Hi girls! I have posted a bunch of lists so far and was really heartened by how helpful others found it, so I thought I’d share it here too. However this time I’ll keep the reviews short and sweet, but feel free to ask if you want me to elaborate on anything!

* Check out the last part!

About My Skin

I’m with combination, acne-prone, and sensitive skin. My skin does not get along with fragrance, citrus oils, or floral essential oils, so I’ve become a bit of an ingredients nerd by necessity. I still have plenty to learn, but hopefully this list helps others with similarly reactive skin or anyone looking to simplify their routine based on honest experiences.

1. Jordan Samuel Hydrate Facial Serum – 0/10

Pros : Honestly, I didn’t get to test this long enough to say if it had any!

Cons : Within seconds of application, my skin turned red and started to burn. This was one of the worst reactions I’ve had to a product in years. I’ve since seen online that the brand has reformulated this serum, possibly due to similar feedback. While that’s a good step, I haven’t dared to try the new version.

Bottom Line : A hard pass for me. If you have highly reactive skin, definitely patch test first. This one gave me an unintentional reason to cancel plans and baby my skin for days.

Best For : Maybe worth a try if you're not super sensitive, but proceed with caution.

2. Mario Badescu Rose Facial Spray – 0/10

Pros : It’s cheap and easily accessible in drugstores and Ulta.

Cons : Unfortunately, everything else. The mist is aggressive and not fine at all as it hits your face like a spray bottle for houseplants. The rose scent is overly synthetic, and the formula includes known irritants like fragrance, citronellol, and geraniol, along with unnecessary colorants. Definitely not a good choice for sensitive skin.

Bottom Line : I used it twice before retiring it to the use for ironing pile. I’m glad this was a gift and not something I spent my own money on.

Best For : Possibly okay for non-sensitive skin types who love a strong floral scent but there are better facial mists out there, even at the same price point.

3. The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser – 5/10

Pros : Unscented and budget-friendly. It has a balm-to-oil texture that’s gentle in theory, and many people love how it dissolves makeup.

Cons : For me, it left behind a slightly greasy, waxy film that made my skin itch. I gave it a fair shot, trying it on bare skin and with light makeup, but I never felt truly clean afterward. It didn’t break me out, but it didn’t make my skin happy either.

Bottom Line : I won’t repurchase. There are better first cleansers out there that leave my skin feeling more refreshed and calm.

Best For : Might work better for drier skin types who don’t mind a bit of residue.

4. A313 Vitamin A Pommade – 10/10

Pros : An absolute game changer for me. This French pharmacy retinoid, a retinyl ester blend, helped reduce breakouts, smooth out uneven texture, and gave me a glow-up after just a few weeks. The thick Vaseline-like base locks in moisture and prevents the retinoid from being too harsh, ideal if you’re new to vitamin A products.

Cons : It has a slight metallic smell that can linger, but honestly, I don't care because it works.

Bottom Line: 100% worth the hype. I only use this 1–2 times a week, alternating with other actives like salicylic acid, and my skin is thriving. Make sure to start slow and follow up with hydration.

Best For : Anyone looking to dip their toes into retinoids without diving into tretinoin. Sensitive-skin friends: this one is surprisingly gentle if you buffer it properly.

5. Youth to the People Superberry Dream Cleansing Balm – 3/10

Pros : The ingredients are stellar on paper, lots of antioxidant-rich berries and nourishing oils. I wanted to love this so badly.

Cons : Unfortunately, it smells strongly of waxy crayons and has a dry, crumbly texture that doesn’t melt into the skin the way a cleansing balm should. I had to really work it in to remove makeup, and even then, it left behind a weird waxy film that didn’t rinse away cleanly. Not what I want in a first cleanse.

Bottom Line : For the price, I expected a much more elegant texture. I’ve had better luck with cheaper Korean cleansing balms.

Best For : Possibly a fit for very dry skin, but it’s a no from me.

Hope this helps my fellow sensitive skin friends navigate the skincare jungle and I'm always happy to share more if it's helpful! Stay tuned for the next chapter:)