Apotheke Science Niacinamide serum review

Funny that I have repurchased Apotheke Science Niacinamide 10% serum multiple times already and recommended it to my friends but I haven't really talked about or posted my thoughts about this serum in my blog or social media!

So, here I am now!

I've discovered this serum while scrolling in Insta and I think at that time I was looking for a local brand carrying a niacinamide serum. The Ordinary Niacinamide serum is just expensive for me. I'm glad I found this serum and I've been using this serum since then. That was three years ago!

The Apotheke Science Niacinamide serum claims to

• Minimize lines and wrinkles.
• Restores skin radiance.
• Reduce blemishes, calms breakouts, unclogs pores.
• Combats oily skin by balancing sebum levels.
• Improves skin's barrier function, preventing it from losing water and protecting it from pollutants and irritants.
• Protects skin agains damage from sun exposure.

Before, it is only available in 10% concentration. 

Now, it has 5% sister for folks who have sensitive skin or who want to try using niacinamide for the first time.

It sits in a bed of 100% aloe vera gel, aloe vera extract, and seaweed extract.

Apotheke Science Niacinamide 10%
A very straightforward product.
It just comes in a bottle
with a shrink plastic and
you can clearly read its claims and ingredients list.
No frills!

Once pumped, it comes out a a gel, and then
dissolves into a watery consistency.
This serum is genuinely not icky sticky!

I love this serum! I just can't remove this from my skin care routine because it has a lot qualities to love. It comes out as a gel but glides as watery. My skin quickly absorbs it. I can use it alone or along with other serums and moisturizer. It helps prep my skin before makeup application and it doesn't bother the makeup. It's perfect for  people with oily and dehydrated skin like me. It is also very soothing and cooling. I've used this multiple times on sunburned skin. 

In a nut shell...

What I like about Apotheke Science Niacinamide serum

• Affordable and locally available.
• Hydrating and soothing.
• Does not irritate me.
• Very light and skin absorbs it quickly.
• A multi-use product, not only limited to the face.

There's nothing that I don't like!

Apotheke Science Niacinamide serum retails for Php 499 for the 60 ml and Php 269 for the 30 ml. And you choose the 5% or 10% concentration.

I guess this is my HG niacinamide serum!

Have you tried this Apotheke Science Niacinamide serum, too?

My Current Skin Care Routine as of July 2020 and Some Reviews

Hi guys! How are you? I was able to go home here in my hometown and I have been very thankful! Now, I'm listing down the skin care products that I am using since I did not bring all of them with me. I left some of them in the work city and some are slowly running out. I am getting anxious just by the thought that I won't have anything to use! Have you ever felt that?

Doing this made me realize that I have products that I'm really hiyang with and cannot live without. I guess you could say that they are my Holy Grail (HG) products. And with the on-going pandemic, this also made me realize that a basic routine really works for me.

Here is my current skin care:

Day Time

1. Water cleanse 
2. Toner: Human Nature Hydrating Face Toner or Hada Labo Gokujyun Premium Lotion 
3. Serum: Apothēkē Science Niacinamide 10%. I use this if I use the Human Nature Hydrating Face Toner. Sometimes, I skip this step.
4. Moisturizer: COSRX Advanced Snail 92 All In One Cream
5. Sunscreen: Canmake Mermaid Skin Gel UV SPF 50+ PA++++

Night Time

1. Makeup remover: Biore Cleansing Oil /  *Hada Labo Moisture Oil Cleansing
2. Facial wash: Shiseido Senka Perfect White Clay
3. Toner: Human Nature Hydrating Face Toner or Hada Labo Gokujyun Premium Lotion
4. Serum: Apotheke Science Niacinamide 10%. I use this if I use the Human Nature Hydrating Face Toner.
5. Moisturizer: COSRX Advanced Snail 92 All In One Cream or Cleopatra's secret Marigold Skin Brightening Serum
• I use the COSRX Advanced Snail 92 All In One Cream if I have the serum step.
• If I skip the serum step, I use Cleopatra's secret Marigold Skin Brightening Serum immediately. No need to top it off with a moisturizer.

Exfoliation

• COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid: I use this 2-3 times a week or when I start feeling some small bumps on my face.
• CURE: Natural Aqua Gel: I use this sometimes during the day, especially upon waking up.
• Apothēkē Science Detoxifying Face Mask: I use this once a week because mixing is a tedious task for me. However, my face feels refreshed and smooth when I use this. The after-effect is rewarding.

Here are some thoughts on the products I have been using. I just realized that I have a lot of backlogged posts to create!

