<p>S has some blocked pores on his face. Just started shaving a few months ago (shaves about 1-2 times a week). I’d like to suggest that he use some cleanser and/or some moisturizing lotion to help clear out the clogged pores. Any suggestions on what brands/types work best? Someone suggested an oil-free moisturizer.</p>
<p>Why does gender matter when it comes to facial cleansers? </p>
<p>In fact because testosterone causes acne I’d say boys have more need for facial cleansers than girls.</p>
<p>If your son is not insecure about his gender he could also try antiandrogens such as spironolactone. I take 100-200 mg daily and it really works wonders to soften the face and reduce acne!</p>
<p>(Of course, there’s gender performativity and gender constructivism but let’s skip that.)</p>
<p>Evitaperon, would you select Oil of Olay for a young man? Depending on the young man, if you handed him a product that has its marketing geared toward women, he might not take kindly to that.</p>
<p>You could transfer it to a different bottle. Biochemistry is biochemistry, gender is a social construct.</p>
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<p>If the thing works, why not? </p>
<p>Plus it’s not like the thing is in hot pink.</p>
<p>Does he wash with a washcloth?
Exfoliation with a face brush or washcloth can help to get surface debris.</p>
<p>As a genetic XY I use Laura Mercier foundation to cover up acne and other imperfections. </p>
<p>Frat boys may feel insecure, but I have a much better-looking and youthful-looking face. Everyone compliments how great I look. I get the last laugh…</p>
<p>Also my feminist photo aesthetics teacher agrees that men look much more attractive with cosmetics on. You can use contouring to bring out high cheekbones (an attractive trait for men) and to make the face more angular and idealized, for instance.</p>
<p>So really it can give you a masculine edge over other guys. And no it doesn’t mean you’re gay. And if someone is worried about being gay because an oil-in-water emulsion is packaged one way instead of in some super sleek masculine black and gold box, I’d say they have other psychological problems to worry about.</p>
<p>I can get gender-based toys, but not why society buys into gender-differentiated drugstore products that are chemically essentially the same thing (maybe w. diff ester/aldehyde/terpene scents). “Since the packaging is specialized for my gender, it must be more specially chemically formulated for me!” </p>
<p>I remember my mom got me pomegranate Softsoap once, and I brought it to a group trip because that’s all I had. I stopped feeling gender-conscious when a girl complimented me on it. </p>
<p>Also, when was the last time a girl complimented a guy for using AXE? Like never. Or AXE anything (not just soap). Whereas I get tons of compliments from girls when I use androgynous perfumes from Sephora. Androgyny is sexy, hyper-masculinization not necessarily.</p>
<p>Cetaphil Cleanser - it was recommended by my son’s primary care doctor and also by his dermatologist.</p>
<p>Anyway.
Also diet - raw fruit & vegetables is very important & water.
Along with using a facial brush, maybe even a clairsonic which I would highly recommend, Id recommend witch hazel as a toner for after washing.
Cetaphil cleanser/bar soap are often recommended as are their moisturizers.
I like neutrogena facial sunscreen. It doesnt seem to be comedogenic and if you get the urge to wear make up on top of it, that works too!
The main thing is you want to check ingredients. No mineral oil, look out for paraffins which is wax just like it sounds, glycerine might also be too heavy.
Evita, so do & your girlfriend share products?</p>
<p>Cetaphil or Phisoderm, but stuff like stridex that comes on a pad are the simplest and hence most likely to be used. Ditto the dietary issue— water !!</p>
<p>Paula’s Choice makes several facial cleansers that are non-irratiting, effective, and affordable. The oily skin formulas (there are 2) sound as if they’d work best on your son.</p>
<p>I second stridex. The pads are really easy to use. Plus it comes in “male” packaging ;)</p>
<p>Also, I admit I like axe (in MODERATION) and really dislike feminine perfumes. It’s all a matter of taste. </p>
<p>No scent with stridex :)</p>
<p>My boys use St.Ives Apricot Scrub to cleanse and follow up with Proactive treatment. It has worked well for them and they don’t mind buying it on their own.</p>
<p>Your son needs a facial from a good aesthetician or facialist who will get rid of those white/blackheads clogging his pores.</p>
<p>Your insurance may cover it through your dermatologist if done in their office.
They can also give him tips on prepping his skin before he shaves.</p>
<p>Our allergist prescibes pads that have a bit of erythromycin on them for S and D, which help when acne flares.</p>
<p>And encourage him to wash his hands when he has a chance. People touch their faces more than they think.</p>
<p>Ditto St. Ives scrub! More effective than the Rx’s prescribed by DS’s dermatologist.</p>
<p>I love Paula’s Choice. I bought her CLEAR line for my son.</p>
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Attractive to whom? Maybe to a photographer (I’m only guessing that “photo aesthetics” has something to do with photography…) for purposes of taking photos, but I’d be totally repelled by a man wearing foundation or contouring makeup, and I’m pretty sure every woman I know would feel the same.</p>
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<p>I third the rec for this, I use it daily in the shower. Oops, the apricot scrub, not the proactive. Although not a young/teen guy, I would still rec this.</p>