Alright, so I caved. After seeing this green bottle on my FYP for the 400th time, I bought the hype and used it every single morning for a month. The promise? Fading the dark spots my chin has been holding hostage since a brutal breakout in March.
The real test wasn’t just if it worked, but if I’d get bored of it. I have the attention span of a gnat with skincare. But this one had me actually looking forward to my routine — mostly because it smells like a fancy spa and not like lawn clippings.
It’s a $22 serum from InnBeauty Project— technically a “facial extract” because they’re fancy. Their claim is “green juice for your face” which sounds gross, but it’s actually meant to calm redness and nuke dark spots. The 1% retinoid is what got me. I’m a wimp with retinol, but this is a gentle derivative, so it promised results without the peeling.
Retinoid Blend
It’s a gentle retinal that actually works for sensitive skin — no flaking, just results.
Green Tea + Licorice Root
This combo is the real workhorse for fading post-acne marks. It’s not just trendy, it’s effective.
Squalane Base
Keeps it hydrating enough that I skipped my morning moisturizer on humid days. Wild.
Photo: Viva Luna Studios / Unsplash
One unexpected observation: this formula is basically the color of a wheatgrass shot, but it doesn’t stain your skin green. It sinks in clear. Weird, but I’m here for it. It’s a watery-gel texture that absorbs in about 15 seconds — fast enough that I can actually put makeup on right after without pilling.
- Retinal: Smooths texture and speeds cell turnover
- Licorice Root: Targets hyperpigmentation at the source
- Green Tea: Calms redness and provides antioxidant protection
- Squalane: Locks in moisture without a greasy finish
Photo: Rosa Rafael / Unsplash
Texture is like a hybrid between a gel and a watery serum. It leaves a slightly tacky finish for about a minute, then it’s gone. Totally invisible. No scent that lingers — just a faint, earthy citrus smell that disappears.
Week two is when I nearly quit. My skin purged. Not a full-blown pizza face, but a few angry bumps on my jawline. I wanted to throw the bottle across the room. But by week three, the purge cleared and the spots on my cheeks looked less… loud. My makeup went on smoother because the texture wasn’t so bumpy.
Photo: Element5 Digital / Unsplash
Measurable change: The dark spot on my left cheek is about 40% lighter. The red acne marks on my chin are damn near gone. What didn’t change? My giant pores. They’re the same size. This doesn’t do anything for texture holes, only pigment.
The weird part? My skin looks “glowy” but not greasy. Like I went on a walk in the cold. It’s a vibe.
Photo: Laura Jaeger / Unsplash
I’m on bottle two. This is the first “viral” product that actually lived up to its TikTok fame — it’s not a miracle, but it’s a workhorse.