Skin Hygiene
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Clean Slate: why your bar of soap is not enough |
Most men have been tempted to just use bar soap in the shower as their face wash. If it's good enough for your body, why wouldn't it be good enough for your face? It's all just skin, right?
Well — no. Your facial skin on your face is different from the rest of your body, and a regular bar of soap is too harsh on your face. It needs something gentle and pH-balanced that won't strip away the natural defenses. Let’s break down the different types of cleansers and what they’re for:
Gel cleansers: resemble hand or body wash in texture, but are lighter and designed specifically for the face. They're typically the best at dissolving excess oil and deep-cleaning pores, making them ideal for acne-prone or oily skin. If that sounds like your cup of tea, try POOL SUITE.
Cream Cleansers: such as L´ÉAU BRUT are ideal for dry or sensitive skin since they don’t strip away as much of the skin’s natural oils. These gentle cleansers often have the texture and appearance of a moisturizer until they’re mixed with water.
Oil Cleanser: Oil-based cleansers are a great option for those with particularly dry skin. They’re gentle on your skin’s natural oils while being especially effective at removing thicker, heavier products like sunscreen. They’re often used in a double cleansing routine—followed by a gel or cream cleanser—but for most men, that’s overkill (unless you wear a lot of makeup, in which case, you probably already know all about double cleansing). We've been liking this one from Korean brand Beauty of Jonseon lately
As mentioned in past editions of The Narcyssist, cleansing at night is essential — it clears away the grime your skin collects during the day. Many brands recommend washing twice a day, but for most skin types, a morning cleanse isn’t necessary and can even do more harm than good — especially if your skin is sensitive.
Cleansed, not stripped |
Cleansing at night is essential — it clears away the grime your skin collects during the day. Many brands recommend washing twice a day, but for most skin types, a morning cleanse isn’t necessary and can even do more harm than good — especially if your skin is sensitive.
Over-cleansing strips away your the natural oils that that help retain moisture. When those oils are constantly removed, your skin can become dry, tight, and more prone to sensitivity or breakouts (yep, dry skin can trigger breakouts too).
That said, there are cases you want to make exceptions. If you like work out in the morning, it makes sense to cleanse properly after. If left sitting on your skin, sweat mixed with bacteria can clog pores, so a gentle cleanse post-gym is a smart move.
The goal is to keep your skin clean, not stripped. So listen to what your skin actually needs day by day, not just what the back of the bottle says.
Hygiene habits beyond products |
Skincare products can help you look your best — but at the end of the day they’re the supporting cast, not the main act. Great skin starts with good habits. Think: consistent sleep, a balanced diet, low stress, and yes, basic hygiene. No serum in the world can outwork five hours of sleep or and a unwashed pillowcase:
Sleep on It: Your skin repairs itself overnight — aim for 7–9 hours and swap your pillowcase regularly (especially if you have acne-prone skin or live somewhere humid).
Skin Foods: Hydration, healthy fats, and antioxidant-rich foods support your skin from the inside out. Too much sugar or alcohol? Not so much. While dermatologists have been back and forth on the benefit of supplements like collagen powder, the consensus now seems to be somewhere along the lines of "well it seems to do something, so it can't hurt"
Hands Off: We got plenty of practice with this during the pandemic but it bears repeating: avoid touching your face — it spreads bacteria that cause acne and irritation.
Clean Tools = Clean Skin: Wash face towels, sterilize your razor, and anything else that touches your skin regularly. Dirty tools = dirty face.
We've been getting lots of questions about nutrition and skincare from curious Narcyssists and we intend to do a full newsletter on it in the future. But for now, just keep it clean!
That's it for the Dry Skin Edit of The Narcyssist! Stay tuned for more educational content and deep dive on the skincare industry!
Have any questions or topics you want us to cover? Shoot us an e-mail at info@narcyss.com
