As a New York Times bestselling author and iconic actor (Pretty in Pink, Less Than Zero), Andrew McCarthy may not have cracked the code on keeping creative, but he knows that “always moving” works for him.
Self-Care Secrets
When it comes to self-care, McCarthy doesn’t have a big, complicated secret, although he says “saying no has gotten easier” over the years. “Also, sleep, sleep, sleep is key. Although I’m pretty bad at it, it is easy to observe how my brain function decreases proportionately to my lack of sleep. To say nothing of how I look.”
Snack Central
He always has almond butter in his travel bag with a side of sage advice: “A snack can save the day.”
Reconnecting on the Road
McCarthy’s new book Who Needs Friends follows him on a 10,000-mile road trip across America, from Appalachia and the Mississippi Delta to the Rockies and the Chihuahuan Desert, where he is driven by one goal: to reconnect. Along the way, he talks with men from all walks of life—cowboys, blues musicians, preachers, drifting teens—about friendship. What starts as a simple catch-up becomes a revealing look at why male bonds are so hard to build, and why they matter so much. As McCarthy puts it: “Guys have a difficult time with friendship.” But, it doesn’t have to be that way.“
Best in Beauty
McCarthy’s simple, unglamourous holy grail: the trusted Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soap. “I use Bumble and bumble shampoos,” McCarthy says. “My daughter has long told me that my best quality is my hair, and that’s why. For skin care, I’ve used Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cleanser for years—it feels clean and simple."
Keep It Moving
Fitness takes priority, too. “I have to move my body every day,” he says. “If I don’t, my brain implodes. When my brain is really going like a hamster on a wheel, I spin. And, I walk miles every day. It’s the best thing for creativity and processing.” Another wellness tool: some steady yoga. “I’d say I do a fair amount,” McCarthy says.
Winning Smile
Smile health is a non-negotiable: “I have to brush my teeth first thing in the morning,” he says. “I cannot understand people who don’t brush their teeth until after they eat breakfast or have coffee. Just brush them again!”
