Date Night Skincare Tips
On date night, nothing sets the mood quite like candle light. Coincidentally, if you’re faced with a same-day skin blemish, then nothing reassures you more than that low, flickering light. (Heaven forbid he or she focus on that big red pimple, right?) But don’t let it come to that: Having good skin every day is entirely within your control—including on the day of a big date.
First things first: You need to understand your skin’s predilections, in order to get ahead of the most common concerns. For example, if you have oily skin, then you probably want to prevent forehead shine and excess sweating. On the other hand, dry and sensitive skin types might fear same-day shaves or general dullness and redness. Add to this the other things you endure on a regular basis—dark circles, anyone?—and you can fully ready yourself for the big day.
Read on for our date night skincare tips, which should also be considered “days leading up to date night” as part of the regimen—because sometimes the best preparation happens the night before, or in the couple days prior. Pair the below tips with a steady skincare regimen for your skin type, common anti-aging habits, and you’re well on your way to clean, clear skin on the regular—date night or not.
A Couple Days Before:
1. Exfoliate
Ideally, you’ll exfoliate your face a couple times a week, in order to maintain smooth texture and to promote a clear complexion. Ingredients like salicylic acid can dissolve dead skin cells and unclog the pores to also prevent breakouts. That being said, any full-face application (whether it’s a physical scrub or chemical exfoliant) can leave the skin a little reddened. So, make sure to do this step a couple nights ahead of the date, so that your skin can recover while you sleep and so that you can keep pores clear for the coming days. Cardon Cactus Toner Wipes give skin gentle physical exfoliation thanks to their woven texture while the chemically exfoliating formula works its magic bringing newer, clearer skin to the surface.
2. Clear Your Calendar
This is more of a habitual tip, but try to minimize the amount of stress you have in your life in this homestretch window, while also prioritizing ample sleep. Your skin directly reflects these factors—since its brightness and clarity depend on staying rested, relaxed—oh, and hydrated, too. Try to minimize vices like alcohol and smoking, as well, since skin can “show” their dehydrating effects in the days to follow a binge.
3. SPF Always
We know you’re faithful to the daily SPF (likely from your SPF moisturizer). It’s the best way to pay it forward and preserve that youthful appearance for years to come. Don’t overlook the habit in the days before, especially if it’s super sunny; you wouldn’t want a sunburn to spoil your mood.
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Daily SPF + Moisturizer
$22.00
The Night Before:
1. Do a Razor Shave (If That’s Your Thing)
Unless your skin is trained for a daily shave, then do not shave immediately before your date. Do this the night before at the latest, so that your skin can rebound from the razor and look soothed and healed before the big impression. You will ideally have an electric shaver in your dopp kit for pre-date cleanups, if you want a baby-faced smoothness. This will ensure that you don’t break the surface of the skin and risk redness or irritation at the eleventh hour. Moreover, make sure you choose a soothing shaving cream, like our new Cactus Foaming Shaving Cream.
2. Apply a Sheet Mask
Before bed, add a 10-minute, serum-packed hydrating sheet mask to your regimen. This will pump a bunch of nourishing, soothing, and brightening ingredients into your skin, and their powers will multiply as you sleep, since your cells regenerate as you sleep. (To that tune, make sure you get a full 8 hours’ sleep, too.) You’ll sport a brighter, firmer, balanced complexion all the following day, and well into date night.
You can choose a soothing mask like Cardon’s cactus face mask following a shave or stressful day, or a detoxifying one like Cardon’s bamboo charcoal mask with beard oil sachet, which is designed for guys with facial hair.
3. Spot Check Any Pimples
No matter the time of day, you should be vigilant of any budding or existing blemishes. Have an acne patch ready for any such breakouts, to quickly dissolve and diminish the contains trapped within the pimple. Apply it to freshly cleansed skin, and wear the patch for anywhere from 2 hours to overnight. Those little micro-needles on the patch slowly release the ingredients directly into the blemish. If you get ahead of any growth—like when you can feel something brewing under the skin, then you can often prevent the formation of any blemish altogether. If you apply it to an existing pimple, then you just may get it down to surface-level redness—which is easily concealed (and healed) from there.
4. Prevent Under Eye Issues
Before bed, apply your first dose of eye cream to ensure that you wake up looking as alert as possible. This product targets the area with skin-firming and -brightening ingredients, to minimize sagging, puffing, and dark circles in one fell swoop. Hopefully you’ll get cozy with this product on a daily (and nightly) basis, but especially leading up to a big date.
The Day Of:
1. Check for Pimples
It’s not too late to spot-check any last-minute or persistent blemishes with an acne patch. Wear one (or as many as you need) during the day if possible. (They’re clear, too, so they’re easy to wear throughout the day and are especially Zoom-friendly though we wouldn’t recommend wearing it during your date. After all, we want all eyes on you, not your zit.)
