Ape to Gentleman: 5 Products You Need to Improve Your Skin

We caught up with Eli Ankutse of Ape to Gentleman to find the answers to all our grooming questions. In this installment, he schools us on the proper grooming essentials for skincare.

Your face could suffer from breakouts and clogged pores, but the guys at Ape to Gentleman have once again partnered with us to help you guys decipher which products are really worth investing in. Ape to Gentleman are in a unique position to test products first hand - including the ones you won’t normally encounter – to see which ones really are the most effective. Check out the five chosen facial products that you need to know about.

Tom Ford Purifying Gelee Cleanser

Buy It Now at Bergdorf Goodman, $60

There is generally an air of skepticism when brands lending their name to products in other industries, however any product bearing Tom Ford logo wears it as a seal of approval. As part of his unisex ‘Radiant Skin’ range Tom Ford has included this foaming gel cleanser that gently detoxifies and cleanses, freeing skin from environmental toxins. The Purifying Gelee Cleanser combines Chinese herbs and plant extracts to reduce the effects of damaging pollutants.

Eyre Biobotanics Absolute Shaving System

Buy It Now at Niven and Joshua, $42

What we like about this product (beside it being fully certified organic) is the way it encourages you to use a pre-shave oil — arguably the most important factor in achieving a smooth, irritation-free shave. Start with the Lemon Myrtle shaving oil to protect sensitive skin, and allow the razor to glide over your skin and add the Kunzea Shaving Cream to raise and soften facial hairs for a close, yet comfortable, shave.

Clinique Pore Refining Solution

Buy It Now at Clinique, $40

Most men will encounter the unflattering ‘phenomenon’ of open pores at some point in their lives - some more so than others. As most men naturally have oily skin, particularly around the T-Zone (Nose, Cheeks & Forehead), it is in those areas pores tend to be most noticeable.

The Clinique Pore Refining solution cleans out debris and helps "snap" pores back into shape. Clinique guarantee that within 2 weeks, your pores look 58% smaller; having tried the product ourselves, we would have to agree with them.

Polaar Icy Magic

Buy It Now at Niven and Joshua, $26

We all have tired eyes from time to time; sometimes self inflicted — one thing is certain, none of us want them. There are many great products for eyes, but what we like about Polaar’s Icy Magic is it’s ability to provide instant improvement as well as long term; the cooling roller ball messages skin while the Tetrapeptides combat and the Siberian Ginseng helps to tone you contours.

Effective from 15 days of use, 70% of men noted a significant reduction in puffiness after 28 days (in vivo tests). Paraben Free and not tested on animals, Polaar’s products are as kind to the environment as they are to your skin.

Nickel Le Grand Bluff Skin Perfector

Buy It Now at Niven and Joshua, $36

Today we’re pleased to report that there is solution for those suffering with imperfect skin, and it comes in an easy to apply moisturizer. The Nickel Le Grand Bluff Skin Perfector has a ‘photoshop’ like ability to matte skin, hide dilated pores and hide redness. The moisturiser diffuses lift to hide imperfections using photo-corrective agents, resulting in a smooth finish.