Personal care products for men and women have traditionally been formulated differently. Products for men are usually characterized by the presence of alcohol, which has rarely been used in cosmetics for women. The appeal to the two groups is also distinct, with men seeking well-being and health and women pursuing health and beauty. Men treat their skin in response to a need, such as shaving, cleansing, and treating cuts and nicks. They are less prone to viewing skin care as an aging-prevention or appearance-enhancing practice. Analysts report, however, that this attitude is changing.
Skin physiology shows differences between women and men.1 The influence of age and sex on skin thickness, skin collagen and density has been studied by Shuster et al. In this article we will examine some of those differences in physiology. Then we will examine some of the cosmetic products aimed at male consumers.
Differences Between the Sexes Skin: The thickness of the skin varies depending on site, age and sex. Androgen stimulation causes an increase in the thickness of the skin and this is generally more important in the man than in the woman. Male skin is approximately 25% thicker than that of women. It increases the resistance of the male skin.
There is a gradual, but highly significant, thinning of male skin with increasing age. In female skin, however, thickness remains surprisingly constant until the fifth decade, after which there is also a significant thinning with increasing age. At the same age and following the same weathering conditions, wrinkles are more pronounced in male than in female skin.