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Being someone who has oily skin, niacinamide has been my holy grail skincare product, as it has profusely helped regulate excess oil production and kept my sebaceous glands in check.
I have used great niacinamide products like: The Ordinary 10% Niacinamide + Zinc 1%, The Inkey List 10% Niacinamide and The Good Molecules 10% Niacinamide serum, and I had great experience with them all.
However, as research studies would have it, the sweet spot of niacinamide is 5%. This exact niacinamide concentration has been featured in several research studies and has proven to be the best niacinamide concentration to use to reap niacinamide’s wonderful skin benefits, without the risk of incurring irritation, as it was well tolerated by the skin.
Although, I have been using 10% niacinamide concentration without any issues or irritation. However, I decided to try out a 5% niacinamide concentration to see how things goes. And to know for sure if a 5% niacinamide will deliver the same effect as 10%.
This prompted me to purchase the Garden Of Wisdom Niacinamide Serum, which contains 5% niacinamide.
I put this niacinamide serum to the test by applying it for three (3) weeks, both morning (AM) and night (PM), and after the practical experiment, I’ve come to share my honest review (as always) with this 5% infused-niacinamide serum. But before I go into that, let me briefly sensitize you on what niacinamide is, just in case if you’re new to this star skincare ingredient.
What Is Niacinamide?
Niacinamide is a type of vitamin B3 and a water-soluble vitamin that helps control excessive oil production, minimize large pores, Improve skin barrier function and improve overall skin tone which is very beneficial for all skin types, but mostly for individuals with oily skin.
Individuals with oily skin are very much vulnerable to acne breakouts due to excessive oil (sebum) production which can lead to clogged pores, so, to regulate oil production you have to incorporate niacinamide into your skincare routine.
About The Brand.
Garden Of Wisdom is a skincare brand based in Prescott, Arizona.
As a straightforward skincare brand with focused formulations, they produce quality skincare products that fall in a very pocket-friendly price, just like The Ordinary and The Inkey List.
According to them: “Our goal is to formulate and stock unique and effective skin care products to better assist our customers and their unique skin profiles in finding a happy coexistence while sustaining a high level of skin health“.
This Prescott-Arizona skincare brand was founded by two skincare enthusiasts, Markey and Jen. Impressively, with every single formula being cruelty-free, suitable for vegans and free from alcohol, soya and silicones.
Garden Of Wisdom Niacinamide Serum 5%.
A powerful 5% niacinamide serum to help regulate excess oil production, refine and reduce the looks of enlarged pores, improve skin elasticity, thus reduces the looks of wrinkles, fine lines and improve overall skin texture and complexion.
Other prominent ingredients used in this formulation will be briefly explained below:
- Avocado Biofermentation: A biofermentation avocado extract, to help support niacinamide to nourish and hydrate the skin.
- Pantothenic Acid (B-5): Also known as Vitamin B5, which works as a moisturizer and hydrator to help hydrate the skin and repair the skin barrier, which also expedites the healing process of skin wounds.
- Sodium Lactate: Sodium Lactate is a multifunctional ingredient commonly used in cosmetics and skin care products. As a natural component of the skin, it helps maintain adequate skin hydration as part of the Natural Moisturizing Factor (NMF). In skin care products, sodium lactate is typically used as a humectant and moisturizer.
- Sunflower Extract: Sunflower seed extract/oil has anti-inflammatory properties that help lower skin redness and roughness as it soothes the skin and offers hydration to the skin too. All thanks to its rich content in omega-6 (linoleic) fatty acid and vitamin E. Omega-6 acid helps decrease inflammation, hydrate rough skin and improve wound healing. While vitamin E offers its antioxidant, skin hydration and skin cell protection potentials.
- Aspen Bark Extract: This mainly functions as a natural preservative in skincare. It’s an excellent alternative to parabens, it protects the skincare product from contamination, as it reduces the bacteria growth. This helps to extend the shelf life of natural skin care products. Aside from its preservation potentials, Aspen bark extract also softens the skin.
