The Ultimate Skin Care Routine For Men

FULL SERVICE Octane’s ultimate skin care routine.

 

 

At Octane we’ve crafted a range of skincare formulas to give our customers the best results possible, via natural, active, proven effective, and safe ingredients. A daily skin care routine could be as simple as a morning and evening cleanse with Degreaser foaming gel, followed by either Hi Octane, or Fuel face moisturisers.  

However, we’ve purposely created our serums and eye treatments for targeted, optimum results for your skin’s health and appearance, and to compliment our cleanse and moisturising products.

So let’s go FULL SERVICE and give you our step by step ultimate daily skin care routine for men…

 

STEP 1: CLEANSE

I start with a DEGREASER foaming cleanse in the shower (no morning shower? Do a basin face cleanse instead gents). 

Pump a pea sized amount onto clean finger tips after wetting face with warm water. With circular motions get the Degreaser foaming up. Wash face and neck making sure to get into each side of the nose where sebum and pollutants can collect more. Lather up and get into any beard or facial hair areas too. Rinse well with warm water. Dry face and neck with a clean towel (Not one you’ve been drying your arse with for 3 weeks!)

 

 

STEP 2: ACTIVE SERUM TREATMENTS

Now for the SERUMS. I apply one to two pumps of both BOOST and POLISH to my clean skin. It doesn’t matter which order you apply them, but again ensure you get coverage on face and neck. I carefully ensure I get some Polish vitamin C goodness, and the Boost under my eyes as I can tend toward dark circles and these two can help reduce them. If you have oily or problematic skin we recommend CHARGED which is part of the HI OCTANE full service kit, instead of POLISH. 

 

STEP 3: EYE TREATMENT

 

Next comes a long grain of rice sized dispense of eye treatment… in my case HI-BEAM  (Or LED gel if you choose the Hi Octane full service pack). I love the soothing and cooling feel of the cucumber. Gently apply the cream/gel to the underside of each eye, and up around to where crows feet may form. This may sound odd, but a gentle but rapid oscillating patting by the index and middle finger works great, and actually helps stimulate blood flow and collagen to the eye area. Dispensed too much? Eye cream/gel is perfect for lips, so smooth the excess onto your lips (It’s safe remember, no chemical shite) BOOM! No more chapped, split lips!

 

STEP 4: MOISTURISE

Finally, apply your chosen moisturiser, either FUEL, or HI OCTANE. I use Fuel in the cooler/drier months which my normal skin just laps up, and Hi Octane when our summer gets stupidly hot and humid in Noosa! One pump is more than enough, and again I focus on neck and face, with upward movements. These moisturisers absorb within seconds leaving a matte/natural finish to your skin. Women generally like shine, men should not.

Now I know guys’ routines with work and commitments will differ, and even I’m not completely diligent with the evening routine, but here’s some ideas on backing up with an evening routine…

 

EVENING ROUTINE: INCLUDE AMPED RETINOL

Cleanse with Degreaser as above. Then I apply AMPED Vitamin A retinol serum. This is my most basic evening routine. I like the slight initial tingling feeling of the retinol doing it’s thing. From there you can do what works for you… maybe Boost, maybe one of the Vitamin C's Charged or Polish, maybe both B and C…or maybe just a quick application of Fuel or Hi Octane. I apply some Hi Beam eye cream, particularly when feeling a bit dehydrated, sun or wind burned, or tired, and wake up feeling fresh. If you sleep in air conditioning you should really try repeating the full morning routine at night. It will protect and nourish your skin while you sleep.

 

TIMEFRAME: 

Cleansing in the shower aside, my FULL SERVICE morning skincare routine takes around 45 seconds or less. 45 seconds to step out into your day looking and feeling a million bucks! People will notice. You will notice. This is self care 101 guys... every gentleman should knows self care is a key part of integrity.

 

So, my call to action for you is to give Octane’s FULL SERVICE (either Hi Octane for oily skin, or Fuel for normal to dry) a try, and to see for yourself the results of having an ultimate skin care routine for men.

