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facial care for men matters
MUHAMAD DANIAL finds out more young men in Singapore are adopting facial care into their lifestyle.
Aiman Irfan Bin Mohamad Zaime is applying a face mask (on the left) and facial cleanser (on the right). PHOTO: AIMAN IRFAN
Mr Aiman Irfan Bin Mohamad Zaime, 18, student, embarked on his facial care journey when he was in secondary three. Constantly hearing his peers talking about facial care, he took it on his own accord to learn more about it.
During that time, Mr Zaime was also suffering from acne and oily skin. Therefore, the timing could not have been better for him to start applying the right products to work on his skin problems.
“[My face] feels much softer and drier,” he says. Since then, Mr Zaime has continued to see significant improvement in his facial skin. Though it did take a few attempts and research, Mr Zaime finally managed to find the right products that cater to his skin type. The products include facial cleanser, face mask, toner, and serum.
On average, Mr Zaime spends about $30 to $40 on his facial care products. He adds that the price of these products does not equate to better results as it depends on the individual facial skin type to determine the product's efficacy.
Survey conducted on the increasing number of Singaporean male youths practising facial care. PHOTO: MUHAMAD DANIAL
In a survey conducted by News Z involving 50 respondents, 92 per cent of the respondents felt that there has been an increase in the number of Singaporean male youths practising facial care today.
As teenagers are still going through hormonal changes in their bodies, they may experience plenty of breakouts, specifically acne, on their facial skin. As a result, many are self-conscious about their appearances.
Furthermore, The Straits Times reported that there is an increase in K-pop idols becoming ambassadors for cosmetic brands. Mr Zaime was one of the many Singaporean male youths who got influenced into practising facial care by a K-pop boy band, also known as GOT7.
Brian Karuvallil Saji washes his face with water to keep his facial skin clean and healthy. PHOTO: BRIAN SAJI
However, not everyone is sold on the idea.
Mr Brian Karuvallil Saji, 18, student, says that the reason he has yet to practice facial care was due to his fear of getting judged and criticised by those around him. Over the years, he has observed that males who use facial care are labelled as “feminine” or “queer”.
Mr Saji adds that the older generation criticised males for immersing themselves in cosmetic products. According to SkinGO, the perception was formed due to facial care being commonly perceived as feminine in the past. Nonetheless, as the generation today becomes more open-minded and supportive of one another, Mr Saji hopes to be one of these male youths who are able to practise facial care freely in the future.
Levina Pramchand is showing her oil-free skin after putting on her daily facial care products, moisturiser (on the left) and facial toner (on the right). PHOTO: LEVINA PRAMCHAND
Ms Levina Pramchand, 18, student, says that she is always supportive of her male friends who seek advice from her to start practising facial care as she has been using facial products for the past four years.
Ms Pramchand believes that social media often shows facial care reviews and tutorials done by not only females but males as well.
Mr Zaime hopes that his fellow male youths will disregard the negative remarks other people have towards them for using facial care.
“Do what’s best for you and your skin… because at the end of the day, they are the ones who are suffering and not you.”