While we dislike gender assumptions as much as the next girl (who’s not into pink), it’s fair to assume that most guys don’t give two sh*ts about skin care. Are we right, or are we right?
Good news, guys: It’s nowhere near as annoying as you think—but it is important. And to help you get started on your mission to a clearer complexion and smoother skin, we’ve rounded up everything a regular guy needs to know for the best skin of his life.
The Need-to-Know
1. Take the tissue test.
The key to picking the best products for your skin type is—wait for it—knowing your skin type. Fortunately, there’s a ridiculously easy way to ID it, known as the tissue test, says David E. Bank, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist and assistant clinical professor of dermatology at Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center.
Wash your face with a mild cleanser like Cetaphil, pat dry, and wait five minutes. Then hold a facial tissue to your face for a few minutes, and observe: If it’s bone dry, you’re probably on the dry-to-sensitive side, Banks says. If there’s oil on it, you’re oily (surprise!), and if it’s just a little moist, you’re somewhere in between—combination. Choose a cleanser accordingly.
…