Design
Quality of Materials
Value for Money 
Craftsmanship 
Customer Service It was a quiet Thursday night.
My wife and I had finished work for the day, made dinner, cleaned the kitchen, and were looking forward to a relaxing weekend.
We’re both photographers so we thought it might be fun to look through some old photos from the past several years, to remember simpler times before the trials of a global pandemic.
Turns out, it wasn’t fun.
To my horror, a photo from two years ago and a quick look in the mirror revealed basically two different people. The young, virile, pep-in-my-step chap of my youth had been replaced by the living personification of a well-used leather bag.
It was time to start a skincare routine. Instagram had been on the cusp of verbally abusing me with different skincare brands, so I knew where to start looking.
BULK HOMME’s products always stood out to me among other skincare brands and they had won several international awards, so it seemed like a good place to start.
Keep reading to see how BULK HOMME stacks up.
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What Is BULK HOMME?
This Japanese skincare brand was founded in 2013 by Takuya Noguchi and launched with just three products. Since then they’ve expanded throughout Asia and Europe, and have just made their way to US soil with several new products.
BULK HOMME’s philosophy is rooted in the dichotomy of basic skincare products that are also exciting. The products themselves are simple and uncomplicated at first look but are admittedly surprising in use. This emphasis on function over form is evident even through their packaging.
Their basic philosophy guided the creation of their simple lineup of skincare products, but by doing so they’ve left more bandwidth to create high-quality products that pack more punch than you’d assume after a cursory glance at their website. They’re the skincare equivalent to the maxim, “Don’t judge a book by its cover.”
The brand is committed to sustainability and reducing damage to marine life, and has shifted to using paper and biodegradable packaging where it can and simpler plastics where it can’t.
BULK HOMME isn’t alone in its mission to provide men with a simple skincare solution, but is largely alone in the way they go about it, which I’ll dive into later.
BULK HOMME provides a basic skincare routine that gives nonbasic results. If you’re looking to start a skincare routine as a preventative measure against the incorrigible approach of aging lines and blemishes, BULK HOMME is a great place to start.
Things to Consider Before Buying Skincare Products from BULK HOMME
BULK HOMME is a great choice for guys who don’t know much about skincare but want to get started. If you don’t even know how to pronounce “niacinamide” or “hyaluronic”, you’ve come to the right place.
These skincare products are approachable and feature clear instructions about when to use a product and how to use it. Understanding their offerings doesn’t require a dermatologist to sit with you, and I appreciate that.
On the contrary, if you’re looking for a skincare regimen to treat a specific ailment, like acne or dark eye circles, BULK HOMME doesn’t have that level of granularity. Their products paint in broad strokes for the time being, which works perfectly well if you have relatively calm skin that isn’t prone to pimple temper tantrums.
BULK HOMME currently has a limited product offering in the United States. As such there’s an inherent simplicity to their skincare system, which right now includes three products. If you’re looking for spot treatments and eye creams, you’ll have to look elsewhere.
In terms of your wallet, BULK HOMME is comparatively affordable. Their products range from $20 to $35 and their standard volumes are high, meaning you get a lot of product relative to other skincare brands like Geologie and Tiege Hanley.
If you’re a guy who wants to dodge the slow encroach of aging signs and internal comparisons to a naked mole rat but don’t know much about skincare, BULK HOMME is a great place to start.
BULK HOMME Review
What initially interested me in BULK HOMME’s products was their unique packages. I’ve basically turned my face into a guinea pig testing zone for skincare products, but had never come across products like these, let alone the dedicated inclusion of a toner.
Remembering the horror of seeing my aging process through 2020, I decided to
Unboxing
BULK HOMME is like the Apple of skincare products. Their packaging is minimalist, modern, and gives a sense of the premium quality of the products inside.
They’re the kind of brand where you question whether or not you should throw away the boxes and consider displaying them around your house instead.
Is that just me? That’s just me. This is fine.
Since their skincare products come in pouches rather than pump bottles, like most skincare brands, packaging these products requires additional stability and support. Hence, each product comes in its own box to provide a safe housing and an organized box upon opening. This helps my OCD stay below the surface which wins big points in my book.
Their skincare system includes the following products: THE FACE WASH, THE TONER, THE LOTION, and THE BUBBLE NET. If you shouted all those product names in your head, I did too. Big Silence of the Lambs vibes when I got to THE LOTION. Just put it in the basket already, please.
THE BUBBLE NET and THE FACE WASH
THE BUBBLE NET is part of what makes BULK HOMME a unique skincare company. Rather than the typical routine of squirting some goop on your hands and then applying evenly to your face, they use THE BUBBLE NET to generate a rich foam, which then gets applied to your face.
THE BUBBLE NET is basically a deconstructed loofah that helps to work up that whipped-cream-level lather. Instructions for how to use THE BUBBLE NET are included on the box.