2. Apply Eye Cream
In the morning, and before the date, do a swipe across each undereye area. Maximize those brightening, firming ingredients to ensure that you look your most alert. (Hopefully you adhered to the “get lots of sleep” advice, and aren’t having to mask the unmaskable puffy bags.)
3. Tone Oil Levels
If you have especially oily skin, then you’ll want to control oil levels as much as possible. After washing your face with a deep-pore cleanser, apply a soothing toner to help balance pH and oil levels in the skin—in other words, to signal to the pores that they don’t need to work overtime to rehydrate the skin with sebum. This can help prevent glossy forehead during the date.
4. Wear Lightweight Products
Light layers are key to a date night skincare regimen. This ensures you don’t randomly break into a sweat—nerves or not—because your moisturizer is occluding your pores. Keep it breathable with a gel moisturizer, perhaps layered over a hydrating hyaluronic acid serum.
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Hydro Boost Gel Moisturizer
$29.00
5. Have Concealer Ready
Hear us out. Some guys wrongfully scoff at concealer, because they confuse it with foundation or some other broad-application makeup. What concealer does is cover up individual spots (be they dark under eye circles, stubborn hyperpigmentation marks, or small blemishes). A tiny dab with your pinky finger will do the trick, so long as the concealer matches your skin tone. It blends in easily and quickly disappears the dark spot. This way, you won’t be worried about any unsightly zits when you should be focused on getting acquainted with your date.
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Hair Loss
Healthy Hair Duo
good for:
New + Improved: Same thickening formula now with biotin! Teamwork makes your hair dreams work.
Our highly-rated Hair Thickening + Strengthening Shampoo and Conditioner teams up to get to the root of hair loss, strengthening and nourishing hair starting right at the scalp. Achieve thicker, healthier follicles with the help of our protein and vitamin-packed formula.
Includes Steps:
- 01 Hair Thickening + Strengthening Shampoo
- 02 Hair Thickening + Strengthening Conditioner
SAVE 30%! Subscribe with code NEWYEAR30
Healthy Hair Duo
good for:
New + Improved: Same thickening formula now with biotin! Teamwork makes your hair dreams work.
Our highly-rated Hair Thickening + Strengthening Shampoo and Conditioner teams up to get to the root of hair loss, strengthening and nourishing hair starting right at the scalp. Achieve thicker, healthier follicles with the help of our protein and vitamin-packed formula.
Includes Steps:
- 01 Hair Thickening + Strengthening Shampoo
- 02 Hair Thickening + Strengthening Conditioner
SAVE 30%! Subscribe with code NEWYEAR30
Dark Circles Skincare Set
good for:
All work and no play makes for dull skin.
The Dark Circles Skincare Set is perfect for those looking to brighten and revive dull and tired looking skin. Cleanses debris and grime from the day, depuffs and treats under eye bags, and rehydrates while soothing the skin in your sleep.
Includes Steps:
- 01 Purifying Clay Cleanser
- 02 Dark Circle Eye Rescue
- 03 Hydro Boost Gel Moisturizer
SAVE 30%! Subscribe with code NEWYEAR30
Dark Circles Skincare Set
good for:
All work and no play makes for dull skin.
The Dark Circles Skincare Set is perfect for those looking to brighten and revive dull and tired looking skin. Cleanses debris and grime from the day, depuffs and treats under eye bags, and rehydrates while soothing the skin in your sleep.
Includes Steps:
- 01 Purifying Clay Cleanser
- 02 Dark Circle Eye Rescue
- 03 Hydro Boost Gel Moisturizer
SAVE 30%! Subscribe with code NEWYEAR30
seller
Dark Circle Eye Rescue
good for:
The Dark Circle Eye Rescue cream hydrates and brightens the skin around the eyes to reduce the appearance of dark circles and wrinkles.
The stainless steel rollerball makes it easy to apply, while also working to de-puff eyes. Acclaimed best eye cream for dark circles by Gear Patrol!
Dark Circle Eye Rescue
good for:
The Dark Circle Eye Rescue cream hydrates and brightens the skin around the eyes to reduce the appearance of dark circles and wrinkles.
The stainless steel rollerball makes it easy to apply, while also working to de-puff eyes. Acclaimed best eye cream for dark circles by Gear Patrol!
Daily SPF + Moisturizer
good for:
We’re playing favorites—this is the #1 most important step in your skincare routine. Stave off sun damage for healthy, youthful skin for years to come with our Daily SPF + Moisturizer, acclaimed best lightweight moisturizer with SPF by GQ!
