Over the last few years, the skincare consumer has grown ever knowledgeable about the finer details of the industry, from ingredients to sustainability - and yet, it’s only recently that guys have started to take note.
According to a report by Custom Market Insights, the grooming market was valued at $55 billion in 2021 and is projected to reach $110 billion by 2030. While once dominated by shaving and fragrance, this evolution is fueled by a different category altogether.
Now, male-specific skincare brands are starting to pop up all over. From Parisian label Horace to luxury label Patrick’s which was founded in Bondi Beach, well-groomed gents have an ever-growing choice of brands to choose from. Enter Lumin Skincare.
Since the search term ‘Lumin Skincare’ has over 9.8M views on TikTok, we’d be surprised if you’ve missed it. It’s an American viral beauty brand which is dedicated to solving men’s skincare concerns in the easiest way possible. Lauded as the answer for #LazyBoySkincare as well as having the ability to bring your under eyes back to life and reduce redness immediately, all of the products seem to achieve results. So, naturally, we couldn’t wait to give it a go.
Since there are some foundational differences in men’s and women’s skin, it’s understandable why the brand could have the edge over its skincare contemporaries which aren’t tailored for guys. First and foremost, the higher levels of testosterone in men usually result in coarser skin, so formulas that are a lighter, more easily-absorbed consistency tend to be more effective.
And, as a general rule, men prefer simple routines that take the least amount of time, so a ten-step regime which includes hyaluronic acid, a vitamin C serum and a face oil isn’t going to work. Instead, a simple four-step cleanser, exfoliator, serum and moisturiser is much more achievable. And Lumin has the products to suit – which you can even get in a bundle for just £74.
So, we’re going to take you through the step-by-step skincare process along with our reviews of each product. Keep scrolling for our take on the hype.
Lumin Charcoal Face Wash Daily Detox
The only way to start any skincare routine is with a cleanser. Lumin’s formula is a gel consistency that’s infused with clarifying charcoal to help remove the grime from the skin’s surface as well as rose flower to balance your natural oils and complexion. The brand advises you to lather it between wet hands before massaging it over your face and rinsing it with warm water.
It cleaned my skin effectively and left a fresh, revitalised finish. The citrussy fragrance was a nice wake-up call every morning. Even better, the black gel was easily visible so you could see if you’d missed a spot.
After a couple of weeks of consistent use, though, it left me feeling a little dry. Since I have normal skin, a gel cleanser sometimes has this effect, especially when it’s infused with charcoal. If you’re oily or blemish-prone, though, this might just be the one for you.
Buy now £14.40, Lumin
Lumin Charcoal Scrub Deep Detox
After you’ve cleansed, it’s time to exfoliate – but only do this every few days to avoid stripping your skin too much. Again, Lumin’s scrub is a charcoal-infused product that’s designed to draw out dirt, buff away dead skin and leave behind squeaky clean pores and super smooth skin.
After just one use of the scrub, I was amazed by the result. As you massage it onto your skin, you can actually feel it sloughing the dirt, grime and dead skin cells which seem to pill on the surface. Then, after you wash it away, the skin feels distinctly softer than before.
One of my main skin concerns is nose blackheads, and after three weeks of consistent use, this started to clear up. And, since I live in London, an effective exfoliator to wash away the inner-city pollution is always welcome.
Buy now £14.40, Lumin
Lumin Dark Circle Defense Balm
Now’s the stage where you use any serums or face oils which support the skin's barrier and deliver targeted results. Lumin’s Defense Balm, which is essentially a gel serum, is intended for dark circles. It’s infused with niacinamide for its anti-inflammatory properties, caffeine to reduce puffiness, lemon extract which helps with uneven skin tone and finally, liquorice root extract to help with brightening.
As a proud lover of under-eye products, I was excited to try Lumin’s take. First of all, I loved the easy push-down pump applicator. You simply push for the recommended daily amount for each eye, so it’s easy to apply the correct serve every single day.
Though it’s a fairly lightweight gel consistency which is easily absorbed into the skin, it does feel a little tacky after use so I ended up using one pump across two eyes, instead. The good news? Any dark circles were definitely kept at bay.
Buy now £25.20, Lumin
Lumin Daily Face Moisturiser
If there’s one product every guy should be using, it’s a moisturiser. It will support the skin’s barrier while delivering nourishment and hydration while also having a calming effect against any environmental aggressors. With extracts of protecting meadowfoam oil, anti-inflammatory niacinamide and balancing ginger, Lumin’s formula seems to tick all of the boxes.
Again, it comes in a handy push-down pump applicator. The brand advises using one pump on a daily basis whenever your face feels dry. If you ask us, though, morning and night after cleansing should be fine.
The consistency is just right for men’s skin – it’s lightweight enough for instant hydration yet doesn’t feel insubstantial so the effects seem to last throughout the day. My face felt instantly moisturised after the first use, and after just two weeks my complexion felt more even and my face felt smoother, especially in conjunction with the scrub.
Buy now £25.20, Lumin
