Written by Orla Lavery in Grooming on the 17th August 2017

Undoubtedly one of the most revered silver foxes in Hollywood, Clooney is one of few stars that have mastered the art of ageing gracefully. Despite decades of work in an industry that can quickly take its toll, George Clooney has managed to maintain his good looks. In fact, he has really only gotten better with age, hasn’t he? So what is his secret exactly?

As it turns out, there’s no beauty elixir at play here. No fountain of youth, no curious case of George Clooney, simply a well-mastered routine that when followed with rigour and discipline can really work well. So, here are the purported secrets of Clooney’s grooming routine:

1. Consistency 

Both on and off the screen Clooney is known for his unrelenting commitment to, well, just about everything. The actor is an avid activist, as well as a director, producer, writer, and father of twins. But, Clooney is clearly still finding the time to take care of his skin. The best way to stay committed to your skincare is by making it quick, fuss-free, and habitual. Once you have started reaping the benefits of consistently taking care of your skin (after 1-2 weeks) the process can become a really therapeutic way to start or finish your day. Establishing a skincare or grooming routine can seem like an arduous task so we recommend starting small. You can begin by allotting just a brief three minutes in the morning and evening to take care of your skin. Incorporate it with teeth brushing or shaving so that you don’t feel as though it’s a whole new task to add into your routine.

A pH balanced facial wash, toner, and a hydrating moisturiser are a good foundation for evening skincare. This will remove all the dirt that has accumulated on your face in the day and will cleanse your skin of bacteria that water alone won’t get rid of. In the morning skip the cleanser so that your skin can retain the natural hydration and healing that occurs overnight. Using a serum between toning and moisturising will really have an added benefit if you feel like you aren’t seeing results fast enough. If you forget, are in a hurry, or are overtired don’t scrap the routine, simply try to pick up where you left off. As the man himself said, “the only failure is to not try!”

2. The Million Dollar Smile 

There’s certainly something to be said for Clooney’s smile and research suggests that George’s pearly whites may have more of a role to play in his award-winning good looks than they are given credit for. Researchers in Sweden found that when someone is more confident about their smile they are not only more likely to smile but they are more likely to make those around them smile too. What’s more, the more we smile around others, the more likely they are to warm to us and find us attractive. Clooney not only takes excellent care of his teeth but he is purported to use lip balm on a daily basis too. There are a few simple ways to quickly upgrade your smile. First, brush well. At least two minutes every morning and night. To get a fresher smile and whiter teeth, brush once in the middle of the day, the extra dental care can make a big difference if carried out on a daily basis.

Second, get professional whitening, use whitening toothpaste, or simply buy some whitening strips from a pharmacy. Some men have an aversion to whitening, as the idea of blindingly white teeth seems really quite unnatural, but you don’t have to go to the extreme. Most dentists will be able to get just the right shade and using a slightly pricier toothpaste with whitening properties will make a noticeable difference without making your teeth glow in the dark. Finally, don’t forget to floss! It seems like an irritating step in the teeth-cleaning process but as you age flossing becomes increasingly important to prevent decay and gum disease. If you want to be rocking a killer smile into your seventies then don’t skip this important step.

3. Relax! 

When we’re overworked or stressed we become tired and resort to quick fixes like sugar and caffeine to keep going. Not only is the stress itself ageing, but copious amounts of caffeine and sugar can wreak havoc with our blood-sugar and hydration levels, which eventually shows on our skin in wrinkles and dark circles. Clooney always seems to have a relaxed and easy-going vibe about him and this has clearly aided him in the ageing process. One of the best ways to manage stress or insomnia is exercise. In addition, daily meditation and getting to bed early will all help to reduce cortisol levels (the stress hormone). Or, take a leaf out of George’s book: take a motorcycle ride, enjoy a relaxing drink (or two), or go shopping to take your mind off bigger issues. These are just a few ways the star keeps stress at bay, while maintaining his healthy glow.

We take a look at George Clooney's hair beard and skincare in this guide to the silver foxes grooming routine secrets.