Get THE BUBBLE NET slightly wet, then squeeze THE FACE WASH on and massage the soap into a rich lather. It should feel like rich shaving cream by the time you’re done.
When a rich lather has formed, strip the lather from THE BUBBLE NET and apply it to your face, massaging in gentle circles. Here’s a useful graphic from the BULK HOMME website
While this combination of THE BUBBLE NET and THE FACE WASH is quite different from any other men’s skincare system I’ve used, I’m certainly enjoying it. The rich foam lather is an easy and gentle cleaner, and has a fresh, herbal scent.
At first, I wasn’t quite sure what to make of this process. Through previous research I had found that a richly-lathering face wash indicated the presence of sulfates, which are typically linked with adverse effects on the skin.
However, upon several Google searches and a close inspection of their ingredient list, their products aren’t formulated with any sulfates.. This makes sense so far, because after several days of enjoying a super foamy face wash my skin doesn’t feel particularly dry in any respect.
THE FACE WASH is more of a paste than a typical liquid face wash. It takes a little effort to squeeze it out of the pouch and onto THE BUBBLE NET, but lathers super easily from there. Notable ingredients of THE FACE WASH include clay minerals, miracle apple, Japanese spring water, Willow bark extract, and Yuzu citrus extract.
THE FACE WASH is also the winner of the 2020 Pure Beauty Global Awards in the Male Skin and Body Product category. While they are fairly new to the American market, it’s clear that they’re making waves elsewhere.
While this combination of THE BUBBLE NET and THE FACE WASH is quite different from any other men’s skincare system I’ve used, I’m certainly enjoying it. The rich foam lather is an easy and gentle cleaner, and has a fresh, herbal scent.
Some men’s skincare brands really pack their face washes with fragrance which I often find overpowering, but BULK HOMME’s THE FACE WASH is just the right amount of olfactory titillation.
THE FACE WASH is more of a paste than a typical liquid face wash. It takes a little effort to squeeze it out of the pouch and onto THE BUBBLE NET, but lathers super easily from there. Notable ingredients of THE FACE WASH include clay minerals, miracle apple, Japanese spring water, Willow bark extract, and Yuzu citrus extract.
THE TONER
BULK HOMME’s THE TONER has been a real game changer in my skincare routine. If you’re trying to convince people you slept under the stars because there’s no other way your skin could be that dewy and glowing, THE TONER is a must.
This is another unique inclusion of the BULK HOMME skincare lineup. Other men’s skincare brands may have formulated moisturizing products with toner included, but this is the first time I’ve come across a designated toner in a men’s skincare lineup.
So, what is a toner?
Toner is a water-based liquid that’s honestly still a little mysterious to me. It’s kind of like a moisturizer, but not intended to be a standalone moisturizer. It essentially preps, soothes, and balances your skin to shrink pores and make the moisturizer you apply afterwards more effective.
In BULK HOMME’s words, “THE TONER maintains your skin’s optimum hydration balance, keeping moisture in without leaving a sticky residue behind.”
This checks some major boxes for me. Nothing gets my knickers in a knot like putting on a thick moisturizer before bed and feeling like I can’t put my cheek against my pillow without the pillow getting glued to my face.
Even after some good research, THE TONER is a magical liquid to me. After a good BUBBLE NET and FACE WASH combo, I’ll pat some of THE TONER on my face and shazam! It’s like my pores were never there. Not only that, there’s this dewy, ethereal glow to my skin that never fails to send my wife into a jealous rage.
When your skincare-seasoned wife is jealous of how your face glows like the full moon you know you’re doing something right.
THE TONER also has a fresh scent that’s just the right combination of being there but not being overpowering. I look forward to patting more of this wonderful liquid into my face every evening, which has helped me stay consistent with at least washing and moisturizing my face once a day.
It’s also worth noting the convenience of BULK HOMME’s choice to use pouches rather than a pump bottle. The pouch allows me to squeeze every last drop of product out, rather than throwing some out that the straw of a pump bottle can’t reach.
Or, the pouch bears a striking resemblance to an IV bag and you can just tone yourself from the inside out. I’m kidding, please don’t do that. No matter how bad you may want to.
BULK HOMME’s THE TONER has been a real game changer in my skincare routine. If you’re trying to convince people you slept under the stars because there’s no other way your skin could be that dewy and glowing, THE TONER is a must.
THE LOTION
Ah, back to the bad Silence of the Lambs references.
At the first look of THE LOTION, I was slightly worried. The plastic pouch revealed a milky moisturizer that looked like it might have the potential to glue a pillow to your face.
My fears were calmed, however, by the packaging itself. Right at the top of the pouch it says, “Milky lotion doesn’t have to feel heavy.” And indeed, THE LOTION isn’t heavy at all.
