Actor Jesse Metcalfe, best known for playing John Rowland on ABC’s “Desperate Housewives” and the titular character in the move “John Tucker Must Die,” talks about what inspired him to launch the skincare brand NUTRL Skin, and offers tips for achieving healthy, younger-looking skin.
What inspired you to dive into skincare?
My journey in skincare has been over three decades long, and it’s a deeply personal journey. I struggled with acne as a teenager and well into adulthood, even in the early years of my career here in Hollywood. It forced me to really pay attention to what I was putting on my skin and in my body, and that’s why I have such a focus on health and wellness now as a 47-year-old man.
What led you to go past general skin care and start NUTRL Skin?
It goes far beyond being asked about my skincare routine on the red carpet or being complimented for looking younger than I actually am. It was really about noticing how many products are overloaded with harsh chemicals, fragrances, and unnecessary fillers. I wanted to create something that was clean, simple, but incredibly effective — lab-grade formulas mixed with botanicals. NUTRL Skin came from a desire to strip skincare back to the essentials so that it’s easier to digest.
How did your journey dealing with acne shape how you approach skin care?
I had pretty significant acne as a teenager, and then I had a recurrence as an adult from 20 to 23. Obviously, I’m not alone in dealing with acne, but I’m also not immune to the effect that acne has.
Especially as a teenager, it really messed with my confidence and made me incredibly insecure about my appearance. Once I got into the entertainment industry, I just wanted to deal with it and look my best on camera. Dealing with acne had a twofold effect on me: It taught me a lot of empathy and humility, but it also really pushed me to educate myself and understand skin health on a deeper level. Instead of just chasing quick fixes and throwing everything under the sun at my skin, I started thinking about the most effective way to have clear, healthier skin.
How has your skincare routine changed as you’ve gotten older?
In my younger years, I was so desperate to have clean, clear-looking skin that I over-treated my skin. I used too many harsh products and too many granular exfoliants, which actually age your skin over time. I learned to incorporate a routine that’s more balanced and focused on anti-aging.
What are some of the most common misconceptions you’ve seen when it comes to men’s skin care?
Definitely one of the biggest misconceptions is that skincare has to be complicated. A lot of men avoid it because they think it’s too complicated or not masculine. I created NUTRL Skin as a gender-neutral line that you can share, so you don’t have 50 different products on your bathroom counter. Another myth is that men don’t need skincare. Men are generally pretty low-maintenance, so they want something that’s the simplest alternative, but I think there’s a real lack of education about what accelerates the aging process. Unfortunately, sometimes when a man looks at himself in the mirror and realizes he wants to look younger, it’s too late. At the end of the day, it’s all about consistency.
What advice would you have for someone struggling with acne?
We’re not perfect, so we internalize our imperfections emotionally and blame ourselves. Not having perfect skin is not a personal failure. Instead of focusing on the negative, focus on gentle, consistent care. Avoid the temptation to throw everything under the sun at your skin, and use a clean product line like NUTRL Skin that doesn’t have silicone, parabens, or fragrance, because that can really irritate your skin. It isn’t only about ingredients; it’s also about lifestyle factors like stress and diet. Ultimately, healing your skin takes time, so be patient with yourself and give yourself some grace.
