I’m reviewing another part of my TJ Maxx impulse buy. The (fake) frosted glass of the Valjean Labs bottles got me, okay? If you missed it, I also picked up a facial mist. I like it despite not wanting to repurchase.
This, on the other hand..
It seems like it would be straightforward. Hyaluronic acid helps your skin retain moisture and vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid) is supposed to be good for acne. I don’t have issues with acne, but I’m always looking for ways to up my skin’s hydration.
Full disclosure: I thought that vitamin B5 was niacinamide. It’s not. That’s vitamin B3. Maybe that’s why I don’t think this is working as well? I expected to flush like I do with niacinamide and I don’t get that..because that’s not what it is. We’re all learning here.
Shout out to Valjean labs for saying that their serum is super concentrated without giving ingredients percentages! Those are useless, empty words. The lack of transparency inactive ingredients is actually why I wont shell out for Glossier’s serums despite desperately, desperately wanting to believe in their effortless beauty marketing.
I used this serum correctly the first few times I tried it. A few drops into my hand, rub it on my face, wait and then moisturize. I actually felt like it was drying my skin out. I think it smells like alcohol. I’m not sure where that’s coming from.
All I know is that I now essentially dump it on my face, don’t wait for it to dry, and slather my moisturizer on top of it. I think it works a little better this way. I’m mostly trying to get through it at this point. I don’t think it’s doing much for me. Since it’s not breaking me out I’m having trouble making myself throw it away.
I’m not sure how much longer I’ll be able to stand using it, though. The little dropper doesn’t have great suction and will only fill to the product level in the bottle.
Edit: The dropper did give out on me! I ended up pouring it on my face. Since my goal was to get through the bottle as quickly as possible, I was fine with it.
Does anyone have a good serum I should try?
Grumpy Skin 
The TJ Maxx skincare department is always a massive temptation, so thanks for taking one for the team. I just finished and really liked the Pixi Milky Hydrating Serum, but it doesn’t list ingredient percentages.
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Thanks! I’ll see if I can at least google around for more information on it. Sometimes they’ll tell you if you ask.
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I really enjoy some of acure’s serums for hydration. Maybe you’ll like them!
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Thank you! I’ll look into them.
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I just wrote about this in my recent blog post, and I didn’t love it either. I’m trying out the hyaluronic acid by The Ordinary, it feels a bit gloopier and thicker but not sure if it’s any good yet! Have you tried any others?
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