How to get your romantic partner to have a proper skincare routine too
I’ve been with my husband for eight years now and despite my repeated appeals for him to start using skincare, the only thing he would ever deign to put on his face is the In Her Element Low pH Rose Radiant Cleanser. I can’t blame him, it’s an amazing cleanser - one I use every day too - but I wish he would use more! He has great skin due to good genes so he doesn’t care all that much. Every time I say this, I roll my eyes because life is unfair.
Recently, I finally had a breakthrough. He turned 40 just last June, and since then he started to be a bit more conscious of his skin, something he didn’t use to give a second thought about. He finally asked me to make a proper routine for him and I’m elated! And so, I thought I’d give advice here to those of us who are getting their partners into the skincare habit.
Keep it simple, stupid
Classic advice for beginners - don’t come out with your 10-step skincare guns blazing. Not even five steps! I actually recommend just cleanser and gel sunscreen in the morning, and then cleanser and a lightweight but hydrating serum at night. Two steps is honestly enough for basic maintenance - even I just do two steps in the morning and then four at night (only because I exfoliate). The trick is to use the right products for the right skin type. Remember: using more products is not equal to having better results.
I recommend getting your partner to use a low pH cleanser (in the range of 5-6.5 pH) to keep their skin barrier healthy and thus require less maintenance. Of course I recommend the In Her Element one, but if you’re looking for something more unisex these are my recos! If on a budget, I recommend the Oxecure pH 5.5 Gentle Cleanser. If willing to spend, the Drunk Elephant Jelly Cleanser is an excellent cleanser as well. It also has a pH of 5.5.
Avoid anything remotely sticky - it’s all about comfort!
People who aren’t used to skincare more easily feel product sitting on their face. While us skincare veterans barely notice even facial oils, for those uninitiated into the joys of skincare, even a little bit can be too much! So, it’s important to go for skincare that is in gel format since it gets absorbed thoroughly and doesn’t leave an after-feel.
For sunscreen, I love the Skin Aqua by Sunplay or Biore UV Aqua Rich for those on a budget. If you don’t mind splurging a bit, Anessa’s Perfect UV Sunscreen in the gold tube is great!
For the evening hydrating serum, I’d go with the Hada Labo Shirojyun Premium Lotion for the budget option. For the spend options, I recommend the Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair, Clinique Dramatically Different Hydrating Jelly, or the Drunk Elephant B-Hydra Intensive Hydration Serum. These are all approved by my husband who really, REALLY doesn’t want any sticky stuff on his face. These products pack in hydration and have soothing plant extracts as well.
Make skincare an opportunity to bond closer together
Skincare is self-care because it’s an intentional way of carving out time for yourself even in the busiest of days. Why not apply skincare together with the love of your life? My husband actually asks me to massage the skincare on his face because he finds it relaxing, and I don’t mind because I feel closer to him. Just writing this line made me smile. So yes, try skincare together too!
And that’s it for my advice. Let me know what you think, as always!
