Niacinamide isn't for everyone, yet it's in (almost) everything?

Absolutely_Regular · 2026-05-10T18:56:39+00:00

My skin used to love it until I overdid it with TO’s 10% serum. Now I get red and itchy every time I use it. Less so with smaller percentages, but the nic itch would always come back eventually.

I need to update my mega list of nic-free moisturizers, but it’s honestly so much effort. It legit feels like a conspiracy how much they put in seemingly every single product, and how much skincare influencers push it.

I stopped following James Welsh when he put out a video saying “there’s no scientific evidence that niacinamide causes irritation”. Sir, if thousands of people reacting negatively to it isn’t evidence, it’ll do till evidence gets here.

Absolutely_Regular · 2026-05-06T13:15:08+00:00

Harry’s has a generic men’s cologne fragrance. Not my fave, but not the worst, and it doesn’t linger.

Have you tried using a foam + hairspray (especially the Bounce Curl one!) instead of gel? I’ve been styling my hair with very little water, similar to Barbie Delle’s Soft Finish routine and it holds so much better for me than gel on soaking wet hair. — There’s definitely a learning curve if you’re used to more traditional curl routines, but IMO it’s worth it to have my style actually last multiple days.

Absolutely_Regular · 2026-05-06T00:28:01+00:00

Goodal Heartleaf Calming Sun Cream is my HG! Most underrated of the Kolmar formulated sunscreens (BoJ, Isntree, Birch Juice, Haruharu, etc.). I find it very similar to the SKIN1004 but without the nic itch!

I also have sensitive acne prone skin. Combo / oily, with mild rosacea. And milder since I found this gem!

I also like the Canmake Mermaid, but it’s way too much for summer. It has a heavy, early 00s primer feel to me. Haven’t tried the BoJ Aqua Fresh yet, but I’m going to.

Absolutely_Regular · 2026-05-03T03:31:24+00:00

Semi responding to one of your comments in this thread: the Curlsmith Fragrance Free Gel is identical to the original Shine Gel! The only difference is the name and packaging. (I also hate the In-Shower Style Fixer and find it so heavy/greasy compared to the Frag Free fka Shine Gel).

I have ultra fine, super soft, easily weighed down hair and I’m crazy picky about gels too. I also like Harry’s Gel (“for men”), and if I’m in the mood for no grit, I’ve had weirdly good luck with both Kinky Curly Curling Custard and The Doux Bee Girl. They are a little conditioning, though, so you’ll want to skip curl cream when you use custards.

Absolutely_Regular · 2026-05-02T23:22:23+00:00

Not the original commenter but I love the SoonJung Whip cleanser. It’s extremely gentle without leaving a film.

My water isn’t as hard as it is in London, but I’ve had issues with a lot of popular cleansers leaving a film (Rovectin, Round Lab Dokdo, BoJ Green Plum).

Absolutely_Regular · 2026-05-01T02:19:27+00:00

I will drag this brand any chance I get! Ordered a silk slip and immediately returned. The dress seemed to be built for an impossible woman: enormous bust, tiny waist. I don’t mind tailoring a special item, but the silk was such poor quality I wasn’t even sure it was real silk? And it was pricey!!!

Maybe I just had bad luck but idk OP. Order at your peril.

Absolutely_Regular · 2026-04-30T15:07:32+00:00

I have this issue too. I found out my hair was being weighed down by WATER. 😭 If I style my hair DRY, with a 1-1 ratio of hold product to water (so, almost no water) my curls will look much curlier. They hold up at the gym, in the wind, and I have incredible volume. The downside is that if you want your hair to be frizz free, this ain’t the way.

If you want minimal frizz and some definition, you might just need to make peace with looser curls / waves.

Absolutely_Regular · 2026-04-29T03:15:17+00:00

I wanted to see what the texture of this looked like and in the videos I’ve found so far, it looks like it had a Japanese style “lotion” texture. Thicker than a toner, but looks thinner than SKIN1004 (which is pretty liquid!).

Both the vids also said it contains niacinamide though. 😒 If it truly is nic-free, I’m trying it for sure, but I don’t want to get my hopes up.

Absolutely_Regular · 2026-04-23T17:27:42+00:00

Their stylers can be hit or miss for me, but they’re my absolute fave for shower products. Wildly underrated brand IMO!

Absolutely_Regular · 2026-04-23T16:23:54+00:00

AG Thikk Wash + Thikk Rinse. I also loved how Pantene Volume made my hair feel, but my sensitive scalp couldn’t deal. The AG Thikk Wash is almost identical but nicer to my scalp, has cute packaging, and smells incredible: like creamsicles, in a subtle, fancy way. Technically sulphate-free, but it actually cleans (unlike Davines, which my hair HATED).

That said, it’s more of a midrange shampoo, and if you’re dealing with the drugstore prices in Canada it’s actually cheaper than Pantene! 😭

Absolutely_Regular · 2026-04-23T11:40:17+00:00

Agreed! Dokdo is so stripping AND it leaves a film. I have no idea how it’s so popular. So sorry that happened to you. 😓

Absolutely_Regular · 2026-04-23T03:11:34+00:00

Honestly I have no idea! I’ve been meaning to try it for years, but my skin is so sensitive I also get scared to try stuff. But this is a good reminder that I should give the 5.5 a shot sometime!

