Hello all!
I purchased my favourite fragrance and essential oil-free serums from the new and upcoming brand: K-beauty brand Mary & May!
This brand is Cruelty-Free, Vegan-friendly (not certified) and Fragrance + Essential Oil Free.
In this Youtube Video; we’re going to be swatching, reviewing and providing potential dupes of these serums!
Furthermore, the glass containers use recycled glass; soy ink is used on the boxes which are recyclable, and the labels are easy to peel.
Additionally, you can read the researcher’s notes which are recyclable on each of the serums which discusses the formula development of the serum if you want some extra knowledge.
- Mary & Mary can be purchased on Yesstyle: LINK / Stylevana: LINK / US Stylevana: LINK / EU Stylevana: HERE
Youtube Video:
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Transcript:
1. First up is the Citrus Unshiu Fruit + Tremella Fuciformis Serum!
This is a gentle, daily use serum that can be used both in the AM and PM and actually; the brand uses a colour-coded system representing what each serum does; so this serum promotes skin radiance aka it helps both brighten and hydrate the skin; containing 83.5% Unshiu Peel extract or: Mandarin Orange Peel Extract. This works to inhibit melanin production in the skin caused by damage, therefore reducing dark spot formation and also helping reduce post-acne marks. Mandarin extract or Satsuma extract also contains Antioxidant properties which help protect the skin from UV damage.
Tremella Fuciformis Extract is a big sugar molecule from the Silver Ear Mushroom in China. It’s also known as ‘’Snow Mushroom’’ and the reason why it’s used in skincare is because it has excellent water-holding capabilities, more so than Hyaluronic acid! Therefore, it makes this serum very hydrating while smoothing and softening the skin.
Other Key ingredients include Arbutin which has similar benefits to Kojic Acid; so along with Mandarin Extract, this also helps brighten the skin and prevent dark spot formation. This also contains Arginine which helps repair a damaged skin barrier.
So therefore, this serum works to deeply hydrate, and soften the skin’s texture while brightening the skin’s tone and preventing dark spot formation. So it works for those with dehydrated skins and pigmented skin. It is very gentle and works with sensitive skins.
In terms of a scent, I get no scent from this.
In terms of the texture; this is a lightweight watery serum that doesn’t feel oily, greasy sticky or tacky on the skin and absorbs very quickly. It also doesn’t sting or irritate the skin. It feels slightly thinner than the ordinary’s B5 serum, so it’s fine for oily skins to use even in hot and humid weather.
In terms of Other Brightening Dupes; If Citrus Unshiu Fruit Extract is what you want; One Thing also offers an essence at a slightly higher amount at 95% of Citrus Unshiu Extract to brighten the skin.
If it’s Arbutin that you’re after to boost and brighten the Skin: Hada Labo Offers an Arbutin and Vitamin C Derivative Toning Essence
And The Ordinary also offers an Alpha Arbutin and Hyaluronic Acid brightening Serum that’s slightly thicker.
The Good Molecules Brightening Serum is also a good dupe but is thicker (more gloopy)
I also really enjoyed TIAM’s B3 Serum; that both Arbutin and Niacinamide to brighten the skin.
TI’AM Youtube Video: Swatches + Review:
2. Next up is the Centella Asiatica Serum! It is green, which means it’s part of the brand’s Sensitive Skincare line!
This is a daily use, gentle AM And PM serum containing 95% Centella Asaitica Extract which provides antioxidant and wound-healing capabilities. As mentioned before in my A’pieu Centella Review video; Cica is antibacterial; it soothes and reduces redness in the skin and also increases skin elasticity and skin-barrier regeneration. It’s an all-round excellent ingredient to use if and when the skin feels hot, irritated or sensitised for example when using retinol. This also contains Arginine which is a skin-barrier reinforcing ingredient and alleviates signs of irritation.
In terms of the scent, this has a slightly more earther scent compared to the previous serum.
In terms of the texture, this is thinner than the Citrus and Tremella Serum; it feels even more watery and lightweight and feels slightly cooling and soothing on the skin. It’s not oily or greasy, it’s not tacky and also absorbs quickly.
This is the most simple or basic serum out of the four, however it still packs a punch in terms of soothing irritated or sensitised skin. Furthermore, it suits sensitive skins, those prone to redness and those who are using heavy-duty retinols in their regime. It also suits oily, combination and dehydrated skins.
In terms of a dupe; this actually feels very similar and also has a very similar composition to the A’pieu Madecassoside Ampoule (you can see swatches in this video) although that contains both cica and madecassoside.
Youtube Video: A’pieu Madecassoside Ampoule – Swatches + Review
Another Dupe is the COSRX Centella Serum that contains 7 forms of Centellasides, so it definitely packs a punch in terms of reducing irritation and redness quickly.
Youtube video: COSRX Cica Serum – Swatches + Review
Be Plain also has an updated Cicaful ampoule containing Cica, Madecassoside and other skin-soothing ingredients and is also lightweight.
3. Now onto the next product which is the Idebenone + Blackberry complex Serum.
This is a gentle, daily-use am and pm serum that is part of Mary and May’s Youth and Glow Line. This serum, using the concentrated antioxidant Ubiquinone or Idebenone helps prevent the destruction of Collagen in the Skin, therefore reducing the formation of fine lines and wrinkles in the skin and skin-sagging. It can be used both in the AM and PM but using it under an SPF may be especially useful in helping to prevent photo-ageing in the skin caused by the sun. Furthermore, the brand states this works synergistically with Blueberry Extract to enhance its antioxidant effect on the skin, and Blueberry extract is also very soothing. This also contains Arginine which is a natural moisturising factor and helps improve skin repair.
