum). While that may not be a bonus as a teen, more sebum is a benefit long-term because it means less dryness and fewer wrinkles. Plus, men have more lactic acid in their sweat, which keeps pH slightly lower and provides a natural humectant.

But while all those intrinsic advantages may give you a bit of a grace period, they don’t stop the clock. A number of extrinsic factors—UV exposure, pollution, lack of sleep, stress, poor diet—can speed the clock up so having a solid skin care regimen is an investment you can’t afford to ignore. And with all good investments, it’s when you get in that makes all the difference. Start early, and the payoff will be far better.

Regular cleansing reduces the appearance of pores by keeping them free from the accumulation of dirt, oil and dead skin cells, which can cause them to stretch and appear larger. Cleansing also provides a clean canvas for the additional products that are going to help keep your skin looking its most youthful and resilient. For a fresh, hydrating scrub that controls acne-causing bacteria, brightens and balances skin tone, and stimulates collagen production, try Vivant’s Mandelic Acid Exfoliating Cleanser.

Every skin type benefits from a toner to remove residue, refine pores, replenish moisture and rebalance pH. Use Vivant’s Daily Repair Pads for quick, clarifying rejuvenation in simple, single-use pads. The anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory formula includes mandelic acid, zinc peptides, and salicylic acid to encourage cell renewal, fight signs of aging, promote healing and undull your skin. Toss them in your gym bag or your travel carry-on for great skin to go.

LIFT

An eye cream is not an indulgence. It’s a necessity. The skin around the eyes is thinner, has fewer oil glands, and less collagen than the rest of your face, all of which make it more vulnerable to wrinkling and expression lines. UV exposure, squinting, even sleeping on your side, can accelerate aging in this area. Dark circles can make eyes look dull and tired. To lift, firm and brighten, make Vivant’s Wink Eye Rejuvenation Cream a staple of your skin care regimen. High-performance and nutrient-rich with vitamin A to encourage cell regeneration and plumping, peptides to kick-start collagen, and caffeine to reduce puffiness and brighten dark circles.

CORRECT

Add a retinoid serum to your routine for benefits now and later. Nothing does a better job of keeping skin clear and smooth and staving off signs of aging than retinoids, aka vitamin A. Go to the gold standard, Vivant’s Derm-A-Gel® daily vitamin A serum, to accelerate cell turnover to clear away dead skin, excess sebum and debris, generate new cells and boost collagen production. Retinoids make skin more sensitive to the sun, so be sure to use sunscreen. If you plan on being out in the sun for an extended period, use Derm-A-Gel® just at night.

PROTECT

UV exposure is enemy number one when it comes to aging. The sun’s damaging rays set loose a cascade of DNA damaging free radicals that undermine firmness by degrading collagen and elasticity. Your best defense is a good offense. Protect your skin daily with a moisturizer that contains a broad spectrum SPF, meaning it blocks both UVA and UVB rays. Vivant’s Day Treatment Lotion SPF 15 is your MVP for moisture and sun protection in one.

REPLENISH

At night, skin loses some of its natural hydration. Restore moisture and multiply skin’s nightly regenerative phase with antioxidant- and nutrient-rich Marine Skin Nourishing Cream. Its bioactive blend of marine minerals, amino acids and sea proteins repairs, revitalizes, and enhances resilience. Intensely hydrating, yet refreshingly light with a hint of bracing ocean mist.