Caldera + Lab

✅ Made Safe Certified ✅ ECOCERT COSMOS,  ✅ B Corp, ✅ USA Made

Caldera + Lab is my top pick for a men’s skincare line. It’s easy enough for a novice to use and enjoy but also technically mind blowing. Any skincare guru would go goo-goo-gah-gah over their ingredients, sourcing and efficacy. 

Caldera + Lab has three products: 

• The Clean Slate – A mildly foaming cleanser formulated with probiotics, that mildly exfoliates and soothes. 
• The Base Layer – A medium-weight, fragrance-free cream that hydrates and fortifies the skin barrier, intended for use in the morning.
• The Good – A fast-absorbing, antioxidant powerhouse face oil/moisturizer named “the holy grail of face serums” by GQ (intended for use at night).

One of the things that makes Caldera + Lab stand out is that they are one of the first luxury skincare lines geared towards men. Their packaging is sleek, their cream is fragrance-free, their cleanser foams a bit…they basically offer a turn-key, effective skincare routine that’s not intimidating—which I think is important when it comes to men’s skincare. 

Moving past first impressions, and looking at the ingredients, Caldera + Lab does everything right here too. We are seeing a priority placed on wild harvested, organic and non-GMO ingredients.

For example, The Good alone is formulated with 27 active botanicals (nothing more, nothing less) that target collagen production, smoother skin, clearer skin and protection from environmental stressors, while delivering all of the antioxidants. Plus it’s scented with a little bit of frankincense, which I personally enjoy. 

Here’s what I would recommend for an effective Caldara + Lab skincare routine for men to repair and protect skin that you can use both day and night:  

Step 1: The Clean Slate (cleanser) 

Step 2: The Base Layer (cream moisturizer) in the morning and The Good (oil moisturizer) at night.

Either way you slice it, this is a simple and effective skincare routine that will leave skin glowing. One tip I give my husband is to apply moisturizer to a damp face—this helps to actually hydrate skin (especially when using a face oil that has no water!).

Save: Code TNK20 will save you 20% sitewide at Caldera + Lab!

Ursa Major

❌ Made Safe Certified, ❌ ECOCERT COSMOS, ✅ B Corp, ✅ USA Made

The other line I love recommending for men is Ursa Major. The first rule of thumb to creating an effective skincare routine is CONSISTENCY. And this unassuming, no-frills brand is easy to use, effective and sneaky luxury that’s great for any age, gender and skin type.

Based out of Vermont and named after the largest visible constellation in the northern sky, Ursa Major encourages everyone to find their true north, which “is not a place but a feeling.”

Here’s what I would recommend for an effective Ursa Major skincare routine designed to balance and brighten skin that you can use both day and night:

Step 1: Fantastic Face Wash – A gentle foaming cleanser that won’t strip the skin.

Step 2: Brighten Up Vitamin C Serum – A treatment to add hydration and brighten skin.

Step 3: Golden Hour Recovery Cream – A lightweight cream moisturizer that soothes, hydrates and reduces redness.

Of course you can skip the Vitamin C Serum if you choose, but I think you will see it makes a big difference. You can also grab all of these bundled and save here. 

Budget Pick: Acure

❌ Made Safe Certified,  ❌ ECOCERT COSMOS, ❌ B Corp, ✅ USA Made

With most Acure products coming in around $10, I’m excited to recommend this accessible line as a healthy and a more affordable solution. Acure is also convenient as a grab-and-go option as it can also be found at some drug stores, grocery stores and Target.

Acure has a huge line but let’s keep it simple.

Here’s what I would recommend for an effective Acure skincare routine designed to brighten and hydrate skin that you can use both day and night:

Step 1: Brightening Cleansing Gel – A foaming cleanser that won’t strip the skin. 

Step 2: Brightening Vitamin C and Ferulic Acid Serum – A lightweight treatment to brighten dull skin. 

Step 3: Brightening Day Cream – Moisturize and protect with this lightweight cream. 

Again, you can tighten it up and skip the Vitamin C treatment, but I think you will see it can make a big impact. 

These three will give you an effective skincare routine for less than $50 total.