Choosing a serum formula that targets your skin's specific needs can be challenging, especially since skincare is not one-size-fits-all. Skin & Lab takes this into consideration and has created multiple types that effectively address different skin needs without overwhelming it, and I’m more than excited to share the details on them! 🍊 Vitamin C Brightening Serum A bit of background: * A Vitamin C brightening serum * Contains 30 mL / 1.01 fl. oz. * Purpose: to help brighten and even skin tone My thoughts on this: 🍊 The first thing I checked was the packaging type. If the packaging is clear and it’s labeled to contain Vitamin C, you might as well disregard it. Thankfully, the packaging is thick and opaque, which helps preserve the effectiveness and stability of the Vitamin C in this. 🍊 Aesthetic-wise, the packaging is so adorable! I love the light blue background with the orange lettering — it definitely gives a juicy and fresh vibe. 🍊 The formulation is clear and slightly tinted, which is normal and expected. 🍊 I applied this on my oily/combo skin and did not experience any increase in oiliness. I didn’t experience any tingling effect or negative side effects post-use. Overall, I’d rate this a solid 4/5. I’ll need to test it for a longer duration to see how quickly it can reduce hyperpigmentation and even out skin tone, but my face did appear brighter after using this for a bit.

Choosing a serum formula that targets your skin's specific needs can be challenging, especially since skincare is not one-size-fits-all. Skin & Lab takes this into consideration and has created multiple types that effectively address different skin needs without overwhelming it, and I’m more than excited to share the details on them! 🧬 Niacinamide Recovery Serum A bit of background: * A 20% concentration, vegan-based niacinamide serum * Contains 30 mL / 1.01 fl. oz. * Purpose: to minimize pores, improve skin texture, and brighten skin tone My thoughts on this: 🧬 This is great for someone like me. I don’t react negatively to niacinamide-based skincare, and I’ve found it actually works well for me, so it’s nice to have this in a stronger concentration. Even though it’s stronger, it didn’t cause any chemical burns or negative skin reactions. 🧬 Through this product, I learned that niacinamide can be either vegan or non-vegan. This vegan-based formulation ensures that it’s plant-derived and free from animal cruelty testing. 🧬 It’s unscented, with a watery and clear texture that absorbs easily into the skin. I didn’t feel any stickiness after applying this. Overall, I’d rate this a 4.5/5. It seems like a really great product, and I’ve seen my skin react very positively to it (it reduced the appearance of a dark spot I had around my chin).

Choosing a serum formula that targets your skin's specific needs can be challenging, especially since skincare is not one-size-fits-all. Skin & Lab takes this into consideration and has created multiple types that effectively address different skin needs without overwhelming it, and I’m more than excited to share the details on them! 🧴 Retinol Repair Serum A bit of background: * A 3% vegan, liposome-based retinol with bakuchiol serum * Contains 30 mL / 1.01 fl. oz. * Purpose: to reduce wrinkles and improve skin elasticity My thoughts on this: 🧴 I love how this is a truly clean formula — free of alcohol, essential oils, and fragrance! There may be a lot of ingredients, but they’re all essential to what constitutes this formula, including stabilized retinol and nine types of peptides. 🧴 The consistency is very much like a lotion — thicker than your average retinol serum yet still lightweight, which helps lock in the benefits of retinol on your face. It doesn’t feel heavy and absorbs well. 🧴 The pH is 4.8-6.8, making it slightly acidic to neutral. This is important for maintaining skin’s natural balance, ensuring it won’t cause irritation. When I used this, I didn’t experience any tingling or irritation, nor did I get the “dry” skin that some other serums cause, which makes my face feel reliant on them. Overall, I’d give this a solid 5/5. It’s a no-fuss retinol, and I love how it feels on my face as well as its functionality.

