Cold comfort: Men's grooming tips for the winter months

With winter around the corner, the air in Hong Kong is getting drier - and so is our skin. To prevent dehydration and its potentially damaging effects, it's important for men to maintain a comprehensive grooming routine with added moisture before the dry season descends.

"Maintaining a regular regime of cleansing, exfoliating and moisturising is essential in all seasons. However, in winter, additional attention should be taken to protect the skin from the dry weather and also the sun," says Kem Mehmet, head barber at Gentlemen's Tonic, a barbershop and grooming destination for men. "Using a good moisturiser with SPF in winter is an often forgotten, but essential step to protect the skin against the harmful effects of UV exposure combined with the drier weather."

According to Mehmet, not only does the winter climate dry the skin, especially around the beard area, but it also causes split lips, cracked cuticles and rougher skin on the hands.

There are a number of ways to prevent these problems, starting with a pre-shave exfoliation treatment. The Exfoliating Facial Scrub from Gentlemen's Tonic conditions the skin with bamboo particles plus shea and cocoa butters. The Clinique Face Scrub, meanwhile, features chemical and manual exfoliators, and a refreshing menthol scent.

To keep skin from drying out after shaving, consider using a treatment such as Pre-Shave Oil from Gentlemen's Tonic under a richer cream, such as Lush's Prince Shaving Cream, which has a range of essential oils.

"Men should be finishing with a cold towel after every shave, ensuring that the pores are closed, followed by a thin layer of moisturiser. This should stop any weather damage throughout the day," Mehmet says. "If you find that your skin is further affected by the weather, it may be in your interest to carry a small amount of moisturiser with you and apply as you see fit throughout the day."