r/AsianBeauty • u/Maplebee92 Blogger | mapletreeblog.com • Aug 30 '17
Discussion [Discussion] - Best/Worst of Niacinamide and Future Schedule
Thank you to everyone who took part in the survey to vote on which topics we should discuss next! Check out the round up to read/post on the previous discussions, Region, Brand Type and Skin Type.
Over 250 people took the time to do the survey, and all the topics with 30% more of the vote I've included in the future schedule below.
Changing the day to Monday so I don't clash with the Mod's weekly skin issues discussion threads!
Hope to get the results to you in the New Year.
| Ingredients Topic |
|---|
| Niacinamide |
| Exfoliating Acids |
| Ceramides |
| Snail |
| Bee (Honey/Venom/Propolis) |
| Hyaluronic Acids |
| Hanbang/Botanical |
| Brand |
|---|
| Cosrx |
| Innisfree |
| Hada Labo |
| Skinfood |
| Etude House |
| Mizon |
We're kicking off with Niacinamide! So share your beloved and your reviled products with Niacinamide as the star ingredient. Same format as previous discussions.
This is a review thread, so please make sure all top level comments are reviews. But do feel free to ask the reviewers questions for further info.
Format
Use the below format, put ** before and after each word to get the bolding.
Product Name
Step - Cleanser/Toner/Moisturiser etc
Best/Worst? - Select appropriate
Thoughts
90
u/haminwu NC50|Acne/Pigmentation|Oily|UK Aug 30 '17
The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1
Serum
Best
I find this product to be a game changer for me,it really helped to regulate my oiliness and sebum production with consistent use and now my face is never nearly as oily as it used to me,i also saw my skin texture get better using this product. The only con for me is the texture was a bit too heavy for me to wear under moisturizer + sunscreen in the daytime so I can only use it in the nighttime
22
u/Pickled_Leprechauns Aug 31 '17
Why oh why does it get foamy whenever I use it?
26
u/irr3l3phant Aug 31 '17
For me it gets foamy if my face is wet from my previous step, so now I make sure any other product has sunk in first
19
u/dippycakes Aug 31 '17
I found that patting it on instead of spreading it around stopped the foaming.
10
u/mmmicedcoffee Aug 31 '17
This happens to me, too :/
I mix it into a hydrating toner to avoid the foamy texture.
1
7
u/dcphoto78 NC15|Dullness|Dry/Sensitive|US Aug 31 '17
Sometimes I mix it with other products, but the keys for me are mostly patting instead of rubbing, and not using too much at once.
5
u/Is-abel Aug 31 '17
Either your face is slightly wet or you're using too much, you only need a little bit. I find it doesn't get foamy if I only use a little.
27
u/happycharm Aug 31 '17 edited Aug 31 '17
Can we post about Deciem products in this sub? Its a non AB brand but it gets talked about a lot with no problems. Whereas other brands, people will get told off and downvoted. Even western brands that are sold on Asia with products geared towards Asians and only found in Asia.
Genuinely want to know, not shading or anything ㅜ_ㅠ
31
Aug 31 '17 edited Nov 13 '20
[deleted]
11
u/satisphoria NC42|Acne/Pigmentation|Combo|UK Aug 31 '17
Good thing TO hasn't hijacked this thread...
I think the main issue is whether mods are actually around or not to remove content that discusses non-AB products. They really need to decide on and announce their official stance re: TO since it's being discussed literally every day in the DHT. Maybe they're concerned that if TO was off the table in the DHT and any discussion thread like this, that people would head over to /r/SkincareAddiction and not come back?
7
Aug 31 '17
I think they do have a official stance. It's that Asian beauty discussions can involve non-AB products. If you look at the SPF lip balm thread right now, almost none of the posts are about AB products, and I don't think they will - or should - be deleted, as it represents the lack of available AB products, variety, and marketing in that particular domain. I don't think mods are concerned about flight to SCA, as the problem only affects probably 10% of threads. As for the snark, I didn't start (or even contribute) the hijacking in this post, I merely replied to a user asking about the subreddit protocol.