Here’s another review of different skincare products Secret Key offers, and I must say, it went differently from what I expected. The first thing that caught me off guard was how scented this whole line is — and I don’t mean lightly scented or herbal-based scents (which I usually like in my skincare, if not unscented). No, these were full-on perfume-type scented skincare products, which, I’m not going to lie, sent multiple red flag signals. Nevertheless, I gave these a try, and here are my honest thoughts on them. 🐇 Snow White Milky Lotion What it is: - An instant whitening effect lotion - Contains 120 g / 4.23 oz. - Purpose: to provide whitening effect and “correct” the skin tone ⭐️ Rating: 1/5 My thoughts: 🐇 I’m definitely NOT the right demographic for this. Whenever I see the word "whitening" in skincare, I naturally assume “brighten” due to language barriers, and I had never come across actual whitening products until this one. It’s so bizarre that we’re still trying to “whiten” skin tones in 2024 when your skin tone is just fine as it is. 🐇 I’m not one to condone whitening creams. Even if you’re someone who uses whitening creams (I’d rather tell you to love your skin tone, but hey, you do you), this one isn’t great. It’s not moisturizing and seeps into skin texture. 🐇 The fragrance component of this is INSANE. It’s straight-up perfume. I don’t feel comfortable putting this on my face. Upon looking at the ingredient list, there are six perfuming ingredients in this, which can be a potential trigger for people with sensitive skin. Overall, I did not like the scent, feel, texture, or the way it sat on my skin. I prefer a clear finish, not a whitening finish—no thank you. I also prefer not looking gray or ashy.

Here’s another review of different skincare products Secret Key offers, and I must say, it went differently from what I expected. The first thing that caught me off guard was how scented this whole line is — and I don’t mean lightly scented or herbal-based scents (which I usually like in my skincare, if not unscented). No, these were full-on perfume-type scented skincare products, which, I’m not going to lie, sent multiple red flag signals. Nevertheless, I gave these a try, and here are my honest thoughts on them. ❄️ Snow White Spot Gel What it is: - A clear spot gel - Contains 65 g / 2.29 oz. - Purpose: to whiten and correct skin tone ⭐️ Rating: 4/5 My thoughts: ❄️ This is probably my favorite out of all the products I’ve tried from Secret Key so far! The gel is clear and applies nicely without drying out my skin. ❄️ It’s still heavily fragranced but smells more herbal compared to the rest of the products in this skincare line. ❄️ I can’t vouch for brightening effects yet, but I do like that my skin didn’t react negatively to this one. The gel’s thin consistency makes it easy to absorb. I would have preferred this in an unscented or lightly scented version, though. Overall, this wasn’t bad! It’s a nice gel that doesn’t overpower the skin in terms of functionality but may overpower the nose with its heavy scent.

Here’s another review of different skincare products Secret Key offers, and I must say, it went differently from what I expected. The first thing that caught me off guard was how scented this whole line is — and I don’t mean lightly scented or herbal-based scents (which I usually like in my skincare, if not unscented). No, these were full-on perfume-type scented skincare products, which, I’m not going to lie, sent multiple red flag signals. Nevertheless, I gave these a try, and here are my honest thoughts on them. 🐥 Lemon Sparkling Peeling Gel What it is: - A peeling gel - Contains 120 mL / 4.05 fl. oz. - Purpose: to exfoliate for a brighter, clearer skin ⭐️ Rating: 3/5 My thoughts: 🐥 I really liked the exfoliating factor of this — you can see the gommage forming as you rub the product on your face. 🐥 Like the other products from this brand, it’s heavily scented. It smells like lemon verbena, so if fragrance is something you’re sensitive to, you might want to avoid this. 🐥 After using this, I noticed a slightly brighter effect on my face, so I didn’t completely dislike it. I just wish it wasn’t so heavily scented. Overall, the formulation is nice, but the fragrance is a bit too heavy.

Here’s another review of different skincare products Secret Key offers, and I must say, it went differently from what I expected. The first thing that caught me off guard was how scented this whole line is — and I don’t mean lightly scented or herbal-based scents (which I usually like in my skincare, if not unscented). No, these were full-on perfume-type scented skincare products, which, I’m not going to lie, sent multiple red flag signals. Nevertheless, I gave these a try, and here are my honest thoughts on them. 🍋 Lemon Sparkling Cleansing Foam What it is: - A lemon scented soft cleansing foam - Contains 200 g / 7.05 oz. - Purposes: to remove impurities and exfoliate the skin ⭐️ Rating: 3/5 My thoughts: 🍋 Out of all the Secret Key products I’ve tried from this set, this was the least fragranced, but that’s not to say it’s fragrance-free. 🍋 After washing with this, my skin felt a bit dry. I had to double up on moisturizers and serums to reclaim the hydrated feel I usually have, which automatically docked a star for me. 🍋 This did clear out impurities from my skin, just like any other foam wash. I didn’t see anything unique that would make me choose this over the other cleansers I have. Overall, I didn’t like the dry, tight feel of my face post-wash, and I don’t like my skincare to be heavily scented, which this one was.