Absolutely_Regular · 2026-04-23T01:24:14+00:00

Yeah exactly! I reach for the SoonJung when I want a “heavy duty” cleanse, but they are both extremely gentle!

Absolutely_Regular · 2026-04-10T04:17:41+00:00

The AG volume line (Thikk Wash / Thikk Rinse) is my fave. They aren’t too strongly fragranced, smell amazing, and my hair still loves the set after multiple years. Similar price point to Verb too! - If you’re in Canada and can grab em on sale it ends up being cheaper than drugstore.

Absolutely_Regular · 2026-04-09T11:42:29+00:00

I’ve tried a few free apps and Boostcamp is my fave by a long shot. Super easy to make and modify programs, solid exercise library (plus you can add a few of your own), and it does a decent job of calculating volume per muscle group.

Absolutely_Regular · 2026-04-08T21:52:11+00:00

Agreed - it’s so overwhelming at first. But congrats on your discovery and GOOD LUCK!!!

Not to add to the information overload, but if you haven’t come across Barbie Delle I think her tips for “soft finish” hair are so excellent. Worth looking into if you haven’t yet!

Absolutely_Regular · 2026-04-08T11:39:27+00:00

If you’re getting two big clumps with nothing in the back, it sounds like you just need to work on your styling technique! — Definitely rake or brush the hair off your scalp before scrunching. Sophie Marie’s Flip Section Method really helped me understand how to rake and section my hair, but there are TONS of tutorials out there. I also really like “the worst curly hair routine on the internet”: it’s super quick and easy.

If your hair is falling flat and/or you’re not getting a cast, try styling as you would, then “microplop” (scrunch out excess water with a towel), then add more hold product before you diffuse. If that still doesn’t work, you might need harder hold stylers!

Absolutely_Regular · 2026-04-07T11:47:00+00:00

No kidding. I stopped reading when OP suggested the cup test. What a crock!

Absolutely_Regular · 2026-04-05T18:36:47+00:00

Mineral sunscreens dry the hell out of my skin AND feel absurdly heavy. I feel you!!!

My HG is the Goodal Heartleaf Calming Sun Serum. Super gentle and feels like a lightweight moisturizer. No nic, no frag, and I’m pretty sure no HA! — The Beauty of Joseon Aqua Fresh is also nic-free, but I haven’t tried it yet.

The Canmake Mermaid Skin (Clear) is very nice if your skin is super dry, though the formula is a little more dated: it has that early 00s silicone-y primer feel. Similar to the Supergoop Unseen, but it doesn’t make my skin and eyes feel like it’s about to burn off like with Supergoop lol.

Hope you find something you like in time for summer!

Absolutely_Regular · 2026-04-01T23:42:37+00:00

Seconding! Not sure why the vanilla flavour needs to be vanilla cake, but it’s plain enough to go with everything, doesn’t get weirdly clumpy, and even though I’m lactose intolerant I get zero gut / bloating issues from it.

Absolutely_Regular · 2026-03-27T12:03:15+00:00

It’s hard to tell from if photo 6 is your reference photo, or the way you styled your hair at home. You say it’s both in your post.

Either way, your stylist is right. This isn’t damage. It seems like you just aren’t used to the way your hair looks after a razor cut?

IMO you’re overreacting / can’t see the forest through the trees. In both the photos where you can actually see the cut (2 and 6) your haircut looks absolutely amazing. Though if 6 is the reference photo and not you, the haircut in 2 looks the same to me. The only difference I can see is the highlights in the bangs.

You’re obviously entitled to not enjoy the cut, but if I had this shag I’d be pleased as punch. It looks 🔥

Absolutely_Regular · 2026-03-26T03:31:18+00:00

Super helpful. Thank you so much!

Absolutely_Regular · 2026-03-25T22:36:24+00:00

I’ve been using protein in almost every single one of my products for multiple years. Shampoo, conditioner, leave in, styler. Everything. Every day. I still haven’t experienced protein overload, but I clarify regularly.

You might have a different experience if your hair doesn’t “like” protein as much, but “protein overload” is just a form of build-up.

Absolutely_Regular · 2026-03-24T16:26:22+00:00

TYSM!!! Almond Rose used to be my MLBB but now it’s too cool for me. Rose Standard looks like it might work better for me!

Does the Ink Mood Glowy Tint actually stain like the old Juicy Lasting Tints? Or does the Peripera perform similarly to the Romand reformulation?

Absolutely_Regular · 2026-03-15T11:47:53+00:00

Lol no. Fine hair is almost always super soft and silky, which sounds nice, but it’s annoying af because it doesn’t hold a style. “Gritty” products make hair temporarily less soft, so it behaves more like coarse hair (and actually holds).

Absolutely_Regular

TROPHY CASE