[ Review ] Mary & May Niacinamide Serum and CICA Calming Mask

 

Driven by the motto of “Less is more,” Korean skin care brand MARY & MAY strives to deliver affordable skin care to consumers in the comfort of their own homes. Its simple and effective products incorporate high-quality and natural ingredients that are essential in enhancing skin’s natural beauty and treating various skin problems. 

To lessen impact on the environment, MARY & MAY’s packaging is made with eco-friendly materials including recycled paper and soybean oil ink. The brand’s bestselling items include the Houttuynia Cordata + Tea Tree Serum that soothes sensitive and irritated skin, the Marine Collagen Serum that firms and replenishes skin, and the Idebenone + Blackberry Complex Serum that improves signs of aging.

I received Mary & May Niacinamide + Chaenomeles Sinensis Serum and Mary & May CICA Houttuynia Tea Tree Calming Mask from Stylekorean as part of a collaboration.

Mary & May Niacinamide + Chaenomeles Sinensis Serum is a cruelty-free brightening serum that inhibits the transfer of melanosomes and regulates sebum production, creating smooth, well-balanced and radiant skin. Serum is formulated with EWG green grade ingredients such as Chaenomeles Sinensis extract, which is rich in Vitamin C and flavonoids. Free of harmful ingredients such as parabens, artificial fragrances and colorants, alcohol, mineral oils, surfactants and allergens.

Benefits:
- This serum is formulated with Niacinamide and Chaenomeles Sinensis Extract to brighten up dull and unbalanced skin.
- Contains 2% Niacinamide to lighten skin by inhibiting the transfer of melanosomes and regulate sebum production for balanced skin.
- Enriched with 93% Chaenomeles Sinensis Fruit Extract that is rich in Vitamin C and Flavonoids for smooth and radiant skin appearance.
- Formulated with EWG verified green grade ingredients.
- Free from animal testing and 7 harmful ingredients: paraben, artificial fragrance and colors, alcohol, mineral oil, surfactants and allergens

How To Use :

Take an appropriate amount at the essence/ampoule step of skincare routine and apply evenly to skin.

The 30ml size comes in a weighted opaque amber-coloured dropper glass bottle while the scent isn't the most pleasant - more like a metallic smell that probably arises from the ingredients. 

MARY & MAY Niacinamide + Chaenomeles Sinensis Serum has a thick gel texture that can be difficult to pick up from the bottle at times, where I succeeded only after 2 ~ 3 tries. 

Orange in colour, it has a subtle cooling sensation and requires some light massaging before it absorbed into skin, leaving it soft, smooth and supple. There was no stickiness or greasiness. With consistent use, I noticed my skin was less oily as it helped to regulate sebum production. 

On some websites, it is recommended to use this serum in the night but on the packaging, it wasn't stated. Typically, Niacinamide can be used both morning and night and I didn't have any issues with using this in the morning. 

Adding on, I really like that it only contains 8 ingredients, which reduces the possibility of sensitivity issues. 

 

Formulated with 2% Niacinamide and 93% Chaenomeles Sinensis Fruit, it is said to give brighter and radiant skin. At 2% Niacinamide, it is at a optimal percentage that is gentle, yet effective and suitable for sensitive skin, for brightening skin tone and lightening hyperpigmentation from sun damage and acne scars, whilst helping control excess sebum to balance the skin. 

Chaenomeles Sinensis Fruit Extract contains high amounts of Vitamin C and the antioxidants help the skin maintain youthful appearance, elasticity and allows the skin to glow leading to bright, smooth and glowing skin.

Unfortunately, after using it consistently for 3 - 4 weeks, I have yet to see a spectacular difference to my skin. It does left me with soft, smooth, supple and less oily skin but thats it. There wasn't any reduction to my pigmentation spots and I didn't notice any skin brightening effects. 

Where To Purchase : Stylekorean | Shopee | Amazon SG | Yesstyle

The key ingredients are...

Niacinamide : Also known as Vitamin B3, it blocks melanin and helps keep skin tone clear, clean and reduce skin trouble by balancing sebum activity. 

Chaenomeles Sinensis Fruit Extract : Rich in Vitamin C and flavonoid tannin which makes skin texture flexible and smooth and brighten skin tone. 

Chaenomeles Sinensis Fruit Extract, Glycereth-26, Niacinamide, 1,2-Hexanediol, Arginine, Carbomer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylyl Glycol

Mary & May CICA Houttuynia Tea Tree Calming Mask contains a generous amount of Centella Asiatica Extract, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Melaleuca Alternifolia Extract and Hyaluronic Acid to quickly soothe irritated skin while providing sufficient moisture to the skin.

Benefits : 

1) Quick Calming : Soothes skin exhausted from external stimuli

2) Hydration : Provides sufficient moisture to dry skin

3) Makes skin soft and smooth : Provides a good base before applying makeup

How To Use : 

1) After cleansing, set skin with toner.

2) Open lid, open protective cap and take out one sheet with the mini pinset.

3) After 10 - 15 minutes of letting essence absorb into skin, massage the remaining essence lightly to whole face avoiding eye and lips area. 

This 30 sheet masks pack is housed in an easy-to-use heavy container that allows you to conveniently pull and use one sheet mask at a time. Unfortunately, when I tried to pull up the tab to peel off the inner lid, the tab broke off and I had to use a plier to peel off the inner lid instead before I can reach for the 30 sheet masks. A mini pinset is enclosed for hygienic sheet mask pick-up. 

The box is pretty heavy, so it doesn't make it travel-friendly, however, being in a box meant its a more eco-friendly alternative to single-packaging sheet mask which is great for the environment, although generally, its best to do away with single-use items. 

The heavy-scented material is thin and soft and is comforting and refreshing on skin with a minty sensation. The cutting and adherence were great except for a shorter nose flap.  

Mary & May CICA Houttuynia Tea Tree Calming Mask is recommended to be layered for 10 to 20 minutes, however, there was a taut sensation on the upper lips once I used it beyond 10 minutes. 

The sheet mask left me with brighter skin but the redness calming effect wasn't apparent. It was neither hydrating nor calming.  

Where To Purchase : Yesstyle | Shopee | Amazon

The key ingredients are....

10 000ppm Centella Asiatica Extract : Strong antibacterial effect and help in skin regeneration and elasticity enhancement.

10 000ppm Houttuynia Cordata Extract : Houttuynia Cordata is rich in quercithrin, a component which removes toxins from skin and helps to purify pores and alleviate skin troubles through anti-inflammatory action. 

10 000ppm Tea Tree Extract : Contains natural disinfectant properties.

Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate : Also known as Licorice Extract, this is a plant-based active ingredient extarcted from licorice root which has anti-inflammatory effect and helps to maintain vital and clear skin.

Allantoin : A nature-derived substance extracted from camphor, oak and wheat sprouts which promotes cell proliferation and helps heal skin wounds and protects sensitive skin. 

Hyaluronic Acid : Hyaluronic Acid holds 100 times of its own body weight and is a great source of moisture. It provides sufficient moisture to irritated skin and help with calming. 

Water, Glycerin, Dipropylene Glycol, Centella Asiatica Extract, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Extract, Hydroxyacetophenone, Arginine, Carbomer, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Polyglyceryl-4 Laurate, Allantoin, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Caprylyl Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Disodium EDTA, Fragrance, Sodium Hyaluronate