Cardon Skincare Review – Is Cactus Legit for Men’s Skin?

Cardon skincare is a relatively new player in the male grooming space. Formed in 2019 by Narae Chung and Jacqueline Oak, their mission is to provide a straightforward way for men to get high-quality skincare at a reasonable price.

If there’s one thing that makes Cardon stand out from the crowd of skincare startups for men, it’s their use of one unusual ingredient across their entire product line — cactus. This resilient desert plant has some insanely powerful qualities for skin, including electrolytes, antioxidants, and vitamins. Each offers crucial benefits in the fight against aging and sun damage.

In this review, we’ll take a look at the Cardon skincare line for men and see if what they have to offer can actually help your skin’s appearance and overall health.

First off: do men really need a skincare routine?

There was a time about 20 or 30 years ago that the only men who had a skincare regime were movie stars. But times have changed. Male grooming has been an enormous growth industry over the last decade — from fancy pubic hair trimmers to vitamins — and skincare makes up an essential part.

There are several benefits to a skincare regimen for men. Our diets and lifestyles can be tough on our skin and lead to premature aging. Many men suffer from various skin problems, like dry or oily skin, redness, clogged pores, under-eye bags, and more. To be clear, these aren’t ailments that only affect women.

Additionally, who likes getting older? Taking care of your skin is an effective way to stave off wrinkles and hide unwanted bags under your eyes from fatigue. Everyone’s skin has blemishes and imperfections, and it’s no longer “soft” for men to get proactive before it’s too late. On the contrary, many women find smooth, clear skin sexy…go figure!

How is men’s skin different from women’s?

There are an almost endless amount of skincare products that are made for women. While there is some crossover to these solutions, men and women’s skin is different for several reasons, such as:

• Men’s skin is denser
• Men produce more testosterone, which often leads to oily skin
• Men have a lower surface pH than woman
• Shaving and having a beard create epidermal sensitivity on the neck and face

While many men do understand the benefits of skin care, they aren’t always sure where to start. Bundles can be a great help by packaging complementary products that work together to cover all your bases.

What does cardon offer men looking for a new skin care routine?

Cardon offers a broad range of cactus-based skincare products. Each contains cactus extract, which is full of vitamins and minerals that make your skin glow. It also helps reduce skin sensitivities from shaving. Additionally, Cardon’s products are vegan and cruelty-free, made with clean ingredients only (no parabens, sulfates, or silicone). Their entire line of skincare meets Korean Cosmetic Regulation standards, which are stricter than the US equivalent.

Cardon skincare sets

Cardon offers four skincare sets at different price points. They’ve got a good mix of bundles, with some general sets and more specialist sets.

1. Ultimate skincare set

The Ultimate Skincare Set is Cardon’s most comprehensive set. It’s an excellent option for anyone looking for an anti-aging routine and hydration boost from its sheet masks. 

The Cardon Purifying Clay Cleanser is a nice choice for deep cleaning pores but without drying out the skin. The SPF + Moisturizer offers SPF 30 to protect the skin from harmful rays, with light and fast-absorbing cream. The hydro-boost gel moisturizer replenishes and repairs skin at night, allowing men to wake up feeling fresh.

Cardon’s Ultimate Skincare set contains:

• • 100ml Purifying clay cleanser
  • 35ml Daily SPF moisturizers
  • 50ml Hydro-Boost Repair Gel
  • 15ml Dark Circle Eye Boost
  • Hydrating Sheets Mask (4 pack)

Cost: $108 one-time purchase, $91.80 subscription

2. Anti-aging skin care set

The Anti-Aging Set is a great choice for men looking for lighter and brighter skin. This skincare set contains all the items in the Ultimate Skincare Set above, except for the hydrating sheet masks. 

The clay cleanser is more powerful than charcoal at cleaning the skin. As with the above Ultimate set, the Anti-aging Skin Care Set is great for dark circles under the eyes, and the SPF + Moisturizer and Hydro-Boost Repair Gel help protect and repair the skin.

Skincare set contains:

• • 100ml Purifying clay cleanser
  • 35ml Daily SPF moisturizers
  • 50ml Hydro-Boost Repair Gel
  • 15ml Dark Circle Eye Boost

Cost: $88 one-time purchase, $74.80 subscription

3. Oily skin set

Because men tend to have oily skin, they are more prone to acne. This simple three-piece set is made to help men balance their pH levels, so they have drier, clearer skin. 

It contains a Purifying Clay Cleanser and a Hydro Boost Gel Moisturizer, along with exfoliating toner wipes. These wipes unclog the pores and wipe away any dirt and grime. Additionally, they use cactus, hyaluronic acid, and caffeine to help soothe irritation and improve the appearance of the skin. These wipes are very versatile and can be used as a toner or to soothe the skin after shaving.

Skincare set contains:

• • 100ml Purifying clay cleanser
  • 50ml Hydro Boost Gel Moisturizer
  • Exfoliating Toner Wipes (40 pack)

Cost: $70 one-time purchase, $59.50 subscription

4. Essential skin care set

The Essential Skin Care Set is a good basic skincare regime. Once again, it comes with a Purifying Clay Cleanser and daily SPF moisturizers. They include a Hydro-Boost Repair Gel within this kit, making it a great stripped-down option for those on a budget.

Skincare set contains:

• • 100ml Purifying clay cleanser
  • 35ml Daily SPF moisturizers
  • 50ml Hydro-Boost Repair Gel

Cost: $65 one-time purchase, $55.25 subscription

Can you buy Cardon skincare products a la carte?

As well as offering skincare sets, Cardon sells its products individually. Below is a look at the different skincare options available.

