I received this product for free from herbivore. I like the idea of an exfoliant with so many calming, soothing, and hydrating ingredients, so I was excited to try this serum! The packaging feels like thick plastic, with a pretty holographic/shimmery color. The serum itself is white and has a creamy, thick texture similar to that of an emulsion. It is definitely on the thicker side for a serum. It has a sweet smell, with hints of vanilla and coconut and a bit wood-y.
After applying, I felt a bit of stinging in sensitive areas, like the skin around my nose. However, this disappeared in less than a minute. The serum does leave a bit of a tacky film after drying and takes a while to soak in. Despite the film, it did not make my skin look oily or shiny. My skin does look more smooth after using the serum, and I did not experience any irritation aside from the initial bit of stinging.
I did not enjoy the tacky film that this left on my skin. I found that it disappeared after being allowed to soak in for 20-30 min, but I usually only wait a few minutes between steps so this was inconvenient. I am also not sure if the benefits justify the price of the product. I will definitely continue to enjoy this bottle, but cannot see myself repurchasing at nearly $60 USD per bottle.
Although I like the smell and did not experience any irritation, I feel it is worth noting that this product contains vanillin despite claiming to be fragrance free. I could be wrong, but I am not aware of any uses of vanillin in cosmetics other than as fragrance. Since vanillin can irritate skin and can be sensitizing, this product may not be suitable for people with very sensitive skin.
