Title: Why this 5% serum became my everyday morning anchor (3 months in)

Rating: 9/10

I started using the SKIN functional 5% Niacinamide back in July, and after three months of daily use, it has quietly become one of the most reliable steps on my shelf.

I’ve always been wary of the trend where brands push 10% niacinamide. In the past, higher percentages have just meant redness, flushing, and unnecessary irritation for me. What drew me to SKIN functional was the sensible 5% formulation—it gives you all the proven barrier and texture benefits without shocking your skin.

How it fits into my mornings:
Every single morning, I use about half a dropper. It has a super lightweight, watery texture that glides on and sinks in almost immediately. There is zero tackiness or heavy film left behind, which is a huge deal for me because I layer a moisturiser and SPF right over it. As long as I give my products a minute to settle, there is absolutely no pilling or rolling.

What three months of consistency actually did for my skin:

Bulletproof barrier support: Over an entire winter-into-spring stretch, my skin has stayed remarkably calm. No random stinging, no redness, and no tight, compromised feeling.

The ultimate wingman for retinol: The biggest win for me is how well it preps my skin for the night shift. Because this serum keeps my moisture barrier healthy and supported all day, my skin handles my evening retinol like a champ—no flaking, no peeling, and no sensitivity.

Balanced combination skin: It keeps my T-zone in check without stripping the rest of my face. My skin feels genuinely hydrated and plump, not oily.

Zero drama: No breakouts, no clogged pores, and no weird purging phases since day one.

A little goes a long way, so the bottle lasts really well even with dedicated daily use. If you want a hard-working morning serum that strengthens your skin quietly in the background without causing flare-ups, this is an absolute gem.

Title: 9/10 — Holy grail texture for combination skin (just give it 2 minutes to settle!)

Rating: ★★★★☆ (4.5 / 5 or 9/10)

I usually steer clear of gel-lotions, but the detailed ingredient and formula breakdowns on the SKIN functional website convinced me to try this SPF 50—and I am so glad I did.

The Texture & Application:
It applies like a silky, lightweight cream and glides effortlessly across the skin. The key to avoiding any pilling with your routine is simple: allow your morning moisturiser about 1 to 2 minutes to fully absorb before applying this. When applied correctly, it layers seamlessly with zero balling up.

Wear & Finish:

Zero white cast: Completely invisible finish that holds up for hours.

Balanced hydration: Having oily-combination skin, sunscreens often turn into an oil slick by midday. This one is genuinely nourishing without the heavy grease. On very hot days, I get just a tiny bit of natural shine in the T-zone, but nothing overwhelming.

No breakouts: Kept my skin completely clear with daily use.

Wear-time check: It does not sting my eyes upon application. The only time I notice mild eye sensitivity is after an 8 to 10-hour day in high heat if it migrates slightly.

Final Verdict:
A fantastic, reliable daily staple that delivers high protection without feeling like a traditional sunscreen. My only wish is that SKIN functional would release a compact travel-size tube to toss into a handbag for quick reapplications or emergency use with the kids!

I've ordered before and I'm back for more! I absolutely love the convenience of this product, it has a combination of great ingredients instead of me just applying singular serums separately. I love having it as part of my morning routine when I have little time to spend on skincare. It's just so easy!

The serum works beautifully on my sensitive and reactive skin.

Love it

Nice free gift. Very useful

I've only just started using this but I love the applicator- it's cold to the touch and feels very soothing. I do find it easier to squeeze a bead of the product onto my finger first though- I dab it on my eye area and then use the applicator to spread it just because it feels good :)

(As far as I can tell this can be used in conjunction with Vitamin C which means I can use it twice a day, as opposed to the peptide eye serums which can't be layered with Vit C, so that's also a win!)

Great gel cleanser

For the first time in my life I started struggling with dry, sensitive skin this winter. All my usual products left me stingy and flakey. I bought the restorative balm in an attempt to treat my unhappy skin barrier and I couldn't be happier! Immediate relief; happy skin (and back on my retinols!) within 10 days.
It's soothing and nourishing without feeling oily.
I used it day and night for the first few days but soon went back to my normal morning routine and only use it at night. It may end up being too "rich" for summer but we'll see- besides, my barrier should be perfectly happy and healthy again by then and I'll just keep it for skin emergencies or post-peels :)

Love this moisturiser! Rich enough when my skin is dry, gentle enough when it's a little sensitive. Glides on beautifully and great under make up.

This is by far my best purchase with skin functional. Im so happy with it. Its smooth, buttery, the colour that I chose is so luscious. It keeps my lips hydrated the entire day without that sticky tacky feeling. Definitely purchasing other colours.

cant get enough of this one ❤️