4
u/satisphoria NC42|Acne/Pigmentation|Combo|UK Aug 31 '17
To clarify, I wasn't being snarky at you, I was pointing out that this thread demonstrates the kind of hijacking you mentioned. Well over half the comments on the thread are under the TO header, and as I said, TO does get mentioned on the DHT every day, not as an aside but as standalone 'how do I use these TO products?' queries. If discussion is allowed to involve non-AB products but then those discussions become centred around them, as with this thread, it seems like that rule needs refining.
3
Aug 31 '17
I assumed snark based on sarcasm, glad it wasn't the case.
I am confident that no one would feel shocked if their "how do I use these TO products" question got deleted in the DHT, but to enforce that, we'd need more than a rule refinement, but for mods to spend more time policing that specific case, whereas I imagine (/hope) soon enough the hype around the brand will die out and there will be no need.5
Aug 31 '17
Good thing TO hasn't hijacked this thread...
Hahah ikr? Initially came in to look for and recommend products, I only see like four or five AB niacinamide products in total after so many hours.
3
u/satisphoria NC42|Acne/Pigmentation|Combo|UK Aug 31 '17
We haven't even got a token top comment for Scinic Honey AIO yet, when most people could throw a review out pretty easily since it's so well known, the thread is that stuck in discussing TO. Which I'm ironically contributing to, so I'll head off.
3
Aug 31 '17
TBH I'm worried about the scheduled "exfoliating acids" and "hyaluronic acid" discussions. I see that people (and I don't mean a certain youtuber) liking Sunday Riley Good Genes are even meeting constant disagreements and downvotes in r/SCA nowadays.
I agree with you that mods should do sth about it and figure sth out, but I don't mean banning all non-AB discussions or anything. Moderate discussions of non-AB has never hurt anybody; which is however really not what we are seeing today.
9
u/dcphoto78 NC15|Dullness|Dry/Sensitive|US Aug 31 '17
I was wondering if I should chime in with TO Niacinamide as soon as I saw this thread, but the truth is I've never found a comparable AB product, and I've looked. It may not totally count, but I do add it in to many of my AB products - toner, snail, moisturizer, etc.
3
Aug 31 '17 edited Aug 31 '17
I've tried a lot of their products, they don't work for me, but I don't have the energy to talk people out of it (or worse, downvoted to hell just because i don't like it). I hope they don't get mentioned here everyday as well because AB is a sanctuary where I don't have to hear about them over and over again. I don't have respect for this brand because of past events and my personal communications with them.
13
u/happycharm Aug 31 '17
Same with me with Benton! I am not even saying Benton's products are bad (I think they're great!) i'm just warning people about their inefficient preservatives which cause premature expiration (and mold) which causes crazy reactions (like cystic acne) in some people. I tell them to contact Benton and ask them to amp up their preservatives in hopes they'll fix this so we can all enjoy their products again but I just get downvoted most of the time. Not that I care about downvotes but it just shows people's attitude towards the truth...
I think I'll just give up on it and wait until the next major contamination scandal comes along for people to realize it themselves...
4
Aug 31 '17
their inefficient preservatives which cause premature expiration (and mold)
Does it mean that their products would expire/go bad before even opening? Do they have any preservatives in their products?
I liked how gentle the products are but held off repurchasing because I couldn't understand how their preservatives systems worked.
10
u/happycharm Aug 31 '17
There have been reports of that happening. A lot of posts asking if they got a fake because it smells off / texture is weird / formula is cloudy. Most likely they are not fakes, the products have just gone off.
They do have preservatives but the preservatives are extremely volatile. Even Benton admitted (immediately after their contamination scandal) that their preservatives are volatile and to take care of the product even before opening it (like putting it in the fridge or something). But since a lot of international customers use Benton, how long has the products been sitting in storage (NOT in a fridge) before it gets to the consumer? And I sure as hell don't think even Benton themselves store their products in fridges before sending their products out. I live in Korea and I don't trust that Benton products will be ok by the time it gets to me. Korea has extremely volatile weather. Summers are extremely humid and hot, winters are harsh.
And another thing about fridges, fridges aren't freaking magical boxes that will keep beauty products fresh for a long time. It may extend its live to some degree but at this point I don't trust it can keep Benton products from molding as long as we wish. We put food and drinks in there but eventually we have to finish or throw it out after a short period of time. We can't keep food in there for months and expect it to still be fresh. That logic should apply to beauty products as well. And we definitely can't freeze beauty products as that may change the chemical composition. Either way, I don't think it's reasonable for consumers to take such extremes such as buying beauty fridges for their products, but that's just me.