1. Dark circle eye rescue

Dark circles around the eyes are part of getting older. They can make us look tired and older.

Cardon Dark Circle Eye Rescue is a cream that tackles dark circles, wrinkles, and puffiness around the eyes. The cream works by brightening the eyes by using three active peptides. It contains niacinamide and hyaluronic acid, which help to firm up the skin and provide deep hydration.

Finally, it comes on a stainless steel roller which means the skin can absorb ingredients more efficiently. And the roller also helps keep fingers clean and reduces mess.

Cost: $23 one-time purchase, $20.70 subscription

2. Daily SPF + moisturizer

Daily SPF + Moisturizer is available to purchase separately or in the Anti-aging and Ultimate skincare set. Sun damage is one of the biggest causes of aging of the skin. A daily SPF gives your skin the best chance by keeping it protected from harmful rays. Additionally, the innovative SPF moisturizer is light, absorbs quickly, and leaves zero residues. For what it’s worth: Cardon’s sunscreen was featured on The Best List by GQ and won Askmen’s top grooming award in 2019.

Cost: $19.99 one-time purchase, $17.99

3. Exfoliating toner wipes

An active life can be hard on the skin. Pollution, dead skin cells, and clogged pores combine to leave the skin in need of some love. These exfoliating toner wipes help to soothe the skin and balance its pH levels. Additionally, they can brighten skin, clear breakouts, fade hyperpigmentation, and purify pores.

These wipes are unique to the market because they contain cactus and heart leaf extracts. Also, they contain caffeine which helps tighten the pores and brighten the skin. They are an excellent choice for oily or combination skin.

Cost: $25 one-time purchase, $22.50

4. Prickly pimple patch

Pimples are a common problem that affects many people. Prickly Patch is a small patch around the size of the tip of the finger that goes over the pimpled area. 

It contains dissolving micro-needles that deliver salicylic acid, and niacinamide, and cica below your skin. These help fight ache and soothe the skin. Additionally, Prickly Patch protects skin from bacteria and stops scratching and popping, which can lead to scarring.

Cost: $18.99 one-time purchase, $17.09

5. Purifying clay cleanser

Men’s skin typically has larger pores and oilier skin. Oils and dirt can clog the pores and leave breakouts. Purifying clay cleanser deep-cleans the skin, clearing away excess oil and debris.

This product was a 2020 AskMen grooming award winner, and is an excellent choice cleanser to apply in the morning and night. It works well as part of a regime that includes moisturizers and hydrating creams.

Cost: $18 one-time purchase, $16.20

6. Hydro boost gel moisturizer

Hydro boost gel moisturizer is a nighttime gel. It’s a 3-in-1 moisturizer that hydrates, soothes, and repairs skin during sleep. As the body recuperates at night, the skin can repair and regenerate. This hydrogel works by supporting this process.

It contains cactus extract and rose-hip oils.

Cost: $27 one-time purchase, $24.30

7. Cactus soothing face mask

Some of the best skincare products contain serums. Serums deliver high concentrations of active ingredients to the skin. However, these cactus soothing face masks go one better by packing more rejuvenating serum than a regular product.

By using a physical mask, the ingredients can saturate the skin and bring the most benefits of the nutrients. These masks are great to use once or twice per week, typically after shaving. 

Cost: $19.99 one-time purchase, $17.99

8. Bamboo charcoal sheet mask + beard oil

This unique product is an innovative solution for men with beards. Bamboo charcoal mask + beard oil duo comes in two parts. The first is a half mask with hydrating and anti-aging ingredients like cactus, niacin amide, and camellia japonica flower extract. The second is a beard oil treatment containing jojoba oil and argan oils.

Most masks available on the market don’t manage to either stick to the beard or treat the skin underneath. This product is a welcome solution to this problem.

Cost: $19.99 one-time purchase, $17.99

How does Cardon compare to other skincare brands for men? 

We put Cardon next to a few other popular brands to see how their products and pricing stack up. See the chart below for a head-to-head comparison of Cardon vs Geologie vs Hims vs Lumin:

Cardon Reviews: What are customers saying?

Online reviews of Cardon are generally VERY positive, and users seem to be seeing results from their cactus-infused products:

 

 

 

 

The Verdict: Is Cardon skincare legit?

Cardon makes high quality products that stand out from the market due to their use of cactus. They offer a wide range of unique products that consumers can use to treat aging, acne, dark circles under the eyes, and more.

South Korea is one of the market leaders in men’s skincare, and Cardon’s two founders have clearly taken inspiration from the region. In recent years, several South Korean skincare products have been making waves in the cosmetics space. Cardon uses its experience in the South Korean market to bring something new and exciting to men in America. Their products are high quality and made to a high standard, making them suitable for men looking to establish a skincare regime.

The company’s mission is to make premium skincare options available at an affordable price. Additionally, they want to take the difficulty out of knowing what products to use.

To help men make the best choices for their skincare regime, Cardon offers several options. Consumers can purchase each of their products individually; however, they also offer subscriptions that can be delivered every two months. You can also start with their simple skin care quiz if you’re unsure what you need!

When compared to other brands offering skincare for men, Cardon’s sets are competitively priced. They have something suitable for most budgets, with a basic skincare regime available at just $55 per month, with an additional 30% off your first set. 

Cardon is so sure about its products that it offers consumers free returns within 30-days if you’re not 100% satisfied. This guarantee, alongside the overwhelmingly positive online reviews, should give you confidence to try out either some of their products or their skincare sets. As a man who spends too many late nights in front of a computer screen, I especially appreciate their under-eye cream. Give it a shot today, risk-free, and for 30% off!