I Tried a Popular TikTok Creator’s Skincare Line to See If It’s Really Worth the Hype

• Value: 19/20
• Functionality: 19/20
• Quality: 18/20
• Aesthetics: 18/20
• Effectiveness: 19/20
• Total: 93/100

1. Centella & Green Tea Hydrating Gel Cleanser

If I had to pick a favorite from the collection, it would be the Centella & Green Tea Hydrating Gel Cleanser. It starts my morning and night routine on a good note. A quarter-sized amount is all I need to cleanse my entire face because the gel consistency spreads nicely (and it's gentle on my sensitive skin).

Thanks to its core ingredients of centella, green tea and glycerin, the formula soothed and calmed my skin, while prepping it for the next steps of my skincare routine. I truly said goodbye to redness and hello to hydrated skin. My face didn’t feel dry or irritated at all.

As promised, it did a great job of clearing away any dirt, oil and makeup. Seriously, the cleanser removed everything in one go. (Do you know how hard it is to do that?) After rinsing, my face always feels refreshed and clean—even after a day of wearing a full face of makeup.

• Value: 18/20
• Functionality: 18/20
• Quality: 18/20
• Aesthetics: 18/20
• Oil Control: 18/20
• Total: 90/100

2. Salicylic Acid & Sea Kelp Pore Clearing & Oil Control Serum

After cleansing, I went in with the Salicylic Acid & Sea Kelp Pore Clearing & Oil Control Serum. The first thing I noticed was the packaging. Usually, serums are accompanied by a dropper, but this was in a tube form (with a slim applicator to dole out a controlled amount). However, even after a good shake, the product still didn't come out easily. It actually required a hard squeezing of the tube, which is fine, but I wish it didn't take all my strength to get the product out of the applicator.

Now, let’s move on to the actual application. The bottle recommends using three to five drops, so I opted for four drops for good measure. When applying it onto the skin, it felt refreshing and hydrating. (However, it did take a while for the product to sink into my face). Once absorbed, I liked that it didn’t leave behind a sticky consistency like some other serums I’ve tried.

The serum promises to target breakouts, unclog pores and provide oil control. I can say it reduces redness and cleared my pores (while making them appear smaller). But the best feature is it didn’t dry out or irritate my skin. I’m always hesitant about using chemical exfoliants but the low concentration of salicylic acid combined with niacinamide and sea kelp in this makes it a gentle option for acne-prone and sensitive skin.

• Value: 15/20
• Functionality: 16/20
• Quality: 18/20
• Aesthetics: 18/20
• Moisturization: 16/20
• Total: 83/100

3. Niacinamide & Maracuja Daily Support Moisturizer

Out of all the steps in a skincare routine, applying moisturizer is my favorite. I’m a sucker for a gel-cream formula, so I was pumped to try the Niacinamide & Maracujá Daily Support Moisturizer. Similar to the serums, this also had a nozzle applicator, but in this case, it was easier to get the product out.

I didn’t particularly like the scent (it reminded me of a watered down hand soap). Nonetheless, I applied it onto my face. Again, it was gentle and hydrating. However, the moisturizer just sat on my skin and left a sticky residue behind. The ingredients list states that it contains one percent murumuru butter (which is supposed to leave skin soft and silky), but I found it to be a bit heavy. However, the niacinamide and maracujá combo did refine my pores and brighten my skin.

• Value: 16/20
• Functionality: 17/20
• Quality: 17/20
• Aesthetics: 15/20
• Exfoliation: 16/20
• Total: 81/100

4. Mandelic Acid & Rice Bran Gentle Exfoliating Serum

For my night routine, I tried the Mandelic Acid & Rice Bran Gentle Exfoliating Serum. Again, I didn’t particularly like the applicator. It’s recommended that you use three to four drops, but the nozzle decided to provide one large dollop. It’s also a bit runnier than most serums, which made it a tad messy.

Once applied, it reminded me of the morning serum because it took a second to absorb into my skin. It’s labelled as a chemical exfoliator (with ingredients like mandelic acid, rainbow algae and salicylic acid), yet it didn’t irritate my skin. Overall, the serum didn’t make a huge difference, but it did make my face feel softer and smoother.

• Value: 17/20
• Functionality: 18/20
• Quality: 18/20
• Aesthetics: 19/20
• Effectiveness: 18/20
• Total: 90/100

5. Retinol & Rainbow Algae Repair Serum

When I’m not using the mandelic acid serum, I’m applying the Retinol & Rainbow Algae Repair Serum. I much prefer this formula for the texture and finish. A little really goes a long way; a dime-sized amount is all it takes to cover my entire face. The retinol is hydrating and doesn’t irritate my skin like previous retinols I’ve used. If anything, it reminded me of a moisturizer.

The serum may only have 0.2 percent retinol, but it still worked to reduce the appearance of dark spots, breakouts and acne scars. And even without applying a moisturizer, the squalene and rainbow algae combo kept my skin soft and nourished. I will definitely be alternating between my regular serums and this gentle retinol in my nighttime routine.

• Value: 17/20
• Functionality: 17/20
• Quality: 18/20
• Aesthetics: 18/20
• Gentleness: 19/20
• Total: 89/100

6. The Selfless by Hyram Collection

Overall, I think the collection has its pros and cons. Let’s start with the eco-friendly packaging. I appreciate that all the products are made with recycled materials (like carbon neutral sugarcane bioplastic) and the ingredients are consciously sourced from Brazil. The brand also stands for social change (with every product purchased a portion of proceeds go toward providing communities with clean drinking water). And I’ve been trying to use more clean beauty products, so this line is a great start.

The brand is also thoughtful in its messaging. While the directions on every label clearly state when you should use each product, they also include a symbol in the front (a moon or a sun) that gives you a quick indicator of whether it’s for your morning or night routine. It’s a small design feature that makes a big impact.

Now, you already know how I feel about the nozzle applicators. I understand that it’s supposed to help cut down on using too much product at once, but it defeats the purpose if I can’t actually get the product out. I much prefer how the cleanser is packaged (in a simple squeeze bottle).

As for how each product felt on my skin, Hyram stuck to his word and created a gentle line that kept my sensitive skin happy throughout the whole routine. None of the products were heavy or irritating and the fact that most of the formulas were fragrance-free or lightly scented was a major bonus, as overpowering scents can really stop me from making a purchase.

So, is the collection worth the $$$? Kind of. It’s important to note that the prices are higher than the Inkey List products, which I was surprised to see given that they co-created the line together (so keep that in mind when purchasing).

The strongest contenders are definitely the cleanser and the retinol serum. They have both proven to be essential to my skincare routine and will continue to be moving forward. The products I wouldn’t buy again are the Mandelic Acid & Rice Bran Gentle Exfoliating Serum and Salicylic Acid & Sea Kelp Pore Clearing & Oil Control Serum (and the packaging has a lot to do with that). Overall, there are some hits and misses in the line, but it does deliver on its promise to soothe, smooth and clear up sensitive and acne-prone skin.