Olay Luminous Niacinamide + Vitamin C Super Serum

I was really excited to try this product. I've been looking for a serum for some time. The packaging was clear on how and when to apply, and I thought the design of the bottle looked high end. It's scent was stronger than I'd anticipated, but wasnt overwhelming. On initial application, it felt really lovely the skin. It wasnt too heavy, and it didn't feel greasy. I was really happy with how it applied at first glance. Unfortunately, I seem to have reacted to the product, and came out with some sore, unsightly pimples. I don't normally react to products (the only other cosmetic or facial product was benefits bang bang mascara). I did wonder if it was hormonal acne, or a reaction to wearing a mask long term, however it wasn't until I stopped using it, that the pimples cleared up.

I received this product for a trial and I have been using it daily.

First - the packaging is gorgeous. I love having it on my bathroom counter - it looks so pretty. The bottle itself comes with a little pump syringe and you need two pumps worth of product each time you use it. But the syringe only holds enough product for one pump. So you need to put the syringe back in, drag the product up and then pump it again into your hand - all while having a palm full of the product in the other hand.

I used the product and noticed that it made my skin look shiny. Not glowing and dewy, but shiny like it was oily. So I don't think the product makes your skin glow. But I think it does smooth the skin out and take away any blotchiness and discoloration - so while I can say that it does work, it also doesn't do everything it said it would.

The scent of the product is lovely, the absorption is quick and not greasy. It is also a bit hydrating as well and I can put my makeup on over top of it without the foundation sliding around.

So would I buy it again? Probably not. I feel like there may be other products on the market that smooth out skin tone and discoloration better (what these are, I don't know).

I was fortunate enough to be selected to trial this serum and really wanted to love it. While I didn't hate it I didn't really see too much in the way of results when it came to changing my skin imperfections, although it did a great job at hydrating. The serum is in a really innovative bottle that has a self-measuring dropper built into it. You turn the top and it draws in the serum while inside the bottle and then when you push the button a perfect amount of serum comes out. I have rather dry skin but found the dose to be plenty to apply to my face and neck. The serum itself is lightweight and absorbs very easily into the skin without leaving it greasy. It does have a light fragrance which is pleasant, although probably not necessary, as it doesn't hang around after application.

In summary I found this to be a good hydrator, but at the $60 price point I wouldn't be in a rush to purchase this myself.

I was very excited to try this product since it contained both niacinamide and vitamin C - two ingredients that seem to be everywhere right now due to providing real results. I have used a product with niacinamide before with great results, so I felt like trying a product with niacinamide plus the addition of vitamin C would be perfect.

The look of the packaging was pretty standard. I like that the box stated what the serum is formulated 'with' and 'without', alongside a full ingredients list. It also stated at which step in your routine the product should be used, which I always appreciate.

The bottle is pretty and pearlescent. However, that auto-dropper really got me! I'm kind of embarrassed to admit that I had to use Google to figure out how to open the product initially (even though instructions are included). Once it's open though, it's easy to dispense the product each time - you just twist the lid, click it down and then open it.

The formula was not quite what I was expecting from a serum - it was milky and quite runny. There is a fragrance but it is pretty neutral.

I think the formula contributed to my dislike of the product. Yes, it was a lightweight texture as claimed, but I think it was actually too lightweight. It felt like I was just applying a moisturiser and often I felt like the two pumps it recommended (and the amount that could be held in the dropper) just wasn't enough.

I didn't see any changes to my skin, despite using it twice a day as recommended. While it claims to brighten and provide a radiant glow, I didnt feel bright or glowy either immediately after applying, or after 2 weeks of use. Unfortunately there was also no change to the dark spots that have developed on my skin over the last few months. Overall I felt underwhelmed and realised that the products I'd cut out of my routine to trial this one had been doing a much better job.

I have used an Olay moisturiser before and loved it, so I am disappointed by this serum. I will continue to use this in the hopes that I see some results. I would love it to have some effect on my dark spots, and maybe that just takes more time. I would however not re-purchase, as I think there are much better products out there at the same price point.

