Skin type: normal to oily, sensitive and acne-prone, with a lot of hyperpigmentation leftover from acne breakouts. Climate: temperate and humid.
Routine:
AM – (2x week: BoJ Green plum toner), Isntree C-Niacin ampoule, Haruharu Airyfit sunscreen
PM – Isntree C-Niacin ampoule, Numbuzin n.2 serum, Yehwadam Heaven Grade Ginseng emulsion.
Texture and scent: lightly viscous, more like a thick toner than a serum. Not tacky, absorbs quickly. Very faint scent that I cannot identify.
Performance: This is obviously a very gentle option but my skin is sensitive to vitamin C and I was looking for something that would work to brighten it while being suitable to use every day. I've attached before and after pictures (1 month of use) of a patch of hyperpigmentation on my cheek so you can see for yourself how well it worked (I would say, quite decently!). I wouldn't say it gives an immediate glow though, it rather just seems to get absorbed and disappear. An effect that I wasn't looking for but certainly appreciated is that it made my skin texture super smooth. I'm not sure if you can tell visually, but it's very obvious to the touch, and my makeup has been sitting better on my skin too. So, interesting to know that niacinamide at this small percentage (2%) can achieve that, considering that 10% niacinamide instead didn't do much for me.
Would I repurchase? I'd like to try other options first, but I'd certainly consider it, especially with how affordable it is and how easy it was to add to my routine.
If anyone has other recs for gentle brightening serums, please send them my way! My hyperpigmentation is quite stubborn and other than this I've tried Skin1004 brightening ampoule and BoJ Glow and Glow deep serums, and none of them lightened it.
by alkemicalgold