Fitness
16 Best Men’s Moisturizers for Dry Skin
Published
3 years agoon
By
Terry Power
This article was published in partnership with Blu Atlas.
Let’s face it: Nobody likes dry skin. While it might seem like a mild complaint, dry skin can quickly become unsightly, itchy, scaly and downright painful. When left untreated, dry skin can lead to complications, from signs of premature aging to dangerous infections.
But don’t panic—dry skin is an easily preventable condition. Using a good daily moisturizer is a sure way to protect yourself from any skin scars, while restoring hydration where you need it most. With a few clicks of the mouse, you can be well on your way toward smoother, healthier skin.
So, where should you begin? We have searched far and wide to compile this list of 16 best men’s moisturizers for dry skin. From lotions that visibly reverse the effects of aging to those that combine hydration with SPF protection, we have an option available for everyone. Read on to discover our top choices.
Still on the fence about choosing the right product for your skin type? Feel free to peruse our frequently asked questions for some additional suggestions.
How should I use a men’s moisturizer to achieve the best possible results?
Because each product works differently, we recommend that you always study the instructions of the moisturizer you buy. Some moisturizers work best when applied to wet skin, while others should be limited to a certain number of weekly uses. That being said, here are some general instructions that can help with any application process.
• Lotion is best lathered onto clean skin. Make sure to thoroughly wash any areas you wish to hydrate as this is important for avoiding long-term buildup.
• Squeeze or scoop the right amount from the container and use your fingers to spread an even layer of product onto your skin. It is important to remember that less is more. Particularly with highly concentrated products, you usually need a much smaller quantity than you imagine. With most of the lotions, a pea- to quarter-sized amount is usually enough for the skin on your entire face. Keep in mind that using too much product overtaxes sensitive skin and can get expensive in the long run.
• Be patient as your moisturizer absorbs. Try to avoid touching the moisturized area until your face or neck is completely dry. Although most moisturizers have a quick absorption time, always leave yourself a few more minutes than you need. This is also a sure way to avoid staining your work clothes with greasy white patches.
How can I find the best moisturizer for my skin type?
There is no perfect moisturizer for every type of skin. Because each lotion is made with a different combination of ingredients, it’s important to find the formula that works for you. Think of the times your friend swore by a certain product, but you were disappointed when you bought it. This was most likely due to the fact that every individual needs a moisturizer that is specific to their skin.
The first step to finding such a product is determining your skin type. Here we have listed some of the most common types of skin and the recommendations to go along with each.
• Dry skin: Evidently, dry skin requires a product that offers maximum hydration. Look out for ingredients that not only moisturize the skin but help lock in the moisture for long-lasting effects. An example of such an ingredient is hyaluronic acid. For extra-hydrating results, you may consider pairing your daily moisturizer with a more intense serum.
• Oily skin: If you have oily skin, you may be tempted to skip the moisturizer altogether. According to dermatologists, however, this may not be the smartest move. Oily skin is also in need of hydration. In this case, look for lighter ingredients that are less likely to clog the pores and cause additional buildup, such as aloe vera and marine algae.
• Combination skin: Combination skin can be tricky since it can be oily or dry in different areas of the body. It may seem difficult to find a single product to target all of these diverse areas and their needs. If this is something you struggle with, we recommend looking for a product with balancing ingredients. This way, your skin gets the soothing hydration it craves without the components that stimulate oil production.
• Sensitive skin: Fortunately, there are a multitude of products designed for sensitive skin. If you have sensitive skin, we recommend starting with a patch test before applying any product. Avoid harsh, chemical ingredients and artificial fragrances. An all-natural formula usually works best for sensitive skin.
Is there a specific time when I should be using these products?
For the most commonly used moisturizers, it’s recommended to apply the product twice a day – morning and night. This way, your skin remains properly hydrated for the entire 24-hour period. In the morning, apply moisturizer after serums and toners, but before any additional products such as sunscreen. In the evening, it’s best to use moisturizer last to ensure maximum absorption over your period of inactivity.
Of course, this is not a hard-and-fast rule. Sometimes, you may wish to apply moisturizer a third time, after a midday shower, or following an intense workout. However, if you have excessively oily or sensitive skin, you may want to start with a daily application and work your way up from there.
As a general suggestion, when it comes to beauty products, it’s always best to use less than you need. Applying concentrated products too often may negate their benefits, leaving you with oily, bumpy and acne-prone skin. For best results, follow the instructions on the package and use with moderation.
What are some additional tips on avoiding dry skin?
If you’re moisturizing twice a day and are still not experiencing the results you’re after, there may be some environmental factors to consider when it comes to dry skin. First of all, make sure that the water in your shower does not get too hot. While most of us enjoy a relaxing hot shower, hot water is one of the leading causes of dry skin.
Make sure that the body gel or bath soap you’re using does not contain ingredients that are drying out your skin. Alcohols and artificial fragrances are the top ingredients to avoid.
After you finish showering, make sure that you pat dry rather than rubbing your skin. A gentler dry will allow your skin to retain additional moisture.
If you live in an excessively arid environment, a humidifier may be necessary to add moisture to the air in your home.
