Are you blushing, or have you caught some sun? Whichever it is, nothing brings some colour to your face like the embarrassment of discussing bronzing moisturiser. It’s perfectly acceptable for a man to tan naturally when the clouds part, as it is for a woman to self tan – but if a man reaches for a mitt, self-tan or even subtly-tinted moisturiser to give himself a glow, he ends up cruelly coloured with ridicule.
But should we be more lenient when it comes to men who want to throw in a little bronzing with their daily hydration? It’s a truth universally acknowledged that most people look better with a tan, so if we’re trying to quietly introduce a little more colour to our skin, shouldn’t that be our prerogative? Absolutely. Do what you want to do, but if you are taking the self-tanning plunge – albeit not as intensely as full-on fake tan – we’ve got a couple of products to suggest.
Lab Series are typically ahead of the curve. This Tinted Moisturiser is a multi-functional anti-ageing treatment that perfects the skin instantly and maintains it that way – and the perfect toe-dip into the murky, and often orange world of self-tanning. One shade adjusts to any skin tone creating a sheer finish, and it instantly evens out and illuminates the complexion with soft focus optical effects.
ClarinsMen have also hit the skincare scene with a bronzing moisturiser we trust. Their ClarinsMen Tanning Booster is a concentrated self-tanner that provides a gradual, radiant, natural-looking tan when combined with your moisturiser – that’s right, you mix it yourself, so don’t get overexcited. But this is where our real public service message comes in. Even if you don’t buy the booster, make sure you buy a moisturiser, because there’s nothing more important to anti-ageing than keeping your skin hydrated.
Bronzing or not, you should be moisturising...
And, as applying a moisturiser each day is probably the single most important step a man can take to protect his looks, you must invest in the best. The majority contain humectants to draw water to the skin and emollients to seal in moisture, both ensuring skin feels comfortable and functions properly, while also helping to minimise the risk of premature ageing because the drier the skin the more likely it is to wrinkle.
With this in mind, why not take a leaf from the book of our 2017 Grooming Awards? The moisturiser category was perhaps the most keenly contested. Kiehl’s put up a strong fight with their Facial Fuel, which the judges liked for its powerful enlivening effect. But it was Perricone MD’s Lightweight Moisturizer that secured the top spot. Lighter than silk, yet potent enough for a wind-bitten winter day, our Grooming Award judges praised how the product’s antioxidants made it perfect for jaded skin.
Want to see a full list of winners? Take a look at all of the products our judges recommended in the Gentleman’s Journal Grooming Awards
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