We tested Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson’s Papatui men’s skin care — here’s our review
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I’ve bought a lot of pro wrestling merchandise over the years, but I never in a million years thought I’d be using men’s skin care products hawked by Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson himself. Yes, Johnson has added “skin care influencer” to his long list of titles, including actor, pro wrestler and businessman, with his recently launched Papatui line of products, which you can shop directly through the brand’s site and at Target. His line has a ton to offer, including skin care, body care and even hair care, all made for, and marketed toward, men.
I shouldn’t be shocked — the guy’s got a strong, masculine celebrity influence that’s hard to ignore — and he’s shiny and well-manicured enough to convince dudes he knows the ins and outs of proper grooming. All that’s left is a Rock-endorsed manscaping lineup, which feels inevitable at this point.
Hilariously enough, I tested Papatui from the perfect vantage point, in the weeks during and surrounding my trip to Philadelphia’s Lincoln Financial Field where I vociferously booed Johnson throughout WrestleMania XL. But I can’t heckle the guy’s products: A lot of this stuff is good and not some cheap cash-in on his celebrity.
That said, unlike the meme that paints pro wrestling fans as dudes in desperate need of a good wash and deodorizing, I’m already familiar with the kinds of products Johnson is pushing: I already have a moisturizer, facial cleanser and even toner in my bathroom. So, while I was an ideal candidate to test Johnson’s new products, I know skin care is personal enough that more than one opinion is necessary. We enlisted two of my CNN Underscored colleagues — editorial coordinator Joe Bloss and senior travel and money editor Andrew Kunesh — to smell what the Rock is pitching together. We all tested these products for at least two weeks, swapping out any and all current moisturizers, face cleansers, toners, deodorants and body washes during this testing window for Papatui’s versions. Here’s what we thought about the various products.
What we liked about it
Papatui Hydrating Facial Cleanser
Papatui’s Hydrating Facial Cleanser is good, and I mean that in the most neutral way. It left my skin feeling just as clean and refreshed as the CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser I’d been using for a year. Kunesh, who told me he’s “been meaning to start a skin care routine” said he’d use the cleanser again and that it left his face “feeling clean and — when combined with the other facial products — hydrated.” He also appreciated how it wasn’t scented, as those kinds of products often irritate his sensitive skin. Bloss was also positive about the cleanser, saying he liked how easy it was to “pump out enough in a single touch” and that he felt clean after using it. Both Kunesh and Bloss said they’d use the cleanser again.
Papatui Rejuvenating Facial Toner
Bloss praised the toner, noting how refreshed it left his skin, especially after shaving. The toner is possibly his favorite product in the line, even though he found it a little difficult to dispense. Both Kunesh and Bloss said they’d use the toner again. I could definitely sense that it was tightening my pores and would easily recommend using Papatui’s toner, because at $10, it’s more affordable than the $28 Fellow Barber tonic I use.
Papatui Restoring Facial Moisturizer
One of my favorite Papatui products, this moisturizer comes in an easy-to-use pump bottle that squirts out a little at a time. I like how this prevents me from accidentally using too much, which I’ve done when scooping out my moisturizer of choice, the Etude House Soonjung Hydro Barrier Cream. Papatui’s version is much more affordable as well at only $3 per ounce, nearly half as much as the aforementioned Etude cream. Kunesh noted that the Papatui moisturizer left his face feeling smooth and was “easy enough to use.” He agreed that the price per ounce is on the right side of things and noted how it made his face feel renewed.
Papatui 48-Hour Deodorant
While we all quickly realized we aren’t fans of Papatui’s antiperspirant (and all antiperspirant) for varying reasons, Bloss and Kunesh were curious enough to try Papatui’s deodorant. Both found it to be a winner, and Kunesh has continued to use it. It's available in three scents: Cedar Sport, Lush Coconut and Sandalwood Suede.
Papatui Refreshing Body Wash
Papatui’s Refreshing Body Wash gets my thumbs-up, as it left me feeling as clean as I would have expected, and its Sandalwood Suede scent wasn’t nearly as powerful as I’d worried it would be. Kunesh was even more positive, saying that he liked the smell of the body wash, and “the price is right for such a large bottle.” Bloss agreed, saying it “smells nice and was easy enough to dispense.”
What we didn’t like
There were a few products we unanimously weren’t on board with. A stronger odor got in the way of Kunesh and me enjoying the Papatui Rejuvenating Facial Toner. Kunesh expressed his frustration bluntly, saying “it smells terrible. The quality is great, but it smells like tequila. Would be nice to see them work to make it a more neutral scent.”
And while the moisturizer was a winner for me and Kunesh, Bloss wasn’t a fan, noting that while its “dispensing pump was convenient,” he didn’t love how it left his skin feeling. Comparisons are key here, as he found it “a lot thicker and left [him] feeling sticky,” unlike lotions he’s used from Jack Black and Gold Bond. While this moisturizer treated my skin well, I still think my pricier moisturizer from Etude left my face looking better.
My most confusing experience came with the Papatui Awakening Eye Gel, as it took me forever to learn how to properly squeeze the gel out of the tube. Fortunately, I happened to see a video that Johnson posted to social media. This is where I learned that you squeeze near the tip of the container, and that you can fix a “stuck [roller] ball” (his words, not mine) by rubbing it against your hand. Besides the learning curve, the gel feels refreshing, especially during my post-gym morning routine, but my experience didn’t feel conclusive. None of us experienced much of a difference after two weeks of using the eye gel. Maybe it would take more time (some say it takes as many as 60 days, and I’ve been using it for about a month now), or I’m possibly just fortunate enough to be getting better sleep.
Much like that one time the Rock tapped out in the ring, I had to stop using Papatui’s 48-Hour Antiperspirant before the testing was over. While it was easy to use and bears a pleasing tropical smell (they’re aiming for Lush Coconut), I found that it got a little itchy for me, reminding me of when I tried different antiperspirants in my teen years. So, after getting my editor’s approval to put down the antiperspirant, I went back to the eucalyptus Malin+Goetz gel deodorant that my armpits and nose love in equal measure.
Bottom line
It appears that Papatui is succeeding in its goal of making skin care more accessible to men. With most of the tested items that I was interested in, save for the toner’s awkward smell, I probably would have stuck with these goods had I not already built my own regimen.
Bloss and Kunesh had a much different experience than I did, possibly reflecting their lack of a preexisting routine that makes them more a part of the target demo than I am. Summing up his testing, Kunesh told me that his overall evaluation was that the Papatui line is “great” and that these products are “approachable both in terms of quality and price.” Bloss explained that he “really enjoyed” using Papatui’s products, appreciating “the comprehensive and complementary nature of the line.”
So, well done, Mr. Johnson. You’ve paved the way for many men to develop a skin care routine, which means I have to look out my window to see if hell is literally freezing over.
Note: The prices above reflect the retailers' listed price at the time of publication.
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