Nipun Kapur has reviewed 48 serums, and her Guru Score is 77%. She approved 37 of them, gave 4 a mixed take, and skipped 7. Three products made her category winners list.
What does Nipun Kapur recommend in serums?
The serums Nipun approves tend to have something real behind them: a formula that holds up, a claim she can verify, or results she has seen on clients. Her top pick is Remedy Pore Size Serum. She tested it on three acne-prone clients, gave it an 8 out of 10, and found it does more than its label promises. It calmed skin and reduced breakouts alongside pore tightening. She approves across a wide range of price points, naming Minimalist Niacinamide 10% a category winner alongside Sunday Riley CEO 15% Vitamin C Brightening Serum. SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic also earned her stamp of approval, for a pure L-ascorbic acid formula that stays stable and does not oxidize.
In their words
"The brand says it's for pore size which is true but I think this also works really well on acne prone skin. It [...] can really help calm and soothe acne prone skin and can reduce the amount of acne you're getting. This is my claim coming from three clients who have used this product who are all three acne prone, one of them has a lot of acne. [...] I give this an 8 out of 10. And if you've ever heard my ratings before you know an 8 out of 10 is creme de la creme, the best of the best."
"The Sunday Riley CEO Vitamin C serum 15% is a formula that will work on all skin types."
"The C E Ferulic doesn't oxidize, it is pure L-ascorbic acid, but it doesn't break me out, it is fabulous."
"I do absolutely love it I highly highly recommend the barrier support serum now"
"You can get a similar impact with the ordinary 10% lactic acid."
"Neutrogena is not a dupe, the Neutrogena Hydro Boost by itself is a fabulous cream"
How many serums has Nipun Kapur reviewed?
Nipun Kapur has reviewed 48 serums, for a Guru Score of 77%. 37 approved, 4 mixed, and 7 skipped.
What has Nipun Kapur skipped in serums?
Nipun's sharpest skip is Rhode Peptide Glazing Fluid, where she said she wanted her money back. She also skipped Clarins Double Serum. Store advisors pitch it as anti-aging, but she found it only hydrates the skin, and at $134 she did not think it was worth the price. With Timeless 20% Vitamin C + E Ferulic Acid Serum, it was more personal: it oxidized on her skin specifically, making her look duller and darker within seconds of applying. She noted the formula is otherwise strong.
"I want my money back that is the first thing I can say about Rhode skincare"
"This is a good one but remember this is all that it will do, it will hydrate your skin. If you go to Sephora the BA will tell you that it's going to be anti-aging, but it will just hydrate your skin. It's pricey, pricey, pricey at $134. It's [...] a pass for me because I've used it in the past."
"So this is the second product that I am kind of just keeping away"
"Timeless 20% vitamin C, L-ascorbic acid plus ferulic acid is supposed to be a dupe and yes this is a great product and the only problem with the Timeless serum on my face was within seconds I would start looking darker and very dull. [...] It doesn't break me out, it is fabulous, but from all the reviews that I have seen and the ingredient list comparison, except for that patented angle you will get about a 50% match between the C Ferulic and the Timeless vitamin C."
What should you take from Nipun Kapur's picks?
Nipun's serum record is broad and, on balance, positive. She approved 37 of the 48 she reviewed and named three outright category winners. When she does skip something, she usually says exactly why. It might be a formula that oxidizes on her skin, a claim that does not hold up, or a price she does not think is justified. That makes her a useful person to consult when you are deciding between a budget pick and a premium one.
Watch Nipun Kapur say it
Every verdict here comes from a video. These are the moments themselves, each one jumping straight to the bit about that product.
- Remedy Pore Size SerumNamed a winnerWatch at 6:30
- Sunday Riley CEO 15% Vitamin C Brightening SerumNamed a winnerWatch at 15:15
- Minimalist Niacinamide 10%Named a winnerWatch at 3:23
- Rhode Peptide Glazing FluidSkipped itWatch at 0:00
- Clarins Double SerumSkipped itWatch at 16:42
- Frankly PDRN Bounce BallSkipped itWatch at 5:33
- Timeless 20% Vitamin C + E Ferulic Acid SerumSkipped itWatch at 10:31
- Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Dew DropsSkipped itWatch at 11:14
- The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%Skipped itWatch at 13:27
- Amino Copper Peptide SerumSkipped itWatch at 6:16
- SkinCeuticals C E FerulicRated itWatch at 11:06
- The Ordinary Soothing & Barrier Support SerumRated itWatch at 6:31
- The Ordinary Lactic Acid 10% + Hyaluronic AcidRated itWatch at 13:56
- Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel with Hyaluronic AcidRated itWatch at 14:20
- The Ordinary Alpha Arbutin 2% + Hyaluronic AcidRated itWatch at 2:05
- The INKEY List Azelaic Acid SerumRated itWatch at 3:22
- Klairs Freshly Juiced Vitamin C SerumRated itWatch at 2:39
- The Ordinary Rose Hip Seed OilRated itWatch at 7:46
- The INKEY List Alpha Arbutin SerumRated itWatch at 3:09
- Paula's Choice 10% Niacinamide BoosterRated itWatch at 7:53
- BYOMA Brightening SerumRated itWatch at 4:28
- Minimalist 5% Niacinamide SerumRated itWatch at 9:18
- Naturium Tranexamic Acid 5%Rated itWatch at 12:36
- The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%Rated itWatch at 3:38
About this expert
See everything Nipun Kapur has reviewed
Related guides
This guide reflects what Nipun Kapur said across their videos about 48 products in serums, aggregated by The Guru Index. Sponsored takes are excluded. The Guru Score is our read on how warmly they talk about them. It is general information, not medical advice.