Minimalist Alpha Arbutin, Vitamin C and Niacinamide Serums Review
Hi guys,
I am sure you have heard of Minimalist by now, and how it’s an Indian version of the famous ‘The Ordinary’. I picked 3 serums from Minimalist and have been using them since the past 2 months.
The packaging and the products do remind you of The Ordinary for sure, they were planning to change the packaging and I hope they do that soon.
I know there are diverse opinions on this, but honestly how many people have credit cards or shop internationally. Even though I used to shop a lot internationally, the customs duty + shipping has made it hard in the past 2-3 years. So if I get similar products here in India which work equally well and are priced similarly, why would I not buy from here! But do they work as well as The Ordinary products? Read on to find out..
First of all, I love the fact that they teach their consumers so much about ingredients and how they work and the science behind it. They have a separate ‘Knowledge’ section on the website which is like a blog and has some amazing, detailed articles about different skincare ingredients with backed up research.
All Minimalist products are fragrance, paraben, silicone, sulphate, dye, essential oil free and are non comedogenic which means they will not clog your pores.
Packaging wise, all the serums come in a glass bottle with a dropper.
Let’s start with the Vitamin C serum..
Ingredients: Centella Asiatica Leaf Water, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Ethoxydiglycol, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Glycerin, Sodium Gluconate, Acetyl Glucosamine, Sodium Hyaluronate, Pullulan, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Xanthan Gum, Sclerotium Gum, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Lecithin, Lactic Acid
Their Formula has Ethyl Ascorbic Acid 10% + Acetyl Glucosamine 1%. Now Vitamin C is one of the most powerful anti-oxidants in skincare, anti-oxidants basically mean they negate oxidation i.e. they fight the free radicals and damage caused by oxidation through the environmental factors like stress/pollution/sun damage, etc. Just as consuming Vitamin C helps you fight viruses by boosting your immunity and strength to fit, the same way when applied on skin it fights the damage being done to the skin through environmental, external factors.
It also helps in brightening and evening out the skin tone, helps fade dark spots over time and also helps in boosting collagen, so with regular long time use helps prevent/delay fine lines and wrinkles.
Consuming citrus fruits, such as oranges, lime, and peppers, strawberries, blackcurrants, broccoli, brussels sprouts, etc. is amazing for both your body and skin as they have a lot of Vitamin C in them.
When combined with topical application on skin along with consuming a good diet, it is all the more beneficial for the skin.
But Vitamin C is extremely sensitive to light and air, so every time you open a bottle of Vitamin C, you are reducing a little bit of anti oxidants as you are allowing the process of oxidation. Hence, Vitamin C bottles are always dark and tinted, and I store them in a refrigerator and would recommend you do the same.
I love the fact that are also using a dark, tinted bottle. One bottle will last you 2-3 months depending on the usage, whether once a day or twice a day. I use it only in the mornings and it will last me one more month. Once opened, it is best to use up your Vitamin C within 2-3 months as it oxidizes.
Minimalist uses Vitamin C derivative “Ethyl Ascorbic Acid” that has 86% pure Vitamin C content. That is much higher than 40-50% content present in other Vitamin C derivatives. At a pH ~ 4.0 it is highly stable and effective. Ethyl Ascorbic Acid is the most stable form of Vitamin C currently and is both oil and water soluble. They have also added 1% Acetyl Glucosamine (AG), an amino acid sugar and a precursor of hyaluronic acid, that provides skin moisturization, boosts natural Hyaluronic Acid formation on the skin, and is a Natural Moisturizing Factor (NMF). A recent study has also shown visible improvement in fine lines around eyes with 2% AG.
I am absolutely in love with the ingredients and formula, they source their base ingredients from leading global suppliers who supply to most of these famous skincare brands globally.
They have used Centella Asiatice Leaf water as the base instead of just water, which is Gotu Kola and it very calming and soothing on the skin.
The formula is runny and watery, it is slightly tacky but absorbs quickly. I follow it up with my moisturizer and sunscreen during day time.
When used in the morning followed by a sunscreen, it increases the damage protection from sun exposure as it fights free radicals and oxidants.
I have been using both Vitamin C and Alpha Arbutin since 2 months and I can definitely see a change in my skin tone and a few post acne marks. A recent breakout in December post my travel, has already faded because of regular use of these two, otherwise my post acne marks take about 3-5 months to fade.
