Skincare Haul: First Impressions & Mini-Reviews!**

Hey everyone, and welcome back to NOBSBEAUTY! I'm Sarah, and I'm so excited to share my latest skincare haul with you. I've got a whole bunch of new products I've been dying to try, from tried-and-true brands like Paula's Choice to exciting new finds from e.l.f. and Good Molecules. Think of this as a skincare extravaganza, complete with first impressions and mini-reviews. I'll be going through these roughly in the order I'd apply them in a routine, so let's get started!

This little gem took its sweet time arriving – it was on a solo adventure for about 10 days! But it's finally here, and I'm thrilled to incorporate it into my routine. VT Cosmetics markets this as a PDRN product, which usually involves salmon-derived ingredients (salmon eggs, to be precise, which sounds a little…icky, I know). However, VT Cosmetics has taken a different, plant-based approach, utilizing ginseng root as the star ingredient. They've essentially replicated the benefits of traditional salmon-derived PDRN using ginseng, a trend I'm seeing more and more in skincare. So, if you're squeamish about the salmon source, ginseng-based PDRN might be a great alternative.

Beyond the ginseng, this serum also boasts sunflower seed oil, arginine, and boab seed oil, all contributing to its nourishing properties. A huge plus for me is that it's fragrance-free, which is always a win for sensitive skin. The serum itself has a delightful, lightweight, gel-like texture that absorbs quickly into the skin. I'm a huge fan of ginseng in skincare; it's a potent antioxidant that I believe is also found in some foods and supplements. I vaguely recall hearing that ginseng was once thought to be beneficial for Alzheimer's, but I'd need to do more research on that. Back to the serum, it leaves my skin with a subtle, healthy glow. I've only been using it for about a week, so it's too early to make any definitive pronouncements, but so far, I'm impressed! The ingredient list is promising, the texture is fantastic, and I love the ginseng. I'll definitely continue using it and update you on its long-term performance.

Calling it now: 2024 (or whenever you're reading this, adjust accordingly!) is the year of ectoin! I've been seeing this ingredient pop up everywhere lately. This Good Molecules serum cleverly combines 5% niacinamide with 0.5% ectoin. Ectoin is renowned for its wound-healing properties, which is always a plus for maintaining healthy skin.

The texture is thicker than I initially expected, but it still feels light and hydrating upon application. It absorbs quickly and leaves a slightly matte finish, which I think those with oilier skin types will appreciate. In contrast, the VT serum definitely leans more towards the dewy side. Besides the niacinamide and ectoin power duo, this serum also contains vitamin E, another excellent antioxidant. It's also fragrance-free, which is always a bonus in my book. There's a slight tackiness after application, but it's not a deal-breaker for me, as I typically follow up with a moisturizer or sunscreen during the day and a treatment at night.

Can we just take a moment to appreciate this packaging? It's absolutely stunning! The blue holographic design with a touch of pink… I'm obsessed. You know, when it comes to skincare, I think packaging plays a significant role in influencing purchasing decisions. While ingredients are paramount, packaging and scent are also major factors. Personally, fragrance-free products are usually my go-to. And, of course, price is always a consideration.

These Thirst Burst Drops are formulated with niacinamide, sodium hyaluronate, and sunflower seed oil. They also contain hibiscus, which gives the serum a subtle pink tint and is supposed to impart a healthy glow to the skin. The serum feels nice upon application, but it's definitely the stickiest of the three serums I've tried so far. It leaves more of a natural finish compared to the VT serum's radiance and the Good Molecules serum's matte finish. (On a completely unrelated note, I'm not a turtleneck person. My mom used to make me wear them all the time when I was little because I was so skinny, and it kind of traumatized me. Same with milk – she made me drink a glass with every meal. I just wanted juice or soda! But I guess it was good for me in the long run.)

Paula's Choice recently revamped their packaging, and I'm loving the vibrant hot pink! I actually discussed this moisturizer briefly on a recent livestream. As a side note, Paula's Choice isn't owned by Paula anymore; Unilever acquired the brand for a substantial sum. I believe this is actually the second time the company has been sold. It seems like many brands, especially the more affordable ones like The Ordinary, have a base formula that they then customize by adding specific ingredients for different products. It appears Paula's Choice might be adopting a similar strategy, as many of their newer products seem to share a core set of ingredients.

This moisturizer features a few peptides, but none are particularly groundbreaking. I would have loved to see SNAP-8, arginine, or copper peptides included, especially considering the price point. Besides the peptides, the formula contains apple fruit extract and some standard slip agents. The texture is lovely – very silky and aesthetically pleasing to apply. A little goes a long way, which is always a plus. I'll definitely do a full, in-depth review of this moisturizer if you're interested.

This product reminds me of a Paula's Choice offering from a few years ago, also called Electrolyte Water Cream. This Cocokind version contains seawater, niacinamide, aloe, turmeric, eggplant, basil, a blend of PCAs (magnesium, sodium, zinc, and manganese), and natural moisturizing factors. It also features beta-glucan, an ingredient I absolutely adore! The packaging is excellent – a travel-friendly tube with a pump dispenser. The cream feels pleasant on the skin and has no discernible scent. You don't need a lot, but it feels incredibly hydrating. There's a noticeable difference between the finish of this cream and the Paula's Choice. The Paula's Choice, layered over the VT serum, appears quite shiny, while the Cocokind cream has a much more natural finish. I'd recommend layering something thicker over this, especially at night, to effectively seal in the moisture.

Does this product remind anyone else of another oil on the market? It reminds me so much of the Sunday Riley Luna Night Oil and the Grand Active Retinoid Oil. I used this e.l.f. oil last night, and it absorbed nicely. My skin feels great this morning. I'm not going to apply it now because I don't need an oil at the moment, but it's definitely more of a nighttime product due to its shiny, somewhat greasy finish. The ingredient list includes sunflower seed oil, vitamin E, grape seed oil, jojoba seed oil, avocado oil, meadowfoam seed oil, chamomile oil, borage seed oil, and blueberry. It's a good blend of oils, and it's significantly more affordable than the Sunday Riley oil. I'll have to compare the ingredient lists side-by-side because the similarities are striking.

That concludes my first impressions of these new skincare goodies! Let me know in the comments which products you'd like me to review in more detail. I'm always open to suggestions, so tell me what you're interested in! Thanks for reading, and I'll see you in my next post!