A History of Anti-Aging Skincare Products

As a society, it’s safe to say that we’ve become fairly obsessed with the idea of anti-aging skincare treatments. Whether it’s fillers, creams, or chemical peels, we’ll do just about anything to avoid those dreaded wrinkles. What if we told you, though, that this desire to unlock the key to youthful skin isn’t so recent? For centuries, societies have been agonizing over discovering the latest and greatest in anti-aging treatments. From the Ancient Egyptians to the times of Shakespeare, and all the way to today, humans have always been trying to slow the aging process.

Not convinced?

Well, today we’re going to walk you through a brief overview of the history of anti-aging, sharing all the wild ways in which we’ve tried tricking the clock. By the end, you’ll likely see that this trend is anything but new.

Anti-Aging Skincare in Ancient Egypt

To start, let’s travel all the way back Ancient Egypt and visit everyone’s favorite queen: Cleopatra. This famous historical figure was said to be so entranced by the idea of slowing the aging process, she would take donkey-milk baths… Yes, really. Allegedly these milk baths would give Cleopatra ultra-soft, smooth skin. We’re not convinced, but the anti-aging intent was certainly there.

Anti-Aging Skincare in Ancient Greece

It doesn’t take the modern mind to know that in order to help reverse the signs of aging, your skin needs to be squeaky clean. Greek physician, Galen, was more than aware of this, which was why he invented the first ever cold cream, all the way back in 150 A.D. A mixture of olive oil, beeswax, and water, this powerful combination would rid the face of dead skin, dirt, and oil. Bye-bye wrinkles.

Anti-Aging Skincare in the Elizabethan Era

Donkey milk and beeswax are one thing, but the ladies of the Elizabethan era took things to a whole new level. During this time period, meat facials were all the rage. Women placed thin slices of raw meat on their face to help slow the aging process. A slice of steak, anyone?

Anti-Aging in Modern Times

In 1927, we started to see anti-aging products marketed to the general public with the introduction of the first cosmetic hormone cream. Prior to this, anti-aging treatments were largely experimentive, and only for the elite. Since the turn of the century, though, anti-aging treatments have become much more accessible. For example, we had an obsession with antioxidants in the 90’s, Botox became a thing in 2002, and most recently, retinol creams have become hugely popular.

Whether it’s a natural or intensive treatment, a drugstore product or a luxury product, there’s an anti-aging skincare product out there for almost everyone. From using wine baths, crocodile dung, mercury, and even blood, there’s just no denying that this obsession has been around for centuries. And guess what? As we learn more about skincare and anti-aging processes, our anti-aging treatments and products will continue to evolve..

What wild and crazy anti-aging skincare treatment do you think is most likely to pop up next?

A Guide to Men’s Skincare

Every man should have a proper skincare routine. And that doesn’t mean simply washing your face with soap and water after you’ve had a shave!

Taking care of your skin is just as important as taking care of any other aspect of your health. Just as you look after your heart by eating a healthy diet and exercising regularly, you should look after your skin by following a basic skincare routine. The skin is your body’s largest organ, so it’s essential to treat it right!

Why Skincare for Men is Important

Men’s skin contains more collagen than women’s skin, which makes it tougher and 25% thicker. Thus, it’s important to use products designed specifically for men’s skin. While borrowing products from your girlfriend may be tempting, women’s skincare products won’t be as effective for men.

Add these four products to your bathroom cabinet and you’ll have everything you need for happier, healthier skin.

1. Cleanser

Cleansing the face is an important first step in any successful skincare routine. It will remove any dirt and toxins that have built up on your skin during the day and give you a clean and bright base.

Massage cleanser in a circular motion after rinsing your face with warm water. Remove your cleanser with a splash of cold water to tighten your pores and encourage good circulation to the skin.

Men produce more sebum than women, which means their skin is more prone to clogged pores and breakouts.  Get into the habit of cleansing your face morning and night to remove this oil, and keep your skin at its healthiest.

2. Moisturizer

Does your skin often look dull and tired? Then you need to invest in a good quality moisturizer. One of the biggest causes of tired skin is a lack of moisture; moisturizer will add vibrancy to your skin, and will also help to prevent the signs of aging. It can even keep those pesky wrinkles at bay!

Use a high-quality men’s moisturizer like Camouflage Moisturizing Face Balm. Apply in small circles and pay particular attention to the deep wrinkles around your eyes and on your forehead.

Top tip: Apply your moisturizer to skin that is still slightly damp after cleansing. This will help lock your natural moisture in and help your moisturizer work harder.

3. Shaving Cream

It’s impossible to get a perfectly smooth shave without a high-quality shaving cream, so it’s important to pick the right one. The right shaving cream will provide protection, make shaving faster and easier, and nourish your skin. We recommend using Camouflage Speed Shaving Cream, which lubricates and moisturizes skin with sweet almond and shea nuts.

Apply shaving cream liberally before each shave. Brush it into the bristles of your beard and shave in the direction of your beard growth to protect your skin as much as possible.

4. After Shave

Finally, don’t forget to apply a liberal dose of aftershave like Camouflage After Shave Fluid at the end of your morning routine. Not only will this ensure that you smell great, it will also help to soothe and protect any skin that has been irritated by shaving, relieving the inevitable razor burn.

Finding your own signature scent is important: wear your chosen aftershave every day and people will immediately know when you walk into a room. Smell is one of our most powerful senses: appeal to it by choosing the right aftershave that suits your nose as well as your skin.

A final note: when it comes to male skincare, less is more. There’s no need to layer on too many products that might actually irritate your skin. If you can find the time to cleanse and moisturize your skin every day, and take care of your skin every time you shave you’ll have a healthy and refreshed-looking face in no time!