This post contains affiliate links. Product provided by Oshen Skin.
Is there anything niacinamide cannot do? It’s a multi-talented ingredient that can improve the look of pores, pigmentation, and even fine lines and wrinkles. And while many products contain niacinamide, sometimes it’s nice to have a dedicated item where it’s the star (and the percentage is clearly stated).
Mary & May Niacinamide + Chaenomeles Sinensis Serum contains 2% niacinamide and 93% Chaenomeles Sinensis Fruit extract. It’s available on Oshen Skin (save with my code KBHOBBIT10) and promises to brighten and regulate sebum production, in addition to other niacinamide benefits already stated above.
How to use
Apply to clean skin after toner
Gently pat in
Follow with the rest of your routine
Mary & May Niacinamide serum has a light, non-sticky texture ideal for layering without added fragrance. There’s a bit of a scent from the ingredients (fragrance free doesn’t mean scent free), but it’s barely noticeable. This is great for people like me who enjoy using essences, ampoules, and serums but don’t want anything heavy, sticky, or pilling. Another note on the texture - while it’s very light and pleasant on the skin, the consistency is that of a light gel, so dispensing it via pipette isn’t always the easiest thing. Instead of dripping out, it sort of plops into my palm as a little gel blob. I think a pump bottle would have been a much better packaging choice for this product, but it’s not a deal breaker for me.
My impressions
This is a fine niacinamide serum. It’s not mind blowing by any means, but it provides slow and steady results. Is it completely different from all the other niacinamide serums out there? Probably not. But it’s still a worthy addition to my skincare routine and has a lovely texture.
I appreciate that this formula uses skin friendly 2% concentration of niacinamide. There are products that go as high as 10%, but more isn’t always better, especially in this case (high percentages can cause irritation). Niacinamide is a common ingredient in many formulas, but the percentage is often not disclosed, and some people may want a serum where it is the star. Mary & May Niacinamide plays that role well, plus the price is pretty friendly.
For me personally, the effects of this product are maintenance focused, because I’ve been using niacinamide in my skincare for years. If you are new to the ingredient, you may notice more drastic results (compared to not using niacinamide). In general, my skin tone is more even and my pores look smaller / better when I use niacinamide, including this serum, vs when I don’t incorporate that ingredient.
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Mary & May Niacinamide + Chaenomeles Sinensis Serum ingredients: Chaenomeles Sinensis Fruit Extract(93%), Glycereth-26, Niacinamide(2%), 1,2-Hexanediol, Arginine, Carbomer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylyl Glycol