I love using Vitamin C serums but many of them oxidize before I can finish the bottle and that breaks my heart. I have been using this every morning since 2 months and I store it in the refrigerator and it hasn’t oxidized and I will finish it in another month. Definitely repurchasing this, at a price of Rs.695/-, if one bottle lasts 3 months, it is definitely worth it! Highly recommend this!
Let’s talk about the Alpha Arbutin 2% + Hyaluronic Acid 1%
Ingredients: Aloe Vera Juice, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Alpha Arbutin, Propanediol, Ethoxydiglycol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Phenoxyethanol, Pullulan, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Xanthan Gum, Sclerotium Gum, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Lactic Acid, Lecithin
What is Alpha Arbutin you ask? Alpha Arbutin is extracted from plants such as bearberries, blueberries, and cranberries, it is a skin brightening and lightening ingredient. If you have post acne marks, melasma, pigmentation around your mouth or on the sides of the face, you should definitely include Alpha Arbutin in your skincare regime.
Alpa Arbutin reduces skin’s pigment production by suppressing the enzymes that stimulate melanin. It also slows down the process by which UV light causes pigmentation, so it both prevents and treats pigmentation issues. But keep in mind it is not a whitening or fairness product and don’t expect it to change your skin colour/tone. It is meant to even out the skin and help in fading marks.
It is much safer and gentler unlike Kojic Acid or Hydroquinone which are known to have some side effects and can irritate skin.
They have also added 1% Hyaluronic Acid (Sodium Hyaluronate), HA is found in our skin already and it acts as a sponge helping the skin to hold onto water, being plump and elastic. Sometimes our skin doesn’t produce enough HA and it looks dry, dehyrated, wrinkly, HA is famous for its crazy water holding capacity as it can bind up to 1000 times its own weight in water.
It’s slightly runny but not as watery and runny as the Vitamin C serum. The base they have used here is Aloe Vera Juice instead of Water which again is soothing and calming
The added hydration benefit from Sodium Hyaluronate along with Alpha Arbutin is amazing. Both Vitamin C and Alpha Arbutin help in fading acne scars and reducing hyperpigmentation, so both when used together are a super powerful combination. Like I mentioned, my post acne mark faded within 2-3 weeks when I used both of these together which takes at least a few months otherwise.
I am really happy with the results overall, also the HA helped me in cold and dry Dubai weather in December when my skin was super dry.
At Rs.549/– it’s a total value for money and I am definitely repurchasing it again. Highly recommend this as well!
And the final serum now, Niacinamide 10% + Zinc
Ingredients: Aloe Vera Juice, Niacinamide, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Propanediol, Ethoxydiglycol, Zinc PCA, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Pullulan, Xanthan Gum, Sclerotium Gum, Lecithin
Niacinamide is a form of Vitamin B3, it is a water soluble vitamin that works with the natural substances in your skin to help visibly minimize enlarged pores, improve uneven skin tone, diminish dullness, and strengthen a weakened skin barrier.
It also helps in balancing the sebum production, so works really well for oily skin. It reduces the appearance of fine lines and blemishes over time
The vitamin B3 and mineral zinc duo are potent enough to reduce visible blemishes and clear congested pores. Also, they have used aloe juice instead of water which makes it more calming and soothing.
The formula is little thicker and slightly tacky, compared to the other two. But the stickiness is gone after a few seconds on the skin and it’s absorbed. Also I found the dropper for this little inconvenient or may be because it’s slightly thicker, it doesn’t drop off easily.
Most of the research for Niacinamide is done at 5%, so it works equally well at a lower % too. Minimalist also has a 5% Niacinamide Serum and if you are new to actives, you can maybe start at 5% if you feel your skin won’t be able to handle 10%
Compared to Alpha Arbutin and Vitamin C, Niacinamide works slow and over a long period of time, so you might not notice visible difference and since I don’t have oily skin and already use other skin care products in my regime which have a little bit of Niacinamide in them, the results for me weren’t miraculous. But I do like adding Niacinamide in my regime for improving my skin barrier and for long term effectiveness.
I won’t say this is a must have, I do like the other two serums more but I am still going to repurchase and continue using it since Niacinamide is overall beneficial for the skin.
But if you have oily skin, I do recommend giving this a try.
Overall, I am pretty happy with Minimalist products and I am planning to try the Multi Peptide Serum, 2% Retinoid and Sepicalm Moisturizer next.
I would love to see more launches from Minimalist, hoping to see some lip balms and Azelaic Acid this year.
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Have you tried any Minimalist products yet? Let me know your thoughts.