[Review] Disrupt 2% Salicylic Acid serum

#Review type Rave! And so satisfied that I purchased this (based on the ergonomic bottle alone 👀) it's a 5/5 for me. I'm buying a new one tomorrow 😂

#Skin type Oily, sensitive, redness-prone, prone to malassezia overgrowth ("fungal acne") and mild but ever-present acne and PIH, thanks to hormones and slow-healing skin 🤷🏽‍♀️

🐳 Age: 30

🐳 Current climate: Hot and humid

#Usage timeline Bought at Feb end, just finished the bottle. So it lasted two and a half months... I used it twice a week, mayyybe thrice the week before my period. I used... half a ₹1 coin size? On face and upper neck.

🐳 Price: ₹275 for 30ml on Amazon. MRP marked as 445.

#Ingredients Aqua, Glycerin, Salicylic Acid, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Methylpropanediol, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, C15-19 Alkane, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate, Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Acacia Senegal Gum, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Gluconate, Magnesium Aspartate, Zinc Gluconate, Copper Gluconate, Sodium Hydroxide

#User experience

Packaging, product texture shots, pH strip results

A translucent, slightly milky, runny serum that sinks in fast, leaving no residue or tackiness. The brand advises to leave 1-2 minutes before layering other products. I've never had any pilling issues or anything.

Leaves the skin feeling very slightly smoother than before application, but otherwise unchanged. I like that a lot about this serum ☺

Alkanes are apparently plant-derived alternatives to silicones, and I think along with the polymers in there, they contribute to the sliiiightly velvety finish after application. But it's very subtle, and there no film or layer formed over the skin at all.

#My thoughts I was super pleased when I pH tested it and the results were 3-4. Right at the sweet spot for efficacy of salicylic acid - even though the Amazon seller answered a pH question by saying it was 5.5 🙃. I purged almost immediately after starting use - nothing irritated, but I could see my clogged pores (of which there were quite a few that had made themselves at home) start to get a move on 😂

My skin has a pretty slow turnover rate, so I purged for at least three weeks - I'd say the period would last much shorter for most.

I'm also delighted by the low price point, which belies the simple elegance of the texture. I didn't feel like the formulation cut corners, or like I was compromising in any way. They also cover all their bases with the label, including advising a patch test, warning not to use on broken skin, etc. which I appreciate.

They suggest using it 2-3 times a week at night, and recommend sun protection the next morning. Brand communication on point 👌🏽

All in all, very happy with the product. Would recommend to anyone looking for a basic, affordable, effective BHA. Finally, a 2% salicylic serum I can recommend to beginners! 😤❤

Edit: I just bought a second bottle of this, having run out - it was dispensing product without having to poke the nozzle 🤔 Did I poke it unnecessarily? Do some of them not dispense for some reason? Who knows 😂 Lemme know of your experience with Disrupt packaging if you try it! TIA!