Finally, if all else fails, consider setting up a consultation with your primary care physician. The underlying causes of your dry skin may be outside the reach of over-the-counter products.
For access to exclusive gear videos, celebrity interviews, and more, subscribe on YouTube!
You may like
-
Some Medications Can Make You More Prone To Sunburns; Tips To Protect Your Skin
-
Screen Time Might Damage Your Skin; Tips To Protect You From Blue Light
-
AI Demonstrates High Accuracy In Diagnosing Mpox Using Skin Lesion Photos
-
International Men’s Health Week: 5 Healthy Habits To Stay Fit
-
Top 10 Must-Have Skincare Products for Youthful and Radiant Skin
-
‘More Than Skin Deep’: Study Reveals How Psoriasis Inflammation Leads To Other Related Disorders
There’s no doubt when the weather turns colder as we settle into winter, stouts take center stage. And while we enjoy all its iterations: standard stout, imperial stout, and robust barrel-aged stouts, we think this malty, chocolate-filled beer’s close cousin deserves a little respect as well. Of course, we’re talking about the oft-overlooked porter. And the best porters, oh buddy, they’ll have you rethinking your seasonal bevvie of choice.
For those uninitiated, the porter style had its genesis in England like many other iconic beer styles. It first appeared in the 1700s and is (you guessed it) named after porters—individuals tasked with transporting luggage.
A confusing origin story
“Stout is the direct descendant of porter. In the 1700s, it was common to use the word ‘stout’ to refer to a bolder, higher-alcohol version of any beer style, much in the same way we use the word ‘imperial’ today,” says Zach Fowle, advanced cicerone and head of marketing for Arizona Wilderness Brewing Co. in Phoenix, AZ. “Porter was the most popular beer of the day, and over time, “stout porter” became a popular variant. But by the late 1800s, demand for regular porters evaporated, and stout porter shortened simply to stout.”
But more has changed between the 1800s and today than just our penchant for wearing top hats. “Today, most brewers seem to market beers as either stout or porter based on vibes, rather than on any notable stylistic differences,” he says.
Specifically, porters are known for their dark, almost pitch-black color and rich, sweet flavor profile. If you were to drink a porter and a stout side by side, you might even have difficulty discerning the differences between the two.
Stout versus porter is an enduring topic of discussion in the brewing industry. “While there’s no debating the porter came first—and stout used to be called stout porter, so it was a stronger version of a porter—the lines have become very blurred over the years,” says Rob Lightner, co-founder of East Brother Brewing in Richmond, CA.
“I would venture that even among professionals, a blind taste test would often yield inconclusive results,” says Lightner.
The difference between porters and stouts
Porters tend to be on the milder, more chocolatey end of the spectrum, Lightner says, whereas stouts are typically a little stronger and more roasty. Of course, this isn’t a hard and fast rule
Fowle agrees, “Porters tend to be fruitier, sweeter, and less bitter than stouts, with cocoa and caramel flavors in balance with dark malt bitterness. And stouts are usually hoppier, drier, maltier, and more coffee-forward—and may even have a touch of acidity.”
Whether or not they fit neatly into boxes, one thing’s for sure: both make for incredible cold-weather brews.
“As the nights grow longer, drinking a light, summery beer just doesn’t seem right,” says Fowle. “Porter is the perfect style for the transition to winter: warming and toasty yet not too heavy, with flavors of coffee, chocolate, and pie crust that correspond with autumn weather and holidays.”
It’s the perfect time to broaden your repretoire. Sweet, robust, warming, and well-suited to the season, here are the best porters to drink now.
1. Deschutes Black Butte Porter
There are few porters more well-respected than Deschutes’ iconic Black Butte Porter. It’s brewed with Cascade and Tettnang hops as well as 2-row, Chocolate, Crystal, and Carapils malts as well as wheat. This 5.5% ABV year-round offering is great for cold-weather drinking because of its mix of roasted malts, coffee, and chocolate. It’s a robust, subtly sweet beer perfect for imbibing on a crisp fall night.
[$10.99 for a six-pack; deschutesbrewery.com]
For access to exclusive gear videos, celebrity interviews, and more, subscribe on YouTube!
Fitness
Best Time-Under-Tension Workout for Total-Body Strength
Published
2 years agoon
9 November 2022By
Terry Power
The key to 360-degree muscle: 90-degree eccentric isometrics. It might seem like we’re throwing a lot of geometry at you, but the concept behind time under tension (TUT) is simple, says Joel Seedman, PhD, owner of Advanced Human Performance: “Perform the lowering phase of a movement in a slow, controlled fashion, usually 3 to 5 seconds; pause in the stretched position, typically around 90 degrees; then perform the lifting phase in a powerful yet controlled fashion.” Believe us, a time-under-tension workout can humble even seasoned lifters…Eccentric isometrics are like the pressure cooker of training.
“Rather than mindlessly performing slow-tempo reps, you’re using the increased time under tension as a means to fine-tune your body mechanics and alignment, which requires more mental engagement and focus,” Seedman adds.
If you want to forge functional muscle mass and strength while simultaneously bulletproofing the joints and connective tissue, give this 10-move, full-body eccentric isometrics workout a go.
