for the gents: kyoku for men exfoliating facial scrub and facial moisturizer

David Rogers, international man of mystery, is back with his take on scrubs and moisturizers for men. Look for more posts from David in the coming weeks, as he unravels, much like the riddle of the sphinx, the mysterious art of pheromones, shaving, and hair gels one can’t live without. -ED.

I wonder: do men assume that purchasing a nice moisturizer and exfoliating scrub is a sign of vanity or excessive self-regard? Some of us do find it ennobling to look and feel as though we’ve been operating a cement mixer all day, I know, and I have absolutely nothing against cement mixers, I appreciate a good basement wall as much as the next guy; and who knows, maybe cement mixers have incredibly smooth skin, I can’t really say, I’ve never touched one’s face and presume that if I tried he would break my collar bone with a rubber mallet. But let’s just say for argument’s sake that there are virtues to a smooth, naturally moisturized, healthy epidermis as well, and that regardless of your profession – whether you’ve been putting up drywall or carefully penning the calligraphy on invitations to your friend’s civil union – looking good is worth going the extra mile on nice products. So if you happen to be a cement mixer or a bricklayer, and by some cosmic coincidence you are reading this, may I suggest Kyoku for Men?

Start with the Exfoliating Facial Scrub ($29). Twice a week, it deep cleanses pores and clears away dead skin cells, which you know already. However, I was surprised to find that it contains volcanic ash. Rest assured that the scrub is a pale creamy hue when applied and that you will not have to stare back at Al Jolson in the mirror while you wait for one-to-two minutes before rinsing. That would be uncomfortable. The ash may sound exotic, but in practical terms it serves as a gentle exfoliant, and the sulfur in the ash acts as a nice natural anti-bacterial. Try it in the morning, it does have an invigorating feel after the first minute, and then after rinsing – but it won’t give you the jitters, like your daily shot of a five-hour energy drink.

Follow the scrub with the Kyoku Facial Moisturizer ($49), daily. Its ingredients are like someone’s shopping list at a very good food coop (bamboo, avocado oil, green tea leaf, aloe vera). Excellent stuff. It also contains plankton, one of the most important nutrient-rich organic substances on the planet. Yes, plankton. Have you ever caressed the cheek of a humpback whale? Heaven. The moisturizer left me very smooth and not at all dewy (it absorbed well), and that in conjunction with the scrub livened up my winter pallor very noticeably.

So, I know that you are saving up for a new table saw, but consider throwing a few bucks toward a good scrub and moisturizer. The things that refine us are essential too.

-David Rogers

Full Disclosure: Kyoku for Men was kind enough to send over samples for potential feature/review.

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This entry was posted on Saturday, January 2nd, 2010 at 9:18 am and is filed under beauty, fashion & style, fab finds. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.