Men track their workouts, optimize their supplements, and obsess over performance — yet mention moisturizer (especially one with SPF!) and the conversation suddenly gets weird. Why? In this episode of The Skincarma Pod, Carmine sits down with Bob “Beauty Bob” Gearing, a men’s health and lifestyle writer and contributor to Men’s Health magazine, to unpack the quiet contradiction at the heart of men’s skincare — and why language, simplicity, and habit matter more than products. Bob shares his personal skincare journey — from severe teenage acne to building a routine in adulthood that actually sticks. He’s become an influential voice and advocate in the men’s grooming space. Together, Carmine and Bob explore how men discover skincare through their partners, why “grooming” can feel more accessible than “skincare,” and how most men are overwhelmed not by a lack of interest, but by an overwhelming flood of choices. The conversation digs into Bob’s popular “two-minute drill”: a no-nonsense daily routine built around three non-negotiables — cleansing, lightweight hydration, and daily SPF. They discuss why sunscreen remains the hardest sell for men (despite being the most effective anti-aging step), why texture and feel matter more than ingredient lists for most guys, and how consistency beats complexity every time. Carmine brings his de-influencer lens to the discussion, calling out ingredient overload, questionable devices, and marketing that talks at men instead of meeting them where they are. They also touch on Bob’s writing for Men’s Health, including topics like SPF, sweat-friendly routines, golf and sun exposure, and the cultural silence that keeps men secretly asking skincare questions in DMs instead of out in the open. This is an honest, practical conversation about men’s skincare habits — without the noise, the stigma, or the outrageous 12-step routines. — Follow Bob on Instagram at @beautybob and on LinkedIn here. And, catch his articles in Men’s Health magazine, including “Fellas, It’s Time to Take Care of Your Skin” and “How I Get Rid of My Back Hair Without Asking My Wife or Buddies for Help”. Follow Skincarma on Instagram and on TikTok. Catch product reviews of Carmine’s top picks of the best skincare on the Skincarma Blog. You can also connect with Carmine on LinkedIn here and explore his extensive work in beauty on the Carmine Montalto INK website here. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate and/or leave a review on Apple Podcasts, Substack, or Spotify to help Carmine reach more curious listeners. Men’s Health articles by Bob Gearing: How I Get Rid of My Back Hair Without Asking My Wife or Buddies for Help Yeah, I Still Get Pimples at 43 Years Old. Here’s How I Clear ‘Em Up. Fellas, It’s Time to Take Care of Your Skin The Post-Sweat Grooming Routine for Dudes on the Go — Product reviews on the Skincarma Blog: Explore the Best Sunscreens for Face here. Explore the Best Retinol Face Creams and Serums here. Explore the Best Vitamin C Serums here. Explore the Best Niacinamide Serums here. Explore the Best Acne Treatments here. Explore the Best Anti-Aging Creams and Serums here. Explore the Best Face Creams for Dry Skin here. Explore the Best Face Creams for Oily Skin here. The Skincarma® Pod is where indie beauty meets fearless curiosity. Hosted by Carmine, his podcast pulls back the curtain on the beauty industry with sharp insights, candid interviews, and a healthy dose of irreverence. From deep dives into ingredient science to raw conversations with dermatologists, brand founders, and industry insiders, each episode is a no-BS exploration of what really matters in skincare: how to attain and maintain healthy skin. If you’re obsessed with products, passionate about transparency, and love calling out hype, this is the place to learn, question, and glow smarter. The Skincarma® Blog is written and curated by skinfluencer, skincare junkie and Brooklyn writer Carmine Montalto. With 25 years of expertise in beauty across every category, Carmine has helped build multiple consumer brands from the ground up. He’s named 100s of skincare, haircare & makeup products – some of which are probably in your bathroom cabinet right now! And, he’s tested 1,000s of products, the best of which can be found reviewed on his blog at skincarma.com. With the right skincare routine including sunscreen...You CAN change your skin’s destiny!™ Get full access to Skincarma® at skincarma.substack.com/subscribe
