Ryan Reynolds says he has a very specific requirement for his travel routine: If he wouldn’t pack an item for a hypothetical journey to the top of Mount Everest, it’s also not going in his non–Mount Everest Dopp kit. I don’t know if I totally believe him—he is, after all, a highly visible, often photographed celebrity, and it is hard to believe he wouldn’t stay strapped with a bevy of necessities. (Then again, he was People magazine’s Sexiest Man in 2010, so perhaps he’s operating on a different plane.)

In Reynolds’s defense, he does let me interrogate him about his travel and grooming habits. Grooming is the subject of the day because he’s in New York to talk about the cologne he is now the face of—Armani Code—and its newest scent, Absolu.

Presumably, cologne would not make the cut on a trip to Mount Everest, but only Reynolds knows for sure. Below, he delves into his grooming arsenal, his cologne history, and what it’s like getting the shit kicked out of him.

GQ: What’s the number one grooming item that’s on you at all times when you travel?Ryan Reynolds: Probably a beard trimmer. I don’t shave a lot with a razor, I just use a trimmer so I don’t get an unruly Canadian lumberjack beard.

Is there a particular type of trimmer you’ve honed in on over the years?I like one that’s not expensive or fancy; it’s just a little Remington one with the adjustable pads you can probably get at any CVS.

How often are you using your prized trimmer?Every few days. I prefer that to dragging a razor across my face. That just doesn’t feel great—it feels like your face has been through some kind of trauma, which it has, because you dragged a razor across it.

Do you remember how old you were when you first tried cologne?It’s not unlike your average Home Alone meme—getting into my dad’s bathroom and going through his stuff, which a lot of kids do, I think. I found his Aqua Velva or whatever the hell he used at the time. A smell, to me, is so intrinsic with nostalgia and memories. That smell is unmistakable. But yeah, I was playing with his stuff, and I also have three older brothers, so everything I had was a hand-me-down, including fragrances.

When did you start regularly using cologne?It was in my 20s. As a teenager, you wear it once in a while, but I was mostly concerned about getting out of the house on time and getting to school. The best you can do as a teenager is soap and shower.

Are you a deodorant guy or an antiperspirant guy?Deodorant guy. I’ve always used a more natural kind of thing. Anything that isn’t full of chemicals.

Morning or evening showers?Sometimes both, but I prefer mornings. Get a workout in, shower, start the day.

Do you need a cold shower to jolt you, or do you prefer warm?I’m a warm-shower guy, but I’ve done some of the cold-plunge stuff before. That’s pretty intense. To be honest, I’ve just had the shit kicked out of me over the years jumping off of cars and buildings and all kinds of crap on movies. We try not to complain about that stuff too much, but it’s a really overlooked part of the business. You get your ass kicked, and by the time you hit 40, your bones are making weird sounds. I’ve done some of that cold-plunge stuff to try to feel a little bit better.

Last shower-related question: Do you have a go-to shampoo or body wash?It’s just whatever’s there. I spend about 60 to 70 percent of my year in a hotel room. I’m of the mindset to keep my bag as light as possible. Imagine you’re going to Everest—you’re probably going to be happy you didn’t carry the two-liter bottle of Purell to the top.

Does a certain type of toothbrush make your travel kit?I like that Oral-B thing, the electric one that spins. That’s the one I use.

Last question, if you’ll indulge me. What grooming routine—if any—do you think Pikachu abides by?I think he gets a nice blowout.

This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.

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