Guive Balooch, who leads L'Oréal's Technology and Open Innovation activities, rises around 5am every day, even at weekends, and does not need an alarm clock. About once a month he sleeps for 10 hours. He begins with an oat-milk latte and enjoys the morning light in his living room, valuing the brightness and the silence.
Skincare and Diet
After coffee, Balooch follows a skincare routine and eats. He describes himself as a SkinCeuticals fanatic, using AOX+ Eye Gel, either Phloretin CF or C E Ferulic, and always sunscreen. His bathroom serves as a test lab, where he often tries early versions of products his team is developing, sometimes before they are ready.
His diet leans Mediterranean, with plenty of fish and vegetables, though he enjoys food from around the world, especially Japanese. Breakfast is usually a green smoothie with urolithin A and NAD+, plus yoghurt and fruit. He loves dark chocolate with nuts and always carries some in his bag. In Paris, he recommends La Pistacherie.
Exercise and Health Tracking
Balooch divides his time between Paris and New York. Walking is a major part of his day, typically 15,000 to 20,000 steps, and he enjoys walking in the Jardin du Luxembourg. He plays tennis a few times a week at a club with a view of the Eiffel Tower, taking the game more seriously than his skill level warrants. He prefers massage and steam-room to sauna or cold plunge.
He wears an Oura Ring and uses Withings products, including smart body scales that track weight and cardiovascular and nerve health. He is interested in sleep and changes in body composition. Sometimes he uses a Dexcom continuous glucose monitor to understand his glucose patterns, usually after holidays or summer when he needs a reminder to get back on track. He also likes the Shark ChillPill for a quick cool-down.
Stress Management and Cognitive Habits
To manage stress and mental fatigue, Balooch makes room for fun and believes people should laugh more, especially on intense days. He has worked with many of his team for over 10 years and they laugh often. He has played the piano for about 30 years and plays to unwind or reset. He does not meditate, but watches Curb Your Enthusiasm to end the day with a laugh.
For cognitive enhancers, he has been trying to be consistent with creatine, feeling it helps him focus. He is not great at switching off and likes being connected, but tries to put his phone away when with people, with varying success. Dinner with his wife, Jenny, is always phone-free.
His go-to podcast is Guy Raz's How I Built This, and he reads The Atlantic, Axios and The New York Times. He found Shoe Dog excellent, noting how much uncertainty goes into building something. He admires Oprah for her curiosity and ability to make conversations feel personal. For sleep, consistency is key, and he goes to bed at roughly the same time, even at weekends, while taking magnesium and using the Oura Ring to monitor his sleep.
