Design 
Quality of Materials 
Value for Money 
Customer Service I’ve been around the block with men’s skincare brands.
Sowed my wild oats, if you will.
You’d think that with all this experimentation and self-analysis I’d have at least found a skincare brand that keeps my pores small and my under eyes from bearing resemblance to a racoon, but you’d be wrong.
2020 wasn’t kind to my eye-baggage-reduction efforts. 2021 wasn’t much better, and at this point I’m wondering if I should follow suit, quit my job, and become a bellhop since my physical appearance has such an affinity for baggage.
As a last hurrah before accepting dark under eyes for life, I did some digging to see what bells and whistles men’s skincare brands were currently offering, which is when I came across Geologie.
Sporting handsome branding, a name that suggests natural ingredients, and accolades from Esquire, Men’s Health, Ask Men, and Robb Report, I decided to give it a shot.
Read on to see how Geologie stacks up!
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What Is Geologie?
Geologie is a brand focused on particulars. In their own words, “You’re particular about the way you like your whiskey served. You’re even particular about what dry cleaner you’ll trust to wash your good jeans. It’s about time you get particular about what you put on your face.”
As such, Geologie has a skincare quiz to determine which products to assemble for your routine. Their ethos is not aimed at perfection, but instead at accepting change and realizing that what works in life now will not always work later on.
This translates literally to your face. A skincare routine you start now may not be the best for you down the road, so Geologie has developed a plethora of skincare sets that are designed to mitigate a variety of ailments you may experience, whether that’s dark circles, wrinkles on your forehead, oily skin, dry skin. You get the point.
Geologie believes in science-based skincare and has partnered with Dr. Steve Xu to formulate highly-efficient, real-ingredient cosmetic products. Notable natural ingredients include kojic acid, hyaluronic acid, and niacinamide, which you don’t typically see in a lot of men’s skincare lineups.
The founders, Nick Allen and Dave Skaff, sought to create a men’s skincare brand that would eliminate the confusion around skincare that stopped many men from beginning a routine in the first place.
If you’re not keen on looking like a sundried tomato later in life but don’t know where to start, Geologie provides affordable trials sets that are personalized to your needs. Thoughtful touches like packing in two face washes (one for the shower, and another for the sink) really show that Geologie has my back when it comes to building a routine.
Things to Consider Before Buying Skin Care Products from Geologie
If you’re a man with skin and want to take care of it, Geologie provides a digestible selection of products and product sets for you to choose. If you don’t have skin or bear an unfortunate resemblance to Freddy Kreuger, you’re out of luck.
Whether you’re dealing with acne, sensitive skin, dark eye circles, or just want to wash and moisturize, Geologie special-formulates their products to provide the solution. Thus, the main consideration for guys looking at Geologie’s products will come down to specific ingredients and price.
With an emphasis on evidence-based results, Geologie has included proven ingredients to their creams and cleansers that are sure to clean up your mug. Examples include hyaluronic acid, retinol, salicylic acid, and more.
Regarding price, Geologie’s offerings are standard when compared against competing skincare brands, but you get more physical product by volume with Geologie for a 30-day sample. Something that never fails to rock my socks in the worst way is when a skincare brand portions you a month’s supply of product but you use it in two weeks.
Also of note, if you’re big into rubbing the ashes of your enemie—I mean charcoal—onto your face, Geologie isn’t for you. They’re quite vocal about it, and state that the toxin-absorbing properties of charcoal are rendered impotent after being stored in a wet formulation for even a day.
Lastly, Geologie doesn’t cuff you to a subscription service. The option is there, but they’ve given the option to pick and choose specific products if you’re only looking to wet the beak in men’s skincare.
Geologie’s products are an excellent choice for both skincare novices and experts that are looking to have a robust product accompanied by very few decisions.
Geologie Review
Intent on finding a solution to my dark eye circles, I sat myself and my tired eyes down at the computer and took Geologie’s skincare assessment. Although they have a relatively small number of products, they combine these products into a surprising number of tailored regimens to suit your individual needs.
Choosing the Right Skincare System
The skincare quiz begins with basic background info such as your name, your age range, gender, and what you’re looking to get out of a skincare routine.
I appreciate these options, as it’s evident that Geologie spent some time in the shoes of skincare plebeians and thought about what their desires and pain points are.
Next, the quiz asks for what results you’re looking to get.
I appreciate the “Not Sure” option, as many skincare novices likely don’t know what results they’re looking for yet.
The diagnostic continues by asking more detailed questions about occasional redness in your cheeks and dark circles under your eyes, listing statements that describe the current state of your skin, giving a selection of color palettes to match most closely with your skin, and finally giving you the option to upload a photo of yourself.
I answered the diagnostic with a heavy emphasis on reducing aging and eradicating dark eye circles, and was recommended Regimen #32.
A few clicks and a few days later, my new face regimen was at my doorstep.
Skincare is a necessity. But customized skincare? Now that's luxury. Take care of your biggest skincare need, whether it's deep wrinkles, dark circles, or acne---Geologie will create a custom formulation with actual skincare ingredients.
