Does self-care demand gender too? Isn't skin care meant for all?
'Skincare isn't extra - it's needed'
Skin care is often associated with women. It's often perceived as a means to beautify your outer appearance. Even with so many resources available, what we don't take notice of is that our skin goes through a lot irrespective of who we are and where we live. For a body ache, we don't hesitate to go for a massage. For headaches, we resort to balms and medicines. Or better, we talk about hot showers or use ice packs. We have remedies to relieve our feet of pain. But, when it comes to skincare, we feel it's a feminine thing to do.
There are notions that doing skincare or following a skincare routine is an extra investment. A luxurious choice. On the contrary, it's an absolute necessity, a step towards your well-being. What we should think of when we think of skin care is that we are allowing our skin to rejuvenate, recover and relax. The dirt and dust, the heat and light, the sweat and tears, the bad days and the bad times - all need a gentle touch. And, that can come only if we allow ourselves that.
Men themselves either don't want to do it or feel kind of hesitant to invest in skin care. There is discomfort, uneasiness, and consciousness that comes along. Shaving, using some face wash, or maybe sunscreen is all that men intentionally tend to do.
There are all sorts of healthy or not-so-healthy jokes about how limited men's skincare or let's say grooming section is. But, what interests me is that skin doesn't wait for hesitancy or discomfort. How you take care of it is how you feel and attend to the world. You have to take care of it as you take care of your body. No compromises.
With the dynamic growth of skin care products and e-commerce, I believe the hesitancy of men in investing in skin care is minimized to a great extent. They not only use the products that suit their skin and needs but actively talk about them. There are men, ordinary and famous who share their skincare priorities and products. This is a huge step because feeling good and looking good isn't meant for women alone. And, attending to yourself and your needs is a quality to imbibe. You got you first - before you got the world!
When you invest in skincare and by that I don't mean expensive skin care products. Skincare is so much more about eating right and making healthy choices too. It's also about accepting your skin care needs as a man. And, most importantly, being consistent and believing in your beauty and class makes you look groomed beyond any standards.
The next time you see a man purchasing and being picky about his skin care products, please know that it's the most normal thing to see. Rather than associating men with women for doing skin care, let's take a minute to understand that men deserve to take care of their skin and self that go through so much. For men out there, never hesitate to buy a product or change a routine that works for you. Also, pause before you shame or ridicule other men for being too feminine.
The boxes of beauty, skincare, and self-care need to be put aside for all of us to be healthy and happy. Equally.
