My Favorite Skincare Ingredient: Niacinamide

Getting into skincare can be intimidating, and I've heard some people say they feel like they need a chemistry degree to understand all of the different ingredients. It's true that all of the formulations and what they do and don't do, can't be mixed with, or how to use them can be intimidating, but it doesn't have to be!

*Disclaimer: Not a sponsored post.

I'm going to share one of my favorite skincare ingredients today that hits a lot of needs: it's called niacinamide. I love it because it is great for all skin types and combats a variety of needs.

Niacinamide is a topical version of Vitamin B3. You may have heard of "niacin," which is B3 in vitamin and food form. I have oily skin and use it to reduce the appearance of pores (keep in mind, nothing can actually shrink your pores) and balance sebum production. It also brightens hyperpigmentation I have from sun and acne spots.

Even if you don't have oily skin, I highly recommend adding niacinamide into your routine because of its hydrating properties. It works with the hydrating ingredients in your moisturizer to boost benefits to your skin.

Of course, as with any ingredient, there can be negative side effects. Always spot test a new ingredient in your routine before adding it in fully. Common negative side effects include redness, burning, and irritation. You should always check with your dermatologist before adding in a new ingredient if you have sensitive skin or past issues with switching up your routine.

I'm currently using the Vita B3 Source Niacinamide Serum from TIAM Skincare, a Korean brand. You can find inexpensive serums from other brands like The Ordinary and The INKEY List, too. I like using a serum because it's the most effective way to add a potent amount of niacinamide to your routine, but you may not even need one. Your moisturizer may already have niacinamide in it, as it's now commonly found in a lot of skincare. Some moisturizers with niacinamide include the Dewy Glow Moisturizer with Cherry Blossom from innisfree, Ultra Repair Firming Collagen Cream from First Aid Beauty, and the Protini Polypeptide Firming Moisturizer from Drunk Elephant.

Bottom Line: Do you use niacinamide in your routine? My skin has been so much more balanced since I started using it and I definitely recommend it for all skin types!

June 2022 Bomibox Review - "Summer Kiss"

I am a huge skincare addict and my favorite products are Korean skincare, mostly because I'm Korean, but also because they work the best for my skin. Bomibox is the perfect subscription for K-beauty lovers like me!

*Disclaimer: This box was sent to See, Shop, Love! in exchange for an honest review. Post contains affiliate links.

Bomibox sends full- and deluxe-sized Korean beauty and skincare valued at $80+. Bom (봄) in Korean means "spring," and "Bom-mi" translates to Spring Beauty, I believe (you can see the Hangul [Korean alphabet] in the pink circle on the label in the photo above).

Each box is filled with curated skincare and beauty imported straight from Korea. The products are 100 percent authentic and are not tested on animals.

Bomibox costs $44.99 per month with free U.S. shipping. They also ship worldwide from $12 to $25, depending on where you live.

Bomibox also has a 100 percent satisfaction guarantee -- if you don't like your box, you can return it for a full refund (you must email them and this is only available if all of the products are unopened). You can also skip a month or cancel easily from your account page on their website.

The June Bomibox contained seven full-sized products and one deluxe sample. I've noticed that this is a skincare-heavy box, but they did include a few cosmetics products. I prefer receiving skincare so this box is perfect for me, but may not be for everyone based on that.

• Syn-Ake Anti Wrinkle and Whitening Emulsion: An emulsion is basically a serum/essence, as all three names are often used interchangeably with Korean products. It's an extra boost to your skincare routine, and this one contains the brand's SYN-AKE compound that works to tighten skin. It also has "whitening" in the name, so it will target hyperpigmentation on skin.

• TIA'M Vita B3 Source Niacinamide Serum: I'm glad I can read Hangul because I absolutely could not figure out the name of this brand based on their logo 😆. This is made with 10 percent niacinamide and two percent arbutin to lighten dark spots and even out skin tone. Niacinamide is one of my favorite ingredients, because it's also great for balancing sebum production on oily skin.
• ISNTREE Aloe Soothing Emulsion: ISNTREE is a great brand and one of my favorites. This serum/emulsion has aloe vera leaf extract from Jeju Island for instant soothing and cooling effects. It also has centenella asiatica extract and chamomile extract, which are also great ingredients for soothing skin.

• Jumiso Super Soothing Cica and Aloe Sunscreen SPF 50+: This is a gentle mineral sunscreen with both UVA and UVB protection. It's also reef-safe with no oxybenzone or octinoxate.
• Etude Dear Darling Water Gel Tint in Watermelon Red: Gel tints are huge in Korean beauty, as they give a sheer tint with just enough color. This one melts nicely into lips to provide hydration.
• TONYMOLY Mini Peach Lip Balm: TONYMOLY is always a favorite. This balm smells like sweet peach and is made with shea butter for moisture and has SPF 15 sun protection. I'm a little confused by the inclusion of witch hazel, which usually dries out skin, but the Bomibox description states it prevents water evaporation.

• Farm Stay Charcoal and Collagen Sheet Masks: I love sheet masks and I use one (almost) every night. My skin has drastically improved since I switched to using sheet masks over western-style drying masks (clay, etc). The Korean approach to skincare is all about moisturizing and protecting the skin barrier and this has cleared up my adult acne and oily skin better than any other approach has. That being said, sheet masks can still have things like charcoal to fight excess oil and acne. The collagen mask is great for anti-aging and hydration.

Bottom Line: I'm obsessed with Bomibox! I love Korean skincare and finding new products, so this box is perfect for me. I think it's a great deal, considering you get a majority of full-sized products that ship directly from Korea. If I was to purchase these here in the states through K-beauty sites based in Korea, it would be much more expensive due to shipping.

• Visit Bomibox to subscribe