Looksmax
At Peak🧒Middle School🔶Manosphere originDefinition
The practice of maximizing your physical attractiveness through grooming, fitness, skincare, and sometimes more extreme measures. Originally from incel forums but now mainstream among teen boys as self-improvement culture.
Dad Mode: You Should Probably Talk to Them
Your son is trying to look better. That's... actually fine? It's basically just grooming and skincare and working out, but with internet branding. If he's buying face wash and going to the gym, that's the good version. If he's talking about jaw surgery at 14, we need to talk.
Came from: Incel/lookism forums (2010s) → TikTok mainstream (2023-present)
Examples
“I've been looksmaxing all summer”
“I've been working on improving my appearance all summer”
“What's your looksmax routine?”
“What do you do to improve your appearance?”
Cringe Score
Please don't
Telling your kid you've been 'looksmaxing' before date night with your spouse is premium dad humor. They'll hate it. You'll love it.
Category
identity
Peak
2025-03
Last Verified
2026-02-25
Sources
urban_dictionary, reddit, tiktok, youtube