“Man”tiaging

By: Katie Schaefer, C&T Magazine

Posted: October 2, 2006, from the October 2006 issue of Cosmetics & Toiletries.

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Also, he added that men have thicker skin than women and produce more oil than women. “[Formulators should] use preparations that contain very little or no oil. … If the patient’s skin already is producing oil, you certainly do not want to add more woes,” said Kamisky. Antiaging products should therefore be formulated with ingredients that give the product slip without adding heavy oils.

As Kaminsky has said, men typically have thicker skin than women, but some have thicker skin than other men. In that instance he recommends the use of an exfoliant. “If [men] have super thick skin, you would use materials to help with exfoliation or cell turnover, depending on the age of the individual. These would include alpha and beta hydroxy acids,” he said.

Simplicity of use and multifunctionality are two factors that are key to creating an antiaging product for men. “Men try to limit the number of products they use,” said Kaminsky. Therefore, antiaging products should provide numerous functions. “[Antiaging products] will act as moisturizers, they will act as antiaging preparations, they will act as sunscreens, and some of them will treat a sallow complexion,” he said.

The Future of Antiaging for Men
The typical male using antiaging products has changed over time, according to Kaminsky. Men are not waiting until they see the problem, but are instead buying products to prevent aging. “Physically and sexually active men want to look good,” said Kaminsky, who noted that although there are more men using skin care products, they are still few in numbers. Overall health is another reason Kaminsky believes that men are becoming interested in skin care.

The future of men’s antiaging products and skin care in general is cloudy. The industry is growing, but at a rate that no one seems to know. “Hopefully men will recognize that using skin care should be a part of their daily regimen,” said Kaminsky. “Although many of them now know about it, some of them still have not tried it.”