4 Skincare Mistakes You Might Be Making (and How to Fix Them)
Let's not do anything stupid.
1. You wash your face with a shower head or soap
A classic mistake. You come home from sports or work, jump in the shower and use one gel for everything – body, hair, face. Practical? Maybe. Correct? Definitely not.
The problem is that shower gels and classic soaps are mainly made for the body – where the skin is thicker, more resistant and produces more sebum. The face has softer, thinner skin and a different pore structure. When you use an aggressive gel on it, you disrupt the skin's natural protective layer, which, among other things, retains water. This dries out the skin, irritates it and often starts producing more sebum as a defense – then you have pimples and oily skin.
What to do: Use a gentle cleanser designed for your face—ideally an alcohol-free foam or gel. It cleanses gently but effectively. And your skin will thank you by not feeling greasy, cracked, or red.
2. You scrub your face like a floor
This is almost folklore. You rinse your face with ice water, take a towel and start rubbing it as if you were shaving off a plaster. And the cream? You press it into your skin as if it owed you money.
This approach mechanically damages the skin – you can damage fine capillaries, irritate the skin or worsen its structure. It will repay you with redness, flushing or flaking.
What to do: After washing your face, just gently pat it dry with a towel – no rubbing. And apply the cream lightly, ideally to still damp skin. It only takes a few extra seconds. Your skin is not the floor. Behave. Be calm.
3. Do you think cream is only for winter or for women?
Another survival. Some men avoid creams because they don't want to be greasy or don't have time for it. But hydration isn't a cosmetic luxury—it's the foundation of healthy skin. You can't tell on young skin. But over time, your skin will take notice of every bad habit.
Skin without hydration is like dry earth – it cracks, itches, and looks dull. What’s more, when it’s not hydrated enough, the skin starts producing more oil to protect itself. This leads to clogged pores, acne, flaking, or an unpleasant shine.
What to do: Choose a lightweight moisturizer, ideally one that contains ingredients like hyaluronic acid, squalane, or natural oils. These will hydrate your skin, soothe it, and won't clog pores. Moisturize morning and night—just like you brush your teeth.
4. You skip SPF because you're "not going to the beach"
You can't see the sun, but it's there. UV radiation hits your skin every day – even when it's cloudy. And what does it do? It causes premature skin aging, age spots, weakened collagen, and in extreme cases, skin cancer.
And no, it's not just for pale types. Even if you don't burn, your skin receives doses of UV radiation that accumulate. The most visible result? Faster wrinkles and loose skin – even in young men.
What to do: In the morning, when you know you're going to be outside, apply SPF. It doesn't have to be SPF 50, just find one that works for you and use it regularly. There are lightweight day creams with SPF that are non-greasy, don't leave a white film, and don't clog pores. It's a minute of extra work—but it makes a difference for years.
It's not your fault, it's just that no one explained it to you.
Men often don't make mistakes because they don't want to take care of themselves. They make them because they've never talked about skin care - or considered it unnecessary.
Healthy skin isn't just about how you look. It's about how you feel, how you act, and how you see yourself. And you'll see the difference very quickly—not just in the mirror, but in the way you act.
And when you take care of yourself, you don't look "polished." You look calm. Natural. Confident.
Taking care of yourself is easy. Just don't do stupid things.
Petr "Pity" Krejczy (45 years old)
Co-founder of Koolman.cz & professional cosmetician – expert in men's skin