My chin cysts were throwing a tantrum last month. This Korean serum was the only new thing I tried. And somehow, my skin didn’t peel off — which is rare for me on retinol.
The real win? My pores stopped looking like craters by week two. That never happens without irritation for me.
🧴 **What’s in the Tube**
It’s a milky serum from Some By Mi — about $22 for 30ml. They claim it’s gentle enough for acne-prone newbies. I called bullshit. Tested anyway.
1. **Triple Retinol Complex** — Retinol, retinal, and retinyl ester. Sounds aggressive. Feels like a soft pat.
2. **Panthenol + Madecassoside** — The reason your face doesn’t look like a lizard by day 3.
3. **Salicylic Acid (0.1%)** — Trace amount, but keeps pores from throwing a fit.
📅 **What’s Actually Inside**
Hero ingredients play nice here. No fragrance, no essential oils — just actives that actually stabilize retinol so it doesn’t oxidize into uselessness by month two.
– **Retinol 0.1%**: Starter dose. Won’t nuke your barrier.
– **Panthenol (2%)**: Calms redness before it starts.
– **Niacinamide (2%)**: Fades the dark spots zits leave behind.
– **Madecassoside**: Anti-inflammatory band-aid for angry bumps.
🧪 **30 Days of Testing**
Texture is watery-gel — sinks in 8 seconds flat. No film. No shine. First week, I had one tiny purge pimple near my jaw. That’s it. By week three, my texture was smoother than my ex’s excuses.
💡 **One Thing**: Apply to *damp* skin. Cuts irritation by half. Trust me.
💡 **Did It Actually Help Acne?**
Yes — but not overnight. My active breakouts shrank faster (3 days vs. 5-6). Blackheads on my nose? Still there, but softer. Oil production dialed back noticeably around week three.
✅ **Buy if** your skin is oily, reactive, and tired of retinol that burns.
⏭️ **Skip if** you have deep cystic acne needing prescription-level stuff.
💰 **Worth it?** For $22? Yes. A fraction of drugstore retinol prices with better soothing ingredients.
⚠️ **Final Call**
It’s the retinol for people who hate retinol. Not a miracle — just smart, gentle, and actually works for breakouts without the meltdown.
**7.8/10** — Solid starter that respects your barrier
🛍️ **Where to Buy**: Amazon or Olive Young. Grab the travel size first — one tube lasts 6 weeks with daily use.