UPDATE - November 11, 2024 - A Four Month Assessment of this Cream My opinion hasn’t wavered since my last update; I continue to enjoy using this. Surprisingly, the weather in my area has been a bit different than expected, but the moisturizer remains a perfect choice. For the 5/5 rating, here are some of the newer reasons I continue to love it: 🖤 Absolutely no negative reactions, and my skin isn’t dependent on it. I’ve noticed with some creams that if you skip a day or two, your skin starts cracking or peeling—as if it has become dependent on the product. I usually end up tossing away products that do that, but thankfully, this hasn’t caused any of those issues. 🖤 I haven’t experienced milia with this. This is another factor that really wins me over. In my family, we tend to get milia with creams that contain pore-clogging ingredients, so I can safely attest that this is non-comedogenic. ________________________________________________ UPDATE - October 10, 2024 - A Three Month Assessment of this Cream I honestly love this! With winter arriving in NYC, this cream has become my go-to moisturizer. It’s thick yet non-comedogenic, and it prevents my skin from becoming flaky. I have small eczema spots under my eyes that flare up in cold weather, and only a few moisturizers have managed to keep them in check. Fortunately, the Dear Klairs moisturizer is one of them. For an in-depth review, please check my previous feedback, as my opinions remain unchanged. I highly recommend this! Given how effective it is in cold weather, I’m now updating my rating to 5/5! ___________________________________________________ UPDATE - September 1, 2024 - A Two Month Assesment of this Cream I've had this moisturizer for a little over two months. Initially, I rated it 3.8/5 based on my first impressions, but I’m glad to say I’ll be moving it up to a solid 4/5. I’ve also decided to incorporate this into my fall/winter skincare routine, as I believe it’ll be more beneficial to my skin during those months. I've come to firmer conclusions on why this is a great moisturizer for the cold weather seasons: 🌃 This is eczema-skin friendly. ⁃ As someone who suffers from eczema when the weather transitions from warm to cold, I noticed this has helped calm and soothe my trouble areas, especially the small patches of eczema I get under my eyes. I can’t just use any moisturizer because some can flare up my eczema. ⁃ For example, I randomly used La Mer to help with the initial signs of eczema under my eyes, and it flared up badly the next day. I decided to use this moisturizer instead, and surprisingly, it suited my skin much better, making those creeping eczema patches disappear. ⁃ This proves that your skincare doesn’t have to be overpriced to work for you. 🌃 I attribute the soothing and calming effects to several ingredients: Centella Asiatica Extract, Chamomile Flower Extract, and Green Purslane Extract, among others. This formulation is infused with Azulene (Guaiazulene), which has antibacterial properties, so you won’t wake up with new pimples or other skin issues. 🌃 Lastly, this is perfect for oily-combination skin types. If you have dry skin, this isn’t for you. It’s hydrating enough for oilier skin types to absorb without looking or feeling greasy, which is often the case with most moisturizers. However, it’s a bit thicker than your usual gel moisturizer, making it a better candidate for colder seasons, especially for those with oily or combination skin. Overall, I give this a 4/5. It’s a great moisturizer for colder weather, but not so much for the warmer months, as it can feel a bit thick during summer. ___________________________________________________ Original Review - June 21, 2024 Here’s to another review of my favorite type of skincare product - a moisturizer! I feel like it’s a general safe skincare product that suits most skin types, and given that mine is oily and sensitive, I often look for ones that won’t break me out. I’ve had the chance to test out Dear, Klairs’ Midnight Blue Calming Cream and here are my honest thoughts on this: 🌀 Very rarely do I come across moisturizers with formulations that aren’t white, but this one was interesting! It’s blue in color, which I think is a good motivator in getting your daily skincare in. 🌀 The texture is a little thicker than your average lightweight moisturizer but still light enough to be easily absorbed into your skin. 🌀 I have eczema and I found that this helped soothe areas with eczema, which honestly impressed me. 🌀 This felt more like a moisturizer aimed in soothing and reducing irritation. If you don’t have issues with redness or irritation, this may not feel anything special. Overall, this gets a 4/5 from me.

