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Introduction
One of the things I love about working with men’s grooming products is their ability to transform the way we look. Not in a drastic surgical kind of way, but the way you can use products to positively ‘groom’ your appearance. It can be something simple like a professional hair product, or just a good moisturiser that can leave you looking and feeling one hundred times sharper.
But these transformations are never more apparent than when you’re trying to solve a specific problem – that’s where grooming products can really transform your look and have a huge impact on your confidence. As guys we’re natural problem solvers, but we do sometimes need a helping hand and a bit of encouragement when it comes to more embarrassing grooming issues.
The great thing about shopping for grooming products online is that you reduce that embarrassment factor of talking to someone face to face, and can get straight to the solution. To help you find exactly what you need, I’ve highlighted five of the most common grooming problems and the products proven to combat them.
Problem 1. Acne
As grooming problems go, acne-prone skin is probably considered the biggest one. Millions of guys struggle with acne and spots from their teens and right through to their adult years, and it’s certainly something that has the potential to dictate your confidence levels. Severe acne can also leave a lasting effect on your skin in terms of scarring.
I’m sure many of you will have struggled to get a handle on acne-prone skin at some point, and will have tried lots of different products, lifestyle changes or even prescription medication. But there is one product range that I have championed time and time again that’s been shown to dramatically reduce the appearance of acne and heal acne scarring: the Murad Blemish Control range.
I’m lucky enough to have never suffered from acne, so have not tried the products myself. But working in the industry I know many people who have used the products with great success, and have been privy to lots of impressive case studies and survey results like those below…
Murad: Before/After
Key Facts: 92 per cent of users notice a reduction in blemishes in as little as three days. The brand currently has three million users worldwide.
Aside from the impressive results, another great thing about the Murad Blemish Control range is that they have a number of fantastic kits that give you your whole routine on a plate. The 60 Day Kit, 30 Day Kit, and the Starter Kit offer big savings and provide you with a great range of products, whatever your budget:
- Murad Blemish Control Acne Complex 60 Day Kit
- Murad Blemish Control Introductory Acne Complex 30 Day Kit
- Murad Ban Blemishes Starter Kit
Problem 2. Dandruff
In the same way you get dry skin on your face, you can also get dry skin on your scalp ? known as dandruff to you and me.
If the natural cycle of skin renewal is out of sorts and happening quicker than normal, patches of dry and flaky skin can come away from your scalp and settle in your hair, causing a rather embarrassing problem.
In extreme cases you may even be put off wearing dark clothing because of the flakes, and you can forget about feeling comfortable if someone’s running their fingers through your hair.
Luckily for dandruff sufferers, there’s a doctor in the house. No, not Dr Christian of Embarrassing Bodies fame, but the Hair Doctor ? Philip Kingsley. A hair care innovator, he recognised the need to bridge the gap between science and hairdressing as well as providing solutions for the most extreme hair and scalp problems.
His range of ‘Flaky Itchy Scalp’ products uses a gentle yet powerful formula to eradicate flakes and calm irritation:
Problem 3. Thinning Hair
The second big hair problem is something that the majority of men will fear as they get older: thinning hair. Whether it’s because you’re slowly losing your hair to hereditary baldness, have naturally thin locks, or are thinning because of stress or another medical condition, losing your hair can have a big effect on a guy’s self esteem.
But rather than get down in the dumps about hair loss, take a positive step and invest in products that are going to give your hair the nutrition it needs to not only survive, but prosper too. The Kérastase Specifique Stimuliste range is used in salons to create the optimum environment for hair growth, energising your hair and delivering essential active ingredients to the roots.
It should be noted that there is currently no ‘cure’ for hair loss. The products recommended today will simply give your hair the very best chance to grow, and therefore hopefully extend the hair’s life cycle, by promoting a healthy environment (read: scalp).
If hair loss is a true concern for you and severely affecting your confidence, try making an appointment with your local GP/doctor – there are products on the market that can actually encourage hair growth, such as minoxidil (what you find in products like Regaine) and Finasteride/Proscar. However, these all come with potential side effects and are not proven to work for everyone, so you should do thorough research before even considering options such as this.
Problem 4. Stretch Marks
You may think that stretch marks are reserved for pregnant women, but guys can suffer from this type of skin scarring too. Whether you’ve packed on muscle quickly (I wish), had a growth spurt, or you’re carrying a few extra pounds, rapid growth can often result in the occurrence of stretch marks.
Areas prone to skin stretching are the stomach, back, thighs, hips and upper arms, and like all the other problems in this article, can cause you to feel less confident in your appearance.
The most popular solution to stretch marks ? if a millions of pregnant women who swear by this product (including Kim Kardashian) are to be believed ? is Bio-Oil. This cult favourite rehydrates and nourishes your skin to fade stretch marks, scarring and even uneven skin tone. It’s won over eighty-five beauty awards too, so it’s certainly got amazing credentials:
Problem 5. Shaving Rash
A common ailment for those new to shaving, redness and irritation can put you off this daily routine all together. When razor burn strikes it can be painful and unsightly, and I certainly struggled with it until I was introduced to a better technique and superior products.
That better technique comes in the form of shaving in the direction of hair growth rather than against. This generally means downwards on your face and over your jaw line, and upwards on the lower part of your neck. If you’re unsure, run your fingers over your stubble and you’ll soon get a good understanding.
Now you have your technique sorted, it’s the razor and products’ time to shine. An old dirty razor is certainly going to do you no favours, so make sure you’ve always got a fresh blade (no more than 5-10 shaves old) to hand. I normally steer away from cheap disposables, too, and opt for something from one of the leading brands:
- Gillette Sensor Excel Razor
- Wilkinson Sword Quattro Titanium Razor
- King Of Shaves Azor 5 Sensitive Razor
When it comes to shaving, higher quality products will allow your razor to glide much more smoothly across your face, and keep irritation to an absolute minimum. The best products also have no harmful irritants and chemicals to aggravate your skin:
- Lab Series Skincare For Men Maximum Comfort Shave Gel 200ml
- Clinique M Shave Aloe Gel 125ml
- Clarinsmen Smooth Shave
Lastly, your post shave products have the most important job of all ? to put lost moisture back in to your skin, calming, soothing and keeping any redness to an absolute minimum.
Again, cheaper products and more ‘old school’ aftershave splashes tend to contain alcohol and other irritants, so ensure you stick with tried and tested formulas like these…
- Lab Series Razor Burn Relief 100 Ml
- Clinique Post Shave Soother Anti Blemish Formula 75ml
- Nivea For Men replenishing Post Shave balm 100ml
Final Word
Got a grooming problem you would like help with? Leave a comment below and maybe the FashionBeans community will have a solution.
Our resident grooming expert. Has many years experience within the grooming industry after working for Lookfantastic.com. Articles are invaluable for men who want to look and feel their best all year round.