Last year, I had a bunch of really bad breakouts on my cheeks and forehead. I've always struggled with acne, but this was on another level. The breakouts turned into bright red splotches and left their marks on my face to this day. 

Acne scars are famously tough to battle without regular visits to a dermatologist for expensive facials and treatments. I figured I'd wait until I became rich and famous and could take care of those pesky scars then . . .

But then I heard about the wonders of vitamin B5. A friend of mine has always loved beauty products as much as I do (maybe even a little bit more!), so anytime she gives me advice, I know she's already done her research.  She once spoke with a representative from L'Oreal, who taught her all the amazing things vitamin B5 can do, particularly in a formula by beauty brand, SkinCeuticals. Apparently this is a product that plastic surgeons recommend to their patients to ensure a quick and healthy healing process. 

Once I heard this, I thought I had to give it a try. Still skeptical, I ordered a bottle of SkinCeuticals Hydrating B5 Gel. The formula combines vitamin B5 with hyaluronic acid, making this a total moisturizing powerhouse. Both of these ingredients are humectants, meaning they attract and retain water, reducing the amount of moisture lost through the skin. Hyaluronic acid is widely lauded as giving your skin a healthy, plump glow.

But I'm not here for the moisture! Vitamin B5 can also reduce redness and itchiness and aid in the regeneration of skin tissue. I wanted to put these claims to the test.

I began using the serum morning and night. Texturally, it's very liquidy and almost a little slimy, but it dissolves into the skin very quickly and feels soothing and not-at-all sticky. It completely absorbs, allowing me to move on to the rest of my beauty routine without a hitch. It doesn't smell like anything either, which is a plus.

After just a few weeks, I've noticed a huge difference. My acne scars are fading, I haven't had any new breakouts since starting the product (knock on wood!) and my skin feels hydrated and soft. Multiple people have commented on how healthy my skin looks, and I haven't even had a drop of makeup on!

Bottom line? Add this to your arsenal immediately, whether you suffer from acne, dry skin, irritation, eczema or anything in-between.