Is Lumin Skincare Worth the Hype?

At Derm For Dudes, we’ve had Lumin products in rotation for a while now—and we have the skin to show it. We love Lumin for their super high-quality ingredients, sleek branding, and user-friendly approach to multi-step skincare.

Recently, Lumin made waves in the skincare industry for their massive rebrand, including a new line of color-correcting products for men. So we thought it would be the perfect time to do a deep dive on this groundbreaking skincare brand—from their company’s history and brand philosophy to their innovative product line. If you’re wondering whether Lumin is worth the hype, read on.

Lumin’s origin story can be traced back to Richard Hong, who, like many young men, struggled with acne. A Korean native, Richard knew there existed a dizzying array of skincare products to help him, but figuring out which to choose proved difficult. So Richard called his sister, who asked him a number of questions and created a personalized skincare regimen for him.

Being the entrepreneur he was, Richard knew there was a need for top-quality, solution-focused men’s skincare and tapped business partner Darwish Gani to help him explore the possibility of launching a skincare brand in the States that was up to Korean standards.

While the pair briefly entertained the possibility of sourcing products from Korea, they knew it would be costly and time consuming. With the goal of creating first-class products tailored for men’s needs, they decided on an in-house approach, painstakingly sourcing equipment and ingredients while researching and testing hundreds of iterations of each formula.

Richard and Darwish also recognized that, with the rise of social media, they could bypass the stickiness of retail and market Lumin directly to consumers. They adopted a straightforward marketing approach that empowered men with the products and information needed to achieve better skin. The pair launched Lumin in 2018, and before long, their fledgling brand had grown to become a leader in men’s skincare, with more than two million customers in 62 countries.

Fast forward to 2023, and Lumin is still far from its final form. In April, Ingrid Jackel was appointed as CEO. A longtime leader in the skincare space, Jackel is overseeing a total brand overhaul, with the company shedding its austere, refined branding for a louder, bolder, brighter new look.

And things are changing under the hood, too: the rebrand coincided with the release of two new one-of-a-kind men’s color correctors, which do double-duty to fight and conceal redness and dark circles. If this means we’re one step closer to destigmatizing makeup for men, we’re here for it.

The philosophy behind Lumin products is simple—superior products, tailored for men. They emphasize simple, easy-to-manage routines, making Lumin a great option for guys who would rather not spend time agonizing over skincare products. Each of their products is put through rigorous R&D and painstakingly tested to ensure quality—and we haven’t yet tried a single Lumin product that doesn’t keep its promise.

Lumin takes a solution-oriented approach to men’s skincare, with products intended to combat skin concerns like acne, redness, and dryness. They’re also innovating in the anti-aging space, an area in which men have long been underserved by big brands. And with their rebrand and subsequent unveiling of two color-correcting products, it seems they’re taking yet another cue from the world of Korean skincare and carving out a niche in men’s cosmetics.

While not a luxury brand, Lumin is pricey. Their Daily Face Moisturizer, for example, will put you out $29 for 1.69 ounces ($17.16 per ounce). Compare that to a drugstore equivalent—say, Cetaphil Daily Hydrating Lotion at $18.99 for 3 ounces ($6.33 per ounce)—and it’s clear that Lumin isn’t necessarily made for the budget conscious.

However, Lumin isn’t in the business of strictly utilitarian products. They’re selling solutions, and that may be an important consideration here. In the world of men’s grooming, there aren’t nearly as many conversations happening about what, exactly, any given ingredient does. Most women could probably rattle off a few acne-fighting ingredients or tell you a use case for a Vitamin C serum. But at some point, the powers-that-be decided that men wanted products and women wanted solutions, meaning many dudes have been left to fend for themselves.

That is, until Lumin came along with products intended to address specific skin concerns. Breakouts. Dark spots. Fine lines. Redness. Oiliness. Whatever you’re dealing with, Lumin makes it easy to find what you need without scouring Reddit and poring over ingredients lists. That makes it easy to build a workable skincare regimen.

And with solution-oriented simplicity front-and-center, Lumin offers a fantastic selection of bundles, meaning you can buy an entire routine or care kit at considerable discount. It’s ideal for guys who care about their skin—but not enough to take the time to build one from the ground up.

So while Lumin may not be the first choice for dudes who prize affordability above all else, it’s a great value for those willing to part with a little more cash in exchange for efficacy and efficiency.

Lumin Skin offers an array of bundles tailored to meet diverse skincare needs, but two stand out as exceptional choices. The first is the Class Act Bundle, which combines the power of the Charcoal Face Wash Daily Detox, Charcoal Scrub Deep Detox, Daily Face Moisturizer, and Dark Circle Defense Balm. This bundle covers essential steps in a skincare routine, including deep cleansing, exfoliation, hydration, and targeted under-eye care.

The Charcoal Face Wash Daily Detox effectively removes excess oil and rebalances the skin, while the Charcoal Scrub Deep Detox gently exfoliates, eliminating dead skin cells and smoothing texture. The Daily Face Moisturizer provides instant hydration and brightens dull skin, while the Dark Circle Defense Balm targets under-eye concerns, reducing the appearance of dark circles and soothing puffiness. With the Class Act Bundle, individuals can confidently embark on a comprehensive skincare regimen, promoting healthier and revitalized skin.

Another standout bundle from Lumin Skin is the Badass Bundle, offering the ultimate anti-aging solution. This bundle includes the Charcoal Face Wash Daily Detox, Charcoal Scrub Deep Detox, Daily Face Moisturizer, Wrinkle Defense Serum, and Dark Circle Defense Balm. In addition to the benefits provided by the Class Act Bundle, the Badass Bundle introduces the Wrinkle Defense Serum, which effectively defends against wrinkles and dark spots. The Dark Circle Defense Balm in this bundle fights crow's feet and further soothes puffiness.

The Badass Bundle allows individuals to address multiple anti-aging concerns with its powerful combination of products. From deep cleansing to exfoliation, hydration, and targeted anti-aging treatments, this bundle provides a comprehensive approach to combating the signs of aging. While Lumin Skin offers a variety of bundles to suit different needs, the Class Act Bundle and the Badass Bundle stand out as exceptional choices, providing effective solutions for a complete skincare routine.

While we’ve only tested a handful of Lumin products, we love what we’ve tried so far and admire the niche Lumin is carving out in men’s skincare. If you’re dealing with specific skin concerns, Lumin makes it easy to find what you need, and you’ll no doubt notice a difference in your skin as you incorporate their super high quality products into your repertoire. Ditto if it’s your first time having a “repertoire” for your skin! We also love their color correcting products—these kinds of men’s grooming products are still rare, and we’re excited to see how Lumin continues to innovate in this space.

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