PRODUCT REVIEW
Balance Active Formula Vitamin C Brightening Serum
Works for:
based on ingredients and %- Evens skin tone
- Anti-aging
- Moisturizing
- Anti-oxidation
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Can it cause trouble?
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What can the product work for?
Works for
Anti-aging
What does the product description say?
As well as two forms of stabilised Vitamin C, to help reduce the appearance of age-spots.
ascorbyl glucoside
1.2% -
1.8%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness:
MEDIUM
A vitamin C derivative that is more stable but less potent than pure form of vitamin C. Has a potential to boost collagen production, nutralise free radicals and reduce hyperpigmentation, but the required concentration is likely to be much higher than for the pure form of vitamin C, limiting the ingredient's effectiveness in products
sodium ascorbyl phosphate
3.6% -
5.4%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness:
LOW
A stable derivative of vitamin C. It is oil-soluble which means it is more likely to penetrate the skin compared to the pure form of vitamin C (which is water-soluble), but it is less bio-available and is way less effective in stimulating collagen and reducing wrinkles compared to the pure form of vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid) and its other derivatives (for example, magnesium ascorbyl phosphate). At the same time, this vitamin C derivative has been shown in studies to be effective in reducing acne, blemishes and clogged pores. It is less irritating then the pure form of vitamin C
zinc pca
0.5% -
1.15%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness:
LOW
A compound that combines zinc with a hydrating ingredient PCA. Might to be helpful against acne and clogged pores. Can help calm down inflammation in skin. Could be helpful in reducing the formation of free radicals in skin. Might help to reduce fine lines in wrinkles, but solid evidence is missing
Evens skin tone
What does the product description say?
Giving a brighter and more even looking skin tone.
ascorbyl glucoside
1.2% -
1.8%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness:
MEDIUM
A vitamin C derivative that is more stable but less potent than pure form of vitamin C. Has a potential to boost collagen production, nutralise free radicals and reduce hyperpigmentation, but the required concentration is likely to be much higher than for the pure form of vitamin C, limiting the ingredient's effectiveness in products
Moisturizing
zinc pca
0.5% -
1.15%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
A compound that combines zinc with a hydrating ingredient PCA. Might to be helpful against acne and clogged pores. Can help calm down inflammation in skin. Could be helpful in reducing the formation of free radicals in skin. Might help to reduce fine lines in wrinkles, but solid evidence is missing
chondrus crispus
2% -
3%
Irritation risk: Comedogenicity: High
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
Red algae extract that helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and create a nicer product consistency
glycerin
3.8% -
5.8%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant
Anti-oxidation
ascorbyl glucoside
1.2% -
1.8%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness:
MEDIUM
A vitamin C derivative that is more stable but less potent than pure form of vitamin C. Has a potential to boost collagen production, nutralise free radicals and reduce hyperpigmentation, but the required concentration is likely to be much higher than for the pure form of vitamin C, limiting the ingredient's effectiveness in products
sodium ascorbyl phosphate
3.6% -
5.4%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness:
MEDIUM
A stable derivative of vitamin C. It is oil-soluble which means it is more likely to penetrate the skin compared to the pure form of vitamin C (which is water-soluble), but it is less bio-available and is way less effective in stimulating collagen and reducing wrinkles compared to the pure form of vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid) and its other derivatives (for example, magnesium ascorbyl phosphate). At the same time, this vitamin C derivative has been shown in studies to be effective in reducing acne, blemishes and clogged pores. It is less irritating then the pure form of vitamin C
zinc pca
0.5% -
1.15%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness:
LOW
A compound that combines zinc with a hydrating ingredient PCA. Might to be helpful against acne and clogged pores. Can help calm down inflammation in skin. Could be helpful in reducing the formation of free radicals in skin. Might help to reduce fine lines in wrinkles, but solid evidence is missing
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Honesty check
How honest is this product?
| Promise | Can it deliver? |
|---|---|
| Anti-aging | |
| Evens skin tone |
Total Promises Fulfilled score:
75/100.
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Can it cause trouble?
