When I was younger, I always figured that I’d “age gracefully” – meaning I’d accept my face as it changed, fine lines, wrinkles and all. 

Until one day, I realized that I didn’t look my age, I looked older than my age. I was pretty disturbed by this and, at 43, started getting serious about skincare. But I honestly didn’t know what I was doing, and – long story short – I ended up spending a bunch of money on stuff that didn’t work.

That is, until I found Caldera Lab. Specifically, their serum, The Good. It’s clinically proven (more details below) to provide results for all skin types, tones, and ethnicities. And it's worked wonders for my fine lines, dark spots, and skin tone – I’ve been able to reverse years of sun damage. Now, I look in the mirror and actually like what I see, which I never thought I’d say.

How To Find Skincare That Actually Works

Here’s my guide to finding skincare products that will actually do what they promise for your skin without going through a bunch of trial and error and breaking the bank…

Step 1: Trust the results.

Step 2: That’s it. 

I know, it seems too simple. But trust me, this one pays off, especially when it comes to The Good and that’s because this serum has been through an extensive third-party clinical trial. 

Where most skincare clinical trials typically test for 30 days with just a dozen or so participants, Caldera Lab put The Good through a significantly more rigorous trial. They tested 53 participants across 60 days – roughly 4x the size and twice the duration of a typical trial – to ensure that the claims they make about their serum hold true for everyone. 

Check out what this clinical trial reports across all skin types for The Good (and if you want to see the specific results for Normal, Dry - Combination, or Oily - Combination skin you can do so here).

It’s results like this, results that are proven, replicable, and applicable to all skin types that made me first decide to try The Good. And I’m so glad I did, because I’m seeing the proof of that clinical trial in my own skin.

My skin is undeniably healthier. It’s smoother and less wrinkled; it’s significantly less dry. As for “radiance & luminosity,” I wasn’t expecting much in that department but I’ve been told by friends that I look like I’m glowing and happier lately. I’ll take it! 

And of course, there’s the fine lines. I’m not going to pretend that I’ve got baby-smooth skin; I don’t think I ever will again, unless I get Botox. But having my fine lines look less drastic has been the biggest confidence boost of all. I feel like I look great for my age — like I’m owning the lines I still have and not like they’re defining me. 

What Makes The Good So… Good?

It’s all about the ingredients. And The Good is made from the best. The team at Caldera Lab uses exclusively organic or wild-harvested botanicals in their products and is committed to sourcing the most potent variety of any ingredient, no matter where it comes from. 

Here’s just a few of their hard-hitters, plus what they actually do for your skin:

Fireweed – Rich in bioflavonoids and antioxidants; helps combat environmental stressors while healing and balancing skin

Dandelion – Soothes and helps fight the signs of aging to reveal tighter, brighter, and clearer-looking skin

Astragalus Root – Used widely in traditional Chinese medicine; helps tighten and firm the appearance of skin

Elderflower – Helps fade dark spots; brightens and softens the appearance of skin

Spilanthes – Powerfully moisturizing and cleansing; helps to minimize pores, balance natural oils, and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles

Apricot Kernel Oil – A fast-absorbing botanical oil, rich in skin-nourishing fatty acids, vitamins, and antioxidants

And that’s just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the whopping 25 botanicals used to make The Good, each with their own unique benefits for aging skin. But the other important thing to address here is the format – why a serum instead of a cream?

The answer is actually really simple: serums work best. Because of the way that The Good is designed to mirror your skin’s natural sebum, the ingredients in it are absorbed better than they would be in another format. And those powerful ingredients are clinically proven to be non-irritating and effective for all skin types. In other words, you’re getting the most out of the best with The Good.

It’s Actually The Best

For my money, The Good is hands down the best skincare product I’ve ever tried. And that’s because it’s the only product I’ve ever tried that actually produced the results I wanted: my skin looks healthier, I’m not dried out, and with my fine lines fading, I’m looking and feeling younger.

If you’re looking to make a change in your skincare routine – or even build a skincare routine from scratch – The Good is the perfect place to start. It’s helped me get back to feeling like I’m aging well and looking good doing it, and it can do the same for you.