Directions
Perform the following moves as 90-degree eccentric isometrics following the above protocol. Use heavy weight, but not at the detriment of proper form. Rest 60 to 90 seconds between sets and 2 minutes between circuits. Perform once every 2 to 4 days for optimal results.
Best Time-Under-Tension Workout for Total-Body Strength
Circuit 1
A. Barbell Back Squat
Set a squat rack up with heavy weight, then grasp bar and step under it. Squeeze shoulder blades together, then stand to unrack bar and step back with feet shoulder-width apart. Inhale, hinge at hips and slowly bend knees to 90 degrees. Pause, keeping natural arch in low back, then extend through hips to powerfully stand. 3 x 4-6 reps
B. Renegade Row
Start in the top position of a pushup with hands shoulder-width apart on moderate-to-heavy dumbbells (shown). Explosively drive right elbow back to row dumbbell toward ribs while balancing on opposite hand and feet. Pause, then slowly lower weight, stopping a few inches above floor. Switch sides after all reps are done. 3 x 5 reps each side
Circuit 2
A. Dumbbell Bentover Row
Stand with feet hip-width apart, holding two moderate-to-heavy dumbbells in front of thighs, palms facing you. Push hips back and hinge torso forward so it’s nearly parallel to floor, soft bend in knees. Dumbbells should be near shins. Drive elbows back to row weights toward ribs. Pause, then slowly lower down for 3 to 5 seconds. 3 x 4-5 reps
B. Incline Dumbbell Chest Press with Legs Raised
Set an adjustable bench to a 30- to 45-degree angle and lie back with dumbbells in either hand. Engage core and lift legs off floor, flexing feet. Press weights overhead, palms in. Slowly lower to 90 degrees, staying tight and compact. Pause, then drive weights up directly over chest. 3 x 4-5 reps
Circuit 3
A. Dumbbell Bulgarian Squat
Stand lunge-length in front of a flat bench, holding heavy dumbbells in each hand by your sides, palms facing in. Rest the ball on top (shoe’s laces) of your right foot behind you on the bench. Slowly lower your body until your front thigh is parallel to the floor. Pause, then drive through your heel to stand. Switch sides after all reps are complete. 2 x 3-4 reps each side
B. Single-leg Romanian Deadlift
Stand with feet hip-width apart holding dumbbells or kettlebells. Drive right leg up, foot flexed, knee aligned with hip, making a 90-degree angle. Hinge at hips as you slowly lever your torso toward floor, lowering weights and driving right leg back for counterbalance. Hold, then squeeze glutes to reverse. 2 x 3-4 reps each side
Circuit 4
A. Pullup
Hang from a pullup bar using an overhand grip with legs extended and feet flexed. Engage lats and draw shoulders down your back, then pull yourself up until chin is higher than hands. Pause at the top, then slowly lower. Pause at bottom, then reset before your next rep. 2-3 x 4-5 reps
B. Kneeling Overhead Barbell Press
Hold a bar with moderate-to-heavy load at shoulder level with forearms perpendicular to floor. Kneel at end of bench with feet flexed to grip edge for support. Inhale, engage your core and glutes, then press the bar overhead, pushing your head forward so it passes your face, exhaling at the top.
Slowly lower until elbows are at 90 degrees, then hold to maintain tension. Begin your next rep from here. 2-3 x 4-5 reps
Circuit 5
A. Dumbbell Pushup
Place hands on dumbbells (this provides greater range of motion) at shoulder width and feet wider than shoulder width with just toes touching the ground. Keep head neutral and hips high to increase tension on core, chest and tris and reduce stress on spine. Slowly lower to the floor. Stop
once elbows hit 90 degrees, pause, then push up to start. 1-2 x 6-8 reps
B. Biceps Curl
Stand with feet hip-width apart with moderate-to-heavy dumbbells in each hand hanging by sides. Engage biceps to curl the weights up, keeping upper arms still. Pause at the top, then lower slowly. Don’t let arms drop all the way down to keep greater time under tension on biceps. 1-2 x 6-8 reps
For access to exclusive gear videos, celebrity interviews, and more, subscribe on YouTube!
Fitness
The Best Jump Ropes for a Killer Cardio Workout
Published
2 years agoon
9 November 2022By
Terry Power
If you haven’t picked up a jump rope since elementary school, you’re missing out on a fantastic cardio workout. Not only will you burn a ton of calories in a short amount of time—200 to 300 calories in 15 minutes—but jump ropes can also improve your coordination and agility. Better yet, jumping rope doesn’t require much space, so it’s easy to do at home, and it’s often more mentally stimulating than jogging or swimming.
Choosing a Jump Rope
When deciding which jump rope is best for you, it’s important to determine what your goals are. While lightweight speed ropes are popular for cardio-focused training, weighted or drag ropes will be best for those focused on strength training.
No matter what your training goals are, we’ve got you covered with this roundup of 10 jump ropes from top brands including Crossrope, TRX, Rogue, and more.
The Best Jump Ropes of 2022
For access to exclusive gear videos, celebrity interviews, and more, subscribe on YouTube!