It seems odd that there is a specific moisturiser for men, which is different to moisturisers for women. However, just by looking at a man’s complexion, you begin to see it differs greatly from its female counterpart: there’s the beard for start, bushy eyebrows and the skin itself seems somewhat thicker. As a result, a moisturiser for men must be different from a woman’s in order for it to be effective.

Moisturiser in itself is designed to… well… moisturise. Although this may seem blatantly obvious, many believe that you only need to rejuvenate your skin when it gets visibly obvious. Wrong. You are exposed to conditions all the time, which could damage and dry your skin out, even if you cannot see it. So when learning how to use a moisturiser for men, there are a few tips we can learn from the ladies…

HOW TO USE MOISTURISER FOR MEN:  CLEANSING

Moisturisers for men and women work best when they are applied to clean skin. Doing this prevents your moisturiser from sealing in oil and impurities, which can cause acne. This is best done when your face is towel dried after a bath or shower. For the best results, use a body wash that is suitable for your skin type when in the shower. 

HOW TO USE MOISTURISER FOR MEN: DRYING

Although it may seem against the point, when applying moisturiser, you need to make sure your skin is dry. Here, we don’t mean your skin needs to be peeling, and chafed. We mean it cannot be wet. This is because wet skin prevents moisturisers from being absorbed quickly and can also create a slight shine. Take it from me; having a shiny face going into an interview or going on a first date does not look good. It creates the impression of ‘nervous wreck’ instead of ‘glowing man of confidence’. To truly prevent this from happening, choose a moisturiser for men that is lightweight and easy to apply.

HOW TO USE MOISTURISER FOR MEN: ROUTINE

When using a moisturiser for men, it is best to create a routine. As mentioned previously, the best time is to apply the moisturiser after washing, as the skin is clean and refreshed. For the best results, we recommend using a moisturiser daily. If your skin is dryer than you would like it to be, there is nothing wrong with topping up your application throughout the day! No one is going to think less of you for keeping your skin youthful, glowing and fresh.

HOW TO USE MOISTURISER FOR MEN: DON’T USE THE WHOLE BOTTLE

If your skin feels dry and it has seen better days, the worst thing you can do is over supply it with moisturiser. It can lead to your face and body feeling greasy and can cause acne due to the unnecessary build up of oils. This completely defeats the point of you showering and putting on the lotion in the first place. As mentioned earlier, it is a lot better for you skin to apply a small amount periodically throughout the day instead of splattering a whole bottle on yourself. For the best coverage of a moisturiser for men, use this routine:

  • Get a penny-sized portion of moisturiser on your fingertips.
  • Rub your hands together.
  • MOISTURISER FOR MEN ON YOUR FACE: apply all over but focus on areas that get particularly dry, for example your forehead and under the eyes.
  • MOISTURISER FOR MEN ON YOUR BODY: we are in no way suggesting that moisturiser should be applied all over your body, you’ll be going through bottles by the dozen. Men should only moisturise the areas that they feel are not as ‘plump’ as they should be. This is usually the feet, thighs, hands or elbows.

HOW TO USE MOISTURISER FOR MEN: 6 TOP TIPS

  • Apply after a shower or bath.
  • Allow your skin to dry before application.
  • Allow moisturiser to dry before applying other products.
  • Do not use moisturisers with lots of chemicals and unnatural ingredients.
  • Use more moisturiser on dry areas of the body.
  • Use less moisturiser on oily areas of the body.

The market for men’s moisturisers is growing and there are lots of great products on offer. When skin is exposed to a variety of elements, a moisturiser for men that we recommend is Bullet and Bone’s Protective Moisturiser. Made with all natural ingredients, this moisturiser is designed to keep sportsmen’s skin refreshed and supple in all weather conditions, whether it be wind, rain or shine.