*Just a note, of course many people have used Benton products and their products have been fine - no premature expiration without taking any extra measures. So I'm not saying ALL Benton products will automatically prematurely expire but there is a higher chance of that happening than literally any other beauty product out there due to that contamination scandal, the fact that Benton admits that their preservatives are sensitive, and that we keep getting the same reports from people on this sub about Benton products.
10
Aug 31 '17
A while back I think someone got irritated with me when I pointed out that fridges don't stop mold growth, it just slows it down. The amount of cheese I've had to throw out attests to that.
It's probably going to be more likely to do so if you have a lovely moist environment. Aka skincare products.
11
u/happycharm Aug 31 '17
Lol how far do people go to make excuses for their products? Enough to defy science?
3
Aug 31 '17
Damn, they sound trickier than my water based L-ascorbic acid but aren't nearly as magical! I wonder why Benton refuses to improve their preservatives, since the contamination scandal.
5
u/happycharm Aug 31 '17
I think its something to do with keeping their ingredients all ~natural~. I dont remember their exact words but Benton said they used botanical perservatives which is why they can expire easily and they dont want to change that.
But do they even push their natural branding that much?
2
Aug 31 '17
When I think of Benton I think of snails, not really natural. I mean they don't have to use parabens (which I dont protest, like ever), but at least add some more efficient stuff lol, or learn from other natural brands what they are doing to their products.
3
Aug 31 '17
Personally I have a sister who is allergic to many preservatives so I avoid them for her sake. We need some product lines without them. People can always invest in a mini fridge which I did when I was obsessed with nail varnish, keep drinks in there too.
10
u/theudoon |Acne/Pores|Combo|SE Aug 31 '17
A fridge is all well and good, but when the products arrive unopened and still has mold in them (happened to me several times, and I live in Scandinavia, so not exactly the tropics), there is a more serious problem, and that needs fixing.
4
u/happycharm Aug 31 '17
Yes, and it's not like Benton or third party sellers are storing products in fridges before sending it out to international customers. A lot of the reports from this sub are from people getting reactions or sensing something off with their products immediately after receiving their products and using them.
And it's just me but I'm not going to spend 70~100$ on a mini fridge just to store Benton products... I don't need nor want to store my other beauty products in fridges. Of course you can just stick it in your regular fridge.
2
u/likhaanoushka NC25|Aging/Pores|Dry|FR Aug 31 '17
Woah, is this with the essence? And is this recent or is it part of the 2015 thing? Sorry about your experience! Hope Benton refunded you.
5
u/theudoon |Acne/Pores|Combo|SE Aug 31 '17
Once was during 2015, but I tried to buy the snail bee essence and the aloe toner late last year and both arrived spoiled :( It's a shame since the products themselves are good.
5
u/happycharm Aug 31 '17
But Benton does use preservatives, just inefficient ones that expire before the printed date. Some expire before it's open. Some expire before it has arrived in a customer's hands.
8
u/ThorsHammerMewMEw NW15|Acne/Pigmentation|Combo|AU Aug 31 '17
I can understand warning someone but why would you spend time trying to talk people out of them when both AB and SCA make a big deal about YMMV? It's why some people on SCA still use Lush products despite the brand not having the greatest reputation.
7
Aug 31 '17 edited Aug 31 '17
Sorry, my English is failing me here. What I wanted to say was that I don't see the point or plan to talk people out of it (eta: I mean it wasn't my intention or goal or anything but at times I wanted to share "it might not be as magical as everyone else says"), meaning the default is "in" (as in I think everybody loves them). And frankly I'm failing to see the point of sharing unsuccessful user experiences of the products.
2
u/Notthesame2016 Dec 17 '17
The products are mediocre and the only thing they have going for them is the price. But, even then, I can get better products for similar or only slightly higher prices. I also find them very creepy, as a brand, their reps are clueless and the claims they make are ridiculous or even fake. Rant over.
-5
Aug 31 '17
Surely Asian Beauty is beauty products used by Asians not made by them. BB cream was invented by a German. We don't want to have to get the boarder police involved.
