Skin Deep – The Real Difference Between Male & Female Skin 

When it comes to choosing the right skincare, there’s no one-size-fits-all. Just as we all have different skin types, these differences also extend to male and female skin. While our skin might look the same as one another, there’s plenty of subtle differences that make us unique.

So, what are the main differences between male and female skin? Research has shown that on average, men’s skin is between 20-25% thicker than women’s - usually containing more collagen and larger hair follicles. 

Men’s skin typically produces more sebum, caused by their higher levels of testosterone. Meanwhile, women often experience fluctuating estrogen levels throughout their lives, leading to changes in their skin’s appearance. Ever wondered why you always break out just before your time of the month? Blame those hormones!

Quick facts

• Men are more likely to deal with oily skin for longer.
• The natural ageing process takes a little longer in male skin than in women due to their increased collagen levels, but they are more likely to have deeper wrinkles when they do appear!
• Men who shave regularly are at risk of having sensitive, irritated skin as it can take off healthy cells from the epidermis (the top layer of your skin).

How our skin changes over our lifetime

We mentioned above that male skin typically contains more collagen. Collagen is responsible for maintaining your skin’s elasticity and plumpness. As we age, the amount of collagen produced by our bodies decreases, leading to lines and wrinkles forming. 

As men naturally have more collagen, they develop fine lines and wrinkles later in life than women. Although this is entirely dependent on how much time they spend in the sunshine as women are currently statistically more routine in applying SPF! While there’s an abundance of female-focused beauty products that offer SPF protection from UV rays, there’s definitely less of an emphasis on male grooming products, although there is a growing understanding on the importance of SPF. . Of course, we’ve got some great suggestions at bubu which we’ll get to a little later on.

So, what are the best products and ingredients?

When you think about these huge differences, it seems obvious that different active ingredients tested on male skin and formulations are needed to account for the physiological differences between male and female skin. Male-focused skincare products should be formulated to control excess oil, while also offering some calming ingredients to soothe any irritation caused by regular shaving and account for the thickness difference when combined with shaving and the outdoors which can also lead to dryness. Some of the ingredients that can help with both of these include:

• Tea tree oil
• Green tea
• Niacinamide

On the other hand, skincare products marketed towards females or unisex brands should offer plenty of hydration, as well as being able to boost collagen production, especially on mature skin. Some of the most popular ingredients that do both are:

• Lactic acid
• Hyaluronic acid
• Aloe vera

Of course, it’s not as simple as throwing all these ingredients together to create a miracle formula to suit everyone! The types of products and ingredients you’ll need will vary depending on your individual skin type. Not sure which category your skin fits into? Take a look at our Skincare 101 guide.

Skincare formulas designed for men

With all these facts in mind, it’s important for men to find skincare products specially developed to suit their skin. Lots of beauty brands focus on marketing towards a female audience or unisex audience which is great and important, but there’s plenty of men who want great skin too and feel more comfortable understanding something targeted towards them- who doesn’t?

At Bubu, we believe that skincare should be for everyone, which is why we’ve got a whole section dedicated to men’s grooming products, with some exciting new additions coming soon!. Here’s just a few of our favourite brands and their grooming targeted products!

Fade Out

Fade Out have over 37 years of expertise in skincare, and offer a range of clinically tested moisturisers specially-formulated for men. Infused with nourishing ingredients and containing SPF, this range is perfect for soothing irritated skin while protecting it from the sun’s rays!

31st State

With a focus on teen and acne prone skin, 31st State offers a range of acne-fighting skincare products as well as a fantastic collection of vegan hair care! Using powerful ingredients like witch hazel and tea tree, they’re ideal for anyone who struggles with oily and acne-prone skin.

Scrubd

Scrubd pride themselves on offering natural men’s grooming products, using traditional ingredients like peppermint, aloe vera, and black pepper to invigorate your skin. From soothing shave creams to nourishing soap bars, they’ve got something for every part of your grooming routine.

Planning on treating yourself or someone special to some skincare goodies? You can take a look at our For Him range at our store, or you can head on over to our complete skincare collection.  You might find the perfect present for Father’s Day!