Introduced this into my skincare routine yesterday. I have dry, sensitive mid 30s skin.

The serum has the consistency of water and smells a bit like yogurt.

This morning I developed a bit of acne around my nose! My skin is usually dry and in need of constant hydration but today it feels oilier around the T zone. Not sure yet if this is purging, but the rest of my skin is feeling a bit nicer and softer than usual and my partner told me my skin was looking particularly “radiant” this morning. I hadn’t done anything different in my routine except applying this before toner.

Will post an update once more time has passed!

My rating: 1/10
My partner’s rating: 8/10

When I was researching the Niacinamide 10 + TXA 4 serum, I read that it was too harsh for some people and was wary of getting it. I went for the plunge anyways since reviews were mixed and the positive reviews were SO positive.

Sure enough, it was way too harsh for my dry, sensitive skin type! It took weeks to repair my skin barrier after using it. That said, my partner who has dry, mature skin that is not sensitive has also been using it, and it’s been great for them. It’s been helping to significantly reduce redness, even their skin tone, and they love it much more than the previous The Ordinary Niacinamide serum they’d been using.

I wish every product reviewer specified what their skin type is but now I know that this product is probably great for non-sensitive skin types and will likely be horrible for sensitive skin types!

My routine has been working well for me (my skin looks better and younger now than it did in my 20s) but I’m always looking to optimize my regimen and would love to hear any suggestions or recommendations! I have dry, sensitive mid-30s skin and live in an all-year round very dry climate. My primary concerns are hydration, anti-aging, barrier support, and minimizing the appearance of pores and fine lines.

My Routine

AM: most days I just wash my face with water (foam cleanser if I feel oily) -> apply toner on wet skin -> vitamin c -> moisturizer -> sunscreen

PM: oil cleanser (paired w/a foam cleanser on days I wear bb cream or makeup) -> toner on wet skin -> centella (esp when my skin barrier needs extra support) -> hyaluronic acid or snail mucin -> moisturizer ->

Every other night:
-I’ll use retinal OR azelaic acid OR the VT reedle shot as much as my skin can tolerate. I never layer any of these because my skin is so sensitive.

Once a week:
-exfoliate with the Ilso Sebum Softener. I gently scrape sebum off with the Ilso Deep Clean Master (which I sterilize with every use).
-use a sheet mask (have been loving the Biodance PDRN collagen masks lately)

The Products

Tonymoly Wonder Ceramide Mochi Toner - 100/10

-my holy grail! It’s super hydrating, great value, and truly makes my skin feel soft and bouncy like mochi.

Skin1004 Madagascar Centella Ampoule - 10/10

-I’ve been using it ever since my skin barrier got destroyed and it really helps calm my skin even though it feels watery and super lightweight.

Torriden Dive-in Serum - 10/10

-I used to only use the Cosrx Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence, but I like this so much better because it feels lighter, less sticky, and is just as hydrating. Just for funsies though, I’ll be trying the Wellage hyaluronic acid as soon as it arrives from Yesstyle to compare which is better.

Anua Azelaic Acid - 9/10

-I’ve noticed my skin feels brighter, more even, and my pores even look better sometimes since using this. I’m open to trying other azelaic acids to see how this compares but so far am happy to keep buying it.

Anua Niacinamide 10% + TXA Dark Spot Correcting - 1/10

-This was way too harsh for my skin! It destroyed my skin barrier. It’s been working great in evening out skin tone and brightening for my partner, though, who has dry, mature skin that isn’t sensitive.

Beauty of Joseon Revive Eye Serum + Retinal - 6/10

-It’s been fine. It’s gentle and probably has helped a little with reducing the fine lines around my eyes. I think it’s a great starter retinoid for sensitive skin types. I was told I could use it for other areas of my face, too, but when I do, it tends to dry out my skin and make my pores look bigger even when I sandwich it with moisturizer. I’m planning to try out the numbuzin NAD+ Retinol Eye Cream and the Celimax Vita-A Retinol Shot next to see how they compare.

Beauty of Joseon Light On Serum: Centella + Vita C - 6/10

-Also, just fine and good as a starter. It’s gentle and I don’t notice too big of a difference when I use it. Planning to try out Numbuzin glutathione vitamin concentrated serum and Rohto Melano CC next.

Beauty of Joseon Dynasty Cream - 7/10

-Starting to notice a pattern? This is also just fine. It does the job, I like the consistency, and it’s hydrating. But nothing remarkable to say about it. After I run out, I’m gonna try Bioheal BOH Probioderm Lifting Cream and Aestura Atobarrier Cream.

Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun-Aqua Fresh - 9/10

-No complaints! It doesn’t leave a white cast or pill under my makeup, it feels lightweight, hydrating like moisturizer, and rubs in quickly enough. Very similar to the Relief Sun version but my partner and I liked this consistency slightly better. Nevertheless, for funsies I’m gonna try Roundlab Birch Juice next.

Purito Wonder Releaf Centella BB Cream - 5/10

-I don’t love how it makes my skin look slightly ashy. I’ve heard the MISSHA bb cream is better so I’ll be giving that a try once it arrives from Yesstyle.

D’Alba White Truffle First Spray - 5/10

-It’s fine. I don’t love that it’s fragranced but the smell goes away after the first few spritzes. It does help my makeup set better and give a bit of a glow, but it feels a bit oily and not super hydrating. I’m going to try Aestura Atobarrier 365 Cream Mist once it arrives from Yesstyle.

Not pictured (because I forgot) but also in rotation:

Ilso Sebum Softener - 100/10

-My pores look visibly clearer after I’ve used this, and it’s gentle enough that it doesn’t irritate my sensitive skin!

Biodance PDRN Collagen Mask - 100/10

-My skin truly looks like glass after I use this! My pores look less visible because it’s so hydrating.

VT Reedle Shot 300 - 10/10

-It’s too harsh when I use 2+ pumps but one pump has been perfect in helping products absorb better and making my pores look smaller the next day.

Manyo Pure Cleansing Oil - 9/10

-It’s a solid, gentle oil cleanser I’ve been using for years. When I first used it, it broke me out for about a week, but once my skin got used to it, never again. It’s been working great for me but I may try out a cleansing milk just for experimentation.

Cerave Hydrating Cream-to-Foam Cleanser - 9/10

-Boring but great! It’s gentle and doesn’t strip my skin barrier. Have been curious about trying the Beplain Mung Bean Cleansing Foam just for funsies.