My father is skincare-averse. His daughter lights up marshmallow-scented candles on Sundays and indulges in a thirty-minute skin-and-body-care regimen before calling it a night — with an elaborate line-up of elixirs stationed in front of her bed. The result is a back-and-forth between the two — one asserting that self-care isn’t informed by gender and the other cringing at the thought of investing in serums and oils for the skin.
My father’s aversion to self-care stems from the association of the concept with femininity. A man who indulges in skincare and body care is not as masculine as one who doesn’t – a general consensus amongst the masses. But how does that add up? The act of investing in yourself, and taking care of your skin isn’t exclusive to women, but many are conditioned to think otherwise. Bottom-line is that men need skincare routines too.
According to Dr Soma Sarkar, whom I had spoken to earlier about men’s skincare — females, by nature, enjoy indulging in skincare. Most of us like employing more ingredients in our routines, and are open to experimenting with different products. That’s why an average female is seen using more than three products in her routine — indulging in different products during the day and night. But males gravitate toward multi-purpose products that combine different strengths and benefits and address more than one concern at a time. Talk about shower gels that also act like shampoos and face washes – what? Hold up, ‘cuz here’s a line-up of the best skincare products for men that I know my dad’s going to love. Some are exclusively for men; while others are gender neutral. Check it out.
This One’s Gonna Be Tough…But I’ll Manage
This Mildly Scented Body Lotion
My father is just as committed to this lotion as he is to his marriage. I’ve seen him restock his cupboard with a bottle or two of Jergens for years. Their bond cannot be severed. This Vitamin E-containing lotion isn’t infused with too many scents. It’s enriched with a cherry-almond-like essence that endows your skin with a water-fresh, barely-there fragrance. Its consistency is thick and creamy, and a little product goes a long way in rehydrating the skin, and soothing dryness. Since we’re running out of the lotion, this is something I ought to add to the list.
This Aloe-Infused Hair Gel
A friend of mine runs a scoop of Aloe Vera through the hair as well as the beard almost every day. Studies have already established aloe’s role in enhancing the health of the hair and adding a sheen to the mane. I think my dad would approve. This nutrient-rich moisturiser excels at nourishing the hair as well as the skin. It can soothe irritation and itching — which is common post shaving — improve texture, heal damage, and brighten the face while promoting the growth of strong, luscious hair. All you have to do is transfer it onto a fresh, clean scalp, and spread it evenly from root to tip — since my father, and most men in general, don’t like investing more than a few minutes in self-care, this one’s a hassle-free way to maintain the health of the hair. The formula can be massaged into the beard too.
This Deep Cleansing Loofah
Since men’s skin produces more oil than women’s, exfoliation is non-negotiable. A non-abrasive loofah like this one can slough off build-up, and eliminate deep-seated impurities from the skin. This one’s an all-natural, plant-based loofah free of plastic. It’s sustainable, gentle on the skin, and suits all skin types.
This Pigmentation Tackling Face Wash
My father might buy musk-scented body washes and deodorants for himself, but he doesn’t invest in face-washes at all. This unscented elixir tackles pigmentation and spots thanks to its composition of skin-loving ingredients like Vitamin C and ginseng and ginkgo extracts. Soap doesn’t make the cut Dad, this has to be added to cart RN.
This All-Encompassing Grooming Kit
Since my father is almost always on-the-go, this travel-size skincare kit for men is ideal for him. This after-shave kit features a moisturiser, after-shave, and face wash. All of these products are infused with the benefits of Sandalwood to tone, cool, and purify as well as Orange Peel to clarify and invigorate the skin. Other ingredients in the line-up include Aloe Vera for hydration and soothing and Coconut Water for treating pigmentation and blemishes. A kit every father needs!
This Hair Growth, LED Comb
This is India’s first-ever comb infused with the benefits of LED light therapy and different modes of vibration. Crafted with the idea of boosting hair growth, it displays red and blue lights that help stimulate the follicles, regenerate cells, reduce inflammation, improve circulation and hair quality, and promote the appearance and health of the mane. It has three modes of vibration as well — and this feature is said to work in tandem with 49 massage points to relieve tension and stress. That’s not all. It comes with hair-growth drops too that bolster the effects of the comb. It comes with a long-lasting battery and is easy to carry around. My father’s always asking me for head massages, so I found my substitute for the task!
This Styling Hair Wax
This hair wax is specifically crafted for men. It holds your hairstyle without weighing your hair down, and because it’s infused with Aloe Vera, castor oil, and beeswax, it nourishes and hydrates your hair, and adds a sheen to it too.
This Multipurpose Essential Oil
Since men are predisposed to acne, Tea Tree Oil is a must-have for my father. This acne-fighting oil soothes inflammation and irritation on the skin thanks to its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. And it fights scalp-related conditions such as dandruff too. All you have to do is dilute it with some carrier oil before applying it.
I know I’m adding all of these to my wishlist as soon as I’ve saved up enough — whenever that happens.
Featured Image: Instagram