In terms of the scent: This has a subtle; earthy smell to it, nothing offensive.
And in terms of the texture; as you can see, this has a yellow-tint to it due to the antioxidant. Not it does not tint the face. It is a lightweight watery liquid which runs down the hand. It’s hydrating, not sticky, easily spreadable, not greasy and fast-absorbing.
Sensitive, Oily and Dehydrated skins could enjoy this product.
In terms of a dupe, the Abib Luminous Serum Melting Vita has a similar lightweight watery texture, contains Idebenone and numerous antioxidants to protect the skin.
Soko Glam have a great and effective Antioxidant Serum C’s the day which contains Idebenone as well as Niacinamide, Vitamin C, Arbutin and brightening MAP.
If you have dry skin; You can add the Mary and May Idebenone Intense Cream afterwards;
Or, in terms of a dupe; the Make Prem Idebenone lifting ampoule is slightly more emollient and greasy which makes it more moisturising.
Round Lab also have an Idebenone, antioxidant soybean serum which also brightens the skin.
And although it’s not idebenone; The Inkey list have a Q10 emollient moisturising serum that also provides antioxidant benefits to the skin.
4. Last but not least is the 6 Peptide Complex Serum!
- Available at: Yesstyle: LINK / Stylevana: LINK
This is also part of the Youth and Glow line and is a well-ageing, daily-use AM and PM serum which uses 6 peptides to help stimulate collagen and reduce the look of fine lines and wrinkles on the skin.
Copper Tripeptide-1 (or copper peptide) helps stimulate collagen production in the skin and is also soothing + wound-healing. Hexapeptide-9 helps reduce the length and depth of wrinkles.
Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4 + Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 = create Matrixyl which also helps stimulate collagen production in the skin leading to less wrinkles and firmer skin.
Arginine is also included which is a skin identical natural moisturising factor, as well as Adenosine which is anti-inflammatory and helps with wound healing.
In terms of the Scent, this has a very slight, light chemical scent to it but nothing offensive. In terms of the scent, this is lightweight, fast-absorbing, non-greasy, doesn’t feel sticky, is fast absorbing and feels hydrating on the skin. Both sensitive, oily and combination skins could enjoy this product.
In terms of a dupe; A similar formulation is from The Ordinary; it’s their Buffet and Copper Peptides 1%; it too contains Copper Tripeptide, Matrixyl and 2 other Peptides that help with skin sagging and elasticity as well as Argireline to help with fine line formation. The texture of it however is slightly thicker and stickier but it does provide well-ageing benefits.
Other Peptide Serum alternatives is the Dear,Klairs Midnight Blue Calming Serum that also contains Copper Peptides and also Epidermal Growth Factors for Collagen stimulation in the skin.
The Good Molecules Peptide Serum is also an alternative that contains Copper Tripeptide and Argireline.
The Hylamide SubQ Skin Advanced Serum also contains well-ageing peptides and copper and numerous other skin-beneficial ingredients.
Furthermore, The K-beauty Brand the Potions has a similar Peptide ampoule,
and Revolution Skincare’s Peptide Serum as well.
(You can see swatch comparisons in the video)
NOTE: The brand encourages you to mix and match serums to personalise your skincare routine to your needs. For example: mixing the Hyaluronic Acid Serum and Cica Serum for both soothing and hydrating care. You can also mix serums into a basic moisturiser to further add some skin-beneficial ingredients; I personally like to do this sometimes to thin out the texture of my cream during the summer months.
So overall; These serums remind me of the ordinary in terms of basic serums with concentrated simple skin-beneficial ingredients that do the job. All of them are very gentle so sensitive skins could use these products and they’re all so light that even my oily-combination skin has been able to use these during the summer months.
Mary & Mary can be purchased on Yesstyle: LINK / Stylevana: LINK / US Stylevana: LINK / EU Stylevana: HERE
Products Filmed:
1. Citrus Unshiu Fruit + Tremella Fuciformis Serum: Yesstyle: LINK / Stylevana: LINK
2. Idebenone + blackberry Complex: Yesstyle: LINK / Stylevana: LINK
3. Centella Asiatica Serum: LINK
4. 6 Peptide Complex Serum: LINK
Products Mentioned:
Hada Labo Brightening Lotion (Swatches + Review): LINK / Available at Yesstyle: LINK
GOOD MOLECULES | Daily Brightening Serum: LINK
ONE THING – Citrus Unshiu Fruit Extract Toner: LINK
THE ORDINARY | Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA: LINK
I’m From – Snow Mushroom Collagen Ampoule + Cream (Swatches + Review): LINK
Cica Dupes:
A’pieu Madecassoside Serum: LINK
COSRX Centella Serum: LINK
Be Plain Cica Ampoule: LINK
Round Lab Pine Calming Ampoule: LINK
Antioxidant Dupes:
Round Lab Soybean Ampoule: LINK
Idebenone Blackberry Intense Cream: LINK
The Inkey List Q10 Serum: LINK
Abib Essence: LINK
Soko Glam – GOOD DAYS FOR ALL | C’s The Day Serum: LINK
The Inkey List Collagen Booster (Swatches + Review): LINK
make p:rem – Idebenone Lifting Ampoule: LINK
Peptide Dupes:
THE ORDINARY | ”Buffet” + Copper Peptides 1%: LINK
GOOD MOLECULES | Super Peptide Serum: LINK
Hylamide Sub Q Skin (Swatches + Review): LINK
Dear, Klairs – Midnight Blue Youth Activating Drop: LINK
GOOD MOLECULES | Super Peptide Serum: LINK
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.
My Skincare Regime 