I’d heard the whispers long before the bottles landed in my bathroom. Quiet but insistent murmurs on skincare TikTok, reverent Reddit threads, the kind of buzz that suggests something is very good and we’re all slightly late to the party. Naturium, they said, was delivering proper skincare: high-quality ingredients, genuinely strong actives, and formulas that punch well above their very reasonable price point. Cult following energy. The kind of brand people gatekeep until they don’t.
So naturally, I had to see if the hype translated to my face. And it’s now easier than ever with the brand available in Sephora.
I committed fully. No dabbling. No cheating with my usuals. Just a clean, considered Naturium regimen used exactly as intended: Niacinamide Cleansing Gelee 3%, followed by the Retinaldehyde Cream Serum 0.10%, then the Multi-Peptide Advanced Serum, sealed in with the Multi-Peptide Rich Cream, and finished with the Multi-Peptide Eye Cream. A peptide parade, if you will.
And reader? My skin has never felt like this.
Let’s start at the beginning, because first impressions matter — even in skincare. The Niacinamide Cleansing Gelee 3% is one of those cleansers that immediately lowers your shoulders. It’s gentle but effective, cushiony without being slippery, and leaves your skin feeling clean without that tight, “oh no, I’ve gone too far” sensation. From the first rinse, there’s a noticeable smoothness — like your skin has already been lightly polished, but without a single grain in sight.
Then came the product I was most curious about: the Retinaldehyde Cream Serum 0.10%. Retinoids and I have history. Mostly bad. Pilling, irritation, the frustrating experience of spending good money only to watch it roll off your face in tiny silicone worms. This, however, was a revelation. It sinks in buttery smooth, no resistance, no drama, no pilling — even when layered with everything that followed. It felt nourishing rather than aggressive, which is rare for a retinal at this strength. My skin drank it up night after night.
Layering the Multi-Peptide Advanced Serum over the top was where the routine started to feel… luxurious. Not flashy-luxury, but that quiet, confident kind. The texture is silky and fluid, gliding across the skin like it knows exactly where it’s going. Again: smooth. That’s the word. Everything about this routine is smooth. Application, absorption, finish. My skin felt instantly comforted and plumped.
The Multi-Peptide Rich Cream sealed the deal. Thick enough to feel indulgent, but not so heavy that it sits on the skin. It melted in beautifully, leaving my face feeling deeply moisturised without a hint of greasiness. And the Multi-Peptide Eye Cream? Gentle, nourishing, and — yes — smooth. No stinging, no migration, just a soft, cushioned finish that made the delicate eye area feel properly cared for. (I also pop some around my mouth/nose lines because IF YOU KNOW YOU KNOW).
But here’s the thing that truly sold me: the after. Not just how my skin looked (healthy, glowy, quietly smug), but how it felt. I got comments. Real ones. Mid-hug. People brushing against my cheek and stopping to say, “OMG your skin is so smooth.” That has never happened to me before. My face had become a tactile experience.
After consistent use, my skin felt softer than I can ever remember it being. Not temporarily, not just right after application — but all the time. That kind of softness that makes you want to touch your own face in the mirror and nod approvingly.
Would I buy it again? One hundred per cent. The results alone would justify it, but when you factor in the price point — especially during a Sephora sale — it becomes a no-brainer. High-performance actives, elegant formulations, and skin that genuinely feels better? The buzz was right.
Naturium didn’t just live up to the hype. It smoothed right past it.
In her spare time, she likes long walks down the makeup aisle and performing in Brisbane theatre. You can follow her adventures on Instagram and TikTok @thebeautypalate.
