From Touring with Lou Reed to Refining Men's Skincare - Welcoming Oak Bishop

What does a classically trained violinist turned touring guitarist for Lou Reed know about skincare? As it turns out, quite a lot.

At The 2nd, our goal is to demystify skincare and help you understand why a product works for you. That is why we sat down with Tony Diodore, founder of Oak Bishop, a brand that refuses to choose between "all-natural" ideology and clinical results.

In this exclusive interview, we discuss his transition from the "night owl" life of a rock musician to a health-conscious founder focused on longevity. We dig into why avoiding sulfates prevents your skin from over-producing oil , why so many natural products turn into a "viscous mess" in the tube , and how to maintain your edge without buying into the "impending doom" of anti-aging marketing.

At The 2nd, we often see brands that are either "all-natural" or strictly clinical. Oak Bishop sits right in the middle. You state that you use natural ingredients where they perform best and proven actives where it matters. Can you explain to a guy who is new to skincare why that specific balance is so effective?

A: Absolutely. While designing the products and collecting samples from other brands we noticed that many of them relied upon their ideology to stand out from the crowd, but after using their products for a couple weeks they would separate in the tube into oil and cream, a viscous mess. We wanted to avoid that happening to our clients, but keep every product as clean as possible. The way we did this was to avoid toxic fragrance and follow Sephora Clean and Think Dirty standards. Our clients get the absolute best of both worlds: clean, non-toxic formulas that actually work, and that also do not fall apart immediately after opening.

We know that "clean" grooming is a priority for you, specifically avoiding parabens and sulfates. For the average guy who might grab a generic bar of soap at the grocery store, can you explain why avoiding sulfates is important for the long-term health of his skin?

A: This is a great question and something that most consumers don’t know about. Sulfates (like SLS or SLES) create big foam, but they also strip away the skin’s natural protective oils, which leads to dryness, irritation, a weakened barrier, and faster moisture loss over time. When the skin is constantly stripped, it often overcompensates by producing more oil — so you look shiny by noon even though you washed that morning. Avoiding sulfates keeps your skin balanced, hydrated, and healthier for the long haul

Let’s talk about "Time Machine." It’s a great name. Anti-aging can be a confusing topic for a lot of men, how does this product actually work to help skin look younger, and what is the main active ingredient doing to get those results?

A: Thanks. Yeah let’s keep this simple. We use Hyaluronic Acid for hydration, plant based Squalane to form a weather-proof barrier, and utilize Caffeine to keep things nice and tight. It’s a powerful formula, absorbs quickly and easily, and is not-oily. Honestly we crushed it with this one. We used the name “Time Machine” because it’s a fun name and it made designing it a blast, and everyone who uses it is surprised by how much they love it.

The anti-aging angle is real. This is a true pain point for Men slipping into their late 30s and 40s (and beyond). Nobody is ready for that and you want to keep and maintain your edge. We are here to help with that. But one thing we won’t do is smash you over the head with your impending doom. Some brands rely on this way too much and it’s distasteful and desperate. Our product is fun and enjoyable and if used routinely will yield fantastic results.

Scent is a major factor for men, but it can be hard to get right. Your products, like the "Juggernaut," feature scents like Bergamot, Lavender, and Ginger Root. How did you go about designing these fragrances to ensure they felt masculine and refined without being overpowering?

A: This part was fun. We researched this quite a lot, and at first we were on the fence about adding fragrance to our products. But it became clear after speaking with dozens of Men that a hint of fragrance is generally preferred because they want their partner to enjoy it as well. But we didn’t want our clients to smell like they just got out of a dumb nightclub and fragrance is usually the most toxic part so we had to limit this to 100% essential oils. We created a rule to follow and it worked out amazingly well: Use a classic base fragrance, like sandalwood, and layer it with something new and interesting, like Neroli. Then just get the balance right. We kept it simple, and the results are outstanding.

For the "Completist," the name suggests it covers a lot of bases. We love a simplified routine. What specific skin problems were you trying to solve when you formulated this product, and where does it fit into a guy’s daily schedule?

