Skin is a strong yet fragile organ that covers every part of the body. Visible differences exist between men's and women's skin, often raising many questions. Does a man need special care, or can he use the same products as a woman? Does shaving damage the skin? Does a woman's skin age faster than a man's?
Although the main functions of the skin are identical in both sexes and all experience the effects of skin aging, we will see in this article that there are some notable distinctions that may be important to consider in your skincare routine.
Many skin functions are identical in men and women
The skin of all mammals has an identical structure which comprises three distinct layers:
- Theepidermis on the surface.
- Thedermis just below.
- And thehypodermis which is the deepest layer.
In these living beings, and therefore of course in men and women, the skin plays several fundamental roles.
- It is an immune protection barrier that protects the body from external pathogens such as microbes and bacteria.
- Through its strength, elasticity, and shock-absorbing capacity (largely due to the adipose tissue of the hypodermis), the skin physically protects the internal organs.
- Sweat glands help toregulate body temperature by releasing heat.
- With its countless nerve endings, it is theorgan of touch, an essential sense for perceiving danger and pleasant sensations.
- Thanks to melanin, the pigment that gives the skin its color and is overproduced when we tan, it protects against the harmful effects ofultraviolet rays.
These functions are vital, so it's no surprise that they are common to both sexes. On the other hand, female and male physiologies mean that there are several notable differences between women's and men's skin.
The layers of a woman's and a man's skin do not have the same thickness
While the structure of everyone's skin is the same, men's skin containsmore collagen and is thereforethicker than women's. That said, the loss of density (marked mainly by the hollowing of features and sagging of the skin) affects men and women in the same way, becausethe quantity of collagen decreases steadily with age. However, in women, the hormonal changes of menopause seem to accelerate this decline.
Maintaining and preserving the skin's collagen is therefore a universal need that varies only according to the consumer's age. This is why at FILORGA, we incorporate collagen boosters into most of our formulas.
Men's skin secretes more sebum
Numerousdermatological studies have shown that men naturally secrete more sebum than women and they also have larger pores. They are therefore more likely to have oily, shiny skin and develop acne.
But on the other hand, this means that men generally have less dry skin.
This is an important factor to consider and will influence the choice of skincare products to apply. If you'd like to learn more about this topic, our experts have written this article to answer all the questions our consumers have about oily skin and how to treat it. data-mce-fragment="1">We obviously can't ignore the difference between male and female hair systems.
Hairs are born in thehair follicles (or more precisely, pilosebaceous follicles) located in the dermis and hypodermis. They are present throughout the skin of the body, except for the soles of the feet, palms, navel, and certain parts of the sexual organs. Men have more hair follicles than women, and their hormonal profile (particularly under the influence of the hormone testosterone) causes hair to grow more on the skin's surface.
Shaving, especially if done daily, isa stress for the skin. It eliminates a large number of cells located on the epidermis, the superficial layer of the skin, which is then more prone to irritation and vulnerable to external aggressions. Furthermore, frequent cuts can eventually form imperfections on the skin's surface.
FILORGA skincare products are suitable for both women and men
Women's and men's skin therefore reveal at least as many similarities as differences. This is why a beauty product should be chosen primarily according to your needs and preferences. Of course, our anti-aging skincare ranges have been developed to appeal to both women and men, thanks in particular to their understated packaging and light, fresh fragrances.
Filorga products popular with men
However, based on the numerous positive feedback we receive from our male customers, it appears that certain products are particularly suited to them.
Men really appreciate:
- The light textures of the rangeHYALU-FILLER that deeply hydrates the skin and soothes it from external aggressions.
- Thematte versions creams that help regulate excess sebum.
- The range AGE-PURIFY which targets wrinkles and imperfections in combination and oily skin.
The Scientific Expertise of FILORGA Laboratories
As we've mentioned, women's and men's skin sometimes differs and often resembles each other. And since our ranges are aimed at both women and men, we believe the most important thing is to find the right product for your needs.
To help them choose the most effective skincare products, we like to explain to our readers how we design our products and show them the science behind each of our formulations. In the "Our Expertise" tab of our website, you'll find numerous detailed and well-researched articles on everything there is to know about skin, its characteristics, and its needs. You will be able to:
Sources: Giacomoni, Paolo & Mammone, Thomas & Teri, Matt. (2009). Gender-related differences in human skin. Journal of dermatological science. 55. 144-9. 10.1016/j.jdermsci.2009.06.001. Rahrovan, S. & Fanian Md Phd, Ferial & Mehryan, Pedram & Humbert, P. & Firooz, Alireza. (2018). Male versus female skin: What dermatologists and cosmeticians should know. International Journal of Women's Dermatology. 4. 10.1016/j.ijwd.2018.03.002.