THE LOTION is meant to be used right after THE TONER. THE TONER gets your face prepped to absorb the correct amount of moisturizer, and THE LOTION comes in to keep your skin hydrated and healthy.
THE LOTION is also formulated with miracle apple, Japanese spring water, clay minerals, and willow bark extract, and easily smells the best of the three skincare products. While most men’s skincare brands gear their fragrances towards pine, cedar, or something musky, THE LOTION takes a more refined approach.
Again its fragrance is fresh, but THE LOTION also has an herbal, almost floral scent that is somehow not feminine either. It’s like a well-crafted, summer cologne.
Pouring THE LOTION from the pouch takes a little getting used to and isn’t as precise as a pump bottle, but does have the same benefit of being able to squeeze every last drop out. If you prefer to use pump bottles, BULK HOMME actually has reusable pump bottles for THE TONER and THE LOTION that can be purchased from their website.
THE LOTION spreads easily and absorbs quickly to leave my face feeling refreshed and healthy. After several days of use my pores have stayed small and my skin still has that healthy glow. Milky lotion often makes my skin feel oily or heavy, but THE LOTION has given me none of those problems so far.
BULK HOMME’s THE TONER has been a real game changer in my skincare routine. If you’re trying to convince people you slept under the stars because there’s no other way your skin could be that dewy and glowing, THE TONER is a must.
What do Other Reviewers Say About BULK HOMME?
BULK HOMME has a relatively small number of reviews, but they trend very positive. The only negative reviews were regarding price, and these reviews were from confessed college students who likely don’t have much money to begin with.
The majority of five star reviews referenced the rich lather of THE FACE WASH, the good scents of THE LOTION, and the elastic, dewy feel of their skin after using THE TONER. One reviewer even cited positive results with acne.
The Fung Brothers, who have a popular YouTube channel, did a review of BULK HOMME, which can be found below:
While there aren’t many reviews, it’s still clear that BULK HOMME’s products are effective and well-loved, and I’m sure this trend will continue into the future.
My Thoughts Overall On BULK HOMME
What I Like
Between THE BUBBLE NET, THE FACE WASH, and THE TONER this is the most unique men’s skincare brand I’ve used so far and I appreciate their out-of-the-box thinking.
The fragrances aren’t your typical “man scents” like pine and cedar, but take a more sophisticated, herbal approach.
Their packaging is eye-catching and generates interest in the brand by itself.
THE TONER is the first toner I’ve seen in a men’s skincare system, and it does wonders for my skin.
THE FACE WASH generates a thick lather and has a frictionless, gentle clean that doesn’t dry out my skin.
BULK HOMME’s products are backed by significant research and development and use premium ingredients.
The skincare system has only three steps, which is relatively simple compared to other skincare regimens.
What I Don’t Like
BULK HOMME doesn’t offer any personalization for products. It’s a generalized skincare company that works well for guys looking for solid, basic skincare, but doesn’t provide specialized treatments.
There is currently no under-eye treatment.
Who is BULK HOMME for?
BULK HOMME is an excellent choice for any guy who wants to start a consistent skincare routine. If you have relatively calm skin and aren’t prone to breakouts or other specific ailments, BULK HOMME’s products will keep your pores small, your skin hydrated, and the wrinkles at bay.
The Verdict
BULK HOMME provides a basic skincare routine that gives nonbasic results. If you’re looking to start a skincare routine as a preventative measure against the incorrigible approach of aging lines and blemishes, BULK HOMME is a great place to start.
Their products are backed by intensive research and development, use premium ingredients, and have proven results. With only three skincare products, this is a relatively simple regimen to get started if you’re a skincare novice or if you just like to keep things simple.
While they don’t provide personalized skincare options to treat specific ailments, like acne or dark eye circles, their products will keep your skin balanced, clean, and refreshed.
Interested in aging like George Clooney? You should give BULK HOMME a try.
BULK HOMME provides a basic skincare routine that gives nonbasic results. If you’re looking to start a skincare routine as a preventative measure against the incorrigible approach of aging lines and blemishes, BULK HOMME is a great place to start.
FAQs
How do men get super clear skin?
Men get super clear skin by washing their face at least once a day, but not more than twice. Washing your face too often will strip the skin of healthy natural oils that help to protect the skin barrier and prevent breakouts.
How can I delay getting wrinkles on my face?
You can delay wrinkles and premature aging signs by practicing the following: protect yourself from the sun, wash and moisturize your face daily, use a retinoid serum, and stay hydrated.
Do Japanese men use skincare?
Japanese men use skincare, but it differs from typical Western methods. Where Western skincare focuses on anti-ageing and acne treatments, Japanese skincare focuses on an overall healthy look and feel of the skin.