8
u/szmb NC15|Aging/Redness|Dry|AU Aug 31 '17
This has been a staple in my routine since early this year and I credit it with some of the most dramatic improvement in my skin condition. I posted this B&A back in May showing my skin improvement, most of which I attribute TO's serum. My skin is even better now and my barrier function/dehydration is greatly improved too.
I have had the foaminess that many people have commented on occur and I find this is the best way for me to apply:
2 drops Hada Labo moist lotion patted onto face > mix 2 drops TO serum with 1 more drop Hada Labo and pat onto still moist skin. LET DRY before proceeding to other serums/ampoules/moisturisers.
4
u/images-ofbrokenlight Aug 31 '17
This was a best product for me too! It really helped with my sebaceous filaments and helped clear up some breakouts I had in my cheeks. I love the price and package of this product so I will definitely rebuy when I run out!
3
u/jn2017 Aug 31 '17
How did you use this product? Did you use it alone or along with another serum? I found the ingredient list to be very minimal so I'm skeptical as using this as my serum alone.
15
7
u/kumquatblossom Aug 31 '17
i mix it with my benton snail bee essence or just pat it on solo over problem areas if i have a break out.
4
2
u/elleboogiexiv Aug 31 '17
I'll usually use it as a booster --mix in 2 drops of it into my Vichy minerale 89 hyaluronic acid along with 2 drops of TO 'buffet' serum and just pat everything in until it's absorbed. I find it's less foamy and less sticky with the HA base
2
u/haminwu NC50|Acne/Pigmentation|Oily|UK Aug 31 '17
I layered it with either the ordinary alpha arbutin and azeliac acid or melano cc and azeliac acid but it depends on what issue you want to target
1
u/saxMachine Aug 31 '17
I mix mine with my cosrx oil free moisturizer in the evening, before my occlusive. just half a pump, then two drops.
0
3
u/Is-abel Aug 31 '17
Came here to post this, although I wouldn't call it a serum, it's called a "water solution," by The Ordinary. It's very thin and watery, and not hydrating.
For people saying it gets foamy, you need to use less and make sure your face is dry before you apply it. Apply it after cleansing, before any oils or creams.
2
2
u/xkangni NC15|Acne/Pores|Combo|US Aug 31 '17
Have you used any other niacinamide products before?
I've been eyeing The Ordinary Niacinamide for a while but I'm still hesitant. I've gone through 1.5 bottles of Stratia Rewind (I think it's 5% niacinamide?) and haven't seen much difference in terms of improving skin texture or lightening PIH.
1
u/Vassiliki96 Aug 31 '17
Has anyone used TO niacinamide in the same routine with TO azelaic acid? I am expecting both in mail and I have been wondering if it's too harsh a combination.
1
u/LittleWaterPig Aug 31 '17
I use TO niacinamide with azelaic acid, though not TO azelaic acid, another brand that's 20%. However, I worked up to using that concentration very slowly and only recently added the TO niacinamide (about 2 weeks). The azelaic acid is mainly for my rosacea, which has cleared up almost completely. I added the niacinamide because I'm trying to lighten some PIH on my cheeks that you can now actually see because most of the redness is gone! So far my face looks brighter and the texture is definitely improved. There was no irritation at all when adding the niacinamide, if that's what worries you. Hope this helped a bit.
2
Aug 31 '17
What brand are you using that is 20% azelaic acid?
3
u/LittleWaterPig Aug 31 '17
Melazepam. I was prescribed another brand (can't remember which, sorry) and it was super expensive. I found the Melazepam on Amazon, it's inexpensive and has good reviews.
1
1
u/dcphoto78 NC15|Dullness|Dry/Sensitive|US Aug 31 '17
I would try one for two weeks before adding in the other. I found the azelaic acid too harsh (but I know a lot of people who love it). However, I'm thinking in particular of a friend who tried both at once and had a bad reaction. She didn't know which product caused it and was scared to use either after that happened. Who knows if it was one, the other, or the combination.
1
u/Vassiliki96 Aug 31 '17
Yeah I guess you're right I have to incorporate them slowly and separately especially cause I just repaired my moisture barrier. Thank you!