Its fast-absorbing, lightweight formula uses Cactus and Chia Seed Extract to provide all-day hydration, plus Broad Spectrum SPF 30 to protect against UVA and UVB rays with ZERO residue or white cast.
“After trying several different brands, I finally found a product I like. It's lightweight, not sticky, and has a very subtle, fresh scent. Will definitely order again. I highly recommend this product.” - Sara T.
Daily SPF + Moisturizer
good for:
We’re playing favorites—this is the #1 most important step in your skincare routine. Stave off sun damage for healthy, youthful skin for years to come with our Daily SPF + Moisturizer, acclaimed best lightweight moisturizer with SPF by GQ!
Its fast-absorbing, lightweight formula uses Cactus and Chia Seed Extract to provide all-day hydration, plus Broad Spectrum SPF 30 to protect against UVA and UVB rays with ZERO residue or white cast.
“After trying several different brands, I finally found a product I like. It's lightweight, not sticky, and has a very subtle, fresh scent. Will definitely order again. I highly recommend this product.” - Sara T.
Hydro Boost Gel Moisturizer
good for:
Like a night cap for your skin, our Hydro Boost Gel Moisturizer is the ideal way to finish your evening.
This 3-in-1 gel moisturizer uses Cactus Extract and Rosehip Oil to put in the work while you snooze—hydrating, soothing, and repairing your skin all night long.
“This easily became part of my nightly routine. I've started to notice my face looking healthier and smoother. As a 32 y/o, you start to notice wrinkles creeping in, this helps me keep them at bay.” - Andrew S.
Hydro Boost Gel Moisturizer
good for:
Like a night cap for your skin, our Hydro Boost Gel Moisturizer is the ideal way to finish your evening.
This 3-in-1 gel moisturizer uses Cactus Extract and Rosehip Oil to put in the work while you snooze—hydrating, soothing, and repairing your skin all night long.
“This easily became part of my nightly routine. I've started to notice my face looking healthier and smoother. As a 32 y/o, you start to notice wrinkles creeping in, this helps me keep them at bay.” - Andrew S.
Cactus Soothing Face Mask
good for:
Everyone deserves some self-care time—may we recommend Cactus Soothing Face Mask and chill?
This immediate hydration boost is supercharged with healing ingredients like Cactus Extract and Cica to soothe redness and irritation while reducing fine lines. Perfect for a post-shave treatment or whenever you need a moment for you.
“Stress and late nights working have left my skin looking a bit rough, but this mask was perfect for some at-home spa relaxation. My skin definitely looks a lot more moisturized and refreshed.” - Melody C.
Cactus Soothing Face Mask
good for:
Everyone deserves some self-care time—may we recommend Cactus Soothing Face Mask and chill?
This immediate hydration boost is supercharged with healing ingredients like Cactus Extract and Cica to soothe redness and irritation while reducing fine lines. Perfect for a post-shave treatment or whenever you need a moment for you.
“Stress and late nights working have left my skin looking a bit rough, but this mask was perfect for some at-home spa relaxation. My skin definitely looks a lot more moisturized and refreshed.” - Melody C.
GIFT
Bamboo Charcoal Sheet Mask + Beard Oil
good for:
Often imitated, never duplicated, this innovative sheet mask is the first of its kind and an Ask Men Grooming award winner in the Best Sheet Mask category!
Half mask, half beard treatment, the Bamboo Charcoal Sheet Mask + Beard Oil gives each section of skin (and beard) just what it needs: A detoxifying, hydrating charcoal-infused mask for your skin and a nourishing beard oil blend for the ultimate beard care. Plus, the mask is designed with expandable nose slits to fit any face size and shape.
“I really enjoyed this face mask from Cardon. The beard oil applies easily and the half mask for your cheeks, nose, and forehead fits well and stays in place. My skin looks and feels great after removing the mask. Well done, Cardon!” - Tyler S.
Bamboo Charcoal Sheet Mask + Beard Oil
good for:
Often imitated, never duplicated, this innovative sheet mask is the first of its kind and an Ask Men Grooming award winner in the Best Sheet Mask category!
Half mask, half beard treatment, the Bamboo Charcoal Sheet Mask + Beard Oil gives each section of skin (and beard) just what it needs: A detoxifying, hydrating charcoal-infused mask for your skin and a nourishing beard oil blend for the ultimate beard care. Plus, the mask is designed with expandable nose slits to fit any face size and shape.
“I really enjoyed this face mask from Cardon. The beard oil applies easily and the half mask for your cheeks, nose, and forehead fits well and stays in place. My skin looks and feels great after removing the mask. Well done, Cardon!” - Tyler S.