• Makeup remover
• Biore Cleansing Oil: I have been using this than more than I can count my fingers. I really like this cleansing oil because it removes makeup really well. I'll talk more about this soon.
• *Hada Labo Moisture Oil Cleansing: I immediately jumped to this when my Biore was all used up. It has the same consistency and quality with Biore. I'm on my last 30 ml refill bottle and I am worried I'll run out soon. I'll more about this, too on a separate post.
• Facial wash
• Shiseido Senka Perfect White Clay: I bought this around February, 2020 and a little really goes a long, long way. It helps if you use a foamer. It's not drying on me even if this is very foamy and has a high pH. I think I'll just finish this up and go back to my go-to low pH facial wash or try a Hada Labo facial wash.
• Toner: I use two different toners depending on my mood actually. Whenever I feel hot, I use the Human Nature one. I prefer using Hada Labo when going to work. Since I'm just working at home, I use this after exfoliation. More notes below:
• Human Nature Hydrating Face Toner: I have purchased this more than I can count. I'll talk more about this in a separate post soon.
• Hada Labo Gokujyun Premium Lotion: This toner helps my skin hydrated, especially in a dry, cold environment, such as the office. I'm on my last 30 ml refill bottle. I'm thinking if I should repurchase or not.
• Serum
• Apothēkē Science Niacinamide 10%: I wasn't able to bring the last spritz of this. I'm thinking of repurchasing because I like how it makes my pores look small and my sebum controlled.
• Moisturizer
• COSRX Advanced Snail 92 All In One Cream: I can say this is my HG cream. I just love how it moisturizes my face and my under eyes. Truly, an all-in-one cream. I'll talk more of this soon.
• Cleopatra's Secret Marigold Skin Brightening Serum: I just recently used this around May, 2020. So far, I don't have any complaints. I'm loving the relaxing, natural, herby scent. It's thicker than the serums I've known. It works more as a face oil. I don't need to top it off with a moisturizer. My oily skin is already okay with it as the last step of my night routine. I'll talk more of this soon.
• Exfoliants
• COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid: Definitely, one of my HG exfoliants! I have repurchased more than three bottles of these already. A bottle lasts me a year and I'm on my few drops now. I have to repurchase! I'll definitely share my thoughts on this.
• CURE: Natural Aqua Gel: This was recommended by my friend. I posted just a mini review of this on my Instagram account.
• Apothēkē Science Detoxifying Face Mask: I use this once a week because mixing is a tedious task for me. However, the after-effect is rewarding. My face feels refreshed and smooth when I use this. Sadly, I've used this all up already and now I'm thinking to repurchase or try other masks. By the way, I've shared my thoughts on this here.

I'm seriously thinking about repurchasing some of the products that I have already repurchased twice. I'm also open to other options, such as for the serum and for the exfoliants. I just have to patient now and wait for the payday sale to avail my necessities!

What's your current skin care routine, by the way?


*[UPDATE] I just realized that I'm actually using the Hada Labo Moisture Oil Cleansing now. Like I mentioned, I have been using Biore Cleansing Oil for the longest time. Maybe that's why I got my self mixed up! Sorry about that guys. Will definitely talk more about those cleansing oils. HG material!

Apotheke Science Detoxifying Face Mask Review

I have contemplated for a long time whether to get a DIY facial clay mask. I have thought about getting the more popular Aztec Secret, Indian Healing Clay Mask or the more budget-friendly Luxe Organix Bentonite Clay Indian Healing Clay. I think, both have value for money and give out that pore de-clogging feature. But I think, almost 400 grams of clay is kind of too much for me. It may expire on me without using everything.

Thank God, I found Apotheke Science Detoxifying Face Mask when I was browsing around Instagram. Php 149 per 100 g is such a great deal of temptation. Who could say no to that!? Aside from the very affordable price, it also claims the same benefits as you can get if you use Aztec Secret's or Luxe's. It also has activated charcoal that is good for oily/acne-prone skin. After another round of contemplating, I finally gave in.

Apotheke Science Detoxifying Face Mask

What I like:

• It’s very affordable. It’s only Php 149 per 100 grams.
• I like the simple packaging with all information that you need. Ingredient list is also clear.
• It has bentonite and activated charcoal, which are perfect for those who have oily and acne prone skin.
• It does what it claims to do. It’s not drying in fairness. But if you have dry and sensitive skin, you may want to wash it off at the 5-minute mark after application. Do not wait for it to be completely dry, like I do – which I wait for it to be completely dry and become greyscale. Though I already feel itchiness.

What I don’t like:

• It takes a little bit of adjustment to use. If you use too much water, you have to add more of the clay to make a paste. Otherwise, it won’t stick on your face or you’ll end up with a droopy mess.
• It can be messy upon rinsing.
• Procrastination and laziness overtake the process, which is sad. 

Will I repurchase?

Yes, why not? It’s so budget-friendly and does what it claims. Well, it will take me a lot of time to even get a half of tub. The only thing that could get in the way is my laziness. So far, I enjoy using Apothekescience Detoxifying Clay Mask.

Have you tried Apothekescience Detoxifying Clay Mask, too? \^o^/