Review: Geek & Gorgeous – Stress Less Soothing Serum

Where to purchase: Available on their Website: LINK

Price: £9.12

Volume: 30ml

Made in: Hungary

What is it?: A Gel Serum containing high amount of both Beta-Glucan (from Oats) + Madecassoside (from Cica) to sooth + heal the skin.

What does it do?: Aims to heal Sensitive, Irritated + Dehydrated skin.

Aims to: Relieve Sensitivity, Irritation, A Weakened Skin Barrier + Help with Dehydration.

Supposedly Good for: All skin types (especially sensitive).

Note: This serum is aimed at those who have sensitised, irritated + reddened skin. It’s also good for those who are currently using strong actives (i.e. Benzoyl Peroxide (acne treatment) or Tretinoin (Retinoid) which can cause Skin sensitisation/ Damage the skin’s barrier.

What I think: I agree! I absolutely agree that (Oily + Combo) Sensitive + Sensitised Skins would like this, and those who are on heavy-duty actives and need some TLC.

• I would also recommend this to anyone who shaves their face or does microdermabrasion and wants a cooling/soothing serum to apply on afterwards!

Vegan?: Yes

Cruelty Free?: Yes

How long does it last after opening?: 2 years from production (unopened), 6 months PAO (period after opening).

pH: 5-5.5

Packaging: Glass Bottle with a Dropper

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Directions: Apply after cleansing and before creams in the AM and/or PM. Especially when the skin is sensitised, red or dehydrated. This can be used alongside a strong Active routine such as Benzoyl Peroxide or Tretinoin (Vitamin A) which both can disrupt the skin’s barrier or dry out the skin.

How I use it: I apply this when the skin is sensitised ( as I don’t have much need/use for it when the skin isn’t irritated/sensitised). I apply this in the PM and due to its Gel-Serum texture, I apply it AFTER using a solution or extremely watery serum like the Geek and Gorgeous Cheer Up Solution or the Niod CAIS2 (extremely watery). I could not use this without a moisturiser as a cream is useful to remove any potential stickiness.

Key Ingredients: 0.2% Beta-Glucan – This comes from Oats, and if you’ve heard anything from the Krave Oat So Simple Water Cream, Beta-Glucan (a large sugar molecule, i.e. a polysaccharide) is wound healing, skin repairing and smoothing as well as moisturising. It’s meant to be as hydrating as hyaluronic acid and penetrate the skin similarly, however with less chance of irritation, especially when the skin is sensitised (HA tends to sting if the skin barrier is compromised). 0.3% Madecassoside which is included; comes from Centella Asiatica (Cica) which helps with skin repair and provides soothing benefits.

The 0.2% Beta-Glucan and 0.3% Madecassoside are supposedly quite high for these actives as Madecassoside still works at 0.05% (reduces brown spot production) and 0.1% with a 5% Vitamin C provided smart-ageing benefits. So 0.2% Madecassoside really provides the skin with perks such as reducing redness, itchiness and helps support the skin’s barrier. G&G Claim it’s good for psoriasis + Atopic Dermatotic Skin. In terms of the 0.2% Beta-Glucan, 0.05% on human skin proved to have good moisturising capabilities (on par with HA) and 0.1% is supposed to make the skin look and feel firmer and smoother.

Note: Saccharide Isomerate is also included (similar to the skin’s structure) which is meant to be a high-efficiency humectant (keeps the skin hydrated for longer).

Full Ingredients: Aqua (Water), Methyl Gluceth-20, Saccharide Isomerate, Glycerin, Madecassoside, Beta-Glucan, 1,2-Hexanediol, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Caprylyl Glycol, Carbomer, Sodium Hydroxide, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol

NOTE: The Incidecoder have a full ingredient breakdown HERE

Texture: Definitely a lightweight, smooth, gel-like serum that lightly hydrates the skin. It’s easily spreadable and doesn’t take ages to absorb/dry down. This isn’t sticky as long as you don’t apply too much (common with all the Geek & Gorgeous Serums I’ve tried so far), and the same goes for balling/pilling up – I would not encourage using facial oils with any type of gel as it tends to ball them up.

This has a transparent look. It’s a gel-like serum (doesn’t immediately run down the hand but it would if I tipped my hand further).

Easy to spread.

Does this Sting if the Skin has been Irritated / Sensitised by Shaving/Heavy Retinol Use?: No! One of the few products that doesn’t sting 🙂

Summer or Winter?: Can be used in both seasons as it’s lightweight enough to use in Hot Weather too.

Layerable?: It seems to be fine but I would not recommend it under or on top of facial oils (It would cause this to ball up). Also, I don’t recommend using too much product to avoid any potential balling up.

Video Swatch:

Fragrance?: No added Fragrance and/or EO – This also smells of nothing.

Good Under Makeup?: As long as I use a few drops, I can use this under foundation.

Will I use until Completion?: Yes! This has been fab as a skin rescuer when the skin has been irritated / sensitised so I will keep using this.

How long have I been using this?: Just over 2 Months.

How Long will that take?: I’m halfway through. This is because I only tend to use this if the skin is sensitised/irritated (so not everyday), therefore I don’t get through this as fast. So this may take another 2 months to complete.

The Effect?: Soothed and Mildly Hydrated Skin! Definitely helps reduce the redness of my irritated skin and reduce stinging!

And in terms of the hydration – Because I use this if/when the skin is irritated or sensitised, I tend to minimise my routine to avoid any irritation, so I’m happy that this provides some of that much-needed hydration while soothing the skin, as I’m unable to use Hyaluronic acid-containing products when the skin is irritated/sensitised and have to avoid products containing Niacinamide etc. Even using toners can sting, due to swiping with a pad; so this 2-in-1 serum that’s both hydrating and soothing can help cut down a routine, which is needed when the skin is sensitised.

What I like:

• No added Fragrance and/or EO
• Lightweight
• Fast Absorbing
• Hydrating
• Soothing
• Doesn’t sting when the skin is sensitised
• Reduces my Skincare Routine Steps when the skin is irritated and I can’t use products containing actives or Hyaluronic acid due to being both hydrating + soothing
• High % of Soothing Actives (Madecassoside + Beta-Glucan)
• Cruelty-Free

What I don’t like:

• Layering issues (can feel sticky / ball up if too much is added)
• I don’t tend to use this unless my skin is irritated/sensitised (I drift to other active and smart-ageing products like the CAIS or the Cheer Up Solution)
• Not as intensely hydrating as I thought it would be, but it is good enough!

Overall Rating and Conclusion: 4/5 – A much-needed serum for when my skin is irritated/sensitised. It is one of the very few products that do not sting/tingle/itch when my skin is sensitised and red. A drawback is the slight tackiness + potential of balling up if I apply too much product (this is a common thread with most Geek & Gorgeous Serums) but it’s definitely manageable; I simply reduce the application amount! (However if you don’t like gel textures, then I recommend the Skin1004 Centella Ampoule or the I’m From Mugwort Essence). Also, this is a product I find that I only use when my skin is irritated and not when my skin is in its regular condition, however I do reach for this when my skin is irritated and it does not let me down!

Would I purchase?: Yes! I think this is a great S.O.S product for when the skin is irritated/sensitised.

Dupe?: Other great products for Sensitive + Sensitised Skins are: Skin1004 Centella Ampoule (Water texture) + the SVR Sensifine Aqua Gel + The I’m From Mugwort Essence (also a water texture).

My Skin Type: I am acne prone and have slightly dehydrated 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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