Survey: Gen Z and Millennial Men Prefer Bad Dates To Skincare Routines

A new survey conducted by OnePoll on behalf of CeraVe shows that many gen Z and millennial men would rather go on a bad date than have to take care of their skin. A number of men who fall in this bracket, that is, those born between 1981-1996(millennials) and 1997-2012(generation Z), fall short on face washing and skin care in general.

In a recent survey of 2,000 men ages 18-42, half polled that they would rather go on a bad date (50%) or a doctor’s appointment (49%) than practice a facial skin care regimen. Forty-five percent would even prefer to clean out their email inbox completely, and 41% would do their laundry by hand for a month.

Two in five (42%) revealed they need someone to confront them about their skin care regimen or lack thereof, as well as their diet (42%). Other aspects of their lives in need of an intervention include fitness levels (37%) and how much sleep they get (34%).

Just 54% of young men brush their teeth daily, with far less washing their face (35%), flossing (30%) or moisturizing (19%) in this time frame. The survey also discovered that a third (33%) have no skincare routine at all.

42% percent first began practicing skin care between the ages of 15–17. 

For those that practice skincare, milestones like their first date (50%) and first job (48%) are what influenced them to start taking care of their skin.

On average, men spend more time in the bathroom reading (20.3 minutes) and on their smartphone (19.1 minutes) than they do on skincare (17 minutes).

While this stands, some men may be getting a “crash course” on taking care of their skin thanks to their partners. More than three-quarters (76%) of men in relationships are gradually using more of their partner’s personal care products, most notably shampoo or conditioner (43%) as well as their moisturizer (41%) and (32%) cleanser.

Seventy-one percent are more likely to borrow their significant other’s skin care products than purchase their own and 41% do not own a facial moisturizer. 

Why? 21% said because they don’t know what ingredients to look for and 17% said there are just too many to pick from.

Analysis

“This research shows many Gen Z and millennial men are familiar with aspects of skin care but haven’t necessarily formed habits around them,” says Jasteena Gill, VP of Marketing at CeraVe, in a news release. “However, we know that there are certain motivators for taking care of their skin, which is why people deserve skincare staples in their daily routines that are effective and easy to use.”

Among men who have had a skin care routine, nearly half (49%) used an all-in-one product when they first began their regimen. But 92% of these respondents reported switching to a more specialized skin care product at some point in their lives.

WHAT SELF CARE HABITS DO GEN Z AND MILLENNIAL MEN SAY THEY NEED AN INTERVENTION FOR?

•          My skin care regimen/the lack of it – 42%

•          What I eat – 42%

•          My fitness levels – 37%

•          How much sleep I get – 34%

•          What I wear – 34%

•          What I watch on TV/streaming – 30%

WHAT INFLUENCED GEN Z AND MILLENNIAL MEN TO START TAKING CARE OF THEIR SKIN?

•          First date – 50%

•          First job – 48%

•          Puberty – 43%

•          Starting at a new school – 42%

•          First selfie – 38%

•          First dermatologist visit – 26%

About the survey

This random double-opt-in survey of 2,000 Gen Z and millennial men was commissioned by CeraVe between March 8 and March 9, 2023. It was conducted by market research company OnePoll, whose team members are members of the Market Research Society and have corporate membership to the American Association for Public Opinion Research (AAPOR) and the European Society for Opinion and Marketing Research (ESOMAR).

A Perfectly Easy Skincare Routine You Can Actually Follow

A skincare routine doesn’t always have to consist multiple creams and serums. If you’re looking for where to start, you can follow this simple routine:

• Wash your face twice daily: Start your routine with a cleanser(face wash). Cleanser basically pulls away excess oil from the skin and from inside the pores, while washing away sweat, dirt, grime. Our Livara Pearl Facial Cleanser will cleanse your pores in the gentlest way.
• Exfoliate twice weekly: Exfoliating does well to get rid of dead skin cells, giving you a more radiant complexion. Whether you choose to use a physical scrub or chemical exfoliant, be careful not to over-exfoliate, as this can be damaging to your skin cells.
• Moisturize twice daily: A moisturizer nourishes your skin by locking in moisture and nutrients, while protecting it from environmental irritants. For your convenience, use a moisturizer with SPF 30+ to block out the sun’s harmful rays as you start your day. Alternatively, you can use an ordinary moisturizer and apply sunscreen afterwards. For bedtime, opt for a non-SPF pick.

Final thoughts

For the men reading this, maintaining healthy skin doesn’t have to be complicated. As is the case with any other self-care habit like dieting or gyming, consistency is key.

Following through with the simple routine we’ve highlighted will no doubt satisfy the intervention your skin has needed for a while. When your skin is happy, most surely you will be too.

At Livara, we work with qualified personnel to give you naturally sourced products to keep your skin healthy. Don’t have your skin looking like a hard rock when it really is a gem.