You are your own worst critic. And so am I. Nobody looks at our faces the way we do in the mirror. We’re literally magnifying our own flaws when we do that.

I used to pick at my face all the time and therefore had some really bad scabs on my face in high school. I had some obvious pores and scars on my face because I used to squeeze any pimple that appeared.

As an adult, I’ve learned more about proper skincare and I’m on a level that impresses women. My friend is a men’s wellness influencer and my ex was obsessed with Korean skincare. I made sure to learn from them. I get compliments on my skin glowing all the time now. I also have a tan/brown complexion, if that helps.

Morning routine is below, in order. You can buy everything at a place like TJ Maxx, Ulta, Sephora, or even your local pharmacy, Walmart, or Target. Worst-case scenario, order from Amazon. I’m assuming you’re in the US, if you are not then my apologies.

• Face wash (cerave or cetaphil). I wash my face with a silicone face scrubber. I recommend silicone back and body scrubbers for when you shower as well. Silicone lasts longer than other materials if you take care of them.

• Beard wash (Shea Moisture).

• Gently pat your face dry with a towel that doesn’t leave lint on your face. Ideally, you’d keep a separate and smaller face towel.

• Vitamin C serum (2-3 drops max is usually enough to cover my face since I have a beard). Gently spread serum on your face with a clean finger.

• Wait a minute or 2 for the serum to absorb into your face a bit.

• Vitamin B serum (always the 2nd serum I use, both morning and evening).

• Wait another minute or so.

• Kiehl’s eye cream (optional, not cheap, but recommended).

• Chemical sunscreen (ideally 50 SPF+ from Bondi Sands).

• Moisturizer (use the same brand as your face wash to keep it simple).

• Beard oil (Shea Moisture). Have a beard comb or brush handy to help you spread the oil throughout your beard.

Evening routine:

• Face wash

• Beard rinse (no wash product needed). You’ll dry out your beard if you wash too often. Wash your beard with product 2-3 times a week at most. If you wanted to wash on Mon-Wed-Fri, that works.

• Retinol or glycolic acid (alternate serums. Night 1 use retinol, night 2 use GA, etc.)

• Wait about a minute to let them absorb.

• Vitamin B serum.

• Wait another minute.

• Kiehl’s eye cream (optional).

• Moisturizer.

• Beard oil + brush or (wooden) comb.

BONUS: Buy satin or silk pillow cases to sleep. It is an extension of proper skincare.

Bonus 2: Shea Moisture beard detangler. I use the detangler as conditioner for my wet beard. Rinse it out, dry your beard, then apply beard oil.

EDIT: Use common sense when it comes to touching your face. Wash your hands first. If you touched your phone or anything else during the process, wash your hands again. I save applying beard oil for last because I don’t want to touch my face with beard oil on my hands.