UPDATE - November 11, 2024 🧬 After using this a couple of times, I decided that it's best for when my skin is really dry rather than for daily use. It has worked superbly in the hydration department, which is why I still rate it a 4/5. It’s a 5/5 in hydration, but a 4/5 for me overall as I'm currently addressing other skin concerns. 🧬 I love that this is scentless and non-comedogenic. It focuses on the use of peptides to combat aging, which sets it apart from most anti-aging products in the South Korean skincare industry. While there are brands that include peptides in their skincare, I haven’t come across any that rely on them solely for anti-aging. Additionally, it works better scientifically, as peptides encourage skin cells to produce collagen and elastin, improving the skin overall. 🧬 Overall, it’s still a solid 4/5 for me. ___________________________________________________ ORIGINAL - October 10, 2024 Blue is one of my favorite colors, so seeing these in completely black packaging made them feel so unsuspecting! I ended up loving this line more than I expected. If you’ve used the Dear Klairs Midnight Blue Calming Cream and love its effects, pair it with these youth-activating drops, and voila—amazing skin! Thank you @go.picky @picky.us @klairs.us for sending this in exchange for my honest feedback! A bit of background on Dear Klairs Midnight Blue Youth Activating Drops: - An intensive EGF peptide treatment serum designed to target signs of aging - Contains 20 ml/0.67 fl. oz. - Made with epidermal growth factors (EGF) to stimulate skin cell turnover - Purpose: prevents aging and is suitable for sensitive skin types Here are my reasons for giving this a 4/5: 🌙 Unique formulation: Unlike many serums that use popular ingredients, this one uses oligopeptides and polypeptides to target premature aging, while others rely on retinol for anti-aging. Effectiveness varies by skin type. 🌙 Gorgeous color: The serum starts as a beautiful blue but turns clear when applied, so no artificial dyes are left on your skin. 🌙 Free from irritants: It’s alcohol-free, fragrance-free, and essential oil-free. 🌙 No side effects: As someone with sensitive combination skin, I can confidently say I experienced no irritation after using this. Overall, I’d rate this a solid 4/5!

UPDATE November 4, 2024 I already tested this and did not find favorable results with this. I gave it another try, and still did not like it. I disliked the way the moisture didn’t absorb and just sat on my skin. I’d like to thank @go.picky @picky.us @vtcosmetics_global for sending this over for my honest feedback. Unfortunately, I still have to rate it 2/5, and here’s why: 🖊️ The mask felt hydrating at first but had a goopy texture that caught me off guard. 🖊️ A few hours later, it seemed like the product just sat on my skin, triggering my neurosensory issues. 🖊️ When I washed my face after 4-5 hours, a film came off, suggesting it hadn’t absorbed at all. I even tested it on bare skin with no other products. Overall, it’s a pass for me—one of the few masks I wouldn’t recommend. _________________________________________________ ORIGINAL October 24, 2024 I've already raved about the Reedle Shot from VT Cosmetics (you can scroll back to see my thorough and honest feedback), so the bar was set pretty high. After being blown away by it, I was more than ecstatic to try a different product line from VT Cosmetics—the Glucamune Essence and Mask—coming in with huge hopes! I also like to mention huge thanks to @go.picky @picky.us @vtcosmetics_global for sending this over in exchange for my honest feedback! Unfortunately, this product did not live up to my expectations at all. Initially, I thought it was promising, but after several hours, I noticed some issues with the mask. Here are a few reasons why I rate it 2/5: 🖊️ When I first applied the mask, it felt very moisturizing, but the texture was a bit goopy, which caught me off guard. 🖊️ However, a couple of hours after removing the mask, it felt like the product was just sitting on my skin instead of being absorbed. This triggered my neurosensory issues. 🖊️ When I washed my face (about 4-5 hours later), I felt a film of product come off with the water, which was strange because it meant none of it had absorbed into my skin. For reference, I didn’t apply any other skincare before this to test it in isolation. Overall, this gets a 2/5 from me. I’ve never disliked a mask as much as this one—definitely a pass!

