somethinc skin defender bakuchiol and coq10 serum

this is the description from their website: maximum protection and crystal skin. powerful combination of bakuchiol, coq10 and palmitoyl tripeptide-38 which are effective to help strengthen collagen tissue, prevent signs of premature aging, neutralize free radicals and protect skin damage caused by uv rays, pollution or external exposure. this serum complements the 3 important components that are essential for skin barrier (squalane, ceramide, hyaluronic acid) by hydrating and moisturizing skin as well as strengthening skin barrier. 

- bakuchiol: works as anti-inflammatory as well as antioxidant so that it becomes a natural alternative for retinol. bakuchiol triggers skin cell regeneration thereby helping to reduce the appearance of fine lines and hyperpigmentation without causing skin inflammation.

- coq10 : ubiquinone/ coenzyme q10 or also known as coq10 is an antioxidant that neutralize free radicals, protect skin from damage, stimulates collagen and elastin production to reduce the appearance of fine lines, improve skin firmness and elasticity.

- palmitoyl tripeptide-38: palmitoyl tripeptide-38 is a matrikine-line compound that regulates cell activity and remodeling of collagen tissue. it works by stimulating the six major constituents that makes palmitoyl tripeptide-38 able to increase collagen production, repair damaged skin tissue, increase skin moisture and elasticity.

- 2 types of hyaluronic acid: categorized into 2 types of hyaluronic acid complex, which are sodium hyaluronate and sodium hyaluronate crosspolymer which maintain skin cell moisture by increasing hydration and maintaining skin elasticity.

- betaine: the chemical structure of betaine resembles amino acid glycine with three additional methyl groups (called trimethylglycine). the benefits of betaine in skin care include hydrating, soothing, as an anti-inflammatory and anti-aging to skin.

- squalane: it is a lightweight and non-comedogenic oil that does not clog pores. functions as natural moisturizing factors (NMF) to maintain skin moisture and does not strip the skin. squalane also functions as an antioxidant that can prevent skin damage when exposed to uv rays, it helps to keep the skin supple, youthful and hydrated.

- ceramide NP: a pure ceramide that not only strengthens skin barrier on dry skin and prevents aging but also has an extraordinary ability to maintain the moisture balance on skin's surface.

- caffeine: caffeine is a powerful antioxidant known for its anti-aging benefits. caffeine can also reduce redness (rosacea) and reduce the appearance of wrinkles. 

the packaging: since i got this in sample size, it comes in tiny grey plastic bottle with white screw cap. it has spout to dispense the product. i don't even try to read the label. all the sample sizes look exactly like this. the full size came in glass bottle that looks similar to one another. the full size comes in 20 ml, which is usual size for somethinc but weird as usual serum size is 30 ml. 

the scent: this one is scentless. no weird smell either.

the product: let me remind you that this is the newer bakuchiol product in their line up. they have another bakuchiol oil that comes in bottle with dropper (the old version), i think the bottle is yellow. this one is bakuchiol and coq10 one. i honestly never try to find out about this one and i never saw one in my IG, so i'm quite surprised to see that it's yellow lotion type of serum. i thought it would be gel-ish or oil. anyway, it's easy to spread around and absorbed easily as well. it doesn't leave tacky feeling afterward. if you're curious, this sample lasts for about two weeks, once a day usage on me.

the result: considering this has a bunch of moisturizing agents, obviously on the first try i can feel that this one is more moisturizing. i was afraid that it might be too oily to use in the morning, but since i'm testing exfoliating toners in the morning, i guess this serum kind of balancing my skin condition. however, i don't think it works to prevent acne because i keep getting weird acne popping here and there, especially during the first week. i didn't see it in the morning, but it popped out around noon and then it burst at night. but during the second week, somehow it started to vanish. however, it's not enough to draw any conclusion, so i won't say anything more about it.