Tell me if this sounds familiar, guys. It's early in the morning, you hop in the shower, wash your hair with shampoo, the rest of your body with soap, rinse and you're done. What more does a man need, right? Or, maybe you simply feel weird going shopping for men's facial cleansers, so you just use your wife or girl friend's stuff that's already in the bathroom. Either way, you really aren't doing the best for your skin as soap is too drying, and the stuff you are "borrowing" isn't formulated for a man's skin. With a little bit of effort and knowledge, you can find a product that is sure to make your skin feel fresh and look healthy.

It may seem like very foreign territory, the skin care isle at your local drug store or department store. So many choices, so many formulas, and so much advertising, how is anyone supposed to choose? Fear not gentlemen, after being armed with a little bit of information, the search for men's facial cleansers need not seem so daunting. Here are a few things to look for, to get you started.

Know your skin type? While it is all well and good to know whether you have normal skin, oily skin, dry skin, or combination skin, it isn't that important, and I'll tell you why. When searching for a quality cleanser, it should be gentle enough to be used on any skin type, in any climate. This way, you can apply the product knowing that it won't be too drying, or block pores and cause acne breakouts.

With what, and how often? There are products that can be used daily, and others that are used occasionally, for deeper cleansing. The daily cleanser should be used in place of soap products to leave your skin clean, soft and smooth. Deep cleansing will help rid your skin of toxins, deep seated dirt and grime, and in turn will make your face shine with a healthy glow. When you use them in combination, you get the best outcome for your skin.

What ingredients work best? I've looked at a lot of ingredients and truly prefer the more natural approach. They not only work just as well, if not better, you can have comfort in knowing that even what you use on your skin is good for you. Here are my favorites ingredients in men's facial cleansers:

*Kaolin--absorbs oil and gently removes grime from your skin, with disinfectant properties to help clear up and prevent blemishes

*Beton Gel--when used with kaolin helps improve the effectiveness of the cleansing of your skin

*Manuka Honey--rich in antioxidants, restores and rejuvenates to make your skin softer and younger looking

*Macadamia Nut Oil--easily absorbed through the skin and proven to protect skin cells from aging

*Shea Butter--natural moisturizer and emollient, helps soothe inflamed skin

*Allantoin--soothes your skin and eases inflammation, scientifically proven to stimulate skin growth and restore damaged skin


*Cynergy TK--stimulates the regrowth of collagen, which over time will cause wrinkles to disappear

Now, this is just a quick list of things to get you started in finding a great men's facial cleanser. I have a lot more detailed information on my website about things to look for in skin care products, and things you want to avoid, along with recommendations for my favorite products. Take some time and research for yourself to discover what you can use to truly take care of you skin, and put your best face forward.