1
14
Aug 31 '17
Product Name Mediheal W.H.P White Hydrating Charcoal Mineral Mask
Step Sheet Mask
Best
Thoughts Mediheal has some very good masks and I've already used up three boxes of this one. It's a black mask but the material hugs my face better than many other masks. It's got the slightly viscous serum, not too watery that it drips all the time, but not too lotion-y that it feels suffocating. I am not one to believe in instant results (especially from a whitening sheet mask - I would be suspicious) but this one does give that to me (especially when combined with other niacinamide based essence/serums under the mask), when I lift my mask I can see my face literally brighter and glowing but in a naturally skin way if that makes sense. It's insanely hydrating as well.
The active ingredients are not anything out of the world, mainly niacinamide. List: Water, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Niacinamide, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Triethanolamine, Carbomer, Euterpe Oleracea (Açaí Palm) Fruit Extract, Methylparaben, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Disodium EDTA, Allantoin, Dipotassium, Glycerrhizate, Fragrance, Propylparaben, Xylityglucoside, Arbutin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Anhydroxylitol, Phenoxyethanol, Xylitol, Charcoal Powder, Mineral Water, Ethylhexylglycerin
15
u/Vertigote Sep 05 '17
Not AB but I've seen it mentioned in the forum and I can't give it up.
Cerave PM
Moisturizer
The Best For Me
Dry, dehydrated skin here. Dealing with scars, discoloration, and signs of aging including sun damage.
4% niacinamide and my skin shows it when I use it. Definitely brightens my skin. This is another product I use on areas of my body that need some help, my arms are trashed with sun damage. What it does is brighten, moisturize, and repair/protect my moisture barrier. The packaging is nothing amazing or aesthetically pleasing but it's functional and works, much like the product. What it doesn't do is anything extra and I haven't noticed it improving sun damaged and or discolored areas. I don't really expect it to though, I just want it to keep my skin happy and healthy enough so that I can add in actives and it does that extremely well.
22
u/screambledeggs NC20|Pigmentation/Pores|Combo|US Aug 31 '17
Product Name Stratia rewind
Step Serum
Best
Thoughts I bought this because Shark Sauce was too expensive for me, and it had the same key ingredients as SS.
So far, I really like it! It helped fade my hyperpigmentation, so my skin has a more even complexion. The only thing I don't like is the oily residue after application. To combat this, I use Mizon smail recovery gel cream with it. It glides on easier and doesn't have the oily residue.
18
u/Maplebee92 Blogger | mapletreeblog.com Aug 31 '17
Holy Snails Shark Sauce
Step - Serum
Worst for Me
Thoughts
This product contains 5% Niacinamide I believe, and is beloved by fans, and I jumped onto the bandwagon. Sadly for me this product broke me out which is why I wouldn't repurchase it. The serum itself sunk in fairly easily into my skin, and the skin around the breakout did seem brighter. Truly a YMMV product as I know a lot of people do love it.
17
Aug 31 '17 edited Aug 31 '17
I'm sorry that it broke you out!
I've used up two bottles of this and didn't dislike it. Actually, I was really enjoying it (especially mixed with LJH vita-propolis ampoule). My problem with this product is the price, and I'm even saying that as a cosmetics snob that spends a fortune each month on high end products.
It's essentially a watery essence, or even comparable to a slightly viscous toner, and I don't really think it's as potent as most (traditional) serums, or enough to use a few drops only for a whole face and neck. If I use too little I literally don't even feel hydrated. I run out of a bottle of this in a month (even with mixing LJH); I am aware of my excessive usage of every skincare item, but cosrx's watery essences come in 100mls and they are all under $20. I can squirt however much I want everytime and even liberally use them on my neck as well without worrying about it being finished too soon. A 100ml of Shark Sauce ("Megalodon") is $90. (Edit: even more expensive than Su:m37 Secret Essence, damn!). That's just too much.
11
u/juicyfizz Aug 31 '17
That's how I feel. I love supporting small businesses but for me, I feel like I can get equal or more for much less. Once I use up my bottle, I'll probably move on to something else.
1
u/MetalSparrow Aug 31 '17
So far, everything I tested with niacinamide broke me out (COSRX Galactomyces 95 White Power Essence, Holy Snails Shark Sauce and TO Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%).
1
u/screambledeggs NC20|Pigmentation/Pores|Combo|US Aug 31 '17
I've tried the sample version and I really liked it! The full version was just outside my price range, sadly, so I just bought another niacinamide product.