5 Unusual tips and tricks of Vapour rub for athletes

Many people assume that Vapour rub is good for colds and flu, and colds and flu alone. You are wrong. Very wrong. Vapour rub is not restricted to the chest and neck. Vapour rub is not restricted to the cold weather when it feels like you are breathing in a carpet. Instead, vapour rub is good for a myriad of things. So let’s get the secrets of vapour rub off of our chest… literally. Here are five ways vapour rub can help your performance on and off the field:

  1. WHAT IS VAPOUR RUB GOOD FOR … relieving muscle and back pain:

    As an athlete, one of the worst feelings is probably coming out of a match or workout feeling fragile and weak. This is particularly as we get older. Our recovery after the gym seems to take longer and longer. Do no fret, as vapour rub can help reduce muscle and back pain. Natural ingredients help relax stressed muscles, meaning vapour rub is good for injuries such as ‘tennis elbow’. Simply apply a pea-sized portion on to your hands and rub on to the affected area until the soft wax is fully absorbed. For the best results, it is advised that this process is done before apply a muscle activating gel to really boost recovery.

  2. WHAT IS VAPOUR RUB GOOD FOR … getting rid of bruises:

    When playing contact sports such as rugby, boxing or American football, bruises are inevitable. Some people embrace them, but if you don’t think the black and blue look is particularly ‘in season’, vapour rub, is good for reducing the look and pain of your plum-covered accessories. The anti-inflammatory properties of ingredients like eucalyptus and ginger extract will reduce swelling. So vapour rub is good for helping the bruise heal faster.

  3. WHAT IS VAPOUR RUB GOOD FOR … feet:

    As athletes, our feet are often prone to damage. It’s the price we have to pay (on top of our gym memberships) to look good and feel great. Runners, joggers and cyclists, whose feet are exposed to sweat, risk blisters and bunions. I bet you didn’t know that vapour rub could help solve this. Vapour balm is also good for treating cracked, dry feet, which is a particular problem for swimmers.
    All you have to do is apply the soft wax liberally to your heels or any other damaged areas before bed. Keep the balm on over night and wash off in the morning with cold water. For even better results, snuggle up with socks on so that the balm does not rub off on to your bed sheets and leaving them smelling like a tooth paste factory! Do this every night. In a matter of days you will start to see the results.

     

  4. WHAT IS VAPOUR RUB GOOD FOR… relieving headaches:

    Studies have shown that placing a small amount of vapour balm on your temples can reduce headaches. The mentholated scent lowers blood pressure, which in turn reduces pain. When in the changing rooms, it is useful to have a vapour balm that doesn’t fumigate your surroundings. To avoid this, we recommend the Bullet and Bone Vapour Release Balm. Its subtle fragrance allows you to treat your pain, without being a pain in the back to those around you.

  5. What is vapour rub good for… healing dry skin:

    Vapour rub’s soft wax can help keep the skin glow, meaning vapour rub is good for protecting athletes against the elements, rain or shine. It is vital you choose a vapour balm with natural ingredients because this nourishes the skin leaving it feeling soft and fresh after any workout, rain or shine. For the best results, follow this process before putting on a protective moisturiser to make sure your protection is a good as it can be .

So, as an athlete, vapour rub is good for lots of different reasons. However, as you can see from above, the best vapour balms are natural, have a light fragrance and are easy to apply. As a result, for maximise your performance as an athlete, we recommend using Bullet and Bone’s vapour release balm. Tested by elite athletes, it uses a signature blend of magnesium, jasmine and maca root to improve your performance.

Isn’t vapour rub a mysterious product? From how to apply vapour rub to asking how its smell can be so pleasant and pungent at the same time, the ointment holds many questions. As athletes, we assume that we simply apply vapour rub to our chest and neck to clear our airways. As athletes, we are correct; but only partly correct. After reading these useful tips on how to apply vapour rub before, during and after exercise, you will carry vapour balm with you to every workout. It’s as useful as your Fitbit when it comes to improving your performance. Unlike a Fitbit, however, vapour balm will not break your bank.

