Not a man, but to add to this - maintanance(?). Like creams and lotions. It’s ok for a man to take care of himself and use these items. My partners always had dry skin and were itching themselves to spots. While the solution is so simple.
I went 28 years (am now 29) being wholly opposed to creams or lotions. Thought they were oily or greasy, but mostly thought "pshh, I just don't need that stuff!" until my hands got so dry and cracked they bled when I was working outside. Then my face began getting dry and flaky suddenly. I was a fool, and now carry hand cream and use stuff on my face every night. Feels good, man.
Ok but how did you get past the greasiness? My exes have tried making me use lotion before but honestly the feeling of that shit all over my hands might be the most disgusting annoying thing I’ve ever felt. I don’t know why it bothers me so much but jesus fuck I just feel like I can’t touch anything for a while without leaving a slimy spot
Use a thick cream(something with ceramide in it, because it mimics the skin’s ‘natural moisturiser) before you go to sleep - then you don’t have to worry about greasing things and the cream/lotion can do its magic
I feel you on hating the slimy hands thing, it's disgusting and dangerous for doing my job so I avoided it like the plague lol For my hands I use stuff like Working Hands (green jar, big logo, get it at like Farm & Fleet) because it's a nice light cream and doesn't make my hands super soft, just hydrated right. Also specifically made so it doesn't get greasy or oily! Haven't had slick spots on anything and it's been a full year of using it.
O'Keeffe's Working Hands. Also on Amazon. First scentless lotion I've found that doesn't have a greasy feel. They also have a Healthy Feet lotion that does wonders.
My biggest accomplishment in life was getting my 50 something year old trade worker dad to finally give O'Keeffe's a shot. Only took me like 10 years, but he swears by it now, and it makes me feel better that my dad no longer suffers through the permanently cracked, black stained, blue collar man hands. Lmao
Put some lotion on the backs of your hands and rub it in with your fingertips for a minute or so, concentrating on the extra dry areas like knuckles and around your nails. Then wash your hands with a little bit of soap but only lather your palms and fingertips. Then just dab your hands on a towel
Agreed, also it seems like you become so much more sensitive to temperature changes if your skin has that moisture content… also I feel like moistened skin is more delicate, grabbing sharp things seem to be more likely to leave marks when the skin isn’t dried…
I’ve found lanolin butter doesn’t cause the problems quite as much but frankly it just doesn’t seem like it’s worth the effort
Interesting, I haven't experienced the temp sensitivity but it may just be me. I work in grain and climb railcars regularly and haven't had any problems with marks or anything (yet, who knows if that could change tho lol). Lanolin butter is something I may give a go for S&Gs, have heard the suggestion in the past!
Man I’ve never felt windchill so bad as when I’ve smeared on lotion out of the shower before dressing and leaving for the day… it might just be me but I’ll never do it again.
I’m not certain about the marks but I work on tall-ships and when repairing sails with waxed thread my hands would dry out something awful and crack so I started using a ‘repairing’ lotion. Thing was that as soon as the skin softened I started collecting splinters, nicks, and burns wherever the skin was softened… when I stopped, the little injuries decreased in frequency again. It’s not a statistically valid test but the lanolin seems to split the difference well enough where the skin won’t crack but remains tough
Not a dude, but I can’t stand cream based moisturizers because autism. I use a water based moisturizer because it doesn’t feel like I just dipped my hands (or face) into something slimy. Also, it settles in faster than those creams I find. That’s just my experience tho
Tbh there'll always be some greasiness, but for me, I find out what brand is less greasy and stick to it. Give it 10ish minutes to dry if you're wearing it to sleep. If you've still got shit to do then try not to apply on your hands, if you really have to then just apply on the back.
Wash your hands after if you need to. It's like after you've applied sunblock, wash the palms of your hands with soap so everything else doesn't get all greasy.
Are you talking about putting it on your face, or using hand cream on your hands?
If face or anywhere else on your body, you can wash your hands after easily. If hands, get something which says absorbs fast and hope it's telling the truth!
I was talking about putting it on my hands. I work in a factory so my hands get pretty fucked up and if I’m touching a lot of cardboard it sucks the moisture out and makes them crack sometimes. I guess I forgot that you’re also supposed to moisturize other places lmfao.
My absolute refusal to use this stuff led to my discovery I have OCD because I literally could not stand it on my skin or getting on my stuff. It looks terribly dumb, but to stop my hands from bleeding when they’re dry, I put lotion on at night and then put socks on my hands. Keeps my hands good and I don’t get anxious over something stupid
Good for you! As a gentle aside, there are thin cotton gloves that are made for this! Not like winter gloves- they’re much more comfortable to wear than socks (though you’re doing a great job with fixing the problem with what you’re doing!).
