As someone with acne-prone skin, I’m incredibly mindful of what I apply to my face. I had been using Minimalist’s 10% Niacinamide Serum for a while, and it made a noticeable difference, fewer breakouts, clearer skin, and an overall healthier appearance. Naturally, once I finished the bottle, I felt confident trying another niacinamide serum at the same concentration.

Enter Plum’s 10% Niacinamide Serum, a product that seems to be everywhere right now, promoted heavily on social media with claims of being non-comedogenic and acne-friendly. Unfortunately, my experience couldn’t have been more different.

Within just a few uses, I began to notice red bumps and new breakouts, something I hadn’t seen in a while. Since the percentage of niacinamide was the same as what I was using before, I knew it wasn’t the active ingredient causing the issue.

Digging deeper into the ingredients list, I discovered that the serum contains Hydrolyzed Sesame Protein PG-Propyl Methylsilanediol, a derivative of sesame. For those unaware, sesame is a known comedogenic ingredient, especially problematic for acne-prone skin.

What’s most concerning is this: despite prominently labeling the product as non-comedogenic, this ingredient isn’t even listed clearly on the product packaging. It took a lot of research to even confirm its presence in the formulation. As someone who trusted the branding and transparency of the product, I felt completely misled.

I’ve reached out to Plum’s customer support regarding this issue and am hoping they respond with clarity and accountability. At this point, my skin is reacting badly enough that I feel like I’m back to square one and that’s incredibly disheartening after months of progress.

To make matters worse, I’ve seen others online dealing with similar breakouts from this serum, and many are left confused, blaming niacinamide itself or the concentration, when the real issue might be a hidden comedogenic ingredient.

Generally, I cannot recommend this product to anyone with acne-prone or sensitive skin. The formulation may work for others, but for those of us managing breakouts and congestion, transparency about ingredients is crucial. I sincerely hope Plum reviews their labeling practices and formulates with more care as skin health isn’t something to be gambled with.