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BBG Product Review: Face Lotion |
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Written by Brian Joyner
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 It’s not the sort of thing many guys think of regularly, moisturizing our faces. You hate the term, we do, too, but that’s what it is. Chances are, most guys probably grab whatever lotion is available and slather it on their faces, if that. It could be the Jergens in the bathroom, or whatever product the woman of the house has around. “What difference does it make if I use regular lotion? It’s just skin,” has just crossed your mind. Well, here’s why: when you figure that your face is exposed to the elements more than most any other part of your body, taking special care of it begins to make sense. I didn’t care, either, until my brother started in on me to take care of my face. He’s always been up on products that help your face (he’s on TV, so his face is important for his work). When I decided to take better care of my face, he showed me how.The idea of men’s products beyond the basics (shaving products, hair products, cologne) is still foreign to many men, but places like Bath and Bodyworks and the Body Shop have had products strictly for guys for 10 years or more. Sephora, L’Occitaine, and other places that were once strictly for women carry products for guys now. Not to mention nearly every major player in the cosmetic game, including L'Oreal, Clinique, and Shiseido, has a line aimed at men. So Be Better Guys offers our opinion on several different face lotions, aftershaves, creams, and gels. The products are evaluated on how they protect the face from self-inflicted damage (shaving) and nature (sun, wind, etc.). We focused on a few things: - They should absorb easily into the skin and contain a (here’s that word again) moisturizer of some sort to keep the skin from drying out.
- The less alcohol, the better. Alcohol dries your face out rather than tightening it up, so those days of “the burn means that it’s working” are over. This relates particularly to after shaves, which all have some astringent.
- It has to be readily accessible, either at a drugstore, department or specialty store, or online.
- Bonus points for sun block, since skin cancer is the #1 type of cancer and most folks only remember to use a sun block at the beach between May and August.
There are literally dozens of products available in all price ranges. I tend to have drier skin, so the comments below reflect that fact. We lumped the different types of products together because no one needs multiple products to do basically the same thing. So, in no particular order. . . Neutrogena Men Triple Protection Face Lotion SPF 20
Neutrogena makes great products as a whole, and this is no exception. It goes on light, has minimal scent, and absorbs into the skin well. The lotion is great in helping your face bounce back after shaving and is smooth to the touch. The SPF protection is an added bonus. Overall, the Triple Protection Face Lotion will do the job for the average guy or someone with drier skin. It might be a bit heavy for those with oilier skin. This is available at most drug stores, and will only set you back $6.95 for 1.7 oz. Available at most drug stores. Neutrogena Men Triple Protection Face Gel
This gel is part of the same suite of products as the previous lotion. “Soothes, heals, defends” is the suite’s motto and for the most part, it doesn’t disappoint. It’s glycerin-based, perfect for those with oily skin. It also has soybean extract – the new miracle ingredient. Triple Protection Face Gel does the job reasonably well for those with normal skin, but I felt as if I needed more for my beard area the minute I'd finished applying. It has a green/ blue tint, which might be off-putting for some guys. The scent is light, but the lack of SPF was surprising, considering its sibling. It's $6.95 for 1.7 oz, and is available at most drug stores. Body Shop For Men Face Protector
This lotion features one of the all-time great skin conditioners: cocoa butter. It melts into your skin, leaving it soft and smooth and protecting it from the elements. If you have dry skin, this is the stuff for you. The lotion contains natural products like sesame oil, sweet almond oil, and jojoba oil, all good for retaining moisture in your skin and helping your face recover from the rigors of shaving. It has a subtle scent (primarily from the cocoa butter and sweet almond oil) with no added fragrance. And for those Greenpeace-types, it is made with products from community farms which provide steady income and wages to underprivileged regions. With all of those rich oils, it’s not for those with oily skin. If you have combination skin (dry on your cheeks, but oily on your forehead, for example) this might not be the best for you. With me, it always feels as if it was melting off of my forehead, into my eyes and onto my sunglasses. Great on cold, blustery days, but if it’s hot, it could be a problem. Available only at the Body Shop and costs $15.00 for 3.3 oz. Gillette Series Aftershave Lotion Skin Renewal
Gillette’s been in the men’s face game for years with razors, shaving creams, and aftershaves. In an attempt to stay up with the men’s grooming boom, it’s introduced a line of products that help protect your face. The Series Aftershave Lotion Skin Renewal does a decent job. It’s light and contains things like ginseng and vitamin C to “rejuvenate and improve your skin’s appearance.” It does have an alcohol smell to it and the added scent is the fake ocean breeze that’s been prevalent in men’s products for years. I wouldn’t make this my regular lotion, but to use in a pinch or to throw in your gym bag for post-workout, it will do. Available for $2.59 for 2.54 oz at local drugstores or online through Family Meds. ê Shave After Shave Cream with Shea Butter
The company specializes in shaving products, everything from pre-shave oil to razors. The aftershave cream soothes and cools the skin nicely after shaving. It absorbs quickly with little or no residue. ê Shave’s cream contains many of the natural botanicals, conditioners and mineral oils prized for keeping your face smooth and tight – shea butter, aloe vera, vitamins A and E. I tried the cream with the white tea scent, which is light, sweet, and slightly floral. It’s subtle enough not to offend, but if it’s not your cup of tea (no pun intended), then go with the cucumber scent. The knocks on it are no SPF and both the white tea and cucumber are geared toward normal to sensitive skin. It might turn out to be a bit light for those with drier skin. Available at men’s salons and online through eShave; $16 for 2 oz. L’Oréal Men’s Expert Oil Controller Moisturizer
L’Oréal tries to butch up the idea that men need to protect their faces with the term Active Defense System or ADS. The whole Men’s Expert line carries the phrase. I’m envisioning Army Rangers parachuting into the bathroom with a rucksack full of skin products and lip balms. The glycerin-based gel keeps skin moist while removing the excess oil. The Oil Controller Moisturizer “mattifies” the skin, which relates to the oily skin issue. I don’t know if “mattifies” is a word, but the stuff worked to lessen the oily gleam after I put it on, which may also have something to do with the high amount of alcohol in it. That being said, it went on cool and almost sticky, but quickly absorbed into the skin. No SPF in this either, but other complementary products in the line have it. $6.99 for 1.7 oz, available at most drugstores.
Results
Remember, all this is to keep your mug from looking like shoe leather. I prefer Neutrogena’s face lotion, the L’Oreal’s moisturizer, and the ê Shave cream for my face, but that’s me. Regardless of which one you choose, do use something. Put it on after you shave and right after the shower on days you don’t shave. It’s a minimal investment for a maximum benefit.
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5 Ways to Be a Better Guy |
It’s eyebrowS, not eyebrow. Separate ‘em. Invest in a cocktail strainer. Should cost you under $5. Show some self-control. Let others finish speaking and enough interrupting already. You’ve got the belt loops. Now wear the belt. Keep your music at the office low. Not everyone wants to hear Fergie at 8:30 in the morning.
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Your Body 
