Where to purchase: From the Geek and Gorgeous Website HERE
Price: £7.76
Volume: 30ml
What is it?: A 10% Niacinamide (Vitamin B3), Zinc PCA and Sarcosine Serum meant to help with enlarged pores, oiliness + Blemishes . Zinc and Sarcosine are supposed to help acne-prone skin further.
Description: Niacinamide is supposedly an ingredient that can help ‘normalise’ pores (i.e. help reduce excess sebum), improve the skin barrier and help with hyperpigmentation so this 10% Niacinamide serum is supposed to help the appearance blemish prone skin.
Good for: Recommended for Combination + Oily Skin Types.
Aimed at: Oiliness, enlarged pores + Blemishes (not to fix or solve the issue but to help a bit)
pH: 5.5-6.5
Vegan?: Yes
Cruely Free?: Yes
Directions: ”Apply a few drops to the face after cleansing (and toning and exfoliating), but before using emulsions and/or creams. Can be used either in the AM and/or PM. (don’t put it with pure vitamin C or direct acids)” – Quoted from the Geek and Gorgeous Website.
How I use it: I use this in the AM and PM – I apply this after cleansing, toning and applying my Argireline 10% Solution. Then I apply a moisturiser on top (or my SPF).
Key Ingredients:
Niacinamide (10%) – helps normalise pores + Soothe acne prone skin, improve one’s skin barrier and help with lightening hyperpigmentation.
Zinc PCA – This is a combo of antibacterial + sebum normalising Zinc + PCA, a humectant molecule already in the skin. So this combo is non-drying and gentle, to help acneic + oily skin.
Sarcosine: amin-acid derived – helps normalise oil production + pore size.
Full Ingredients: Aqua (water), Niacinamide, Butylene Glycol, Glycereth-26, Zinc PCA, Sarcosine, Propanediol, Pentylene Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol
I like that this is short and sweet and the key ingredients are not at the bottom of the list.
NOTE: The Incidecoder have an ingredient breakdown HERE
Texture: Instantly, I prefer this texture over the C-Glow from Geek and Gorgeous (a bit too sticky and tacky for my liking, especially if too much is added). This on the other hand, reminds me of the Inkey List Niacinamide in terms of texture (i believe that is a bit thinner and dries down quicker). Or perhaps closer to the Good Molecules Niacinamide Brightening Toner.
This runs down my hand and very much feels like a gel serum. It’s not a ridiculously hydrating product no, but at least it doesn’t ball up or pill on me, so I am able to layer this. This doesn’t make my skin feel like it’s suffocating, even if I apply a lot (unlike the C-Glow)
I can understand why Oily / Combo skins would prefer this as it’s not moisturising, but lightweight.
As you can see it is a transparent liquid. It can hold a bit of its shape and isn’t so watery it runs down my hand immediately, hence why it’s more of a gel serum than a watery serum.
It looks like the Niacinamide brightening toner from Good Molecules or the Niacinamide Booster from the Inkey List as you can see. Easy to spread, non-sticky.
In natural light, you can see the texture.
Youtube Video: You can see a live swatch and my thoughts / opinions on the product!
Fragrance?: Fragrance and Essential oil free 🙂 This doesn’t have an off-putting scent.
Good Under Makeup?: Yes this seemed fine!
How long have I been using this?: A month (every other day)
The Effect?: Didn’t irritate my skin or make it look worse, I do think that this has helped with sebum especially on my nose and helped reduce the look of my pores. I didn’t use any other products with Niacinamide while using this, so the pore effects I’m guessing is from this. Not intensely hydrating.
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What I like:
- Lightweight
- Not sticky (even if I apply a lot)
- Helped with excess sebum / pore size (didn’t fix but it helped, as I would expect a serum to!)
- Non-irritating
- No added fragrance / essential oils
- Layerable
- Spreadable
- Doesn’t take too long to absorb into my skin
- I like that this doesn’t just have Niacinamide i.e. they thought about the formula i.e. to improve acneic/oily skin and added Zinc + Sarcosine to make the serum a bit more effective than depending on Niacinamide alone.
What I don’t like:
- I’m not a fan of dropper bottles (would’ve preferred a pump)
- Not that hydrating
- For those who like very watery serums, this is more of a gel-type serum than water.
Overall Rating and Conclusion: 4/5 – Although slightly thicker than the Inkey List’s Niacinamide Booster, this is still a good serum which doesn’t feel sticky even when I apply a lot, so I appreciate that (the Vitamin C from Geek and Gorgeous has this issue for me). This hasn’t irritated me, it hasn’t gone rancid and doesn’t smell of anything, so it’s not difficult to use. I would say it does take a moment or two longer for this to dry down unlike the Niacinamide from the inkey list, but it doesn’t take so long that it’s difficult to use. I think this has helped with my pores and just my skin condition in general (didn’t use any other niacinamide-containing product while testing this).
Would I Purchase?: Yes I would – I prefer this texture to the Vitamin C from Geek and Gorgeous – less sticky even when a lot is applied.
Dupe?: The Good Molecules Niacinamide Serum (Review HERE) or the Inkey List Niacinamide Booster (Review HERE) Or the Good Molecules Niacinamide Brightening Toner (Review HERE)
My Skin Type: I am acne prone and have combo skin. My skin is usually tight where the cheeks and eye area is and the outer parts of my face. My T zone is oily. My skin isn’t a fan of thick/heavy formulas so I opt for lightweight formulas to prevent it from clogging up. My skin doesn’t like essential oils either and I try to avoid fragrance when I can.
Disclaimer: I am a skincare enthusiast and not a skin expert. I am not qualified to give out dermatological advice. This type of advice should only be given by a medical practitioner. Upon trying / using any of the reviewed products on the blog, please follow the manufacturer’s instructions and warnings and please seek medical advice if needed.
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