Review: Isntree – C-Niacin Toning Ampoule (Worth it?)

Where to purchase: Yesstyle: LINK / Stylevana: LINK / Soko Glam: LINK

Price: ~£20

Volume: 50ml

Made in: South Korea

What is it?: A Vitamin C Derivative + Niacinamide Ampoule that tackles a Dull Skin Tone, Blemish Pigmentation and Skin hydration levels.

What does it do?: Brighten the Skin + Reduce Fine Lines and Reduce Pigmentation.

Aims to: Acne scars / Dark Spots / Fine Lines + Wrinkles

Supposedly Good for: All Skin Types.

What I think: I would agree! This particularly would suit Combination and Sensitive Skin Types (And those who are particularly sensitive to Ascorbic acid and would like to start off with a Derivative-containing Serum instead).

Vegan?: Yes (This serum is Vegan-friendly although Isntree isn’t Vegan certified).

Cruelty Free?: Yes.

Malassezia suitable? No.

EU-allergen-free?: Yes.

pH: 6.3±0.5

Packaging: Glass bottle with a dropper mechanism. This means that the product is not air tight (which isn’t that much of an issue as this contains a Vitamin C Derivative and not Pure L-Ascorbic Acid which oxidises quickly).

Directions: 1. Dispense a decent amount onto either target areas or the entire face 2. Then pat gently to increase absorption (From the Website).

How I use it: I apply this almost every-other day both onto the face and neck.

Key Ingredients: 1. 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid: This is a more stable Vitamin C derivative although the Antioxidant effects of it aren’t as tested and proven compared to its brightening effects i.e. 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid is a brightening ingredient that is stable in both oil and water, therefore this serum doesn’t oxidise quickly.

2. Niacinamide: Sebum-regulating, Brightening + Antioxidant and increases the efficacy of 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid

Other Key Ingredients: Turmeric Root Extract (Antioxidant + Brightening + Soothing) / Hyaluronic Acid (Hydrating) / Aloe Leaf Extract (Soothing + Moisturising) / Liquorice Extract + Beta-Glucan + Panthenol + Allantoin + Bioflavonoids (Soothing + Hydrating) / Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil (Emollient) / Betaine (Moisturising).

Full Ingredients: Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Extract, Butylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Glycerin, Betaine, Water, Niacinamide, Propanediol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Cucurbita Pepo (Pumpkin) Fruit Extract, Physalis Alkekengi Fruit Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Beta-Glucan, Curcuma Longa (Turmeric) Root Extract, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Brassica Oleracea Italica (Broccoli) Extract, Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Boswellia Serrata Resin Extract, Bioflavonoids, Panthenol, Allantoin, Sodium Polyacrylate, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP Copolymer, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Ethyl Hexanediol, Polysorbate 80, 1,2-Hexanediol

NOTE: The Incidecoder have a full ingredient breakdown HERE

Texture: This is a lightweight, almost watery serum (still has some weight to it). It runs down the hand, it absorbs relatively quicky and it definitely feels hydrating on the skin.

Sticky?: No.

Greasy?: No. This is almost sort of greasy. It has a closer texture to the Dear, Klairs Fundamental Water-Oil Drop (Swatches + Review HERE).

Balls up?: No.

Does this sting when applying?: No, it doesn’t feel acidic or irritating (unless the skin is sensitised).

• As you can see this is very water, the product totally ran down my hand so I had to apply a lot more so you could see it.

Swatch Comparison: No Product (Left) VS Product (Right)

Hopefully you can tell this is a very hydrating serum.

Does this Sting if the Skin has been Irritated / Sensitised by Shaving/Heavy Retinol Use?: Yes.

Summer or Winter?: My Oily-Combination Skin could use this even in the summer. Oily Skins could use this in the Winter. Dry skins could use this in the Summer.

Layerable?: Yes.

Video Swatch:

• As you can see, this is a lightweight (almost watery but still has some weight to it) serum that isn’t sticky and doesn’t have an overtly shiny finish.

Fragrance?: Fragrance + EO Free (This doesn’t have a particular scent).

Good Under Makeup?: Yes.

How long have I been using this?: 3 Months.

Will I use until Completion?: Yes.

How Long will that take?: Another 1-2 Months (I use this almost every-other day and apply on both the face and neck).

The Effect?: Initially; Hydrated Skin, Long-Term: The skin looks noticeably brighter (no deep pigmentation after blemishes), although this took a few months to start to see results. The brand state that this is a non-irritating ampoule and I would agree.

What I like:

• Fragrance + EO Free
• Cruelty-Free
• Brightening (in a slower, more gentle way)
• Did not irritate my skin
• Hydrating
• Lightweight
• Did not ball up
• Plethora of skin-beneficial ingredients

What I don’t like:

• Contains a Vitamin C Derivative instead of pure L-Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C) meaning this is weaker (although more gentle) than regular Vitamin C (And will oxidise much slower)

Overall Rating and Conclusion:4 (nearly 3.9)/5 – A lightweight, hydrating and non-sticky, brightening serum (that contains numerous skin-beneficial ingredients). This is very gentle and takes a while to see results, I would recommend it to those with Sensitive skin and first-time Vitamin C users who first want to start off with a Derivative serum before moving onto Pure Vitamin C serums.

Note: If you want a more hard-hitting vitamin C serum, then something like the Paula’s Choice Vitamin C serum (Swatches + Review HERE).

Would I repurchase?: Yes.

Available at: Yesstyle: LINK / Stylevana: LINK / Soko Glam: LINK

Dupe?: The Be Plain – Multivitamin Serum (Swatches + Review HERE) – is a Serum that is even more gentle than the Isntree and contains even MORE brightening ingredients: Niacinamide (5%), 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Ascorbic Acid, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Tranexamic Acid, Arbutin.

Available at: Yesstyle LINK / Stylevana LINK

Youtube Review:

• The Rovectin – Dark Spot Serum contains the same AND MORE Brightening Ingredients: Niacinamide, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Arbutin, Turmeric AND actually contains Ascorbic Acid while being gentle.

Available at: Yesstyle – LINK / Rovectin LINK

• The Dear, Klairs Freshly Juiced, Vitamin C Charging Serum also contains Niacinamide and 3-O-E to brighten the skin and also has a similar texture.

Available at: Yesstyle LINK / Stylevana 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.

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