Over at Humānery they know a thing or two about men’s skincare and how nailing a routine can work wonders not only for your style but for your confidence too.
As part of their ongoing efforts to educate every Human of Humānery on all things self-care and empowerment, they invited us to share a few insights on the very real challenges facing men’s mental health, self-esteem, and the value of incorporating skincare into a daily self-care routine.
We're proud to partner with them on this and together show how nailing a routine can work wonders not only for your style but for your confidence too.
A skincare routine will of course benefit your face and body, but how do grooming and self-care help us besides making us look good? Well for starters, looking good makes us feel good—but self-care goes much deeper than our skin.
Read on for more!
Self-Image, Self-Esteem & Self-Consciousness
Most of us have a self-identity. We think of ourselves in a certain way and adopt a set of labels that come with it. We tell ourselves we are or are not something and it is this self-judgement that fuels our self-belief, and therefore our self-esteem. The saying goes ‘We are as good as we think we are’, but this self-view can also be influenced by others if we let it.
People with high self-esteem are generally those that are confident, feel worthy, loved, and valued by those around them, and take merit for their achievements. Whereas those with low self-esteem feel poorly about themselves, unsatisfied in any situation and will often judge themselves according to the way others look, dress and act. “Real Life” vs. “Instagram Life”, right there!
Many men get anxious over their image, anxious about how they look and feel about their body, looks, and hair. Body image involves your thoughts, perceptions, imagination, and emotions and may have very little to do with your actual appearance. Poor body image can often be linked to the comparison of your body to other guys you know, or with what the media tells you is the ideal male body size and shape. It is not uncommon for men with body dissatisfaction to be focussing their time on weight loss and muscle building, and potentially the use of drugs to get the “perfect” modern man look.
A poor body image is linked to many things such as unhappiness, dieting, over-exercising, and eating disorders; but also to mental health issues such as stress, depression, anxiety, drug and alcohol abuse, and suicidal ideation… and this is where self-care can make such a huge difference to your life.
Self-Care As A Means To Take Back Control
Starting a self-care practice has been proven to fight against anxiety, depression, and other negative beliefs, stopping worrisome thoughts and allowing you to breathe again. Something as simple as a self-care routine can make such a difference.
Self-care can be a remedy to fight back against all that is wrong, and a way of showing compassion to yourself when you feel alone. Creating a skincare routine with a set of effective skills which you will practise on a daily basis will evolve into a series of regular small steps that add up to a healthier lifestyle, for body and mind. It’s not rocket science and it’s not hard—it’s actually extremely easy.
If you’re new to male grooming, the whole thing can seem foreign. Who’s got time to spend pampering themselves twice a day, right? But giving yourself that sense of control, of looking after your body, of fighting your low self-esteem, of being in charge of something can give you confidence in at least one aspect of your life—the rest of which may be filled with unavoidable circumstances out of your control.
Repeating a skincare routine with a schedule and some momentum will help you fight those dark moments. It can be soothing, calming, and make you feel as though you are honouring yourself by taking even just a few moments of “me time”.
Setting aside time to care for your skin daily will also give you the opportunity to be calm for a few minutes a day, to practice mindfulness, to be in the present moment. Take a shower, wash your hair, and let all your worries, and fears wash away down the drain. It can be almost meditative and leave you feeling like the person you know you deserve to be.
When you’re pampering your face, using a circular motion whilst applying the standard regime of cleanser, exfoliant, and moisturiser can calm you, as can the feeling of a splash of fresh water on your face. Once you have finished your routine, take a moment. Place your hand on your heart and feel the beat. Remind yourself that this is what truly matters. You.
Wouldn’t it be amazing to start every day feeling fresh, energised, and young? Your style is on point, you’re looking good, you’re smelling great and you’re feeling even better on the inside. This is all doable by taking responsibility for yourself and your mindset and creating daily self-care habits that will support you in the long run, as long as you make a promise to yourself that you will stick with the routine.
Building Your Own Self-Care Routine
Think about your face, your body, your hair. Think about the style you want to achieve. Think about how you can reach this goal and what products you need to use to get this modern man appearance you crave. Do you have a beard, or are you thinking about growing one? Are you a clean-shaven man, all about the smoothness? The first step is finding the perfect products to compliment your style on your newfound self-care journey. Enjoy getting to know them, they will be your new best friends.
To get you started, check out the MESOA products below to find the perfect combination to suit your style and goal and let Humānery help you get groomed and mentally fit to take on the world!
The MESOA Skincare products range is known to repair, nourish and invigorate men’s skin with their premium skincare for the everyday man. MESOA only uses essential oils in their products to work without damaging your skin and offer a signature range of all the pieces your wash bag needs to get your self-care regime started.