- Phenoxyethanol & Caprylyl Glycol: A globally approved preservative that is paraben and formaldehyde-free. These ingredients provide protection against microbial growth from bacteria and yeast.
Packaging.
Garden Of Wisdom Niacinamide Serum comes in a dark pump-bottle to protect the product-content from direct sunlight which could prompt oxidation and also to enable easier product dispensing prior to usage. All thanks to the pump-feature.
The product is well packaged and sealed to avoid content spillage.
Texture.
Garden Of Wisdom Niacinamide Serum has a lightweight texture which feels super hydrating on the skin when applied and absorbs quickly without leaving a greasy or residual feeling behind.
Size.
Garden Of Wisdom Niacinamide Serum comes in a 30ml size.
Ingredients:
Distilled Water, Avocado BioFermentation, Pantothenic Acid, Sunflower Seed Extract, Niacinamide (B-3) 5%, Sodium Lactate, Aspen Bark Extract, Xanthan Gum, Optiphen (Phenoxyethanol (and) Caprylyl Glycol). Read how to read skincare ingredient list.
My Honest Review On Garden Of Wisdom Niacinamide Serum.
The texture of this 5% niacinamide serum is to die for. So hydrating and soothing on the skin. This already gave a good impression on application. I was pleased with it.
As previously stated, I have been using a 10% niacinamide serum, (Good Molecules 10% Niacinamide Serum), to be precise without issues, before plunging ahead to trying out the one from the Garden Of Wisdom brand. And from my experience with the Garden Of Wisdom 5% Niacinamide Serum, I can confidently say, I still reaped the same niacinamide benefits, just like I did with the 10% concentration, except for the fact I don’t experience a slight tingling sensation upon application from the 5% formula, just like I always experienced with the 10% formula.
Aside from that, every other skin benefits I enjoyed from the 10% concentration also continued with the 5% concentration, the only difference is, I don’t experience any tingling sensation with the 5% niacinamide serum when applied, like I do experience with the 10% concentration, which explains why a 5% niacinamide serum is well tolerated by the skin and also delivers its marvelous skin benefits to the skin.
So, I definitely see no reason why I should continue using a 10% niacinamide serum when a 5% will also get the job done, without irritating my skin in the long run. Don’t you think so?
Therefore, I will stick to using the 5% Garden Of Wisdom Niacinamide Serum, as it’s proven that 5% niacinamide concentration is well tolerated by the skin and also delivers its beautiful skin benefits to the skin too.
In Conclusion.
While I never had issues or irritation while using a 10% niacinamide serum (except for the slight tingling sensation upon application), I believe a 5% niacinamide serum is best for my skin, because not only do I not feel any tingling sensation upon application, but also still enjoy niacinamide’s skin benefits like I did with the 10%.
Therefore, Garden Of Wisdom Niacinamide Serum 5% is here to stay in my skincare routine and if you’re sitting on the fence thinking whether to purchase it or not, I wholeheartedly recommend you should give it a go. Your skin may thank you for it. However don’t forget to perform a patch test prior to commencing full product application to test for allergies.
What I Like About Garden Of Wisdom Niacinamide Serum.
- Good packaging.
- Pocket-friendly price
- Thinner consistency.
- Absorbs quickly.
- Regulated excess oil and improved my skin texture & complexion.
- Fragrance-free.
- Minimized large visible pores & smoothened my skin.
What I Dislike About Garden Of Wisdom Niacinamide Serum.
I have no dislike about this product
Possible Questions & Answers.
Q: How did you apply the Garden Of Wisdom Niacinamide Serum?
A: After cleansing my face with my skin-suitable facial cleanser.
I Pat (not rub) my face with a clean towel (I don’t towel off completely) while my face is moist or damp, I quickly apply 2-3 drops of Garden Of Wisdom Niacinamide Serum to my entire face and massage gently till fully absorbed.
Disclaimer: This is a personal experience with the Garden Of Wisdom Niacinamide Serum, you may have a whole different experience as skin type differs, so as result differs too.
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