For centuries, the cosmetic & beauty industry has been dominated by products made specifically for women. From their formulation to packaging – take a walk through the aisle, and you will find products made for women only. But in recent years, there has been a spike in cosmetic products for men. This change of wind is largely due to the increase of social media male influencers talking about their needs. For instance, internet users may now see James Charles’s front Covergirl advertisements or turn to Hyram Yarbro for uncensored advice on which skincare goods are worthwhile investing in.
Everything aside, there is yet one question we need to address – can we treat the requirements & products the same for both genders? Among many factors, we are here to unveil why and how beauty products for men differ from those produced for women.
So read along to decode the rise of men’s beauty products in the cosmetic industry with us!
Blogging, vlogging & eCommerce.
“Social media platforms have spearheaded a new frontier where men wearing makeup is the norm,” says Anttoni Lopez, founder of Alpha Male Cosmetics. He further adds how a few years back, morning grooming kits only included a bottle of shampoo, shave & maybe a hair gel pouch. But since 2020, with the social media pressure, there has been an increase in the range of products. “It has increased men’s awareness in health and beauty and the importance of feeling and looking good.” And s a result, companies are marketing their products covertly, frequently using low-key direct-to-consumer ways to get their product seen by potential customers.
The global market for men’s personal care was at 30.8 billion in 2021, and it is predicted to increase by 9.1% by the end of 2030. The growing demand for gender-specific products is largely due to the rise in eCommerce (during & after COVID) and, obviously, social media.
Do male, and female skin require different maintenance?
Who else can answer this question better than a dermatologist? A Delhi-based integrative aesthetic specialist, dermatologist, and founder of Isyaderm says, “Male skin is thicker. It loses water less than women. Also, men make more sebum than women,” focusing on some essential structural difference between the two. Also, these variations are due to the production of testosterone. Thicker skin usually signifies less sensitivity and better tolerance for powerful chemicals. “Topical retinoid can be applied every night. However, benzoyl peroxide can be used more frequently.” Is it, however, necessary? “It depends on the man’s or woman’s concern,” Dr. Sethi explains.
Another factor to look for is sebum secretion. Male skin has more active, larger sebaceous glands (glands on the skin that create natural oil) and pores than female skin. This makes male skin shinier and oilier due to excessive sebum secretion, making it more prone to acne. And making their skin less prone to dryness.
What ingredients should you watch out for?
Gender doesn’t play any significant role when it comes to ingredients. So, first of all, look for star ingredients in your product.
For general purposes, “all the normal actives like vitamin C, ferulic, retinol, peptides, AHAs, PHAs, bakuchiol and niacinamide, ” suggests Dr. Sethi. She adds, “Benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid are great when acne is your main concern. AHAs, retinol, alpha arbutin, kojic acid, and vitamin C are for pigmentation. If the man’s skin has a lot of oil, then you would use more oil-reducing cleansers and also look for products containing salicylic acid, mandelic acid, niacinamide, green tea, and tea tree oil.” To combat dryness, search for urea, sodium lactate, glycerin, polyglutamic acid, hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and essential fatty acids in your skincare.
What impact does facial hair have on skincare decisions?
When deciding between these skin types, facial hair is perhaps the most important element to consider. And having a beard isn’t as simple as it appears. Shaving frequently results in ingrown hairs, which appear as little red pimples on the skin’s surface. The easiest approach to avoid them is to exfoliate your skin regularly. Treatments with salicylic or glycolic acid are excellent for this. Simultaneously, it is critical to go slowly and ensure that all products used are delicate and do not break the skin’s natural barrier. “When you shave, your skin becomes more sensitive for a short period of time.” Avoid actives such as AHAs, retinol, and retinoids on the day before and after shaving. “It’s also important to moisturize after shaving,” Dr. Sethi emphasizes.
Final words: Predicting the future.
In future, it is possible to witness a genderless beauty industry, which would be fueled largely by generation Z’s growing disdain for gender norms. Beauty products must be genderless in order to actually thrive. The modern male is content to indulge in skincare as self-care. People are now taking satisfaction in looking for themselves, so the connotations of whether it makes them less’manly’ may not apply as widely.