Unboxing
I was immediately struck by the heft of the Regimen #32 package. It’s easily comparable to holding a brick, and therefore offers similar self-defense capabilities. Huck this package at an assailant’s face, and then carry on with your skincare regimen.
Granted, this is intended to be a 90-day supply of product. 90 days is a long time, but I’m confident I’ll still have plenty of product left in three months.
Regimen #32 comes in a simple plastic, bubble-wrapped package. Inside are your five bottles of product and also two information cards that detail the contents, ingredients, and use tips.
Speaking of which, after an initial purchase with Geologie they send you a series of emails for how to get the most out of your products. I’m typically against anything that threatens to clutter my email inbox, but I found these both insightful and entertaining.
Regimen #32
This regimen includes two bottles of Everyday Face Wash and one bottle of the Vital Morning Face Cream, Repairing Night Cream, and Nourishing Eye Cream, each.
Geologie’s bottles are clearly labeled and color coded for day or night use. The Vital Morning Face Cream has yellow text, representing morning, and the Repairing Night Cream and Nourishing Eye Cream have blue text, representing evening.
Two bottles of Everyday Face Wash are included so that one can be kept in the shower and one kept by your sink. That’s a 200 IQ play right there—not sure how other skincare companies haven’t thought of this one yet.
Besides convenience, Geologie seems to have an awareness of the correct ratio (1 to 1) between face wash and moisturizers and man does that rock my socks in the best way! Nothing eats my lunch like getting half way through a bottle of face wash, only to find that I’m plumb dry on moisturizers.
In short, you’re given an equal volume of face wash to accompany the Vital Morning Face Cream, and an equivalent volume of face wash for the Repairing Night Cream.
It’s the little things.
Everyday Face Wash
On first use of the Everyday Face Wash I immediately noticed the fresh scent. Reminiscent of an alpine stream winding through pines, the scent is neither too strong nor too weak and has a gentle cooling effect, which is great for folks with sensitive skin.
It’s worth noting that Geologie also provides a scent-free version of their Everyday Face Wash. Those with particularly sensitive skin can often be irritated by added fragrances but should have no issue with the scentless version of the Everyday Face Wash.
The face wash is a clear gel that lathers very lightly, which is a good sign. Heavy-lathering face wash indicates a large constitution of sulfates, which are harsh and can dry your skin unnecessarily.
The face wash left my skin feeling clean, but not parched or stripped of its natural oils. This sulfate-free face wash is formulated with salicylic acid, which is a powerful and popular ingredient to combat acne and blemishes.
Salicylic acid works by penetrating deeply into the skin and dissolving skin debris that would otherwise clog your pores. It also works as an anti-inflammatory agent to help red pimples and pustules go away faster.
Vital Morning Face Cream
At some point in your journey through skincare, you’ll realize that sunscreen is cool. Being tan has been the key to getting babes for decades, but how are you supposed to nail the silver fox look 20 years from now when your face looks like a peach pit?
UV rays from the sun have significant aging effects on your skin and this realization has made morning face creams with low-level SPF incredibly popular. Geologie’s Vital Morning Face Cream is no exception, and is formulated with SPF 10 sunscreen.
The cream itself has a light sunscreen scent but it’s not overpowering. Geologie’s creams are surprisingly thick, closer to the consistency of a heavy-duty sunscreen than your run-of-the mill moisturizer. This is neither good nor bad, but not something I prefer.
Due to its thickness the cream doesn’t absorb particularly quickly, but that gave me the sense that good repairing and preventative work was being done to my skin. The cream doesn’t leave an oily feeling on your face, which I appreciate.
After several weeks of use I can confirm that my pores are smaller and my skin looks tighter. It took a colossal force of will to begin washing my face in the morning, but I’ve begun to look forward to moisturizing my face to start the day and protecting my skin from those pesky UV rays.
Repairing Night Cream
The Repairing Night Cream is Geologie’s workhorse restoration product. Formulated with retinol and niacinamide, two other rock stars of the skincare world, this night cream has provided the most drastic results compared to the other products.
After even one night’s use my skin looked remarkably tighter and poreless and these results have continued with each subsequent use. Where once stood a man bespeckled with pores and occasional blackheads now stands a man with healthy skin and a strong resemblance to a porcelain figurine.
Like the Vital Morning Cream, the Repairing Night Cream is fairly thick and doesn’t absorb particularly quickly. However, these creams are designed to work on your face overnight which begets a slower absorption.
The inclusion of retinol is a double-edged sword, in my opinion. Retinol works to accelerate skin turnover and stimulate collagen production, which keeps your skin plump and healthy. It’s the main reason the Repairing Night Cream is as effective as it is, and Geologie recommends using it every other night for the first week until your skin gets used to it due to the strength of the serum.
Unfortunately, and anyone who has used high-strength retinol serums will attest, retinol has a strong, earthy smell. A little bit of a stank, if you will.
If you’re the kind of guy who likes to get washed up, moisturize, and then go for a romp in the sack you may want to think twice before using the Repairing Night Cream.
