reset 2% actosome retinol skin-restoring serum

this is the description from their website: let's nurse your skin back to health with retinol! this multi-tasking ingredient helps reverse skin damage from environmental factors, leaving your skin strong, healthy and radiant as ever. this 2% actosome retinol variant is perfect for skin that needs an extra boost and power in their retinol treatment! make sure to build up your skin's tolerance to the effects of retinol before using this product.

- 2% actosome retinol: higher effectiveness, lower risk of irritation, speed up skin cell turnover, antioxidant to protect skin against pollution, boost collagen and restore skin's elasticity, diminish wrinkles and fine lines, brighten dull complexion and fade dark spots, improve skin texture and acne.

- aloe vera extract: boost skin hydration, treat dryness, soothe redness on skin, reduce inflammation, calming and healing properties.

- vitamin e: antioxidant to protect skin against pollution, strengthen skin barrier, moisturize and hydrate the skin, calm and soothe inflammation, calming and healing properties.

the packaging: it comes in a white and red box, which is the same color combination as the bottle. there's description and full ingredients list on the back and sides of the box. they seal the box with foil sticker on top. the bottle itself is a white plastic bottle with ingredients list printed at the back with red plastic cap. the cap is covering the red pump head. they seal the opening of the pump with tiny plastic that you can pull out so you can dispense the serum. the bottle is quite fat and short but the opening is quite small. i have to be careful not to push the pump too hard or it will squirt the serum everywhere. they have this small knob on the pump head so it's easier to push the pump on the right spot.

the scent: i think this one is scentless, but there's a hint of that usual retinol serum scent. but it's really subtle and after a while, i think my nose is completely used to it by now.

the product: it's a pale yellowish liquid serum. i'm quite surprised to see that it's liquid. not completely watery, but more lotion like in consistency. since it's quite watery, it's easy to spread around with my bare hands. this one sinks in rather quickly. 

the result: after completely absorbed, i can feel that this one won't be drying for my face. i can feel the moisture that it gives right away. however, i still take precaution and only use this every other day. although, there are some days that i forget to skip it and use it two days in a row. and i have no problem with it. after using this regularly, i notice that this one makes bumps on my skin disappears. tiny bumps that will grow into acne is gone overnight. however, i don't think it can help prevent the blemishes particularly the hormonal ones. i keep getting blemishes around my period and it doesn't get better either. 

i have to say that i quite like this retinol serum. it really helps with tiny bumps and effective to make them vanish overnight. it's quite gentle as well. i just wish it can help preventing it as well. anyway, if you're looking for a good retinol serum, especially from local brand, give this one a try. they have a gentler version as well, in 1% actosome. so try that one if you're a beginner. but for me, 2% is perfect. definitely going to repurchase this if i ever run out of products to try.