For years, bar soap and simple shaving cream were about as far as men went when it came to skin care. Today, it’s all about treatments, regimens and processes specifically designed for the male consumer. But while the disparate XY chromosome pairing may have created subtle dermal differences between the sexes, it’s hardly going out on a limb to say that skin isn’t the most noticeable distinction. With the exception of shaving (from which women could afford to take a tip or two), these rules are arguably second nature for humanity’s better half but should set the standard for everyone. That said, here are the skin care dos and don'ts every man should know.

Do - Moisturize

All women know that quenching thirsty skin is the single most important thing you can do for your overall appearance. It fights against premature signs of aging and prevents cracking, which can open the door to nasty bacteria and blemishes. But basting your body in grease is not the way to go. Use a lightweight moisturizer with SPF for your face and an all-purpose, unscented one for everywhere else. Leave the frilly fragranced moisturizers for females, and pay particular attention to joints like the elbows and knees since those are the areas that tend to tighten up most.

Don't - Pop pimples

Zapping zits with two fingers and a bathroom mirror is begging for trouble. Dirt on the hands and underneath the nails can invade broken skin, which, needless to say, makes matters much worse. There are some instances, however, that do require intervention if not for only the admittedly gross and unexplainable satisfaction of expelling nastiness from your pores. If you can’t resist or you’re being weighed down with a massive whitehead on the center of your schnoz, there is a proper protocol that must be followed. Disinfect a needle with rubbing alcohol, gently prick the skin’s surface and carefully squeeze from both sides. If the blemish is ready to let loose, it will go easily. Blood or clear liquid are surefire signs you should stop immediately and allow things to heal on their own with basic cleaning care.

Do - Have a pre- and post-shave routine

Shaving is one spot where men have an advantage. Many women have been secretly using men’s razors, like the Gillette Fusion, for years because of their superior performance. Men forget, however, that shaving isn’t a single step. There was a time, say prior to the 1960s, when facial hair maintenance was a skilled craft. The art itself may have been long forgotten by most men, but the benefits of a few before-and-after activities haven’t changed.

Don't - Dry shave

Men know that most good things in life require a little lubrication. At best, shaving without some type of skin buffer will result in the inability of the razor to get close to the base of the hair. But dry shaving just feels like ripping off your skin, and it leaves behind a path of destruction, including nicks, cuts, scratches, and incredibly itchy razor burn. Almost any cream, gel or oil will work its magic when you shave as long as you go with the flow of the hair rather than against the grain. And using an electric shaver isn’t a free pass. Guys partial to going automatic aren’t exempt from lubing up.

Do - Care from the inside

Most skin care advice focuses on topical treatments, but everyone knows that it’s what's on the inside that counts. Drinking alcohol causes capillaries to dilate, which can become chronic in heavy drinkers. Flushness after a couple of drinks is fine, but developing acne rosacea from regular weekend binge fests isn’t fun. Smoking, likewise, affects the capillaries by restricting blood flow and preventing vital nutrients from making their way to the skin. It also breaks down collagen, which leads skin to lose its elasticity and wrinkle easily. While women tend to suffer from the harsher effects of so-called smoker’s face, it can also undoubtedly age men 10 to 20 years beyond biology.

Promoting healthy skin from the inside out starts with avoiding toxic substances and is supported by regular water intake. The eight-by-eight rule (eight ounces of water, eight times a day) has become the gospel, but it all depends on body proportion and activity level. Let your lips and bathroom breaks be your guide. A soft, supple pucker and clear-to-light-yellow urine are the semi-scientific litmus test.
Don't - Sleep on dirty sheets

Every hour of sleep leaves 1.5 million clusters of dead skin cells on your sheets. It’s a prime germ cesspool for dust mites and bacteria that thrive in seemingly harmless sweat, tears, saliva, mucus, and other unmentionable bodily discharges. All of that can result in you waking up with more than a lack of desire to head into work or the occasional hangover. Sheets must be washed at least once a week in 150°F to 160°F water and dried in medium to high heat in order to keep skin blemish-free.

Do - Sweat it out

Exercise stimulates blood vessels, opens pores and aids in the excretion of toxins from the body. Regular workouts two to three times a week of at least 30 minutes are what help clear debris to make a difference in the appearance of your skin and overall health. But sweat shouldn’t stop there: A trip to the sauna after exercise is critical not only for relieving sore muscles but also for continuing to cleanse the body and skin. It helps wipe away blackheads and eczema. A maximum of 20 minutes is all you need to get a healthy glow.

Don't - Touch your face

Just as great skin starts from the inside out, the opposite is also true. Ensuring your skin stays acne-free depends on you not touching, scratching or picking your face. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to realize that hands transfer harmful bacteria from the surface of everything you touch, which can irritate and infect pores. Sometimes it’s impossible to stop, because the act itself is almost involuntary, but being aware of how often you allow your hands to be blemish-causing vehicles is a start. Even less obvious is the amount of time we allow everyday objects like telephones to come in contact with the face. These things are teeming with bacteria, so wipe them clean often to avoid letting them do damage.

Do - Block the sun

The sun is public enemy No. 1 when it comes to skin. When you go on that much-needed beach vacation, you may be walking away with more than just a tan. Cosmetic damage in the form of permanent, uneven pigmentation from increased melanin production and unsightly wrinkles from depletion of the skin’s connective collagen tissue should be enough to make you take cover. But more ominous outcomes like skin cancer put your health at risk, and can happen to anyone, regardless of ethnicity. Facial moisturizers with an SPF of at least 15 are a start, but using a sunblock all over the body with 30 SPF is ideal for prolonged periods of time outdoors. Look for formulas that block both UVA and UVB rays without allergy-inducing PABA-based chemicals. Titanium dioxide and zinc oxide sunscreens rarely cause irritation and provide the broad-spectrum protection you need.

skin-tight advice

We’re finally at a point in human development where there is absolutely nothing unmasculine about having a clean complexion. The dos and don’ts behind clear skin may be sexless and, ironically, choosing not to follow them is exactly where that may leave you.