Aestheticians on Instagram can't stop praising this acne-fighting serum, so I decided to give it a try.

      I have battled with reactive skin that tends to break out for many years. As a teenager, I experimented with everything from tretinoin to Accutane in an attempt to resolve it, but to no avail. Unbeknownst to me, the harsh creams and medications I used were actually exacerbating the problem. Consequently, my skin barrier is now not in the best condition due to all I’ve put it through. (Trust me, my skin will receive an apology letter for many years to come.) Finding an effective solution tailored to one's skin type can be tough, but I recently came across something I believe will truly make a difference.

      Recently, the narrative surrounding acne has evolved significantly. Specialists are now emphasizing the importance of nurturing a healthy skin barrier and microbiome—your skin’s unique community of bacteria. I had previously tried probiotic acne-fighting serums but often faced significant purging without any long-term resolution. That was until I discovered SIV’s Biome Balancing Serum ($74). As its name implies, this spore-based probiotic formulation operates differently. Essentially, it adapts to the unique biology of your skin, soothing redness, diminishing acne and sensitivity, and even assisting with conditions like rosacea. Given the rave reviews I’d heard from various aestheticians I follow on Instagram, I felt it was worth trying. If you’re like me and have found it difficult to discover an effective treatment for your sensitive skin, you’ll want to read on. Here, I’ll share more about SIV’s groundbreaking formula and my experience using it.

      The Science Behind SIV

      The brand offers insight into how this serum functions on its website. To summarize, your skin is inhabited by a diverse array of bacteria, fungi, and other microbes that influence its functioning and appearance. Environmental factors significantly affect which microbes reside on your skin, making balance essential for maintaining skin health. SIV is the first to create a topical product utilizing bacillus spores (a type of probiotic) that adapt to your skin’s specific needs, achieving homeostasis without causing dryness or using other harsh ingredients. By fostering a balanced skin environment, it can enhance skin tone and texture alongside healing acne lesions. It also boosts your skin’s natural luminosity and fortifies its defenses against environmental stressors and aging.

      My Experience with SIV

      SIV instantly drew me in as someone who has applied many harsh creams and drying acne treatments. After years of using tretinoin and damaging my barrier, I recognized that my microbiome had likely suffered too. I decided to give this serum a shot following my aesthetician Varuni Palacios’ recommendation. Initially, I was skeptical because, as I mentioned, previous probiotic serums hadn’t worked well for me. Some probiotic formulations can clash with other ingredients, complicating their incorporation into my routine. However, that’s not an issue with SIV. Its serum is designed to seamlessly fit into your skincare regimen—other ingredients won’t hinder the effectiveness of the bacillus spores.

      The image above shows my skin before using SIV. I was initially anxious about purging, but my experience was nothing like the severe purging I faced with earlier probiotic serums. The only purging I experienced was old texture surfacing. My skin, which is highly sensitive and reacts to resurfacing textures, has been remarkably less red and inflamed during this process, which is a significant improvement for me. I’m also grateful that it’s smoothing out all the stubborn texture I’ve struggled to eliminate.

      The image above depicts my skin now. There are still a few bumps appearing here and there, but as I mentioned, I'm not concerned because it indicates that the serum is working. It’s been just two weeks, and those persistent bumps and old congested areas are disappearing more quickly. I’ve also observed a noticeable improvement in my skin’s overall radiance; it appears healthier and glows more, and has been less reactive, even during a recent trip to the jungle. Previously, after traveling, I would often break out immediately upon landing, but this time my skin did not react adversely at all.

      Regarding acne, I haven't developed any new pimples—just old texture resurfacing, which I’m ready to say goodbye to. Redness remains a main concern for me. Even if my skin does become red or irritated briefly after cleansing, applying the SIV serum instantly calms it. I’m aware that microbiome-balancing serums require time to show full effects. While I’ve experienced great improvement over the past two weeks, my skin isn’t yet exactly where I want it to be, and that will necessitate some patience. It’s essential to consider that everyone’s healing timeline varies based on their individual biology.

      Prior to using this serum, my barrier wasn't in a good state, causing my skin to become dehydrated easily. Regardless of how much moisturizer I applied, I would feel dehydrated again within a few hours. However, since using