Exfoliating Facial Toner Wipes
good for:
After a long, busy day you just want to sit back, relax, and crack open—our biodegradable Exfoliating Facial Toner Wipes.
Wipe the stress and grime away with our Exfoliating Facial Toner Wipes, which use PHAs and caffeine to unclog pores, balance pH, and soothe the skin all in one easy step. No water needed.
Due to demand, this product is temporarily out of stock. Click "Notify Me" below to be the first to know when it's back!
Exfoliating Facial Toner Wipes
good for:
After a long, busy day you just want to sit back, relax, and crack open—our biodegradable Exfoliating Facial Toner Wipes.
Wipe the stress and grime away with our Exfoliating Facial Toner Wipes, which use PHAs and caffeine to unclog pores, balance pH, and soothe the skin all in one easy step. No water needed.
Due to demand, this product is temporarily out of stock. Click "Notify Me" below to be the first to know when it's back!
Prickly Pimple Patch
good for:
2021 Esquire Grooming Award Winner
Zit happens, so we made the Prickly Pimple Patch, your one-step solution for pesky breakouts. Soft dissolving microneedles go where no pimple cream has gone before—delivering acne-fighting ingredients like Salicylic Acid and Cica directly to the site of the inflammation and target acne dark spots. Works on ingrown hairs too!
“I applied the patch to a few raised bumps that appear to be clogged pores. Overnight one was significantly reduced while the other seems to have disappeared. Easy process and highly effective.” - Todd S.
Prickly Pimple Patch
good for:
2021 Esquire Grooming Award Winner
Zit happens, so we made the Prickly Pimple Patch, your one-step solution for pesky breakouts. Soft dissolving microneedles go where no pimple cream has gone before—delivering acne-fighting ingredients like Salicylic Acid and Cica directly to the site of the inflammation and target acne dark spots. Works on ingrown hairs too!
“I applied the patch to a few raised bumps that appear to be clogged pores. Overnight one was significantly reduced while the other seems to have disappeared. Easy process and highly effective.” - Todd S.
Cactus Foaming Shaving Cream
good for:
This bathroom cabinet staple is a cut above the rest. The Cactus Foaming Shaving Cream for men delivers a close, comfortable shave every time—without having to worry about nicks, razor burns, irritation, and ingrowns.
Our rich foam uses Cactus Extract and Chamomile to create a cushion-like layer to soothe the skin. Plus, you’ll shave some time since this also doubles as a face cleanser.
Due to demand, this product is temporarily out of stock. Click "Notify Me" below to be the first to know when it's back!
Cactus Foaming Shaving Cream
good for:
This bathroom cabinet staple is a cut above the rest. The Cactus Foaming Shaving Cream for men delivers a close, comfortable shave every time—without having to worry about nicks, razor burns, irritation, and ingrowns.
Our rich foam uses Cactus Extract and Chamomile to create a cushion-like layer to soothe the skin. Plus, you’ll shave some time since this also doubles as a face cleanser.
Due to demand, this product is temporarily out of stock. Click "Notify Me" below to be the first to know when it's back!
Purifying Clay Cleanser
good for:
The Purifying Clay Cleanser dares to answer the question: “what if you combined a detoxifying clay mask with a hydrating face wash?”
Our 2x Ask Men Grooming award-winning cleanser uses Cactus Extract and a Tri-Clay blend to remove excess oil and cleanse skin deeply from the grime of the day, never leaving skin feeling dry or tight. Powerful ingredients, yet gentle enough for daily use.
“The best face wash I have found for my oily, sensitive, acne-prone skin! With continued use, I've even seen a drastic reduction of oily shine on my face after long days in the office! Thank you, Cardon!” - Steve C.
Purifying Clay Cleanser
good for:
The Purifying Clay Cleanser dares to answer the question: “what if you combined a detoxifying clay mask with a hydrating face wash?”
Our 2x Ask Men Grooming award-winning cleanser uses Cactus Extract and a Tri-Clay blend to remove excess oil and cleanse skin deeply from the grime of the day, never leaving skin feeling dry or tight. Powerful ingredients, yet gentle enough for daily use.
“The best face wash I have found for my oily, sensitive, acne-prone skin! With continued use, I've even seen a drastic reduction of oily shine on my face after long days in the office! Thank you, Cardon!” - Steve C.
Cardon Products Are
Easy to Use
We never create two products when we can achieve the same results with one. Cardon products are designed to be easy to use every day.
Backed By Korean Innovation
Korean R&D is two decades ahead of the rest of the world. Cardon products use the highest quality, most effective ingredients out there.
Non-Toxic
Finally, an ingredient label you can feel good about. Every ingredient in Cardon products is good for your skin, and easy on the mind.