14 Beauty Tricks Men Should Steal From Women

14 Beauty Tricks Men Should Steal From Women
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Men spend just over 20 minutes grooming each morning -- which clocks them in seven minutes faster than the average woman, according to one report.

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 14 best suggestions (pedicures are optional).

Stop washing your face with all-purpose soaps.(01 of14)
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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.
Put SPF on your face every day.(02 of14)
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"Many women have the benefit of getting daily protection from the sun just by applying their makeup and moisturizer," O'Brien says, as many of these products have a built-in sun protection. In fact, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation, 47 percent of men report never wearing sunscreen, compared to 34 percent of women. Daily sunscreen application reduces risk of melanoma by half, so slather it on each morning -- and don't leave it just at the face. Try a body cleanser that also has a wash-on SPF in it, suggests Carmindy, the makeup artist behind TLC's "What Not To Wear."
Condition hair daily.(03 of14)
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Daily conditioning can keep hair looking healthy and shiny, says Anthony Morrison, hair stylist on TLC's "10 Years Younger," especially if it's longer than two inches. During the summer months, he recommends trying a leave-in conditioner to protect the hair color from changing or fading in the sun.
Wash off pore-clogging products at night.(04 of14)
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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.(05 of14)
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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 American Podiatric Medical Association), 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.
Embrace self-tanning.(06 of14)
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Hoping for a summer glow? According to the Skin Cancer foundation, the majority of people diagnosed with melanoma are white men over the age of 40. And 39,000 of new melanoma cases each year are diagnosed in men, compared to the 29,000 that are women. "Men should embrace self-tanning, especially gradual self-tanners," says celebrity makeup artist Laura Geller. "They can also apply a little dusting of powder bronzer to give them some color!"
Exfoliate.(07 of14)
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"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.(08 of14)
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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.(09 of14)
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"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."
Use a moisturizer.(10 of14)
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With harsh soaps and daily sun exposure, men's faces can become dry and flaky. Carmindy tells her own boyfriend to keep a bottle of moisturizer right outside the shower so that putting it on becomes a daily routine (added bonus if it also has an SPF -- see trick number one). 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.(11 of14)
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"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, Carmindy 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.(12 of14)
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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.(13 of14)
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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.(14 of14)
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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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