Skin trade

I'm man enough to confess that I'm am completely obsessed with skin care products. Wrinkle creams, shave oils, toning sprays. You name it, I'll slather it on my face. It's really the only way a gentlemen in his 30's can maintain a youthful, dewy glow -- because Lord knows I'm not about to start eating right and exercising regularly.

In my appointed shopping rounds, I spotted what can only be described as the new Holy Grail of skin care. Estee Lauder has a product called Re-Nutriv Ultimate Youth Creme. There is the small matter of the price ($250), but faster than you can say "credit card debt," I was smoothing it over my epidermis. I'm not sure if it's the Re-Nutriv, or the dozens of others things I use, but I'm noticing that the dark circles are not as obvious.

My other recent skin care favorite is ClarinsMen Skin Difference. It's an oil that I use at night. It claims to make my beard softer for shaving the next day, and it slows down beard growth, so I don't end up with an 11 o'clock shadow if I have a late night. I don't know about slowing down beard growth, but it certainly makes shaving easier in the morning.

UPDATE: I'm going to declare the Estee Lauder cream a winner. My editor has told me that I look "dewy fresh," and another friend said I look like I'm about 12 years old. Success!