- Overall product irritation risk
- Acne & comedogenic risk ingredients: 2
Potential irritants
Comodogenic ingredients
chondrus crispus
2% -
3%
Irritation risk: Comedogenicity: High
Works for:
Moisturizing
Red algae extract that helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and create a nicer product consistency
carrageenan
1.6% -
2.3%
Irritation risk: Comedogenicity: High
Helps thicken the product formula and create a nice product formulation
User reviews (0)
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| Irritancy | IRRITANCY
HIGH
| IRRITANCY
MEDIUM
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HIGH
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MEDIUM
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MEDIUM
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MEDIUM
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MEDIUM
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MEDIUM
| IRRITANCY
MEDIUM
| IRRITANCY
HIGH
| IRRITANCY
MEDIUM
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HIGH
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Ingredients & concentrations
All ingredients
Key Actives
zinc pca
0.5% -
1.15%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Anti-inflammatory,
Moisturizing,
Anti-blemish,
Anti-aging,
Anti-oxidation
A compound that combines zinc with a hydrating ingredient PCA. Might to be helpful against acne and clogged pores. Can help calm down inflammation in skin. Could be helpful in reducing the formation of free radicals in skin. Might help to reduce fine lines in wrinkles, but solid evidence is missing
sodium ascorbyl phosphate
3.6% -
5.4%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Anti-blemish,
Anti-oxidation,
Anti-aging
A stable derivative of vitamin C. It is oil-soluble which means it is more likely to penetrate the skin compared to the pure form of vitamin C (which is water-soluble), but it is less bio-available and is way less effective in stimulating collagen and reducing wrinkles compared to the pure form of vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid) and its other derivatives (for example, magnesium ascorbyl phosphate). At the same time, this vitamin C derivative has been shown in studies to be effective in reducing acne, blemishes and clogged pores. It is less irritating then the pure form of vitamin C
Show more
Potential irritants
parfum
0.1% -
0.45%
Irritation risk:
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
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Comodogenic ingredients
chondrus crispus
2% -
3%
Irritation risk: Comedogenicity: High
Works for:
Moisturizing
Red algae extract that helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and create a nicer product consistency
carrageenan
1.6% -
2.3%
Irritation risk: Comedogenicity: High
Helps thicken the product formula and create a nice product formulation
All ingredients
glycerin
3.8% -
5.8%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Moisturizing
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant
sodium ascorbyl phosphate
3.6% -
5.4%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Anti-blemish,
Anti-oxidation,
Anti-aging
A stable derivative of vitamin C. It is oil-soluble which means it is more likely to penetrate the skin compared to the pure form of vitamin C (which is water-soluble), but it is less bio-available and is way less effective in stimulating collagen and reducing wrinkles compared to the pure form of vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid) and its other derivatives (for example, magnesium ascorbyl phosphate). At the same time, this vitamin C derivative has been shown in studies to be effective in reducing acne, blemishes and clogged pores. It is less irritating then the pure form of vitamin C
Show more
Ingredient list view
Water, Glycerin, Sodium ascorbyl phosphate, Phenoxyethanol, Chondrus crispus, Carrageenan, Ascorbyl glucoside, Olea europaea leaf extract, Polysorbate 20, Zinc pca, Disodium edta, Tocopheryl acetate, Parfum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Linalool, Limonene
Sources
- Glycerol and the skin: holistic approach to its origin and functions
- Sodium ascorbyl phosphate shows in vitro and in vivo efficacy in the prevention and treatment of acne vulgaris
- Sodium ascorbyl phosphate in topical microemulsions
- Final report of the safety assessment of L-Ascorbic Acid, Calcium Ascorbate, Magnesium Ascorbate, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Sodium Ascorbate, and Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate as used in cosmetics
- Regulation of collagen synthesis in human dermal fibroblasts by the sodium and magnesium salts of ascorbyl-2-phosphate
- Comparison of clinical efficacies of sodium ascorbyl phosphate, retinol and their combination in acne treatment
- Application of l-ascorbic acid and its derivatives (sodium ascorbyl phosphate and magnesium ascorbyl phosphate) in topical cosmetic formulations: stability studies
- Sodium L-ascorbyl-2-phosphate 5% lotion for the treatment of acne vulgaris: a randomized, double-blind, controlled trial
- Seaweeds as Source of Bioactive Substances and Skin Care Therapy—Cosmeceuticals, Algotheraphy, and Thalassotherapy
- The Roles of Vitamin C in Skin Health
- Stability, transdermal penetration, and cutaneous effects of ascorbic acid and its derivatives
- Wound Repair Potential of Olea europaea L. Leaf Extracts Revealed by In Vivo Experimental Models and Comparative Evaluation of the Extracts' Antioxidant Activity
- Zinc L-pyrrolidone carboxylate inhibits the UVA-induced production of matrix metalloproteinase-1 by in vitro cultured skin fibroblasts, whereas it enhances their collagen synthesis