Here’s Why You Should Use Grooming Products Specifically Designed for Men

Some men’s grooming products aren’t all that different from women’s. After all, branding is all about addressing needs, and in some cases, that means inventing them—like the pink handle that differentiates women’s shaving razors from men’s.

But when it comes to body care, the distinction is clearer: what works for men doesn’t always work for women, and vice versa. Researchers have found that biological differences between males and females necessitate different formulas in their products. So in this case “men’s needs” are real.

Here are a few reasons to use grooming products that are made specifically for gents:

Men sweat more.

A study conducted in 2010 found that men, on average, sweat at least 50% more than women, especially in response to exercise and heat. Our sweat glands aren’t significantly more active, but they do expel more liquid regardless. It doesn't help that higher testosterone levels can cause us to smell worse when we sweat, too. Because of this, we need deodorant products with stronger anti-perspirant properties, like those by Dove Men+Care. Women’s products just aren’t formulated to handle the amount of sweat you produce or the odors that you produce as a result.

Men have oilier skin.

The sebaceous glands underneath the surface of your skin produce much more sebum, which means your skin is protected by a thicker layer of oil. While this does give men the benefit of skin that doesn’t dry out as quickly, it also puts you at greater risk of acne.

As a result, there are a lot more pimples, blackheads, and blemishes to fight off—meaning men need face and body soaps with stronger oil control properties. And because male sebum production doesn’t normally drop off over time, you’ll benefit most from finding a product you can stick with for years.

Shaving takes its toll on the face.

While modern razor blades are designed to minimize their impact on your skin, they’re still fairly abrasive. Shaving on a near-daily basis actually increases the risk of cuts and micro-tears developing on your skin, along with common problems like ingrown hairs.

You can avoid these issues by making sure your skin is moisturized. Moisturizing facial washes help soften the hair on your face, which in turn makes it easier for the razor to do its job without actually damaging the skin. Dove Men+Care Body and Face Wash, for instance, features MicroMoisture technology that helps hydrate the skin while it cleans.

You’ve got thicker skin—literally.

Studies have found that the average man’s skin is about 20 to 30 percent thicker than a woman’s. This contributes significantly to the development of wrinkles.

While thicker skin does, in theory, afford your body more protection, it also means that it’s harder for the good stuff to penetrate it. Your moisturizing soap needs to do extra work in order for your skin to absorb it, which requires a higher concentration of active ingredients.

That makes it difficult for personal care products like deodorants to penetrate the skin without irritating it. Dove Men+Care’s deodorants contain 1/4 moisturizer technology to get around that barrier, providing total skin comfort while fighting off nasty smells.

…But your scalp is weaker.

Ironically, the skin on your scalp is more likely to be thinner and weaker. Men’s scalps have been found to have lower ceramide levels, which makes their scalps more fragile. It also means that they’re more prone to dandruff.

That’s why most men’s shampoos tend to have anti-dandruff properties—it’s a greater need for us than it is for the ladies. If you want to be flake-free, go with a product that’s formulated specifically for men, like Dove Men+Care Anti-Dandruff Shampoo, which uses caffeine and zinc to remove flakes while improving overall scalp health.

Testosterone contributes to baldness.

Speaking of chemistry, the hormones that make you a man are also responsible for male pattern baldness. Types of testosterone have been found to make hair grow progressively thinner, leading to significant hair fall.

If you want to keep your crowning glory, you’ll have to use a shampoo and conditioner that strengthens your hair. Dove Men+Care Fortifying Shampoo is infused with caffeine and trichazole, fortifying hair from root to tip and preventing hair fall. Sometimes, a little external help is all you need.

When it comes to grooming, your best option really is to use products designed to address your specific needs, like those offered by Dove Men+Care. It isn’t just branding; it’s science. When you use deodorants, body washes, and haircare products that were formulated with a man’s biology in mind, you’re taking care of your body in the best way possible.

You can learn more about Dove Men+Care on their website.