dear me beauty retinol + blueberry extract

actually i've bought this for quite some time but since both moisturizers that i bought from japan contains retinyl palmitate (which is the weakest derivative of vitamin a), i don't want to add the retinol serum on top of the moisturizer as i don't want to mess the result. so, i'm waiting until i finished the moisturizer before using this serum. let's see how it goes.

this is translated from their catalogue found in their website: encapsulated retinol is formulated with encapsulated technology that makes it gentler and easier to absorbed into skin layers. when the retinol is absorbed, it will released slowly so it doesn't irritate the skin. retinol function such as reducing fine lines and wrinkles, improving skin elasticity, fighting against acne and acne scars, brightening skin tone. 
suitable for fighting skin problems such as: aging signs, acne, hyperpigmentation, uneven texture, dull.
safe to combined with: hyaluronic acid, ceramide, cica, snap8 peptide, bakuchiol
not recommended with: lactic acid (AHA), lactobionic acid (PHA), salicylic acid (BHA), vitamin c
use with caution with: niacinamide
the box
description on the box as well as the ingredients list
ingredients list: water, polysorbate 20, hydroxypropyl cyclodextrin, caprylic/ capric triglyceride, phenoxyethanol, retinol, aloe barbadensis (leaf) extract, propylene glycol, triethanolamine, polyacrylate-13, disodium EDTA, glyceryl laurate, glycerin, vaccinium angustifolium (fruit) extract, polyisobutene, tocopherol, citric acid, soluble collagen, sorbitan isostearate, sodium benzoate, potassium sorbate.
more description inside
the bottle
the packaging: it comes in a white box with purple accent. i think they color coded the products as the hydrating stuff are red, the retinol/bakuchiol in purple. there are other stuff in yellow (probably vitamin c related or the exfoliating stuff) and green (the peptide). the box is similar to elsheskin one. you can open the box completely (which makes it easier for recycling i guess) and there's added description on the inside part of the box. the serum itself comes in a light bulb-shape glass bottle with dropper to dispense the product. the bottle is transparent so you can see the product inside. the serum is supposed to be yellowish, but there's some sediment on top of the serum if it's being stagnant for so long. but i can just shake it to dissolve it again. there are two sizes, 12 ml and 32 ml. both are unusual since usually full size one comes in 30 ml while the sample one varies from 5 ml to 10 ml.
the serum inside the dropper
the scent: there's no added fragrance but since they add blueberry into the mix, i can smell a bit fruity scent but it's very faint.
how it looks like on my hand
after spreading it around
the product: it's a yellowish liquid type serum so it's easy to spread around and doesn't take long to be absorbed. the instruction say to use 3-4 drops at first before adding another drop, making it 5 drops for the whole face and neck. as for me, i don't count the drops. maybe half to three quarter of the dropper for my whole face and neck. looking at the ingredients, they do make sure that they add moisturizing and soothing agents to counteract the dryness effect caused by retinol. 
top left to top right: when i start using it twice a week
top right to bottom left: i use it every other day
bottom left to bottom right: start to use it every day
progress on the other side of my face
the sequence is the same with the other one
the result: since it's been awhile since i use retinol, i decided to take it slow. i use it twice a week for two weeks before using it every other day for two weeks. and then up it to every day. only pause on sunday because i still have to finish my BHA serum. the rest of the skincare is the same with the exception of the moisturizer. i alternate sulwhasoo firming cream and votre peau night cream because the votre peau one contains glycolic acid (yes, i know, some of you might cringe). anyway. so far, my skin has been tolerating the serum quite well. i don't see any redness nor dryness even after using it every day. in fact, i have to say that it helps with acne a lot. i start to stop getting cystic acne almost immediately after i use it every other day. i do still get acne here and there due to mask wearing, but it matures quickly and heals fast.
left to right: dial back down to twice a day
notice that in combination with vitamin c serum, my acne scars are almost all gone
anyway, i'm quite surprise that my skin tolerates this one better. honestly, i almost never heard about this one, so i'm quite pleased to find that this one is a gem. my only complaint is the formulation. there's still some sediment on top of the solution so i have to shake it well before using it. if only it's completely homogenous, then it'll be better. they offer two sizes, so you can try it in sample size if you don't want to commit to the full size yet. price wise, it's still affordable, and it's easy to get. i'll put this in my rotation list if i ever run out of product to try. 

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