I’ve listed just some key ingredients and benefits of the Full Service products below so you can see the science behind the natural, organic, ethical, and sustainable formulations we’ve painstakingly crafted so you can look and feel like the gentleman you deserve to be. 

To conclude, I'd like to offer some words of advice on skincare ingredients. Our mission at Octane was to produce a range of skincare that is free from cheap, potentially dangerous chemicals. Free from 'masking' ingredients. And packed with highly concentrated science backed, natural, plant derived, effective ingredients. I don't like to point fingers, so I want you to do your homework on what you put on your skin. If you are currently using, or considering a brand that has any of the below listed please think twice. There are some big multi-national brands that use this rubbish, and a lot of it. 

• Propylene Glycol (found in cheap face and body wash...and engine coolant. Can cause nervous disorders and other side effects)
• Aqua. (If Aqua/water is one of the first ingredients on the pack you are paying for water. False economy. Simple)
• Dimethicone (and all its other names. It is silicone! It gives nothing positive to actual skin condition, but coats the skin to give the impression of healthy skin. Studies show it can aggravate skin, and increase acne instances. It is hydrophobic so actually repels moisture. 
• Sodium Laurel Sulphate (strips the skin Can cause dry, itchy, red reactions. Can increase symptoms of eczema, psoriasis, and dermatitis) 
• Formaldehyde ( Yep, the stuff they use to preserve dead bodies. It's carcinogenic. Bronopol, DMDM hydantoin, diazolidinyl urea, imidazolidinyl urea, and quaternium-15 are cosmetic preservatives that slowly form formaldehyde)
• Parfum/Fragrance (Broad terms to mask potentially unknown chemicals, some of which have been proven to be carcinogenic. Men's skincare does not need to be scented. At Octane we use a natural oil, only where absolutely necessary, to balance a potentially unpleasant smelling formulation. If you wish to smell good, choose a quality, and safe Cologne.)

 

DEGREASER Foaming cleanser - Packed with soothing and calming oils such as Avocado, Jojoba, and Lavender flower oil Degreaser cleanses the skin and pores without harshly stripping the skin (Don’t use soap or body wash guys! Particularly the same one you cleaned your arse with!). The oils help breakdown stubborn built up sebum and nourish the skin at the same time. Kakadu Plum extract (100 x more Vitamin C than Oranges) pumps antioxidant Vitamin C into the skin to fight free radicals, as does the Quandong Fruit extract. Degreaser is subtly scented with those amazing smelling oils Sandalwood and Mandarin.

BOOST Serum - Vitamin B is a group of essential nutrients that play a vital role in maintaining healthy skin. Vitamin B3, B5, and sodium hyaluronate are three key ingredients that we’ve packed into Octane’s Boost serum. Here are some of the benefits of using Boost:

1. Vitamin B3 (Niacinamide): This ingredient has been shown to help reduce inflammation and redness in the skin. It can also help to improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, as well as reduce the appearance of hyperpigmentation and dark spots.

2. Vitamin B5 (Panthenol): This ingredient is known for its hydrating properties. It can help to improve the skin's barrier function, which can lead to smoother, more supple skin. It can also help to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

3. Sodium Hyaluronate: This is a form of hyaluronic acid, which is a powerful humectant that can help to attract and retain moisture in the skin. This can help to plump up the skin and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Boost is a favourite in Octane’s range, as it gives great, visible results quickly. If you are looking to improve the health and appearance of your skin, Boost is a must have in your routine.

CHARGED Serum and POLISH Serum - Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that has been shown to have a number of benefits for the skin. When combined with other ingredients like salicylic acid and hydrolyzed marine collagen, the benefits of a vitamin C serum can be even more pronounced. Here are some of the benefits of using either Charged or Polish serums. We recommend Polish for more mature skin, or skin that feels dull and in need of brightening. 

