If you had to outfit a guy's medicine cabinet from scratch, what 5 items would you say are essential?
1. Cleanser: Cleansing your face at least twice a day with a good face wash is necessary. Dust and pollution that you encounter
throughout the day can suffocate your skin—that’s where the face wash
comes in handy. My pick: Grown Alchemist’s Gentle Gel Facial Cleanser:
Geranium Leaf, Bergamot & Rose-Bud.
2. Face Polish: These are essential for removing dead skin cells and promoting circulation of the skin. My pick: Grown Alchemist’sPolishing Facial Exfoliant: Pink Grapefruit & Glucomannan Extract.
3. Eye cream or serum: The skin around your eyes is first place where men begin to show unwanted signs of aging— dark circles, crows
feet, sagging. It's where evidence of poor lifestyle habits quickly
make themselves known. A good eye cream or serum will help you look
your best. My pick: Grown Alchemist’s Age-Repair Eye Cream:
Tetra-Peptide & Centella.
4. Moisturizer: After washing and scrubbing your skin, you need to hydrate it to maintain its natural glow and softness. Moisturizers
help protect your skin from damage, increase hydration and leave the
surface softer and more pliable. My pick: Gentleman's Brand Co.’s
Daily Moisturizer.
5. Fragrance: Find your own signature scent. Own it. Make it yours. My pick: Oliver & Co.’s Resina Ea De Parfum. The outcome of
this scent is a rich and sumptuous perfume filled with spicy and
unusually floral textures.
What's the deal with face oils? Many cream moisturizers contain synthetic chemicals and petroleum by-products, which are often linked
to health concerns. Face oils, in contrast, are great natural
substances that contain high concentrations of vitamins, antioxidants,
and essential fatty acids. Since creams can’t penetrate as deep into
your skin’s surface, face oils are able to plump fine lines, even
texture and make skin extra moisturized.
What’s your argument for getting a professional shave vs. doing it at home? Every guy wants that perfect close shave, the kind you can
only get at a barbershop. With the right tools, you can get
the same smooth face at home without the cost. Learning the basics of
a good shave is important. Preparing your skin beforehand with a
quality shave oil will help the razor glide over your hairs. Soaking
the blades in warm water beforehand will expand your pores, and allow
the hair to come off your face with less redness and irritation. If
shaving still feels like a chore, it’s probably best to leave your
face in the hands of the experts and get a professional shave once a
week.
What about "manscaping"? Trimming your pubic and chest hair is perfectly acceptable in 2015. Just aim to keep things neat and tidy.
When shaving, guys should avoid products that cause ingrown hairs like
citrus, fragrances, mineral oils or cooling elements like eucalyptus.
These cause bumps, red spots and discomfort. Exfoliators are great for
preventing in-grown hairs. After exfoliating, apply lukewarm water to
open up pores. Using a gentle exfoliator that contains jojoba beads or
ground walnut. I like Grown Alchemist’s Purifying Body Exfoliant. It’s
gentle, but strong enough to wash out dead skin cells and stimulate
hair follicles.
