Okay, so here’s the thing, my skin is a full-blown diva. Sensitive, moody, unpredictable. Every time I tried retinol before, it was either a disaster or... nothing. So when I picked up Anua's Retinol 0.3 Niacin Renewing Serum, I kept my expectations super low.

Surprise: it didn’t destroy my face! Actually, it’s kinda good.

Texture & Feel ×
Super lightweight, almost like a serum-water hybrid. It sinks in fast, no sticky weirdness. I can slap on my moisturizer right after without feeling like I’m suffocating my skin. Plus, no scent. (Bless.)

Initial Reaction ×
No redness, no crazy peeling, no emergency hydration masks needed. I started slow (twice a week), and my skin handled it like a champ. Huge win considering my face usually throws a tantrum at everything.

The Results ×

Texture? Definitely smoother.
Little clogged pores? Way less noticeable.
Tone? A bit brighter, but not, like, blinding-glow levels yet.
Fine lines? Eh, they’re softer, but you have to squint to notice. Baby wins, but wins.

Minor Gripes ×
It’s slow. Like, glacial. If you’re looking for dramatic "before and after" moments in a month, this isn’t it. Plus, winter made my dry skin even thirstier, so I had to beef up my moisturizing game. Not a huge deal, but something to know.

Final Thoughts ×
Honestly, if you're new to retinol (or just tired of your skin freaking out every time you try one), this is a sweet entry point. It's gentle, steady, and doesn’t leave you regretting your life choices.

Will I keep using it? Yup. Will I expect overnight miracles? Nope. But honestly, slow and steady feels kinda refreshing these days.