**🔎 The Glow Got Nerfed?**
So True Botanicals dropped a new Radiance Oil. The old one was basically liquid crack for your face—immediate, glassy, idiot-proof. The new formula? It’s… polite. Too polite.
The real issue: they swapped the base. Old version was super-thin MCT coconut oil—soaked in 8 seconds flat. New one sits on top for a minute before it gives up and sinks in. Glow is still there—but it’s a slow burn, not a flash.
**💧 What Even Changed?**
$88. 1 oz. They claim “improved stability” and brighter skin. That’s code for “we fixed something nobody asked to fix.”
1. **Smoother texture** – Less gritty going on. Old one had micro-particles that dissolved. New one is liquid-smooth from the drop.
2. **No more weird smell** – Old version smelled faintly like wet grass. New one is practically odorless. If you loved that earthy funk, you’ll miss it.
3. **Pump vs. dropper** – They kept the dropper. Thank god. The pump rumor was terrifying.
**⚠️ What’s Actually Inside**
They swapped the hero actives. Old formula was a pure vitamin C ester in a fast-absorbing carrier. New one adds bakuchiol and squalane—nice, but they’re fighting for attention now.
– **Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate**: The C ester that actually penetrates. Still here, but diluted
– **Bakuchiol**: Retinol alternative. Fine. But it makes the oil feel heavier
– **Squalane**: Moisture barrier support. Makes it sit on skin longer
– **Sea Buckthorn**: The orange tint. Still stains your pillowcase
**✅ The Feel Test**
First pump: oily. Not greasy, but definitely *present*. I waited. And waited. At 45 seconds it finally soaked in. My skin looked dewy—but not the “I just had a facial” dew. More like “I used a good night cream.”
Week 2: My pores look smaller. That’s the bakuchiol doing its thing. But I miss the instant gratification. The old oil made me glow *before* I finished my coffee. This one takes an hour.
💡 **One Thing**: Mix 2 drops with your moisturizer instead of applying directly. The carrier cream helps it absorb faster—cuts the wait time in half.
**❌ The Real Results**
My redness is down. Texture is smoother. But the glow? It’s… diffused. Like a soft-focus filter instead of a spotlight. Not bad. Just different.
– **Buy if**: You have dry or combo skin and want a slow, steady improvement
– **Skip if**: You loved the original’s instant glass-skin effect
– **Worth it?**: For $88? It’s a solid oil. But it’s not the *same* oil. If you’re repurchasing for the old magic, you’ll be disappointed.
**🔬 Final Call**
The new formula is better for sensitive skin and long-term results. But it lost the one thing that made the original addictive: that 10-second “wow” factor.
**7.2/10** — Good oil, wrong expectations
🛍️ **Where to Buy**: Straight from their site—get the mini first ($28) to test before committing to the full bottle.