1. Vitamin C: This ingredient is known for its ability to brighten the skin and reduce the appearance of dark spots and hyperpigmentation. It can also help to stimulate collagen production, which can lead to firmer, more youthful-looking skin.

2. Salicylic Acid: This ingredient is a beta-hydroxy acid that can help to exfoliate the skin and unclog pores. This can be especially beneficial for those with acne-prone skin, as it can help to reduce the appearance of blemishes and prevent future breakouts.

3. Hydrolyzed Marine Collagen: This ingredient is derived from marine plants in Octane’s formulas, and can help to improve the skin's elasticity and firmness. It can also help to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

When these three ingredients are combined in our serums, they can work together to provide a number of benefits for the skin. In addition to the benefits listed above, Octane’s two Vitamin C serums can also help to protect the skin from environmental stressors like pollution and UV rays with it antioxidant properties.

AMPED Serum - Vitamin A is a crucial nutrient for maintaining healthy skin. It helps to promote cell turnover, which can lead to a brighter, smoother complexion. Additionally, vitamin A has been shown to help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

The encapsulated retinol used in Octane’s Amped serum is a form of vitamin A that has been specially formulated to be more stable and effective than traditional retinol. This means that it can penetrate deeper into the skin, delivering its benefits more effectively.

One of the key benefits of encapsulated retinol is that it can help to reduce the appearance of acne. This is because it helps to unclog pores and reduce inflammation, which are two of the main causes of acne.

Encapsulated retinol can also help to improve the texture and tone of the skin. It can help to reduce the appearance of dark spots and hyperpigmentation, giving the skin a more even and fresh appearance. Whether you are looking to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, improve the texture and tone of your skin, or reduce the appearance of acne, these ingredients can help you achieve your goals.

HI-BEAM eye cream and LED eye gel- Tailored to treat the thinner skin around the eyes, our eye treatments soothe, hydrate, reduce swelling, encourage circulation, and generally keep the eye area hydrated and elastic to help reduce wrinkles. Here are just some of the key ingredients.

Cucumber: Instantly hydrating. Soothing and cooling. Reduces swelling. Alleviates UV damage.

Green Tea: Packed with antioxidants, and caffiene. Caffeine helps restrict blood vessels reducing swelling and puffiness.

Macadamia Oil: Containing high oleic, linoleic and palmitoleic acid, it's been found beneficial in treating stretch marks, prevent chapping and reducing scars. 

Sea Buckthorn oil: More than 190 nutrients as well as phytonutrients – natural chemicals produced by the plant that have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

A bundle of essential fatty acids and antioxidants such as vitamins A, C, and E, as well as anthocyanins – antioxidants that help fight free radicals. It contains amounts of beta carotene, a precursor of vitamin A for the maintenance of normal skin. It has more vitamin E (d-alpha-Tocopherol) than any other plant-based oil known. It’s also the only known plant source that contains omegas 3, 6, 9, and 7!

FUEL and HI OCTANE moisturisers - The cornerstones of healthy, youthful skin. Face moisturisers should in our opinion be silicone free, absorb and nourish deeply, protect the skin, and be light on the skin. Below are just some key ingredients that make Fuel and Hi Octane premium quality, effective moisturisers.

Grape Seed Oil - Evens skin tones. Anti-inflammatory. Antimicrobial therefore reducing acne. Improves skin moisture. Helps Vitamins E and C to be more efficient.

Rosehip Oil - Rich in Vitamin A, it helps make collagen, naturally exfoliates, encourages cellular turnover, and been shown to inhibit enzymes that break down collagen

Licorice Root extract - Potent anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial, great for treating acne and eczema. 

Kakadu Plum - Loaded with free radical fighting Vitamin C to protect against skin breakdown. Excellent at brightening skin, taking away the grey dull look and feel.

If you have any questions about our FULL SERVICE kit of skincare, or any questions on the ingredients we use, please don't hesitate to contact us.

Written by Adam Taylor

Octane Founder