Most of my ancestry is from the British Isles, which means I’m blessed with a bullet-proof liver but cursed with bargain-bin skin. As I enter my mid-thirties as an aging bachelor, the years of sunburns, cigarette smoke, and debauchery are starting to take their toll on my money-maker. The face staring back at me in the mirror looks a little less like Timothée Chalamet and a little more like Keith Richards with each passing year.
Kail Pooler, an internationally acclaimed skincare expert, sat down with me to discuss ways to preserve the last shreds of my youthful good looks. A strapping Arizonan with a face as fresh as a young John Wayne, Kail worked in R&D for boutique skincare brands before overseeing luxury spas in Europe and the Caribbean. “I loved science as a kid, and that eventually led to a career in skincare. That, and being gay,” he told me over a round of drinks at a saloon in Phoenix. Kail’s expertise encompasses not only moisturizers, serums, and cleansers but also specialized treatments like light therapy, microneedling, and botox.
“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure when it comes to skincare,” Kail said. “Start taking it seriously well before the first signs of aging appear. Men should invest in high-quality products and establish a daily skincare routine in their twenties. After thirty, purchase an infrared light gun, which is easy to use and helps maintain a youthful look.” He encourages applying sunscreen each time you step outside—even on cloudy days. Staying hydrated, eating well, and exercising all contribute to well-preserved skin, as does managing stress and avoiding smoking. “A healthy lifestyle is crucial,” Kail told me, “but you should supplement it with a solid daily routine and the occasional professional treatment.”
Below are a few products Kail recommended to extend your skin’s youthful glow. And if your hide already looks as tattered as a college dorm sofa, fret not—these rejuvenating balms can help turn back the clock, at least partially.
Photo via CVS
Pond’s Dry Skin Cream
Kail knows I’m a stingy bastard—reluctant to spend more on skincare products than I would on a six-pack of beer. So he let me in on a little secret: Pond’s Dry Skin Cream, a drugstore staple for under $10 that works just as well as the overpriced stuff from luxury boutiques. Taking his advice, I ordered a jar and started applying it before bed each night. My skin now feels more supple when I wake up, and it doesn’t crack or chafe in the winter. This one is a steal.
Photo via Dr. Squatch
Dr. Squatch Pine Tar Face Wash
Especially when I wake up in a strange bed, I don’t feel clean until I rinse my face with Dr. Squatch’s Pine Tar Face Wash. Infused with aloe vera to soothe sunburns and abrasions, and green coffee extract to invigorate skin with a caffeine boost, this face wash delivers both nourishment and invigoration. It cleanses thoroughly yet gently, removing oil, dead skin, and blackheads without stripping moisture. The scent—reminiscent of a misty hike through the rain-soaked forests of the Pacific Northwest—is as crisp as a lumberjack’s freshly laundered flannel.
Photo via Espieve
Espieve Non-Tinted Sunscreen SPF 40
I carry a small bottle of Espieve in my jacket pocket and apply it to my face whenever I leave the house. I look at Espieve more as a moisturizer with a SPF than a sunscreen. While most sunscreens leave a greasy, white sheen on your face—the reason I used to avoid wearing it—Espieve soaks into the skin as gently as lotion. Made without any dyes, sulphites or harsh ingredients, the cream has a light fragrance.
Photo via Amazon
iRestore LED Light Therapy Face Mask
During my college wrestling days, I found infrared saunas miraculous for muscle recovery after grueling tournaments. Infrared light also offers a range of benefits for the skin, like boosting collagen production, strengthening mitochondria, and enhancing circulation. That can help reduce wrinkles while improving skin’s elasticity and glow. Some high-end infrared light masks cost thousands of dollars, but iRestore delivers results for under $500. Before using it, wash your face with a cleanser, apply a light moisturizer, and wear the mask for 10–20 minutes. (Optional but highly encouraged: crank up Ozzy’s “Iron Man” when you’re wearing the mask.)
Kail emphasizes that consistency is key to maximizing the benefits of infrared masks. Use it 3–4 times a week, and within a month, you’ll notice more rejuvenated skin.
Photo via ZO Skin
ZO Skin Health Exfoliating Polish
Exfoliating polish gently removes dead skin cells, improving the color and clarity of your complexion. ZO’s exfoliating polish uses ultra-fine magnesium oxide crystals to remove dead skin cells. The polish also has vitamin C, an anti-oxidant to keep the epidermis healthy and glowing. When I go a few weeks without using ZO exfoliating polish—say, after a long work trip—I feel like a rattlesnake sloughing off its skin as I scrub my face in the mirror. Especially in the winter, when cold dries out your skin, Kail recommends exfoliating 2-3 times per week before bed.
Photo by Solèy à Deux
Solèy à Deux Brightening Face Oil
Along with sunscreen, I keep a small bottle of Brightening Face Oil in my briefcase or jacket to use on the go. The serum, crafted from botanicals like seabuckthorn and jojoba, is packed with antioxidants and moisturizing oils. Just a few drops revitalizes my face as thoroughly as eight hours of sound sleep. The light herbal fragrance is as delightful as the texture. Solèy à Deux offers brightening oils for all skin types. Since my skin is usually dry, I use a brightening oil in addition to moisturizer for added hydration.
