D’Alba White Truffle Prime Intensive Serum

I previously used the d’Alba White Truffle First Spray Serum and it genuinely surprised me in a good way. I expected it to be one of those “nice but forgettable” mist products, yet the scent was very pleasant, the texture felt light on the skin, and it was the kind of product you can use repeatedly without feeling like you’ve layered on something greasy. Because of that experience, I went to repurchase what I assumed was basically the same thing in a different format, thinking I was simply restocking a product I already knew and enjoyed.

That is why the d’Alba White Truffle Prime Intensive Serum was a surprise. I didn’t realize d’Alba now has a whole range of white truffle serums and variations, and I only discovered that after opening this one and feeling immediately that it’s not the same category of product as the spray serum at all. The “Prime” in the name is not just marketing; it really behaves like a priming product, meaning it’s designed to leave a smooth, slightly occlusive layer that can sit under makeup. If you go into it expecting a fast-absorbing skincare serum, the texture may feel confusing at first.

On my skin, this product is noticeably more oily and heavier. After applying it, the oiliness doesn’t disappear quickly, and it can feel like it just sits on the surface rather than absorbing the way a watery serum would. That doesn’t automatically mean it’s bad, but it does change how you should use it. My biggest practical tip is to use a very small amount, because it’s easy to over-apply and end up with that “heavy layer” feeling that never quite settles. When I applied it like a normal serum in a full evening routine, it felt too rich and slightly suffocating, especially if I had other layers underneath. Used sparingly, it becomes much more elegant and looks more like what it claims to be: a primer-like serum that gives slip and a smooth finish.

I’ve personally been using it as part of a full face routine, treating it like my serum step, but I can see why the brand frames it as a primer before makeup. When you use it in the morning, in a thin layer, it creates a soft, conditioning surface that can make makeup glide on more smoothly. It’s the kind of product that can be helpful if your foundation clings to dry patches or if you like that slightly dewy, cushioned base. The problem is that if you use too much, it can go from “priming glow” to “oily layer,” and depending on your skin type it may feel heavy or even interfere with how your makeup sets.

Looking at the ingredient list, the feel makes sense. The base is water and humectants like dipropylene glycol, sorbitol, glycerin, and hydroxyethyl urea, which are there to attract moisture and keep the skin hydrated. Niacinamide is included as a well-known multitasking ingredient that supports barrier function and helps with overall tone and clarity over time. There’s also sodium hyaluronate for additional hydration, and soothing-support ingredients like dipotassium glycyrrhizate (licorice-derived calming) and oat extract. So on paper, it does have “serum” logic: hydration plus barrier-friendly support.

Where the “Prime Intensive” personality comes in is the oily and emollient side of the formula. It contains multiple oils and oil-like emollients that naturally leave a more noticeable film, including avocado oil, sunflower seed oil, soybean oil, bixa orellana seed oil, and neopentyl glycol diheptanoate (a lightweight-feeling emollient in theory, but still part of that smoothing, slip-creating layer). This is exactly the kind of ingredient combination that makes a product feel like it’s creating a surface for makeup rather than vanishing into the skin instantly. If you have dry skin or you love a dewy base, you may see this as a benefit. If you have oily skin or you dislike feeling product on your face, you will need a lighter hand.

The “white truffle” element is present as Tuber Magnatum extract, which is the signature ingredient this line is built around. In a review, I wouldn’t describe it as something you can “feel” working in an obvious way, but it fits the overall positioning of the product as a more luxurious, antioxidant-leaning serum. The formula also contains adenosine, which is often included in Korean skincare for smoothing and anti-wrinkle support, and tocopheryl acetate and tocopherol (vitamin E forms) for antioxidant and conditioning benefits. There’s also bifida ferment lysate, a well-known ferment ingredient used for barrier support and resilience in many formulas.

This serum also contains a long list of botanical extracts, ranging from basil and peppermint to ginseng, lotus, edelweiss, houttuynia cordata, lily, morus alba bark, yarrow, and many others. These types of blends can add antioxidant and soothing benefits, but they can be a double-edged sword for sensitive skin because the more botanicals you add, the more potential there is for irritation if your skin reacts to plant extracts. Peppermint leaf extract, in particular, is something some people find stimulating or irritating, especially if they already have redness-prone skin. Ethanol is also included, which can help with texture and penetration and can make a product feel lighter at first, but it can be drying or sensitizing for some skin types, especially if used daily alongside other active products.

Scent-wise, if you liked the pleasant smell of the spray serum, you will probably recognize the same “perfumed skincare” direction here, because fragrance is included, along with common fragrance allergens like linalool, limonene, and hexyl cinnamal. It has that polished, cosmetic-luxury profile rather than a “neutral skincare” smell. However, it also includes butylphenyl methylpropional, which is an ingredient that has been heavily restricted or banned in some regions due to safety regulations, so depending on where you live and when your batch was produced, that may be a point that makes some people uncomfortable. If you are fragrance-sensitive or prefer fragrance-free skincare, this serum is not the safest choice.

In terms of who I think this serum suits, I would say it makes the most sense for someone who wants a nourishing, glossy base under makeup and doesn’t mind a product that leaves a lingering emollient layer. Dry to normal skin types will probably enjoy it most, especially in colder weather or when their skin barrier feels tight. If your main goal is a fast-absorbing serum for nighttime layering, it can feel too heavy and a bit “stuck” on the surface unless you use a very small amount. For oily or congestion-prone skin, I would be cautious, not because it’s automatically pore-clogging, but because heavy-feeling oily finishes tend to be uncomfortable and can encourage over-cleansing or irritation if you try to compensate for the feel.

Overall, my impression is that this product is good at what it’s actually meant to be, but it can disappoint if you buy it thinking it’s just a richer version of the spray serum. It’s more of a hybrid between skincare and makeup prep: hydrating and conditioning, but intentionally smoothing and film-forming. If you treat it like a primer-serum and apply it sparingly, it can give a pretty, healthy finish and make makeup application feel smoother. If you apply it like a normal serum in a multi-step routine, it can feel heavy, oily, and stubbornly unabsorbed. The biggest “secret” to liking it is simply using much less than you think you need.

If you would like to order d’Alba White Truffle First Spray Serum or some of their other products and receive a 10% discount, please buy here https://www.yesstyle.com/en/dalba/list.html/bpt.299_bid.319234 and use the code KIKAANGELIC1 at checkout.