Some guys like it rough, but if you truly want to be a “smooth operator” during your next visit to the bar, there are some small steps you should take with your grooming routine first. That’s right, you morning ritual shouldn’t stop at cleansing and shaving. A great scrub can help even out your complexion, smooth away rough patches of skin, and when used before shaving, help soften and raise whickers for a super close, knick-free shave. To help guide you, I’ve road tested several scrubs, and these are my top three picks.

• Every Man Jack Pre-Shave Face Scrub, available in Fragrance Free and Signature Mint, are blended together with coconut-derived surfactants that remove dirt and oil; marine extracts and Vitamin E to soothe and moisturize; and scrubbing beads to remove dry and dead skin. Like the other products from this award-winning line, these scrubs are dye free, oil free, sulfate free and paraben free. We love: The refreshing, minty fragrance and gentle scrubbing beads.
  Retail Price: $6 each (5 oz.), www.walgreens.com 
• Resurf.a.stic Face Scrub by blinc is the world’s first one-step at-home microdermabrasion innovation. Featuring diamond-shaped crystals that are evenly dispersed in a unique stick design for no mess or waste, this product effectively minimizes the appearance of dark spots and sun-damaged skin. The added cactus and orchid provides natural healing and moisturizing benefits to soothe your newly resurfaced skin. We love: The convenience of a solid stick; less waste on your hands and at the bottom of your shower.
  Retail Price: $40.00 (2 oz.), www.blincinc.com
• Kyoku Exfoliating Facial Scrub, a new import from Japan, is a luxurious facial scrub that employs volcanic ash, Japanese rice bran and Adzuki bean to help deep clean pores, eliminate blackheads, free ingrown hairs, prevent blemishes and remove excess oil. Oh, and it exfoliates for a smoother, more even complexion. We love: The intense cooling sensation that makes the skin feel super clean.
  Retail Price: $29.00 (3.4 oz.), www.KyokuforMen.com

Tips: Most scrubs should only be used 2-3 times a week. If you shave every few days, use one in the shower just before you apply your shave gel or cream. Make sure to follow-up with a quality moisturizer like the new Heavyweight Champion Extreme Hydration Compound from JOCK SOAP.

• JOCK SOAP Heavyweight Champion™ attracts moisture with the use of hyaluronic acid and binds it to the skin with vitamin E, squalane and other strong barrier ingredients including marine minerals, wheat and soy protein, and cucumber. Together with the powerful benefits of rare apple stem cells, which reduce the signs of aging, Heavyweight Champion is Jock Soap’s most intense moisturizing cream that can be used during the day or after the lights go out for an all-night moisture treatment. We love: The way this moisturizer dries to a matte finish without leaving the skin feeling oily. Retail Price: $49.00 (2 oz.), www.GetJock.com