Of course, there’s plenty of simple ways to avoid the “what’s that smell” moment, like applying the Repairing Night Cream after your adult activities or just skipping it for that night.
I only mention this as a word of warning—it’s absolutely not a reason to steer clear of using this product.
The Repairing Night Cream is also formulated with niacinamide, a natural ingredient otherwise referred to as Vitamin B3. Among a vast array of benefits to your skin, niacinamide helps your skin grow a lipid barrier that works to retain moisture, keeping your skin hydrated. Niacinamide also helps to shrink pores, which did wonders on my nose and cheeks.
Nourishing Eye Cream
Ah yes, the whole reason I marked another foray into men’s skincare.
Competing eye creams I have previously used have given a “tightening” feeling to the skin under my eyes after use. I was initially surprised to not experience a similar sensation after using the Nourishing Eye Cream.
Unlike the Vital Morning Cream of Repairing Night Cream this eye cream is thin and spreads very easily. It’s formulated with kojic acid, which is known in the cosmetic industry as a “skin lightener.”
I was a bit mystified at first, because after several days of use I saw no signs of improvement for my dark circles. I decided to do some research into what causes dark eye circles in the first place and was pleasantly surprised to find Geologie had written a robust article on the very topic.
As it turns out, there’s a variety of reasons for dark eye circles, but the foremost among them is the fact that the skin beneath our eyes is thinner than anywhere else on our body. This means it’s extra sensitive and prone to discoloration and puffiness from a host of sources:
- Allergies
- Eczema
- Lack of sleep and mental fatigue
- Diet
- Age
- Genetics
- Sun exposure
Looking back, it occurred to me that eye creams I had used previously were merely treating the symptoms of dark eye circles and not the root cause.
Kojic acid is a natural ingredient that inhibits the production of melanin in your skin. Melanin production makes our skin tan, but can also lead to blotches, discoloration, and those pesky dark eye circles.
Inhibiting melanin production makes this kojic acid eye cream even skin your tone and fade dark spots, giving back the eyes of your youth. This can take time, however. Dave, a rep from Geologie, estimated two weeks to several months to see significant results.
As I’ve only had about two weeks to
What do Other Reviewers Say About Geologie?
Guys are huge fans of Geologie’s products. On their own website, their products scored over 3,000 five star reviews, with very few negative reviews.
Many reviewers said Geologie’s regimens are the simplest and most effective skincare routines they’ve ever tried, and many cited positive results for their eye circles.
Among the negative reviews, the most common sentiment was regarding the thick face creams. Some said that their face felt less hydrated after application, but these reviews were few and far between.
Overall, Geologie’s products are a huge hit and they seem to have gathered a loyal following.
My Thoughts Overall On Geologie
What I Like
This is the simplest full skincare regimen I’ve ever used. It’s also been quite effective so far.
They give you plenty of product and give equal amounts of moisturizer and face wash, so you don’t have to buy another set because just one of the products ran out.
The face wash is gentle, effective, and doesn’t strip my skin of healthy oils.
All of Geologie’s products have significant scientific research and development behind them, rather than trendy gimmicks like so many other men’s skincare brands..
They offer a subscription service to automate your skincare routine even further.
There’s a rewards program in which repeat customers can collect discounts on future purchases.
What I Don’t Like
The creams are thick, which took some time to get used to. Sometimes it felt like my face wasn’t particularly clean due to the slow absorption.
Who is Geologie for?
Geologie is for any guy looking for a simple and effective skincare routine. Whether a novice or experienced dabbler of skincare, Geologie’s products have proven results with sensitive skin, acne, and dark eye circles.
The Verdict
Geologie provides quality skincare products in simple regimens. Their partnership with Dr. Steve Xu has yielded evidence-backed formulations that work for a variety of skincare needs and do so at a comparable price to competing brands.
If you’re not keen on looking like a sundried tomato later in life but don’t know where to start, Geologie provides affordable trials sets that are personalized to your needs.
If you’ve also sowed your wild oats in the world of men’s skincare and are looking to settle down with some high quality products, Geologie is a great place to end up.
Thoughtful touches like packing in two face washes (one for the shower, and another for the sink) really show that Geologie has my back when it comes to building a routine. The thickness of the moisturizing cream was a bit off putting at first because it takes a little while to absorb.
However, it doesn’t leave any greasy feeling and even has the added bonus of SPF, which is critical to aging well and taking care of my skin for the long haul.
If you’re not keen on looking like a sundried tomato later in life but don’t know where to start, Geologie provides affordable trials sets that are personalized to your needs. Thoughtful touches like packing in two face washes (one for the shower, and another for the sink) really show that Geologie has my back when it comes to building a routine.
FAQs
Is Geologie skincare good?
Yes. Geologie skincare is good for guys with sensitive skin, acne, dark eye circles, and wrinkles.
How do I cancel my Geologie subscription?
You can change or cancel your Geologie subscription by going to your account settings or emailing directly at help@geologie.com.
What is sensitive skin?
Sensitive skin is prone to inflammation and adverse reactions. People with sensitive skin may have bad reactions to fragrances, chemicals, or dyes in products that come in contact with their skin.
