What I Put on My Face
All skin is good skin, which is why good skincare is more of a journey than a destination. We all love a one-off tip—but, at Byrdie, we’re more interested in how our skin evolves over time. The product we’ve used for a decade, the ingredient cocktail that made us glow, the step we never skip, and all the advice in between. This is the stuff that makes a real difference. With What I Put on My Face, we’re bringing you the rituals, recommendations, and failed experiments (we’ve all had them) straight from celebrities, founders, and influencers who’ve gone through it themselves.
As a makeup artist, Sir John’s knowledge doesn’t just extend to the best foundations or concealer application techniques. The beauty pro, whose client roster includes legendary talents such as Beyoncé and Naomi Campbell, is also very well-versed in the most impactful skincare tips and tricks. Having prepped clients for countless red carpets, runways, and photo shoots, Sir John knows exactly what products and tools to use and when to use them. That said, his recent appointment as creative director for Medicube (the viral K-beauty tech brand) is a move that makes total sense.
“I believe beauty starts from within, but it also begins with the dermis,” Sir John said in a press release about his new role. “Your skin is the largest organ you have, and the relationship you build with it has to be sustainable for life. When I visited Seoul, I saw that skincare is treated almost like a religious practice—a deep bond, not just a routine. That philosophy aligns with my own approach to beauty: it’s about intentionality, care, and creating a foundation that supports everything else.” Ahead, Sir John opens up more about his day-to-day approach to skincare and the best tips he’s learned from his superstar clients.
About His Skin
“I’ve always had oily skin, and my pores have been an issue. I also shave, so at one point, I started getting folliculitis. I eventually started getting laser hair removal, which completely took care of that. I recommend that for guys—just know your lasers, especially if you’re melanated. Currently, I have rosacea on my cheeks that I sometimes have to cover up for film or TV appearances.”
How He Approaches Skincare
“I’m always looking for products that calm and also strengthen the moisture barrier. As I’ve grown more mature, I’m also looking to maintain a lifted and sculpted appearance. So the goal now is: how can I repair my skin? I also don’t just look at skincare topically—I eat my skincare. I’m really into kale juice—it contains vitamin K, which helps improve sluggish circulation. Beet juice is great—it improves blood quality and helps your skin repair faster. Carrot juice or any food rich in beta-carotene, like carrots, squash, or sweet potatoes, is amazing. Beta-carotene helps with cell turnover in a natural way.”
Medicube
His Morning vs Nighttime Routine
“I love my morning routine. I travel a lot, so I have to pack based on the environment. If it’s cooler or drier, I need something more emollient and comforting. But in L.A., for example, I just use serums like the Medicube PDRN Pink Peptide Serum. I also use my Medicube Booster Pro in Derma Shot Mode in certain areas—mainly the lower third of my face, where aging typically begins first. I save heavy products for nighttime, but I’m also a bit of a lazy person at night. I usually just take a shower, wash my face in there, and apply one product. Other nights, I just use micellar water and go to bed.”
His Evolving Relationship With SPF
“So in the Black community, we were always told we didn’t need SPF—we say phrases like, ‘Black don’t crack.’ What I’ve learned over the years is that, while we may not burn the same way, the sun still causes issues, like dark spots and uneven pigmentation. I was talking to Ron Robinson from BeautyStat—he created a beautiful mineral sunscreen. But when I talk about mineral sunscreens, a lot of people say they can’t use them because a lot of them leave a white cast. So, our challenge is finding a sun protection that works.”
His Skincare Treatment Routine
“I always get laser hair removal.I don’t like to shave. I also get my brows microbladed. I never had brows, and microblading completely changed my face. I also get fillers and Botox. I’m a huge fan of fillers. I’ve had them in my hairline and cheeks. Dr. Jason Diamond did filler in my chin and jaw. My under-eye area was starting to get hollow, so I went to Dr. Dendy Engelman after Kahlana Barfield recommended her. She used a tiny bit of the right filler, and it instantly reduced the hollowness and reflected light beautifully. Honestly, I’ll try whatever’s new. In Seoul, I had salmon sperm (PDRN) injected into my face—it was so glowy and plump.”
@sirjohn / instagram
The Skincare Tips His Clients Have Taught Him
“My clients have taught me so much. Naomi Campbell was my first client, and she always said jumping rope is the best way to tone your face. It’s the best cardio for me. Beyoncé taught me that your glam should never look stale. Sometimes, she’ll take a shower with the door open to give her makeup a lived-in effect.”
His Favorite Skincare Product to Use For Photoshoots
“A product that Beyoncé and I use on set is Eucerin. It’s extremely thick and not something you’d expect to use on the face, but it tends to flash back nicely in photos. We’ve used it as a foundation for shoots, like the CR Fashion Book cover. It’s also great for the body when you want a no-makeup look.”
How He Addresses Beauty Stigmas Amongst Men and the Black Community
“People demonize things [like Botox and filler]. Even my mom was so upset when I talked about it publicly. I wrote an article for Refinery29 about how Black doesn’t crack, but it can sag, and we should lean into modern maintenance. She was like, ‘Why would you say that?’ But the truth is, I still look like myself, and now more men feel like they can explore this and go to a dermatologist too.”
