let me set the scene. i’m that person who’s always looking for the next “holy grail” product, but i’m also the person who’s really skeptical when someone tells me “this is a game-changer!” because 90% of the time, it’s just another overhyped piece of junk.

so when torriden’s dive-in serum randomly showed up in my life, i figured, "eh, why not?" i was already dealing with dull, dry skin—thanks to the freezing temperatures in chicago—and if another serum could just stop me from looking like a desert, i’d give it a go.

long story short: this serum was definitely not the miracle i was hoping for.

texture: underwhelming.

i mean, it’s not bad, but it’s not great either. it’s a gel-ish consistency that goes on fine, but after a couple of minutes, my skin feels sticky. and not like “oh, it’s holding in moisture” kind of sticky. it’s more like the “oh, i need to apply something else to balance this out” sticky. which, honestly, defeats the purpose.

after one week, i didn't feel any major difference. yeah, it’s hydrating, i guess, but so is most other stuff? i really wanted to love it—i was honestly hoping to see some kind of glow or “plumpness” that other K-beauty products are known for. but nope, nada.

ingredients? too safe to be exciting.

let’s talk ingredients, shall we? this serum touts a blend of hyaluronic acid and centella asiatica, which sounds fancy on paper, right? but like... seriously? those are safe, reliable ingredients, but they’re not exactly innovative or anything that makes me go “wow, this is changing my life.”

hyaluronic acid is fine, but at this point, it’s basically just a filler ingredient in 80% of skincare. and centella? i mean, yeah, it’s good for calming irritated skin, but it’s not exactly a cure-all. so the combination of these two doesn’t really do anything special.

i’m sure someone out there would love this if they’re looking for a basic hydrating serum, but for someone like me who’s tried everything from Dr. Dennis Gross to The Ordinary, this just doesn’t stand out.

what about breakouts?

oh, and don’t even get me started on how it plays with other products. i tried layering it with my regular vitamin C serum, and guess what? i got a little bit of pilling. i wasn’t expecting miracles, but i was definitely hoping for better synergy with other products.

final thoughts?

if you’re someone who’s just starting to build a skincare routine and you're looking for something super basic that’ll keep your skin hydrated without causing major irritation, sure, give this a try. but for me, it’s just another “meh” product. nothing that made me go “wow” or “this is my new holy grail.”

so yeah, i’m not mad, but i’m definitely not impressed. i’ll finish the bottle, but i won’t be repurchasing. because, honestly, i’ve tried better. and i’ll keep looking for something that actually does something more than just “hydrate.”

rating: 2/5