Looking good means more than dressing well. As GQ's ultimate grooming guide explains, it means taking care of your skin, knowing the difference between an exfoliator and a peel (and why you should be using both), the secret to a perfect shave (hint: go with the grain), and why that bar soap you're currently using just won't cut it
A Bath-and-Body Line You Can Both Use
Surrendering half your medicine cabinet to your girlfriend or wife poses two problems: (1) It's never half. (2) The real estate you have retained only shrinks as the months progress. To save space (and possibly your relationship), stock Malin+Goetz, the best unisex skin-and-hair-care line on the market. Unlike many of its one-for-all competitors, the New York-based company doesn't incorporate drying detergents or synthetic fragrances into its products. Translation? Neither you nor your woman is going to leave the shower smelling like the perfume counter at the mall. But you will get a welcoming whiff of natural ingredients like peppermint, grapefruit, and honey, found in the shampoo ($20), face cleanser ($30), and body moisturizer ($36, all at www.malinandgoetz.com). Now, if only she would stop using your razor.—CAROLINE CALLAHAN
The Seven-Minute Facial
I found Earthen InstantPeel six years ago in a pharmacy in New York, where the saleswoman convinced me that a box of six packets was worth the cash. She was right. I ripped one open, applied the contents, and seven minutes later, my grayish complexion was replaced with a glowing one. And unlike most facial peels, this one doesn't leave your skin dry. It leaves it looking five years younger. $50 at www.blissworld.com—JIM MOORE
The One Teeth Whitener that Works
Like its predecessor, GoSMILE's new Advanced Formula B1 comes in those slick, pocket-size glass tubes. Only now they're packing a beefed-up bleach that whitens your teeth up to ten shades in just seven days (versus six shades in fourteen days for the original). The new version is so strong that GoSMILE founder Jonathan Levine, D.M.D., recommends you use it only twice a year. It's designed not to irritate gums, but we did feel a pang of discomfort when we applied each ampoule. Regardless, it's still the only at-home teeth-whitening product we've found that produces results. $85 at www.gosmile.com—MEREDITH BRYAN
Why You Should Buy the Good Stuff
Anthony Sport Body Bar
Generic soap often contains detergents that dry out skin. This two-in-one bar not only moisturizes but exfoliates as well. $14 at www.anthony.com
Jack Black Intense Therapy Lip Balm
Wax-based lip balms typically offer an SPF level of 4. This cooling mint version is SPF 25 and doesn't give off a sheen. $6.50 at www.getjackblack.com
Clinique M Protect SPF 21
A body lotion is fine for your arms, but because of its high oil content, it can lead to breakouts when applied to your face. Instead, use a face moisturizer with an SPF. $20 at www.clinique.com
Bullie Close Shave
Most low-grade shaving creams do not keep your skin protected during shaving and do little to decrease friction, which contributes to razor burn. In Bullie's nonfoaming formula, eucalyptus acts as an antiseptic to help curb breakouts, and tea-tree oil prevents irritation. $16 at www.amazon.com—CANDICE RAINEY
The Deal with Exfoliating: Why It's Not Just for Your Spa-Obsessed Girlfriend
If you have flawless, soft-as-a-baby's-butt skin, then no, you don't need to exfoliate. But for the rest of us, exfoliating is a quick way to get rid of dead cells that build up on the surface of our skin, clogging our pores. Not only does exfoliating smooth and brighten your complexion on the spot, it also acts as the perfect preshave treatment because it helps prevent ingrown hairs by lifting whiskers away from the skin. Here's everything else you should know about exfoliating:
Get the Right One for You
There are two kinds of exfoliators. The first is mechanical, which is made up of tiny granules that when rubbed gently onto the skin, dislodge and lift away dead skin. The second is chemical, which is usually reserved for the face and uses mild acids like alpha hydroxy to dissolve dead skin cells. Either way, choose a product that is conducive to your skin type, meaning dry, oily, sensitive, etc. Finally, know the difference between exfoliators made for your face and the ones meant for your body. Some are mild enough that they can be used on both, but a body-specific product is often too potent for your face.
For Your Face
Exfoliate once a week. Clean your face and then gently work a small amount of product onto your damp skin, rubbing in small circular motions for one to two minutes. Rinse until clean. And always use a moisturizer when you're done, since exfoliating can leave your skin drier than normal.
For Your Body
When exfoliating, you don't have to be as delicate with your legs and arms as you are with your face. Which is why you want to opt for a scrub with a hardy granule to it—like sea salt or oatmeal- or sugar-based versions that really buff the skin and can be used in the shower once a week. And don't be afraid to really go at it. Think handfuls of the stuff. Once your skin is wet, rub in big circular motions and take a couple of extra minutes to focus on rough areas like the knees, elbows, and the bottoms of your feet. After you rinse off, you'll see water beading on your almost-glossy-looking skin. Finish with a body moisturizer and prepare to be amazed at how remarkably soft and smooth you feel.
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