Another moisturizer review — definitely one of my favorites to test! I’ve already tried some products in the VT Cosmetics Glucamune line, and this was the last one I finally had the chance to try! After testing it for a while, I’ve given this a solid 4/5, and here’s why: 🌀 As someone with oily/combination skin, hydration creams can be tricky to work with my skin type. Fortunately, this absorbed quite well and didn’t cause any side effects, making it a reliable moisturizer. 🌀 The texture is semi-opaque with a bouncy consistency. It provides maximum hydration, making it ideal for use in colder weather. 🌀 Despite its goopy texture, there’s no post-application stickiness—perfect for anyone with neurosensory sensitivities! 🌀 It’s unscented and fragrance-free, making it a great alternative to snail mucin. I prefer this because I tend to break out when using snail mucin. Instead, this contains Tremella Fuciformis (a mushroom extract known to hold moisture up to 1000 times its weight), which provides even better hydration benefits. Overall, I’d give this a solid 4/5! #pickyreview #gopicky #pickyxvtcosmetics #vtcosmetics

I'm currently trying to finish my Manyo cleansing oil (as it has been one of my top choices for removing makeup over the past two months). While I'm almost done with that one, I’ve had the pleasure of testing this product to see how it compares to my favorite. A Bit of Background on Beplain Mung Bean Cleansing Oil : - A cleansing oil - Contains 200 mL / 6.76 fl. oz. - Purpose: To break down and remove makeup without leaving a residue After testing this for a few days, I rate it a 4/5, as it met my expectations for a great cleansing oil. 🫛 I have reactive skin that shows signs of any allergic reaction or new pimples within hours. I was glad to see that this didn’t cause any irritation. 🫛 Compared to some of my favorite cleansing oils, I noticed this took just a bit longer to break down my makeup. It’s a minor difference, but my impatience knows no bounds. 🫛 The texture is somewhat more watery than my other cleansing oils, which made it interesting to use. You have to work quickly with it to avoid spills. 🫛 I didn’t notice any problematic ingredients, but watch out for Ethylhexyl Palmitate, which is known for being comedogenic and could potentially cause breakouts, especially for acne-prone skin. I was especially concerned about this, knowing I have somewhat acne-prone skin, but I was pleasantly surprised that it didn’t cause any breakouts. Overall, I give this a 4/5. *I didn’t clarify that the skincare headband was sent complimentary (my bad). #pickyreview #gopicky #pickyxbeplain #beplain

UPDATE November 7, 2024 I’ve already given this a 4/5, and after using it a few times over the last month since I got one, I can firmly stand by that rating. This is one of the better clay masks I’ve used and really works well in removing gunk from the face. Thank you @go.picky, @picky.us, and @ innisfree_official for sending this over in exchange for my honest opinion! Here are some of the reasons why this mask has continued to be a solid choice for me: 🌎 It literally draws out gunk from the pores while minimizing them. I didn’t notice this before, but after a few uses, I’ve seen my pores shrinking on their own. I think it may be due to the hydrating factors that plump up the skin, helping the pores stay smaller. 🌎 This is fun for a girl’s night. I had some friends over, and we used this while watching movies. They all thought it made their skin look amazing afterward, which changed my mindset a bit, especially since no one experienced any sensitivities or allergic reactions. 🌎 I still think the past formulation was a bit better. It dried quicker, and you could feel the mask fully drying before washing it off. With this one, even after quite some time, it didn’t fully dry down for me, and I wondered why. It’s not a bad thing, but I prefer my mask to completely dry before rinsing. I thought I was applying it too thick, but even with a thin layer, it feels the same. Overall, I’d still rate this a 4/5! __________________________________________________ Original September 22, 2024 I didn’t think I’d see this come back into my rotation – this was my holy grail mask during my high school days (around 2015). It’s even more nostalgic knowing that my younger self would’ve been ecstatic to try this as a giveaway win. I loved this mask for many reasons, but with the evolution of skincare products over the years, masks kind of faded into the background, so I didn’t repurchase it. But if there’s one mask you should try, it’s this one. It’s probably the only mask where I notice immediate benefits. Here’s a breakdown of why I’ll be revisiting and reloving my high school holy grail, though I did notice a few changes I’m not thrilled about: 🌋 This stuff literally draws out the gunk from your pores, especially once it dries down. Back in high school, I didn’t want to be the kid with visible blackheads, and this mask really kept that under control. 🌋 I used to believe it was made from volcanic remains, and while I’ve grown older (and hopefully wiser), I can now connect the ingredients with the benefits they bring. Some key examples: - Lactic acid: An exfoliant that helps with removing buildup. - Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract: A powerful antioxidant. I can attest to this because my pores stayed clear after using the mask. - Kaolin: A physical exfoliant that scrubs away blackheads. - Volcanic Ash: I wasn’t imagining it—this really was a key ingredient. 🌋 It’s full of moisturizing ingredients, so it doesn’t dry out your skin. 🌋 I used to have the most sensitive skin in high school, reacting to almost everything, so the fact that this mask didn’t irritate my face made it my first true skincare love. Overall, I’d give this a 4/5. It was much better in the past, and I truly miss those days.

