24kgoldn has only been shaving for a year. “Shaving was such a foreign concept to me,” he says in the latest episode of Grooming Goods—he thought he’d never grow a beard in his life. But in that short amount of time, the 20-year-old rapper has picked up more than a few tips on how to keep those pores in tip-top shape. He knows, for example, not to shave against the grain. He knows to re-up on shaving cream to avoid bare skin-to-blade contact. He knows to exfoliate post shave so any leftover bacteria gets cleared out.

At this point, 24kgoldn is a razor-wielding wunderkind, utilizing every step of his skincare routine to minimize razor bumps, ingrowns, and all forms of irritation. It’s not easy—he likens it to being on the front lines of a battle—but with a little extra attention, his face is “smoother than a baby’s bottom.” Here’s how he gets the cleanest shave money can buy.

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Get clean. 

24k starts with a foaming facial cleanser to prep his skin for a shave, which you can use in the shower or just at the sink. Activate the foam by rubbing in circular motions, taking special care to get the sides of your noses, your forehead, and your chin. (That last one’s important: you don’t want any bacteria in there before you shave.) 24k rinses off with warm water “to open up the pores.”

Dr. Barbara Sturm Darker Skin Tones Foam Cleanser$70

Sephora

Load up on the cream.

Apply the cream everywhere you’re going to shave—there’s nothing worse for skin than shaving dry. 24k likes to have a little extra cream in his non-razor hand so he can reapply if, after the first run, he misses any spots. “Make sure you go all with grain,” he recommends, “and once you feel it pulling back at you, rinse everything out.” He likes to keep a magnifying mirror on hand to make sure he hits every spot.

Cremo "Original" shave cream$6

Amazon

Start the post-shave first aid.

Shaving is super tough on skin, so 24kgoldn has a thorough routine to hydrate, soothe, and give his skin a boost—which, in turn, also prevents ingrowns from popping up. First step? Serum. He applies it anywhere he shaved, so across his chin, cheeks, neck, and upper lips.

Dollar Shave Club Dr. Carver's Repair Serum$12

Dollar Shave Club

Exfoliate as needed.

24kgoldn likes to use this exfoliating cleanser if he hasn’t used the foaming cleanser pre-shave. “If you’ve got any blackheads or dirt around the skin, this just digs it all up,” he says.

Dr. Barbara Sturm Darker Skin Tones Enzyme Cleanser$75

Sephora

When in doubt, more serum.

24k hits up a second serum to address other, non-shaving crises like acne and to give his skin “that golden glow.” Apply this one all over your face and—crucially—wait until it dries (i.e., stops feeling sticky) to go onto the next step.

Dr. Barbara Sturm Darker Skin Tones Hyaluronic Serum$300

Sephora

Hydrate. 

24k seals everything in with this face cream, which “keeps you moisturized and keeps you silky.” He starts under his eyes, “like war paint,” and then applies everywhere he shaved and applied the repair serum. Don’t hesitate to throw in other areas, too: 24k likes to freestyle when it comes to face cream.

Dr. Barbara Sturm Darker Skin Tones Face Cream$215

Sephora

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By Danielle Cohen



Danielle Cohen is GQ's Editorial Business Assistant.Related Stories for GQGrooming GodsShavingSkincare