A: This product was originally called “Next Level” but that didn’t convey the luxury angle appropriately. But the idea is correct: the serum is how you take your routine to the next level. We went with Completist because it is for the Man who covers every base in everything he does. Plain and simple. This step is the one most overlooked and is probably the easiest to implement, but we’ve found that using it at the exact right time can make a difference: After you finish washing your face with Juggernaut, dry your face and your hands well. You get a better experience if you do this. The fragrance pops a little more and the serum absorbs cleaner. You will FEEL this one. Like a 10 mile run or squats in the gym, this step really works to reduce fine lines and wrinkles.

Your background is unique for a skincare founder. You toured with Lou Reed and are a classically trained violinist. That level of musicianship requires incredible patience and precision. How did that discipline translate into the two years you spent developing and refining the Oak Bishop formulas?

A: I spent my formative years practicing violin while my friends were outside playing. It was not a choice. I had to do it. I was good enough that it opened some doors and, even more than that, it opened my mind. I was raised in a very small town in Indiana and there wasn’t much going on. I needed that context, a desire to find something out in the world and see where I fit in, and violin made that possible.

But I did not enjoy the orchestral world. For me, it was stodgy and boring, and the rock n roll stage was where I needed to be. I play guitar also, and I hit NYC with a fury. Many, many bands later I landed a gig as Lou Reed’s touring guitarist, but my background as a violinist became the focus.

Working with Lou gave me a different context. I saw what was possible in a way I never did before. I got used to operating at a certain level, being someone that can handle that pressure and apply it to my craft to get results that were unattainable before. Huge stage after huge stage, city after city, venue after venue, the experience expanded my mind and was the final masterclass I needed. I also realized that I did not like being on the road all the time, and now, as a dad, it just would not work.

My day job was in cosmetics graphic design, and I could see the missing piece of the puzzle regarding the burgeoning Men’s market, so I took my shot. We only get once chance at this life. I saw an opening and I realized that it’s now or never.

You spent time working as a Studio Director for a design agency in the cosmetics industry. You had a behind-the-scenes look at the beauty world. What was the specific moment during that time when you realized men were being underserved and decided you needed to build something better?

A: Yes my day job while being a musician was graphic design and production. I was working on the layout and design of a major brand and it was so boring compared to the other products they were putting out. Uninteresting packaging and boring names. I don’t believe Men respond to this stuff. We’re fed these bland, boring products and the marketplace just assumes we don’t want this stuff, but we do. It’s just not any fun, has zero character and does not appeal to our masculine side.

You talk about your personal shift from a "night owl" musician to an "early bird" focused on fitness and longevity. For the guys in our community who are hitting 40 or 50 and want to "keep their edge" just like you, why do you believe a skincare routine is such a critical part of that mental and physical switch?

A: It’s all part of the same package. You can’t fix one area of your life and neglect the others. Like making your bed in the morning, eating better, getting enough sleep… it’s a non-negotiable to take care of yourself. It’s what leaders do. This is the part that is hard to get across to Men who may feel that a skincare routine is not “manly” or tough, but taking care of yourself after the grind is essential, and the products you choose matter.

We are very happy to be partnering with you. We pride ourselves on being a place where guys can learn and trust what they are buying. From your perspective, what makes The 2nd a good home for Oak Bishop?

A: The 2nd is exactly where we need to be along with the best Men’s brands available on the market. Even the idea, that Men’s products are always on “The Second Floor”, out of the way and hard to find, is something we explore and write about as well. As larger companies swallow up the smaller brands, this will happen more and more. The 2nd brings us a Men’s marketplace where we can see brands tailored to our needs all in one spot.

Finally, what is the one thing you want a customer to know about Oak Bishop before they try it for the first time? 

A: Skincare is a tough one for Men. There is a bottleneck in the industry that many guys just aren’t comfortable buying a “face cream” or even treating themselves to something functionally better, healthier, cooler, better designed etc. Our job is to break through this stereotype and provide Men with the edge necessary to overcome plateaus and get better in every way. Just making your bed in the morning is a huge deal. That’s a win. Hitting the gym. Eating well. Getting sleep. And utilizing products that make you feel, smell and look better fit into this equation. And what’s great is that utilizing a functional regimen takes less time than any of those. Whether it’s our products or another brand, It is an easy win every Man should use.

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