It is one of those questions that always come up in pub quizzes.
Q:‘What is the single largest organ in the human body?’
A: Skin!
Skin? I know, it comes as something of a surprise particularly as half the population probably doesn’t even think about the stuff most of the time. (Yes, guys, that’s you)
But maybe you understand now why it makes sense to keep an eye on how it’s doing.
But, do real men use cosmetics? Isn’t it a bit girly to apply face creams, anti-aging serums and fragrant body lotions – let alone mascara and lipstick! Well, more of that later.
The once female-centred grooming-product industry is now being targeted at males - and it’s making millions.
Once upon a time the only way men could get their hands on hand-cream or their foot into the foot spa would be by hanging around the women’s make-up counter pretending to be buying for ‘er indoors.
Now everything you might need to keep a body clean, healthy and looking its best around the clock is available for him too.
Testosterone-fuelled and with a greater pH level than that of a woman’s, a man’s skin is tougher and thicker and the hair that grows from it has a different chemical composition. As a result, he needs stronger lotions and cleansers to reach deeper into his pores.
Yet, many inexpensive brands and items have simply changed the base formulations of their women’s line, added a musk scent and splashed the word ‘Men’ across a masculine-looking bottle.
The truth is there are numerous well-designed, formulated and produced men’s cosmetics out there to take care of your skin, give you a better shave and keep your hair looking great.
As for 'guyliner' and 'manscara', it's no longer just for stag nights and drag queens.
For many 'metrosexual' men, eye-liner, fake tan and spot or blemish concealer is now as much a part of getting ready to go out as having a shower and a shave.
We've all got used to seeing Eddie Izzard wearing nail varnish and Russell Brand fluttering his kohl pencil outlined eyelids but curiously, according to research, Welsh men are most likely to wear make-up with 16 per cent in the region confessing to a cosmetics crush.
Of those that do wear make-up, one quarter (26 per cent) do so at least once a week and one in eight (13 per cent) do daily.
However, they take an average of just 21 minutes to prepare for a night out, half the time it takes the average woman who spends 41 minutes getting ready.
The research also showed that men have used budget make-up replacements in order to achieve their desired look. One in 12 (8 per cent) uses toothpaste to dry out their spots, one in 20 (5 per cent) places cucumber over their eyes, and a small number (4 per cent) use sea salt as a body scrub. Ouch!
