something 10% niacinamide + moisture sabi beet max brightening serum

actually, this one isn't a new release. it's been awhile and since it was launched, actually i had no intention to try it since i don't think my skin reacts well with niacinamide, but i got this as freebies so might as well try it. i got two of them so i got around 10 ml to try which is half the full size, so it's pretty decent to make up my mind after trying the freebies. let's see how it goes. 

the description from their website: get your #brightbeautifully skin in 4 weeks! niacinamide 10% with sabiwhite x beet as #1 brightening agent. helps you to achieve a maximum level of crystal bright skin, improve your skin texture, strengthen skin barrier, disguise dark spots and hyperpigmentation on the skin, moisturize, restores suppleness, reduces redness, acne-fighting and minimizes the appearance of dry/ damaged skin. 10% niacinamide will give you a strong result and suitable for those who is used to niacinamide. suitable for sensitive, oily and acne prone skin.

powered with:

-72,5% centella asiatica water : help to reduce acne scars, smoothens skin, functions as anti-aging and improves damaged skin barrier.

- sabiwhite: it is a superstar brightening agent. sabiwhite also has other benefits, namely as antioxidant, fights free radicals and functions as anti aging.

- 10% niacinamide: also known as vitamin B3. it has the ability to mositurize, maintain oil production, reduce hyperpigmentation and acne.

- hydrolyzed algae extract: it can nourish the skin, hydrate the skin from within, functions as antioxidants and antibacterial.

- beet extract: it helps to fight premature aging by increasing skin elasticity, reducing hyperpigmentation, hydrating dry skin and has antioxidants properties.

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

- 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.

- antioxidant tocopherol oil: contains antioxidants that help reduces skin damage, while helps maintain skin elasticity and accelerate skin cell regeneration.

- anthemis nobilis/ chamomile: it can nourish the skin, hydrate the skin from within, functions as antioxidants and antibacterial.

- hydrolyzed algae extract: it is an extract of brown algae (dictyopteris polypodiodes) taken from the sea with an eco-friendly concept. this extract is clinically proven to be able to disguise dark spots and brighten the skin.

the bottle

ingredients list: centella asiatica water (72,5%), niacinamide (10%), methylpropanediol, betaine, water, glycerin, polysorbate20, ammonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP copolymer, polyglyceryl10 laurate, tetrahydrocurcumin, butylene glycol, xanthan gum, ethylhexylglycerin, adenosine, anthemis nobilis flower extract, beta vulgaris (beet) root extract, allantoin, caffein, tocopherol (vit e), 1,2- hexanediol.

the packaging: there are several sizes of this serum, the biggest one is 40 ml which comes with pump head, the usual 20 ml and sample size (5ml). since mine is the sample size, it comes in grey plastic bottle with pointy spout covered in white plastic cap. there's label on it with description, and if you peeled it, you can read the complete ingredients list. but you can see in the picture that it's printed in grey text and the font is tiny, so it will hurt your eyes if you tried to read it. 

the scent: there's no added fragrance so this serum is scentless. 

the product: the serum is a transparent runny type gel serum. since it's quite runny, it's easy to spread around and it takes a minute or two to be absorbed. as you can see in the ingredients list, the main ingredients are placed right on top with the exception of the beet extract that's placed quite behind. it's packed with moisturizing stuff like BG and glycerin, as well as soothing stuff like allantoin.

the result: like i said, it seems that my skin doesn't react well with niacinamide. it does moisturize my skin but i don't see other result. it might soothe my skin a bit especially when i got acne, but it doesn't help with acne nor brightening. to be fair, i'm quite fair to begin with, and i'm using vitamin c serum at different time slot, so i was hoping that it will help fade the acne scar, but i don't think it works. 

anyway, this is one of their best selling serums, so if you're curious but afraid of the 10% concentration, there's the 5% concentration that you can try. if you just want the niacinamide without the brightening properties, then there's the barrier serum one that doesn't contain sabiwhite. as for me, i'll pass this one. this is certainly not for me. price wise, it's very affordable and somethinc often hold sales, so just wait for the right moment to buy. you can buy somethinc almost everywhere, so it's quite easy to get.