Minimalist Hyaluronic Acid 2% + Vitamin B5 Serum Review (After 5 Weeks)

Minimalist is the latest trending Indian skincare brand of 2020 that has created a lot of buzzes- for both the right and the wrong reasons. I’ve been wanting to incorporate a single Hyaluronic Acid in my skincare routine for a long time. I am quite happy that finally, we have ingredient-based brands in India. I am not only talking about Minimalist but other amazing brands as well. The Indian skincare industry is growing strong and I am sure it will bloom stronger in the coming years. I’ve ordered the Minimalist Hyaluronic Acid 2% + Vitamin B5 Serum because of its similarity with the Ordinary one (Expect a comparison post soon) and the brand did send me a few as well.

So here’s my Minimalist Hyaluronic Acid Serum Review, read till the end to know whether it’s worth buying or not? Also, I will be posting all of my Minimalist product reviews in a series. Expect a review every alternate day.

Product Description of Minimalist Hyaluronic Acid Serum:

• The feather-light formula contains a multi-molecular 2% Sodium Hyaluronate (a salt of HA). Unlike other HA serums, it provides multi-level hydration. While the larger HA molecules give you surface hydration for an instant plump look, the smaller HA molecules penetrate deep into the dermis for long-lasting hydration.
• Made using Aloe juice instead of water with benefits of pro-Vitamin B5 that soothes & deeply hydrates your skin, leaving a non-sticky, silky smooth canvas.
• Hyaluronic acid is sourced from Royal DSM, Netherlands; a global science-based company ranked in Global 100 Most Sustainable Corporations 2020.

Claims:

• Multi-level hydration
• Reduces Visible Fine Lines
• Plump and Glowing Skin

Rs.599 for 30ml

Ingredients:

Aloe Vera Juice, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Sodium Hyaluronate, Propanediol, Ethoxydiglycol, Panthenol, Phenoxyethanol, Pullulan, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Xanthan Gum, Sclerotium Gum, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Lecithin

It is alcohol-free, fragrance-free, Essential Oil free, Silicone-free, and Oil free pH 6-7. You can read the detailed ingredient breakdown here.

The ingredient list is pretty basic. It contains humectants (moisturizing ingredients) like Aloe Vera Juice, Sodium Hyaluronate, Propanediol, Ethoxydiglycol, Panthenol and emollient like Lecithin. I’m happy that it also contains preservatives. I would never compromise my skin by using a product without preservatives, that’s a promise I made in 2021.

How’s The Packaging?

The Minimalist Hyaluronic Acid 2% + Vitamin B5 Serum comes in a standard 30ml serum glass bottle with white accents. I like this new packaging more than their previous one. The dropper cap in this serum is better than its launch packaging. The outer black packaging has all the details mentioned in it.

Consistency, Color & Texture Of The Minimalist Hyaluronic Acid Serum

It has a viscous consistency but it’s not sticky at all. I found the Suganda Hyaluronic Acid to be thicker in consistency than the Minimalist Hyaluronic Acid Serum while the Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid has a thinner consistency.

It has a gel-like texture which is a bit slippery. The serum is transparent with no color or dyes in it. Overall, at first, you might feel like it’s a bit thicker than your normal serums but once you apply it, you won’t feel sticky at all.

How To Apply? How To Use and When To Use?

Always apply Hyaluronic acid serum on your damp skin. Start with

1. Cleanser: Any cleanser or face wash, be it gel-based or cream-based.
2. Damp Your Skin with toner or water because Hyaluronic Acid is a humectant, also since this serum is Aloe Based (Another humectant), you will need to damp your skin because humectants pull in water to hydrate your skin: You can use any toner, be it soothing or exfoliating toner. The beauty of hyaluronic acid is that you can layer it with anything.
3. Hyaluronic Acid Serum: Gently pat it into your skin
4. Moisturizer
5. Occlusive Emmolient like Squalane because it helps lock in moisture and prevents transepidermal loss.

