I’ll save you the scroll: this “clean” serum’s first ingredient is water. Then glycerin. Then *caprylic/capric triglyceride* — that’s fractionated coconut oil, not reishi. For $98, I expect the mushroom to at least be top 3.
The real problem? Sachi slaps “adaptogenic” on the bottle like it’s a magic word. Reishi extract is listed *after* the preservative system. At that concentration, it’s basically a cameo.
🧴 **Cult Serum or Cult Marketing?**
It’s a lightweight, milky gel-serum hybrid. $98 for 1 oz. Claims to “balance stress response” in skin — which is just a fancy way of saying it has antioxidants.
– **Texture** — Watery gel, sinks in about 45 seconds. Not sticky.
– **Scent** — Smells like a spa that ran out of budget. Faint herbal, gone in 2 minutes.
– **Packaging** — Glass dropper. Heavy. Nice on a shelf, annoying to travel with.
🌿 **The Greenwash Audit**
Two real actives floating in a sea of humectants and thickeners. The reishi is there, but it’s not doing heavy lifting.
- Reishi (Ganoderma Lucidum) Extract: Listed near the bottom. Anti-inflammatory? Maybe. At this dose? Doubtful.
- Niacinamide (Vitamin B3): The actual hero here. Calms redness, supports barrier. But you can get this for $12.
- Hyaluronic Acid: Standard hydrator. Fine. Nothing special.
- Sodium PCA: Natural moisturizer. Nice, but not $98 nice.
⚠️ **Week 3: The Letdown**
First pump — feels nice. Sinks in, skin looks plump for about 2 hours. Then it’s like it evaporated. I kept thinking “maybe my skin is just dry today.” No — it’s just not that hydrating long-term.
Week 3 surprise: I got a tiny breakout on my chin. Could be coincidental. Could be the coconut-derivative clogging me. Either way — not what I want from a $98 serum.
💡 **One Thing** — Use it as a *booster*, not a standalone serum. Mix 2 drops into a thicker moisturizer. It stretches the product and actually gives you that glow for more than 20 minutes.
📊 **Did It Actually Do Anything?**
Measurably: My redness was slightly calmer by week 2. But my $12 niacinamide serum does the same thing. Nothing changed with texture, fine lines, or “stress.” Skin looked fine. Not transformed.
💬 **Final Call**
It’s a fine serum. It’s just not a $98 serum. Clean beauty shouldn’t mean clean-out-your-wallet for ingredients you can find in drugstore bottles. Buy it if you want the ritual. Skip it if you want results.
🛍️ **Where to Buy** — Sachi Organics direct. But honestly? Try a travel size first. Or just buy The Ordinary Niacinamide for $6 and call it a day.