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10 tips Ghanaian men can pick from women for better skincare

We asked the experts to tell us which beauty and skin tricks men should steal from women -- here, their 10 best suggestions + a bonus

 

Ghanaian men spend just over 20 minutes grooming each morning -- which clocks them in seven minutes faster than the average woman.

How to spend those seven extra minutes? Maybe it's time more men "borrow" a few of the healthy habits women tend to incorporate into their routines.

So we asked the experts to tell us which beauty and skin tricks men should steal from women -- here, their 10 best suggestions + a bonus (pedicures are optional).

Stop washing your face with all-purpose soaps.

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While an all-in-one is convenient, it can also take a toll on the sensitive skin on your face.

"It may seem that women have too many products, but using an 'all purpose' antibacterial soap can dry your skin," says Dr. Meghan O'Brien, M.D., a New York dermatologist and consulting dermatologist for Physician's Formula. Over time, drying out skin can cause irritation and even eczema, so opt for a gentle cleanser.

Wash off pore-clogging products at night.

Most women know to wash their faces every night to remove makeup that can build up in the pores and cause acne, but men's hair gels and sculpting pastes can actually lead to breakouts on the forehead and face, as well, according to O'Brien. "Washing the product out of your hair may help prevent so-called pomade acne or acne as a result of contact with hair styling products," she says.

Make a pumice stone your new best friend.

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While women are more likely to report dry, cracked or irritated feet than men are (59 vs. 37 percent, according to the ), that doesn't mean they can forget about removing any dead skin building up on the heels.

Odor-causing bacteria feeds on dead skin -- and hey, it's flip-flop season.

Exfoliate.

"Men definitely need to try exfoliating facial cleansers and masks to stimulate cellular turnover," Geller says. The process removes dead skin cells on the outer layer of the skin -- you can also slough these off with a professional facial.

Keep your lips soft.

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"Men need soft lips too!" says licensed aesthetician Scott-Vincent Borba, founder and creator of BORBA and author of "Skintervention: The Personalized Solution for Healthier, Younger, and Flawless-Looking Skin."

His go-to trick is to first apply a liquid lip balm and then exfoliate by running a toothbrush over them to remove any dead skin.

Re-think your shaving cream.

"Men should try shaving with a cream-based facial cleanser instead of a shave gel," Borba says.

The gel-based products can contain more alcohol, meaning increased drying and irritation -- "and their creamy consistency will make the shave smooth."

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Use a moisturizer.

With harsh soaps and daily sun exposure, men's faces can become dry and flaky. Adwoa tells her own boyfriend to keep a bottle of moisturizer right outside the shower so that putting it on becomes a daily routine.If flakes become a real problem, she suggests buffing the face with plain sugar in the shower -- she keeps sugar packets in her shower for her boyfriend to rip open and use. "That way he doesn't feel like he's doing anything girly," she jokes. This trick can also stop ingrown hairs in their tracks.

Shape the brows.

"Men absolutely need to groom their brows just as women do," Geller says. "To establish their ideal shape they should visit a brow professional." For DIY maintenance, grab a pair of tweezers and pluck only in the unibrow area, Adwoa suggests. Then brush the brows straight up and trim any unruly hairs using a pair of cuticle or mustache scissors. Repeatedly over-plucking can stop eyebrow growth for good, so take it easy.

Do a mole check.

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"Historically, women are better than men at seeing physicians for preventative exams and check-ups," O'Brien says. Get a full body skin check from your doctor each year -- and scan your own skin once a month. "With monthly scanning, one can become familiar with moles and other spots on the skin and will have a greater chance of detecting a suspicious lesion earlier." Early detection is your best bet for successful treatment, according to the American Cancer Society.

Floss daily -- no excuses.

Women are 26 percent more likely to floss every day than men are, according to the American Academy of Periodontology. We all know the dentist's lecture that getting in between your teeth on a daily basis can allow plaque to build up, eventually resulting cavities and gum disease. But then there's the beauty angle. Daily flossing can help teeth stay white and keep gums from becoming puffy, red and inflamed -- not a good look. And, of course, remember to keep up with twice daily brushing for better breath, brighter teeth and multiple health benefits.

Clean up your nails.

You don't have to get the full mani treatment, if that's not your thing, but keep nails clipped and filed -- cleaning regularly under the nails can keep bacteria and fungi from growing under the nail, according to the Mayo Clinic. Try a quick cuticle oil, moisturize your hands and nails daily and always clip (not bite or rip) hangnails so that they don't become infected.

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