True or false: You can’t use women’s skincare products as a man

We’ve all been there – you’re enjoying a weekend away in the middle of nowhere when your partner realises they haven’t packed their facial cleanser and moisturiser. Possibly even their toothbrush, depending on how scatter-brained they are. Fortunately, this doesn’t pose too big of a train smash if you remembered to pack yours. However, when you start thinking about it, you might wonder whether it’s OK for men to use women’s skincare products. Sure, they’re smelling a little more girly that usual, but could it affect the condition of their skin in other ways? 

According to Jeanine Giot, owner and skincare therapist at Jentl Health & Skin Care in Cape Town, it’s completely fine for men to use women’s skincare products. 

It’s a matter of choice

“It might be a little controversial," says Jeanine, "but personally I don't see the problem. I believe the hype around men’s versus women's skincare products has a lot to do with marketing. It actually depends on the psyche of the person in question, I believe. If a man is comfortable enough to use a product that smells more feminine and has been packaged to appeal to the female demographic, they can certainly go ahead and do so. However, simply because of the way we've been conditioned, most men may prefer a product that looks and smells more masculine.”

A skin-deep difference

However, Jeanine also states that there are structural differences between male and female skin.
“Because most men shave, their skin tends to be thicker than those of their female contemporaries. Genetically, they also have more oil glands, which is why they age so much slower. However, a clever therapist prescribes products according to skin type and condition, not gender. They will set out to treat the problem or condition you present with, rather than your chromosomal structure,” explains Jeanine. 

“Up until about 20 years ago, our salon products were only packaged in one way – to appeal to females. The men who came for treatments had no choice but to use the products that were there. It was only in the last two decades or so that the manufacturers cottoned on to the fact that more men are becoming interested in grooming, which is when they started creating separate products to appeal to that demographic.” 

IMAGE CREDIT: 123rf.com