i've been contemplating about trying BHA again after my skin got worse awhile back. i've been using retinol at night regularly, but it didn't help much with PMS acne. since i stopped taking contraception pills, my acne got worse around PMS period so i've been thinking of adding BHA into my routine. so when my skin got worse, i bought this serum instantly. back then, all somethinc serums didn't have box, but now they do. so when i bought this, it's already come in box. let's see how it goes.
this is the description from their website: acne treatment solution. an effective salicylic acid core dose serum that functions to 4x action acne combat & reduce stubborn blackheads, by exfoliating & get rid of clogged pores. formulated with maclura cochinchinensis leaf prenylflavonoids which are able to minimize bacteria and reduce excess sebum on skin. this serum is also enhanced with natural soother which keeps the skin hydrated and hence it is perfect for daily use.
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| the box |
main ingredients:
- new generation of salicylic acid: salicylic acid is the main ingredient in treating acne as it contains anti-bacterial properties that can kill bacteria that cause acne (anaerobic) & essential to help speeds up the exfoliation process.
- natural anti acne: maclura cochinchinensis leaf has been proven to balance skin microbiome, treat oily skin& act as anti-inflammatory. it blocking the acne-causing bacteria (P. acnes) & stopping inflammation.
- natural soother: phragmites & poria cocos are a combination of 2 potent extracts which soothe irritated skin as well as maintaining skin hydration by reducing TEWL & help strengthen skin barrier.
- salicylic acid: is the main ingredient in treating acne as it contains antibacterial properties that can kill bacteria that cause acne (anaerobic) & essential to help speeds up the exfoliation process.
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| description and ingredients list on the box |
ingredients list: Water, Propanediol, Cocamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Pentylene Glycol, Panthenol, Sodium PCA, 1,2-Hexanediol, C12-14 Pareth-12, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Caprylyl Glycol, Eclipta Prostrata Extract, Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract, Sodium Hydroxide, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Citrate, Poria Cocos Extract, Phragmites Communis Extract, Citric Acid, Maclura Cochinchinensis Leaf Prenylflavonoids, Sodium benzoate, Sodium Phytate, Disodium Phosphate, Polysorbate 60, Sodium Phosphate, Tocopherol
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| the bottle |
the packaging: it comes in a box with the picture of the product at front. there's description at the back in english and the ingredients list. the serum itself comes in transparent glass bottle with white plastic pump head. you can turn the pump head to lock it. unfortunately, there's no sign which way is locked, which way is unlocked, so in case you forgot, you have to risk pressing the head while it's unlocked. the size of the serum is 20 ml, which is the standard size for all somethinc serum. yeah, it's not much, but i'm not complaining since i can finish them faster and move on to other stuff.
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| the pump head |
the scent: this one is scentless, which is good since i remembered cosrx BHA that i used to use before had a bit foul scent.
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| how it looks like on my hand |
the product: the serum looks pinkish in the bottle, but it looks transparent on my hand. but then again, i only use one pump for my whole face, so maybe it's pinkish but since i only use a little, it isn't shown. the serum is liquid in consistency, just like water so it's easy to spread around and quickly absorbed. i only use this on my face only (mainly around T-zone area) and just pat the remaining product elsewhere on my face.
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| after blending it out |
the result: after patting it, i can feel my skin is moist afterward. it doesn't dry my skin out. at first i used this until my neck, but on the second day, my neck got irritated. it became red and dry instantly. i stopped using this on my neck and treated my neck area with a soothing serum and now my neck area is okay. so now, i'm only focusing this serum on my face only, especially around T-zone. since this is moisturizing, i don't find it drying at all. i don't think it helps controlling the sebum much, but on hot days, i can see that it helps regulate it a bit. maybe because i countered the dryness effect with the soothing serum, so my face is still glowing and well moisturized. however, it helps with acne much. even though i still suffer acne here and there because of mask using, but it dries out quickly and it isn't as painful as it used to be. around my period, even though i still suffer hormonal acne, somehow it isn't as bad as before.
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| left: at the beginning right: after i finish the bottle (you can see that i have less blackhead) |
i have to say this is quite gentle, but you have to be careful though. you should still remember to use hydrating or moisturizing serum to counteract the dryness and top if off with moisturizer. it's okay to use daily as long as you remember to hydrate and moisture your skin. price wise and availability wise, it's affordable and easy to get. plus, somethinc often holds sales and even though it's out of stock, they're quite fast to restocked it. anyway, i want to compare this BHA serum with other BHA serum on the market right now. i'm eyeing the skintific or the the reset one. after that, i'll let you know which one i like better.
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