I’m not getting any younger.
While I still feel—and probably still act, much to my wife’s occasional frustration—like I’m in my 20s, the reality is that being in my 40s requires a little more intentionality.
- On the running front, that means committing to proper warmups, cooldowns, and stretching.
- On the health front, it means paying more attention to mobility, hydration, and making sure I’m getting the nutrients my body needs.
- And on the personal care front? Well, it means finally paying attention to things I’ve largely ignored for most of my life, like skincare.
As runners, we spend a lot of time outdoors. Sun, wind, sweat, rain, dirt, and whatever else Mother Nature decides to throw our way all take a toll. After years of treating skincare as little more than washing my face in the shower and calling it good, I figured it was time to see what a more intentional approach looked like.
Company:
Caldera + Lab is a men’s-focused skincare company that creates high-performance products designed specifically for men. Their philosophy is that skincare and personal care aren’t about vanity—they’re tools that can help improve overall wellness and support healthy aging.
One aspect of the company that stood out to me is its focus on ingredient safety. Caldera + Lab works with MADE SAFE, an organization that evaluates ingredients for potential long-term impacts on both people and the environment. The company states that it uses non-toxic ingredients throughout its products, production processes, and supply chain.
Premium Skincare:
Before we go any further, let’s address the obvious. This is premium skincare.
The products we tested retail for roughly $300 as a complete system. That’s a significant investment, and I’d be doing readers a disservice if I didn’t acknowledge that right away.
I’m not here to tell you that less expensive products are bad or that everyone should spend hundreds of dollars on skincare. Some people will view this as a worthwhile investment in their wellness routine. Others will see the price tag and immediately know it’s not for them. We all have different priorities in our lives and both viewpoints are perfectly reasonable.
The Products:
For this review, I tested The Regimen + Eye Defense, a four-product system designed to cleanse, hydrate, and improve overall skin appearance while targeting common concerns like fatigue, puffiness, and dark circles.
As someone who often looks like he stayed up later than he actually did, the eye-focused products definitely caught my attention.
- The routine starts with The Clean Slate, a cleanser designed to remove buildup, balance oil levels, and support overall skin clarity. It’s used morning and night and serves as the foundation for everything else.
- Next comes The Eye Serum, which targets fine lines, puffiness, and dark circles around the eyes. It’s lightweight, absorbs quickly, and was probably the product I was most curious about heading into the trial.
- The third step is The Good, Caldera + Lab’s anti-aging serum. The company says it helps improve skin tone, firmness, and the appearance of lines and wrinkles through a blend of advanced skincare ingredients.
- Finally, The Hydro Layer acts as the moisturizer, helping lock in hydration while smoothing and supporting the skin throughout the day.
I’ve been using the system consistently for about a month. Did I suddenly wake up looking 25 again? Unfortunately for me – though not unexpected obviously – that’s not how any of this works.
What I did notice was that my skin felt healthier. It looked more hydrated, less dull, and generally more refreshed. The changes weren’t dramatic or overnight, but they were noticeable enough that I found myself appreciating the routine and looking forward to using it each day.
Disclaimer:
Products like skincare systems, supplements, and wellness products are always difficult for us to review because there are so many variables involved. Sleep, nutrition, stress, genetics, hydration, training volume, and countless other factors all influence how we look and feel.
We’re not interested in being influencers who declare every product that arrives on our doorstep to be life-changing. What we can do is share our experience and encourage people to try it out if it’s of interest to them.
In my experience, Caldera + Lab offers a thoughtfully designed skincare system that feels premium, uses quality ingredients, and delivers noticeable improvements when used consistently. Whether those improvements justify the cost is something each person will have to decide for themselves.
Final Context:
One final piece of context probably influences my thinking more than anything else.
My father passed away from skin cancer in 2019.
While this review is about skincare rather than sun protection, that experience changed how I think about taking care of my skin as I get older. Running has given me countless amazing experiences over the years, but it has also meant thousands of hours spent exposed to the elements.
I’m still far from a skincare expert. But I’ve come to realize that taking care of your skin isn’t about vanity – at least for me – it’s about health. It’s about giving yourself the best chance to stay active, healthy, and doing the things you love for as long as possible.