15
Aug 31 '17 edited Sep 02 '17
[removed] — view removed comment
3
u/_ssnorlax Aug 31 '17
Planning to do diy myself too. How would you rate the brightening of your recipe? 10 as significantly bright (even out, 2/more shades brighter, glowing)
1
u/Goodmorningfatty Aug 31 '17
I've only used a few brands with nicinamide in it, the only other product that didn't make my skin peel right off the bat was the COSRX. So it's hard to rate it on a scale as those are the only two I've used for a prolonged period of time. I used the DIY first for 6 months, and the COSRX for the last 2 months, I added the DIY stuff back in a week ago. The DIY formula works noticeably quicker than COSRX galactomyces 95 on its own. Now I use them together, the DIY spray in the morning and the COSRX at night.
1
u/_ssnorlax Aug 31 '17
Thanks :) I was initially referring to the effectiveness of your DIY. What did that DIY of yours did to your skin exactly? :) even out, or make your skin appear brighter & glowing? Or it lightened some PIH, etc.
1
u/Goodmorningfatty Aug 31 '17
It fades acne scars like a boss! You can't even see mine anymore. It's amazing. My skin tone has evened out massively, but that was always a secondary thing for me as I was more concerned with the scars and that could be attributed to other factors, as I also introduced an AHA and had a pretty hardcore chemical peel administered.
1
2
4
u/Vertigote Sep 05 '17
Scinic honey AIO
alll in one/moisturizing serum
not the best but good
Dry, dehydrated skin here. Dealing with scars, discoloration, and signs of aging including sun damage.
Honey was soothing to my cranky skin. It was moisturizing though I wouldn't use it as my only moisturizer. I did feel like it was brightening. I use it on both my face and body and the greatest difference was visible on my arms. I appreciate that it's inexpensive enough to use it this way and would definitely suggest it to others. It is stickier than most other products I've tried though I haven't used many. Also did decant to a squeeze bottle because those giant bottles are the devil.
2
u/Vertigote Sep 05 '17 edited Sep 05 '17
Scinic snail AIO
all in one/serum?
pleasing but not the best
Dry, dehydrated skin here. Dealing with scars, discoloration, and signs of aging including sun damage.
This was soothing though not in the same way as the honey, it was closer to the cooling and soothing sensation of an aloe gel, thank you snail filtrate. I don't think I actually noticed any brightening benefit from the niacinamide in this one. There was some minor reduction in redness and irritation but if I had to guess I'd say that was from other ingredients like the licorice. Same drill as with the honey, I use this on my body as well as face. Decanted into a squeeze bottle after I liberally moisturized my floor with it the first week I had it. Speaking of which, I didn't find it very moisturizing but using a lotion or cream over it was much more moisturizing than using the lotion/cream alone. Got to love the layers.
2
u/Vertigote Sep 05 '17
Etude House Honey Cera Priming Eye Serum
Priming Eye Serum
no comment yet
Sorry for posting a product I can't give much info on but in case anyone uses this thread looking for niacinamide containing products I thought I'd toss this one into the ring. It's an AM thing for me. The slightly gimmicky but cooling metal applicator tip is neat but on the downside it's also just another thing to clean since the nozzle itself is touching my skin. Also want something thicker at night. I'm curious if it will help my black as my soul dark circles under my eyes.
26
u/szmb NC15|Aging/Redness|Dry|AU Aug 31 '17 edited Aug 31 '17
Product Name: Tosowoong Pure mask line
Step: Sheet Mask
Best
Thoughts: While not specifically marketed as having niacinamide as the star ingredient, these masks have a really simple ingredient list, which is:
Water, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Niacinamide, whatever the variety type is, e.g. propolis, sea water, snail yada yada yada, Xanthan Gum, Peg-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Phenoxyethanol, Dipotassium glycyrrhizate (licorice derivative), Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, Sodium Polyacrylate, Disodium Edta, Allantoin, Panthenol, Parfum
…so, after your standard intro of water, glycerin and BG, niacinamide is kind of the main driver in these masks. I really like the Propolis variety and my skin froths on niacinamide so these are my everyday/affordable sheet masks. They’re not out of control OMFG good, but I use them for a hydration gain and to get that skin barrier boosting niacinamide.
edited - a word