Cosmetic needs depend
on the culture of an individual as a member of a
local community, but they are generally far more
limited in the male population than in the female.
Cosmetics have traditionally been
formulated differently for men and women. Products
for men often contain alcohol, which is rarely used
in cosmetics for women (except in toners). The appeal
to the two groups is also distinct, with men seeking
feelings of well-being and health, and women wishing
for health and beauty. Men treat their skin in response
to a need, such as shaving or cleansing. Not many
men currently think of skin care as a way of preventing
aging or a method of improving their appearance.
Men have been conditioned in the
past by the availability of a range of products
directed towards men only and presented with a masculine
orientation.
Their first encounters with these
toiletries were generally with shaving products
and hair lotions. Aftershaves, antiperspirants and
deodorants are increasingly widely used, however,
and more men are coming to see the regular use of
moisturizers as
important. In some countries men are already regularly
using sunscreen-containing products.
Cosmetic products made specifically
for men include: |
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- alcoholic perfumery (toilet water and eau de Cologne)
- shaving products
- hair products
- cleansing products.
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Shaving and skin care
Masculine needs are largely concentrated on shaving. The
beard is a sexual characteristic, which develops with
puberty. One of the most important rites marking the transition
of a boy into manhood is the first shave. |
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Most men in our society prefer
to be cleanshaven. Since the beard grows 2 mm
a day, shaving is a daily necessity.
Shaving repeatedly injures
the skin of the face and neck. The razor forcibly
removes the surface lipid layer of the skin
and the outer layers of the stratum corneum
before the cells are ready to be lost by the
normal processes of desquamation. This speeds
up the turnover of cells, and exposes skin cells
that are not yet ready to withstand the effects
of the environment. Shaving traumatizes
the skin - yet it is said that the average man
spends six months of his life shaving!
This harsh treatment of the
skin is compounded by the use of high-alcohol-content
aftershave lotions, which dissolve even more
lipids. Skin cells also become temporarily over-hydrated
because of the action of detergents and hot
water during shaving. They later lose water,
since they have lost so much of the lipids that
help them retain moisture. The result can be
dry, flaky cells and dull-looking skin. In addition,
the skin may begin to feel uncomfortably tight
as the outer cells shrink owing to
water loss and become, in turn, more sensitive
to the irritant effects of sweating, sebum and
the environment.
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Shaving
traumatizes the skin - yet it is said that the
average man spends six months of his life shaving! |
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