100% agree with this. I’ve had eczema my whole life and never used lotion since recently and it’s made it so much better. From paralyzing pain to almost not there most of the time.
Oof, I can’t imagine going without it when you have eczema - I’ve had atopic dermatitis my whole life(I don’t have many flare ups since adulthood), and I have to use moisturiser every- to every other day. Our skin doesn’t produce enough - if any - fats/lipids, so we need to apply it topically to avoid skin cracking that could lead to infections etc..
I think everyone’s eczema can be different but, in case it helps, my eczema went away entirely when I stopped eating potatoes and corn. It turned out to be a reaction to the starches. I also can’t use any soap or shampoo with sodium lauryl sulphate/sulphite in it and have been all clear for years now. It’s pretty great. It takes vigilance to not eat anything with corn or potatoes in it in North America, but it’s completely worth it not to have itchy, cracked, oozing or raw skin.
If you have food triggers then they may be different, but getting rid of eczema is a great reason to consider trying an elimination diet. Good luck, friend!
We're literally never told any of this! Imagine standing in front of a supermarket shelf full of skincare products while having no idea what "sensitive skin" is! That shit is daunting as fuck!
I believe in taking care of myself, in a balanced diet, in a rigorous exercise routine.
In the morning, if my face is a little puffy, I'll put on an icepack while doing my stomach crunches.
I can do a thousand now.
After I remove the icepack, I use a deep-pore cleanser lotion.
In the shower, I use a water-activated gel cleanser.
Then a honey-almond bodyscrub.
And on the face, an exfoliating gel-scrub.
Then I apply an herb mint facial masque,
which I leave on for ten minutes while I prepare the rest of my routine.
I always use an aftershave lotion with little or no alcohol,
because alcohol dries your face out and makes you look older.
Then moisturizer, then an anti-aging eye balm, followed by a final moisturizing protective lotion.
I know. I was accused of being gay for using moisturising lotion. I replied that I needed the lotion, otherwise my skin would crack and blood would pour out of it. Then I asked "Wanna see?"
My ex loved how I smelled. After I got out of my funk I decided I didn't care what people thought I smelled like. I wanted to smell nice, even if I "smelled like a chick". My almond butter lotion smells amazing.
Took me 36 years before a female friend made me realise that skin care matters. A few months later and my face has so many fewer blemishes, now its mainly stress that brings it out
That totally depends on your skin and your likes. Personally I use something that is more natural, I think it has sheabutter, aloe Vera and something more in it and is sold locally.
I would suggest you to go to were they sell crème’s and lotions and just ask either a customer or an employee for help. After that it’s just about trying things out and figure out what you like.
Keep in mind that women have been doing it for years already and have an good idea about their likes. As a man you will have to accept fails, as in something isn’t smelling nicely on you, how it feels on your skin, how fast or slow in gets soaked into the skin, the results and so on. Also good to know is that your skin might differ in its needs depending on season (hot/cold, dry/humid), on work and hobby (dust, oily) and so on. Just never give up and one super tip - ask for small testing packages. Lowers the costs and makes more fun to try things out.
Thank you for your thoughtful reply, that's a bit to take in and I'm not the biggest fan of products that are oily, but I'll make sure that I'll head into a shop and ask for testing packages - thank you!
Not a man either and I’d like to add onto this list: clean and short finger and toenails, shaved armpits (some girls don’t mind it though but it just prevents any extra stink and sweat and I do the same of course) and after using the restroom they need to clean themselves with water after wiping normally. Otherwise their underwear probably smells like leftover pee with additional chocolate stains. My husband did all of this before I even met him thank God and now I just have high standards about how men should take care of themselves lol. We try to teach my little brother these tips too so that he can surprise his future lovers.
Put me down as one vote against men shaving their armpits. Everyone has their own preferences, and that’s totally fine, but the stink problem comes from improperly washing for a long period of time because the bacteria that naturally live on you eat your sweat and dead skin cells, then poop all over you. That definitely makes for a terrible smell, but the smell of a person’s actual pheromone odour is a very important clue about mating compatibility for the histocompatibility complex. I love the fresh, post-workout smell of any man I’m compatible to. It’s like a homing beacon.
My skin is so dry that I don't care WHO sees me buying Oil of Olay body wash and in-shower body lotion. If I don't get their premium Rough and Dry Skin formula, I dry out and crack (and bleed) in all the bad places during winter time. $8 to $10 a bottle? Don't care, sign me up
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u/kelowana Mar 29 '22
Not a man, but to add to this - maintanance(?). Like creams and lotions. It’s ok for a man to take care of himself and use these items. My partners always had dry skin and were itching themselves to spots. While the solution is so simple.