I was very excited to try this product!

Not going to lie… figuring out the bottle took me a lot longer than I would like to admit. I definitely prefer pump bottles for serums and face products, rather than a separate dropper that you try and screw back on when your hands are slippery with serum

The serum itself didn’t really smell of anything. It did leave my face feeling quite sticky, until I put moisturiser on. Wasn’t a fan of that tacky skin feeling

As with anything skincare that has vitamin c, it is not recommended for oily skin as it encourages the skin to produce more oil. As I have combination skin, I used this serum only on the dry parts of my face.

I didn’t notice a change in my acne scarring, or general skin condition while trialling this serum. That could be related to face mask use though, so I will keep trying and see if it changes my mind

I’m not in a hurry to go and purchase this product myself

I found a reduction in the appearance of Milia under my eyes and on my cheeks which is of unexpected benefit to me as they've been something that has annoyed me a great deal. While I've also seen somewhat of an improvement of uneven skin tone I believe I definitely need more time using the product to see greater results in this domain. It's difficult to say whether my recent break out of acne could be attributed to the product or the fact that aunt flo has paid a visit during the course of this trial. While I might not use this specific product again, I will try other niacinamide based products to see if there is greater results for others. I found the bottle kind of annoying more than annoying and prefer the traditional dropper style. I felt that my particular one had minimal product actually in the dropper and so required a couple of pumps to ensure I had adequate product for complete coverage of my face. I will continue to use it and hopefully see additional improvements to my skin overall.

I have combination oily skin and I have uneven skintone and post-acne marks. Hoping this would help out with the pigmentation, but I haven’t used it long enough to see improvements in pigmentation. However the niacinamide did help with calming my skin and reduce my oil production. The vitamin C is gentle and I did not experience any irritation which is great.

I was super excited to receive this product it looked awesome and ive never really tried a serum on my face before as i was always worried that it would make my face too oily but boy was i wrong with this product! The packaging was brilliant and felt so luxurious, from the shiny box it came in to the bottle with its twist top and dropper to drip the product onto my skin. The serum looked beautiful and shimmery before i applied it onto my skin. It absorbed into my skin so quickly leaving it feeling soft and smelling beautiful and fresh. Didnt really notice much of a change in my skin tone and brightening my skin but i will keep using and seeing if it makes any changes the more i use it. So glad i gave this serum a try and its really wanting me to try serums on my face more often for sure!

I loved the automatic dropper, I loveeee things like this. It’s super easy to get just the right amount on your fingers before you massage into your skin. In terms of results, I haven’t seen too much of a brightening effect, however my skin is plumper and more hydrated. With continued use I hope the product helps to even out skin tone.

I wish they would specify the concentration of the vitamin C though, can't find it anywhere!

I have been using this serum twice a day for at least 2 weeks now. I wash my face with my usual cleanser, then apply the serum then moisturiser.

Consistency: quite liquidy Fragrance: smells floral to me but just a slight hint and not overpowering

When I apply onto my face , it feels slightly tacky as it dries up, once fully dry then I apply my moisturiser.

Application: I apply in circular , upward motions, giving my facial muscles a gentle massage.

Glow: Once I finish my skincare - (face wash or (add exfoliation twice a week) then serum and moisturise),and if I leave my face as it is without makeup, then my face looks shiny especially when the sun hits my forehead/ cheeks.

I didn’t like how my skin is shiny, I expected that my skin would look naturally bright overall and not just shiny like I have oil on my forehead.

However, When I add my makeup with light- medium coverage foundation, my face looked as if I am wearing a subtle highlight. Very natural. I really how it looks and I would definitely include this in my routine.

I didn’t see any changes to my uneven skin tone or dark spots. This serum for me is just like a brightening primer, hopefully as I use it longer than 2 weeks , I will see more improvement to my skin.

So far I am very happy with this product as part of my makeup routine and I would really recommend it.