Now in my late 20s, this serum has become a holy grail in my routine, I've been using it consistently for almost two years, and it continues to impress me.
Why I Keep Coming Back
1. Gentle Yet Effective
The first thing that stood out to me was how non-irritating it is. I have oily, sensitive skin, and this formula has worked beautifully. Of course, skincare is individual, and your mileage may vary, but I’ve personally had zero issues with sensitivity.
2. Texture and Feel
The texture is lightweight and sinks in well, leaving my skin feeling hydrated, plump, and smooth. Even though it claims to include collagen, which I’m skeptical of, since collagen molecules are typically too large to penetrate the skin andI have noticed a subtle firmness and bounce over time.
3. Built-in Hydration
It’s hydrating enough that I often skip hyaluronic acid altogether. The inclusion of Matrixyl is worth noting. Some people express concern that Matrixyl may trigger mole formation, though the research isn’t conclusive. I personally haven’t experienced any new moles, but if that’s a concern for you, you might want to consider alternatives without it. I've also tried multi-peptide serums from Q+A and The Inkey List, which are great options and Matrixyl-free.
A Quick Note on Sunscreens
Since the serum is part of my nighttime routine, sunscreen is, of course, essential during the day. I lean toward lightweight, watery formulas that suit my oily skin. Biore UV Aqua Rich and Beauty of Joseon are staples for me. I’ve also tried the Skin1004 sunscreen everyone talks about as it wasn’t the best fit for me, but many others love it. On a budget? L’Oreal UV Defender (Moist & Fresh) is a solid choice. I wouldn’t recommend the Minimalist sunscreen, though it tends to sting the eyes, unless they’ve updated the formula.
Hence
On nights I skip retinol, I reach for this serum and still feel like I’m giving my skin the care it deserves. It’s gentle, low-maintenance, and still feels like an active step in my routine.
I'd say this is 10/10.
Highly recommend if you’re looking for a non-fussy, effective serum to support skin health and hydration.
20Comments-
FemaleSensitive3 mo. agoSame here
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FemaleNormal3 mo. agongl, I found this serum kind of boring. Didn’t break me out but didn’t really do anything.
FemaleOilyOP3 mo. agoHow long have you used it tho? I may take time to see a noticeable change depending on your skin type.
FemaleOilyOP3 mo. ago@Female/Oily Also tell me what you paired with this serum!
FemaleNormal3 mo. agoThere's always people who confuse me with the 'I don't get it' comment haha. I get so excited and add stuff to the cart AND there's a comment saying...'I don't get it.'
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FemaleSensitive3 mo. agoAppreciate the Matrixyl note. I’ve been paranoid about it so this helped me make a decision.
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FemaleDry3 mo. agoGlad someone finally mentioned the Minimalist sunscreen stinging eyes! I thought I was just sensitive.
FemaleOilyOP3 mo. agoSame as me. Had thought so the first time i tried blaming my skin for it but got to run into other reviews saying the sunscreen stinging!!!
FemaleNormal3 mo. agoI don't think I've ever heard of this brand but I love this!
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FemaleCombination3 mo. agoWait... collagen doesn’t absorb?? Mind blown. Why do so many brands add it then?!
FemaleOilyOP3 mo. agoI heard though they cannot absorb through the skin they still act as a humectant helping to retain moisture and improve skin hydration!
FemaleCombination3 mo. ago@Female/Oily Wow I had no clue about this!!!
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FemaleNormal3 mo. agoI’ve heard mixed things about it too. Do you think the firmness you noticed is mostly from the peptides, or could it be hydration-related? Either way, sounds like this serum really pulls its weight.
FemaleOilyOP3 mo. agoI reckon this is from the peptides since i hadn't had this sort of firmness until this serum, which was my first peptide-serum.
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FemaleSensitive3 mo. agoLoved the sunscreen recs at the end!
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FemaleCombination3 mo. agoThis sounds like something I’d love to add in on my retinol “off” nights. Did you notice any purging when you first started using it, or was the transition pretty smooth?
FemaleOilyOP3 mo. agoNot any purging. I'd rather had it when i was using retinol. So the change to this was really a miracle for me yk
FemaleOilyOP3 mo. ago@Female/Oily My skin still looked good without any purging!!!
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FemaleSensitive3 mo. agoTotally agree with you on the texture. I've tried it for a few weeks and it's one of the few that doesn't pill under my moisturizer.
FemaleOilyOP3 mo. agoYeah, maybe bc this is so lightwight and absorbs fast?