SKIN1004 - Lab in Nature Madagascar Centella Matrixyl 10 Boosting Shot Ampoule

I purchased this serum at the official skin1004 store in Seoul, literally a second after they launched it. I wasn't sure about it but the seller convinced me to give it a chance.

What is special about this serum is that it is a "needle" serum - a serum that contains spicules = microscopic "needles" made of sea sponge. Theoretically this should do a kind of gentle microneedling to the skin, encourage collagen formation and better penetrate ingredients. The problem is that there isn't enough research behind it, and we don't know what the long-term consequences are. For those who want to read about it in detail, I posted about it a few days ago here and on my blog.

Anyway, when I tried this product on the back of my hand for the first time I didn't feel anything special, and after massaging for a few seconds you suddenly realize it. The feeling is not pleasant at all, like glass on the skin. I was afraid to try it on my face, so I ended up trying it on my body for the stretch marks. And the truth? Even on the body, the feeling is not pleasant at all. The feeling is that you have shards of glass stuck in your body. I don't want to know what would happen if I applied it to the skin of the face, which is much thinner and more sensitive than the skin of the body.

Although the serum contains excellent ingredients such as peptides and Centella, apart from a slightly more pleasant texture I did not see any change. Maybe I should have continued to be careful and finished a few more vials to see significant results, but I'm still very skeptical about this technology, and I think there are better ways to do microneedling. The pleasant texture can also be from the cheeks themselves and not from the spicules.

Another point I have to mention, and it's something I've noticed in SKIN1004 products (as much as I love them) - I always have to fight to get the last of their serums out. It might be a little petty but something about the applicator just doesn't fit the formula and I think they have to make a change in the packaging.

In conclusion, I wasn't convinced by the concept of the "needles", mainly because there is not much data on it. Maybe in the future I will change my mind if new studies come out.

The brand is cruelty-free 🐰❤️