OFF THE CUFF : Real Hero Saves His Own Skin

Five thousand years ago--even before soap--Egyptians were using oils made from fruits and nuts to perfume and soften their skin. Women have long known that moisturizers of any sort can smooth skin and fight aging. And these days, men are more open to the benefits of indulging their outer layer.

Debra Albee, manager of Aveda Ethetique in South Coast Plaza, Costa Mesa, has seen an increase in the number of men seeking skin-care products during her 15-year career. When she started, Albee says, products were geared toward women: “Men were still in the soap-and-water mode,” she explains. Now, many companies offer a line of men’s skin-care products.

Aveda (the name comes from the term “ayurvedic,” which means the science of longevity) apparently believes in equal opportunity; all its products are designed to be used by both sexes. Albee says she uses the after-shave balm and shave emollient on her legs. “They create a nice barrier between the razor and the skin. The balm is moisturizing, soothing and cooling; there is no alcohol,” she says.

This is another in a series of first-person columns that allows people connected to the fashion industry to talk about their encounters.

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It’s almost the new year, and if I were to give men any advice it would be: “Be aware of your skin, and don’t be afraid to look like someone who takes care of his skin.” It’s not frivolous; it’s important.

What you put on your skin day after day, year after year, makes a difference. Once in a while it’s OK to use mediocre products, but on a long-term basis, if you use mediocre products, that’s what your skin will look like.

Anything that stays on your skin for more than 10 minutes will go into your body. Your skin is not waterproof; things penetrate. If it’s a pure, natural and plant-derived product, rather than a synthetic product or one with petrochemicals or pesticides, it won’t clog your pores, and it will let your skin breathe. And pure products are antibacterial; they purify and deodorize your skin.

Men would benefit from using a gel cleanser that detoxifies their skin from any buildup created during the day or by working out or from pollutants in the air. Also, they would benefit from using exfoliates daily to slough off dead skin cells and bring new ones to the surface. Although shaving removes dead skin cells in the beard area, men need exfoliates for the eye area, forehead and nose.

And men would benefit from using daily hydrating lotions and a sunscreen. In Southern California, we are all exposed to elements that cause aging and damage.

To pamper themselves, men can use massage products to replace moisture in their skin. We have one that we think energizes and one that soothes. We also have plant and flower “Pure-fumes” that appeal to some men because the scents are forest, spice and herbal. We incorporate essential oils in these aromas. They are not your basic smells.

We also have aroma-free products for people with sensitive skin or for those who don’t want a scent on them.