When I opened renew bath + body in May of 2014, I honestly thought I was the only man in the world that had a passion for skincare products. I’ve always felt euphoria when I escape in to the ginger + lime scent of my moisturizing wash. After a long day, there is nothing better than a relaxing evening skin care routine, while I listen to soothing music and meditate on good thoughts.
After opening renew, I quickly realized I am not alone. Men love their skin and are just as passionate about shaving, hair, and moisturizing products. After four years in business, I can tell you that men love bath + body products just as much as women. They just may not tell you about it.
Daily, men come in to the shop and ask for recommendations on shaving products, soaps for their skin type, and advice on skin-related issues like premature aging.
Even though, at Renew, we believe that skincare is unisex and scent preference is a matter of individual taste, it’s no secret that it sells to our male customers better if it’s labeled “made for men.”
Men’s Grooming is on the rise around the globe. In fact, Mrporter.com reported a 300% growth in men’s beauty and grooming products in 2015, a category it only added to their site two years prior.
So, in March of 2015, we opened our “men’s section” and brought in skincare lines we thought would appeal to our male audience. After much research we settled on products by Ursa Major. This company is fully aligned with all of Renew’s core principles to “minimize exposure to synthetic chemicals while harnessing nature’s abundant power to nourish and restore.” Ursa Major, launched out of NYC, has 2 beard care lines and a shaving line. One customer, a local trial attorney, often in the public eye and in front of media cameras, came into the shop. He had been using a traditional brand of bar soap, but wanted something that would help improve the tone and texture of his skin. Flash forward, a few years later, he has become a regular monthly customer.
Research shows that Men are starting to invest in facial cleansers, exfoliants, and lotions at the same rate as women in order to look their best, and often they purchase the same types of products. Skininfo.com surveyed 500 Americans on their skincare routine. That survey revealed,
Both sexes say the main reasons they use beauty products are to look and feel sexy, to look clean and to look younger and healthier. More men than women say they use them because it’s important for work, or to please someone.
Nearly four out of 10 men and women want to accentuate or minimize certain facial features with beauty products. Among the primary concerns: fixing uneven skin tone, reducing the signs of aging and moisturizing and nourishing dry skin.
The Skininfo.com survey also revealed that women underestimate how much men spend on products each month, and overestimate what other women spend. While Men are pretty accurate on what men spend, but think women spend twice as much as they actually spend. Either way, both groups are spending on average the same amount, approximately $47-51 per month, on skincare products.
Guys, who are on the fence or skeptical – you may think it takes too much time, or there are too many steps, or that it doesn’t really make a difference. But we assure you that you can have better looking, more radiant skin without adding more time to your daily routine.
Here are some of our tips for men (and women):
Here are some of our tips for men (and women):Here are some of our tips for men (and women):
- There’s really no need for five-step peels or exorbitantly expensive serums
- Layering on too many products can actually irritate skin.
- A daily routine that involves cleansing, toning, and moisturizing followed with a weekly exfoliator will cover 99% of your skincare needs. These products will remove dead skin, deep clean pores, allow your moisturizer to hydrate your skin more effectively and brighten dull weathered skin.
- Products can only do so much! Lotion applied to the outside of your skin is only half of the hydration equation—skin needs moisture from the inside out, experts suggest drinking six to eight glasses of H2O a day. Also keep tabs on how much alcohol and caffeine you’re gulping down. Both can make you dehydrated; but, drinking coffee or booze along with food and water can help counter the dehydrating effects.
- Exercise really is important. Not only does it increase blood flow, exercising will nourish skin cells and keep them vital. Sweating is also a great pore detox.
Do you still think showing your skin some love is for the ladies? Check out these additional facts:
- The men’s skincare segment is growing by 23% a years with most men say it is important and to keep the appeal with their partner.
- In the U.S. alone, male grooming product lines are projected to hit $60.7 Billion by 2020. (currently is at $47 Billion).
- In the men’s grooming segment, skincare is projected to have the largest growth over men’s shaving and men’s fragrance.
- Major chains are redesigning stores to be more appealing to men.
There you have it, gentlemen. It’s time to realize self care is important for men and women, and directly affects your overall wellness. Not-to-mention, as I advised my niece and nephew when they were teenagers, “if you smell good, you’ll keep better friends.”
So, please, practice self-care. And remember to smile back at your own reflection.
It’s ok to enjoy smelling and feeling good – whatever you do, remember that true beauty isn’t only skin deep.
Photos by Michael Constantine (@renewedlense)
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