APPLYING VAPOUR RUB BEFORE EXERCISE

Okay, I know I previously said that applying vapour balm is not only about slapping it on your chest and neck. It isn’t… but that doesn’t mean it’s not a useful way to apply vapour rub. Clearing airways before a run in cold weather or a match in the rain can increase your stamina and therefore your performance:

  1. Apply a penny-sized portion of soft wax into your hands and rub them together. Rubbing your hands together will warm the vapour balm up, making it more pleasant to apply.
  2. Apply the vapour rub to your chest and neck until it has all been absorbed.
  3. Go out and exercise.

Extra tip to apply vapour rub: avoid wearing baggy sports wear after application. Tight clothes will keep the balm close to your skin, making it last longer.

APPLYING VAPOUR RUB DURING EXERCISE

The mentholated scent of vapour rub is as good as coffee when it comes to increasing concentration and alertness. Imagine you’re in a crucial scenario – you’re about to shoot the score-deciding penalty or converting a try in the final of your table. You need a quick boost to help your performance. You simply apply vapour rub to your temples and wrists. You succeed. You can thank me later!

APPLYING VAPOUR RUB AFTER EXERCISE

Given the anti-inflammatory properties of Wild Mint and Eucalyptus extract, many vapour release balms are good at relieving the pain of sore muscles. Simply rub a penny-sized portion over the affected areas until it is fully absorbed. For the best results, follow this process after showering with a sport specific body wash to make sure muscles are fully relaxed and cooled down before your next workout.

It is one thing to know how to apply vapour rub specific to sport, it is a different matter to find a vapour rub specific to sport to be applied. We recommend Bullet and Bone’s vapour release balm. It is specifically designed to increase the alertness and concentration of athletes whilst also possessing a subtle fragrance.

The last time you were asked how to use body wash was probably when you were a child. Your parents were checking how far they had succeeded in training you in ‘real-life’ skills. Now as an adult, using body wash is second nature. We enter the shower, grab whatever is lying around, quickly scrub ourselves and then dry. Job done right? Job not done. What if we were to tell you that there’s a proper way to use body wash?

HOW TO USE BODY WASH: CHOOSING

With the variety of products in the market today, choosing a body wash to use that is right for you can be difficult. The best products are those that hydrate your skin. Look for products that contain softening ingredients, such as Oatmeal extract.

It’s also important not to use any products that are harmful to the skin.

HOW TO USE BODY WASH: APPLICATION

Unlike eating cake, when it comes to applying body wash, more is not better. In fact, when it comes to how to use body wash, it’s more like a Van Gogh painting: quality over quantity. Using too much lotion will dry out your skin and take away its natural oils.

When using the body wash, place only a small amount on to a flannel and scrub all over. Using a flannel is better and cleaner than using your hands.

HOW TO USE BODY WASH: WASH IT OFF

When it comes to how to use body wash, this step is carried out wrong more times than people inserting their USB sticks the wrong way round. Do not, I repeat, do not let the suds simply run off you. Instead, use a flannel to exfoliate your skin, making it feel softer and rejuvenated.

HOW TO USE BODY WASH: COMING OUT OF THE SHOWER

After coming out of the shower and drying off, your body will feel clean and refreshed. Many of you will go to the mirror, check yourself out, wink at yourself then get ready for the day ahead. Sadly, there is one more step, but a glorious one it is. To lock in the natural moisture of your skin, always apply a moisturiser liberally over the skin to keep it feeling fresh and healthy.

how to use body wash - bullet and bone recovery body wash

Bullet and Bone Body wash: Perfect for all sports activities.

As we mentioned earlier, there’s a large variety of body washes in the market today. Which ones are best?

Our recommendation is Bullet and Bone’s cooling body wash.

It contains all natural ingredients, which soften and rejuvenate your skin, leaving you feeling fresh and ready to go. The Bullet and Bone Body Wash is specifically designed for sportsmen of all types.