UPDATE - November 10, 2024 I’ll admit I didn’t use this as much as I probably should have because my patience wears thin when I don’t see results soon enough. I used this for about a week and a half (or so) in October and decided not to continue with it since I have other skincare products that work better for me. As a seasoned skincare user, this probably isn’t the best product for me and is better suited for more sensitive skin types that need gentler products. That doesn’t take away from the benefits it offers, especially considering that this worked better for my sister than it did for me. Here are some updates on why I still rate this a 4/5: 🔸 Whenever I applied this, it did make my skin look a bit brighter, so I can attest to the hyperpigmentation benefits it provides. However, it takes quite a while to see results compared to some of my other products, which is why I don’t reach for it often. 🔸 This has absolutely no scent, so I’m not noticing any lingering skincare fragrance or sillage while moving around and doing whatever I’m working on. It makes my skin feel calm. It’s so watery that you might think it’s not doing anything to your face, but it is – just quietly. 🔸 Thankfully, I had zero negative reactions to this. I don’t react to most skincare now unless it contains one of my avoided triggers, so I’m probably not the best candidate to speak on sensitivity. However, my sister, who has reactive sensitive skin, reported no reactions with this product, so we’ll go with the fact that it’s great for sensitive skin types. 🔸 I did notice a reduction in sebum production. I’m not sure if it’s caused solely by this product or in combination with other products I use in my routine, but I’ve been getting fewer whiteheads when I include this in my skincare routine. However, even after not using it, I still haven’t gotten those whiteheads, so I’m unsure if it’s solely due to this product. That said, it does seem to fit well with most skincare routines. Overall, I’d still rate this a 4/5! ——————————————————————— ORIGINAL - October 9, 2024 Consider me interested anytime I see something meant to exfoliate the skin. This isn’t the usual type of exfoliator I see on the market, which makes it stand out in its own way. After trying it for some time, I’ll say that I have mixed feelings, but most of them are positive. A bit of background on By Wishtrend Mandelic Acid 5% Skin Prep Water: * A mild exfoliant suitable for sensitive skin types * Contains 120 ml/4.05 fl. oz. * Made with Panthenol, centella asiatica extract, and beta-glucan for soothing purposes * Purpose: regulating sebum production, gently exfoliating the skin, and reducing hyperpigmentation Here are some reasons I’d rate this a 4/5: 🍊 This is meant to help with sebum control, reducing the appearance of acne and blackheads on the face. The mandelic acid keeps acne and pimples at bay. 🍊 Mandelic acid is a gentler exfoliator compared to its structural counterparts (like glycolic acid) due to the larger size of its molecules. This doesn’t mean it’s less effective—just less irritating compared to other AHAs in the same category. 🍊 The somewhat opaque, dark bottle is clearly well-researched. Since mandelic acid is sensitive to light, the dark packaging ensures the formulation stays stable and active. 🍊 It feels watery, making it very easy to absorb into the skin. Some of you may consider this a toner, but I wouldn’t. It’s best used before a toner. 🍊 This also claims to target hyperpigmentation, but because hyperpigmentation takes time to improve, I won’t be mentioning much yet. I haven’t seen dramatic results in this area, though I’ve noticed slight improvements like overall brightening of the face. Overall, I’d give this a 4/5. It’s a solid, gentle exfoliator.