SOME BY MI Retinol Intense Trial Kit - Serum and Eye Cream, 0.33Oz - Mild Korean 0.1% Retinol Face Serum and Eye Cream for Beginner - Skin Texture, Elasticity and Under Eye Care - Korean Skin Care Review
Our verdict
A beginner-friendly, two-piece retinol starter set pairing a mild 0.1% retinol serum with a matching eye cream, blending retinol with bakuchiol and retinal. A strong 4.5 rating across 389 reviews suggests this trial format has worked well for first-time retinol users.
Check price on AmazonBest for
Retinol beginners who want a low-strength, two-piece starter set covering both the face and under-eye area without committing to a full-size product first.
Skip if
You already use a higher-strength retinol regularly, or you specifically want a fragrance-free-labeled product with only a single active ingredient.
- Priced 45% below the category median ($25.51 across 54 tracked models)
Our scorecard
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Owner rating4.5/5
4.5 average across 389 owner ratings
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Popularity1.9/5
389 owner reviews, fewer than most models here
The overall score is owner satisfaction weighted by how many reviews back it, so a high rating from few reviews counts for less. The bars below show where this model stands against the other anti-aging skincare: serums, night creams, facial peels, wrinkle patches and anti-aging devices we track in this category on price, popularity and size. Context, not marks against it, and our read of the data, not a lab test.
Overview
["This SOME BY MI kit pairs a serum and an eye cream, each in a 0.33-ounce trial size, built around a mild 0.1% retinol alongside bakuchiol and retinal. It's marketed for skin texture and elasticity care as well as fine lines and dark circles, and it's listed as suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin.", 'Using two vitamin A-family ingredients, retinol and retinal, alongside the plant-derived bakuchiol is a way to combine complementary actives in one starter kit rather than relying on a single ingredient. The formula is unscented, and both pieces are meant to be used together for the eye area and the rest of the face.', 'At $14.10 for the pair, this is an accessible entry point into retinol skincare. With 389 reviews averaging 4.5 stars, this is one of the more strongly and consistently rated products in this category, even though no purchases were recorded in the tracked bought-last-month data.']
Pros
- Combines retinol, retinal, and bakuchiol in one mild starter formula
- Two-piece format covers both the eye area and the rest of the face
- Unscented, listed as suitable for sensitive skin
- Strong 4.5-star rating across 389 reviews
- Affordable entry point at $14.10 for the pair
Cons
- Trial-size 0.33-ounce containers won't last as a long-term supply
- Combining three vitamin A-family ingredients may be more than some absolute first-timers expect
- No purchases recorded in the tracked bought-last-month data
Performance notes
Retinol converts to retinoic acid in the skin over several steps, while retinal (retinaldehyde) converts more directly and is generally considered stronger than retinol at an equivalent percentage. Pairing both with bakuchiol, a plant-derived ingredient often used as a gentler retinol alternative, is a way to balance active strength with tolerability, which fits the kit's positioning for beginners and sensitive skin.
What buyers say
A 4.5 average across 389 reviews is a strong, consistent signal, suggesting the trial-kit format and mild formulation have worked well for a meaningful number of first-time retinol users.
Similar anti-aging skincare: serums, night creams, facial peels, wrinkle patches and anti-aging devices to consider
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between retinol, retinal, and bakuchiol?
Retinol and retinal are both vitamin A derivatives, with retinal converting more directly to active retinoic acid and generally considered stronger at the same percentage. Bakuchiol is a plant-derived ingredient often used as a gentler alternative or complement to retinoids for those with more sensitive skin.
Is 0.1% retinol strong enough for a first-time user?
A 0.1% concentration is generally considered a mild to moderate starting strength, suitable for easing into a retinol routine. Beginners typically start with a few nights a week and build up frequency as their skin adjusts.
Can the eye cream from this kit be used on the rest of the face?
The kit lists both eye and face as target areas, so the eye cream is formulated with that dual use in mind. That said, the serum is generally the piece meant for broader facial application, with the eye cream reserved for the more delicate under-eye area.