Hyaluronic Acid serums can be applied both on the AM and PM routine. If you are using an exfoliating serum, use it before the Hyaluronic Acid serum, not on damp skin.

How I Incorporate It In My Skincare Routine?

I have been using it daily in my AM & PM routine. I start with a face wash or a cleanser, follow it up with my Toner. Currently, I’m using the Juicy Chemistry Aloe Vera Water Toner. I pat it slightly and then apply 2-3 drops of the Minimalist Hyaluronic Acid Serum. Lastly, I follow it up with a mix of Minimalist Sepicalm 3% + Oat Moisturizer and Minimalist Squalane oil.

I tried to follow a skincare routine with mostly Minimalist products to see how it fares with each other. So far it’s going good.

My Thoughts On The Minimalist Hyaluronic Acid 2% + Vitamin B5 Serum

The Minimalist Hyaluronic Acid Serum is an aloe-vera based serum with 2% Sodium Hyaluronate, the salt form of hyaluronic acid. So if you are allergic to Aloe Vera, you should not use it at all. To be honest I never really had any high hopes for this product. But this product really did prove me wrong. When I first started using it, I felt it made my skin even drier. I felt their 5% Niacinamide + HA serum was more hydrating, but boy did it prove me wrong! This really proves that skincare is very subjective because I had mixed feelings about whether I’d love it or hate it because of a certain Youtube video.

After 4-5 days of using it in my AM and PM routine, it started working well for my skin type. It never irritated my skin nor did it sensitized my skin. So it’s pretty safe to use every day. In 2 weeks of continuous usage, I felt it made my skin feel a lot plumper and hydrated. My makeup started applying better. I started waking up with hydrated, plump skin. Also, I really cannot comment on whether it works on fine lines or not because I don’t really have any.

Since this Minimalist Hyaluronic Acid Serum is formulated with multimolecular HAs along with pro-Vitamin B5, it helped in deeply hydrating and smoothing my skin. Also the Aloe vera juice being the first ingredient helped in soothing and calming my skin. My skin always reacts well with Aloe Vera so it did not cause any problem.

Usually, during winters, my skin would be a goldmine of dry patches. But this year, it was hydrated, plumper, and a lot softer. This Hyaluronic Acid Serum did help me in patching up those dry patches. I’ve religiously used this skincare routine:

1. Toner: Juicy Chemistry Aloe Vera Water Toner
2. Minimalist 2% Hyaluronic Acid + Vitamin B5 Serum
3. 2 scoops of Sepicalm 3% Moisturizer mixed with 2-3 drops of Squalane Oil.
4. Sunscreen (AM)

Overall, this is my first time using a single Hyaluronic Acid Serum and I really enjoyed this a lot. Currently, I’m trying out the Suganda Hyaluronic Acid Serum and I do have the OG Ordinary Hyaluronic 2% + Vitamin B5 Serum ready with me. I’ll be trying these out and obviously, compare the 3 in a separate post.

Will I Recommend this Serum For Oily Skin?

Absolutely. It is non sticky and has a gel like texture. So people with oily skin can definitely give this a shot

Will I Recommend this Serum For Dry Skin?

Highly! I have dry skin which is even drier in winters. This serum did work very well for my skin type. But you must use it with caution. Always apply this serum on damp skin and use facial oil like Squalane oil to seal everything.

Will I Recommend this Serum For Sensitive, Acne-Prone Skin?

If you are allergic to Aloe Vera Juice, phenoxyethanol, then this might not be the one for you.

Else, people with normal skin can definitely give this a shot.

Will I repurchase this?

Yes, once I’m out of all the other Hyaluronic Acid serums. This is will definitely be my backup Hyaluronic Acid Serum.

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• 9 Best Cruelty-Free Vitamin C Serum In India
• LUXURIOUS ADORE Aurum 24K Gold Serum Review
• Luxurious Adore Saffron Collection Review
• L’oreal Paris Extraordinary Oil Serum Review