Works for
Anti-agingNiacinamide, Hyaluronic acid + 4 moreWorks well
“■ Lemon Rind Extract, high in antioxidants, is shown to improve skin clarity by cleansing, exfoliating, and brightening while targeting age spots and promoting elasticity ■ Niacinamide improves the appearance of enlarged pores, uneven skin tone, fine lines, and dullness ■ Vitamins C & E, when combined, can improve the look of uneven skin tone, enhance radiance, and strengthen defenses against environmental damage.”
This product can help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness because it contains niacinamide.
Keep in mind that it typically takes at least 6 weeks to notice any results because the changes that are needed to improve fine lines and elasticity happen in the deeper layers of the skin. No topical anti-aging product can “erase” wrinkles or fully reverse signs of aging.
Evens skin toneNiacinamide, Camellia sinensis leaf extract + 2 moreWorks well
“■ Lemon Rind Extract, high in antioxidants, is shown to improve skin clarity by cleansing, exfoliating, and brightening while targeting age spots and promoting elasticity ■ Niacinamide improves the appearance of enlarged pores, uneven skin tone, fine lines, and dullness ■ Vitamins C & E, when combined, can improve the look of uneven skin tone, enhance radiance, and strengthen defenses against environmental damage.”
This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: niacinamide
Keep in mind that you would need to apply any topical skincare targetted at hypigmentation consistently for a couple of months to get a result. No topical skincare product can help get rid of hyperpigmentation (including post-acne marks and age spots) instantly.
MoisturizingNiacinamide, Glycerin + 8 moreWorks well
“A complementary pair, Vitamin C works optimally on the surface level, and Vitamin E tends to go deeper ■ Hyaluronic Acid is a naturally occurring humectant that boosts skin’s moisture content, soothes, and defends against moisture loss”
This product contains good ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. These ingredients are called "humectants": glycerin, hyaluronic acid.
When humectants are on the surface of the skin, they “pull in” the moisture from the outside environment, or from within deeper layers of the skin. If the air is dry, humectants can speed up the moisture loss from the skin. This is why it is a good idea to use another product on top of this one to help "seal in" the moisture (look for ingredients like dimethicone, squalane, oils and butters).
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: niacinamide
ExfoliationSalicylic acid ~0.1–0.2%Under-dosed
“■ Lemon Rind Extract, high in antioxidants, is shown to improve skin clarity by cleansing, exfoliating, and brightening while targeting age spots and promoting elasticity ■ Niacinamide improves the appearance of enlarged pores, uneven skin tone, fine lines, and dullness ■ Vitamins C & E, when combined, can improve the look of uneven skin tone, enhance radiance, and strengthen defenses against environmental damage.”
This product does not contain effective exfoliating ingredients. It might be able to deliver physical exfoliation, that is scrub off some of the dead cells on the surface of the skin. We do not recommend physical exfoliation, because it is not uniform (some bits of skin can get exfoliated too much while others not at all). It can also traumatize the skin and aggrevate acne and other skin conditions.
Anti-blemishSide benefit · Niacinamide, Camellia sinensis leaf extract + 2 moreWorks well
This product can help reduce breakouts and clogged pores because it contains the following ingredient: niacinamide. This ingredient is used for treating acne and can have a noticeable effect.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy6 strong irritants: Citrus limon peel extract, Citrus aurantium dulcis fruit extract + 4 more — patch-test recommendedHigh risk
ComedogenicClean of flagged comedogenic ingredientsNone flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~45–55%
Caprylyl/capryl glucoside~9.3–11.3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together. Can be used as a cleansing agent
More about Caprylyl/capryl glucosidePolyglyceryl-10 laurate~3.9–4.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps water and oil mix together
More about Polyglyceryl-10 laurateGlycerin~3.1–3.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant
More about GlycerinPolyglyceryl-10 oleate~2.3–2.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Polyglyceryl-10 oleateNiacinamide~1.9–2.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Is proven to be effective in reducing blemishes, evening out skin tone and helping to improve lines and wrinkles. It helps the skin to repair sun damage, calm down inflammation and keep maintain good levels of moisture. The concentration of about 2% is effective for supporting the skin barrier and evening out the skin tone. Concentration of 4-6% is better for helping with acne and balancing the sebum production
More about NiacinamideCitrus limon peel extract~1.5–1.8%
Euphrasia officinalis extract~1.2–1.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Vaccinium myrtillus seed extract~1.1–1.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Saccharum officinarum extract~0.9–1.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Sugar extract that helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Saccharum officinarum extractCitrus aurantium dulcis fruit extract~0.65–1%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that is used as a fragrance. Can be irritating and lead to photosensitivity
More about Citrus aurantium dulcis fruit extractCitrus limon fruit extract~0.55–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- High
Used as a fragrance. Can be irritating and cause photosensitivity
More about Citrus limon fruit extractAcer saccharum extract~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant extract that contains small percentage of AHAs. Is unlikely to have any skin benefit due the small concentration of the active compounds
More about Acer saccharum extractPhospholipids~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Emollients that are naturaly present in skin. In addition, they help water and oil mix together in the product
More about PhospholipidsRetinyl palmitate~0.4–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- High
Three steps removed from the active form of vitamin A - retinoic acid. To have an effect in the skin, it first needs to be converted twice to become the retinoic acid. This means it is less potent than retinol, but could also be less irritating. Once converted to the retinoic acid in the skin, it helps against all signs of aging, improves skin cell turnover and helps fight blemishes and clogged pores. However, in many cosmetic formulations, it is used in a concentration that is too low to have the full effect
More about Retinyl palmitateTocopherol~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Pure form of vitamin E. Can help moisturise and protect the skin from free radicals. Often used to help stabilise other ingredients or the formula itself
More about TocopherolAscorbyl palmitate~0.35–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Being a lipid soluble form of vitamin C, it is more stable and can penetrate the skin better than L-Ascorbic acid. It is effective in protecting the skin from free radicals, as well as evening the skin tone, but is less effective in stimulating collagen production compared to L-Ascorbic acid.
More about Ascorbyl palmitateBeta-carotene~0.3–0.6%
Hyaluronic acid~0.3–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin. Naturally present in skin. Typically has large molecule size unless advertised otherwise on the product label. Helps support skin's barrier function and may help to reduce inflammation
More about Hyaluronic acidCitrus grandis seed extract~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- High
Camellia sinensis leaf extract~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Can contain potent anti-oxidant compounds (abbreviated ECG, GCG, EGC, and EGCG) that might help protect the skin from free radicals. Can help calm down inflammation and has some anti-bacterial properties. Unfortunately, these antioxidants are unstable and lose their effectiveness very quickly in products. The concentration of the antioxidant compounds in the extract also tends to be low to be effective in topical formulation
More about Camellia sinensis leaf extractAloe barbadensis leaf extract~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Traditionally used to treat sunburns, dermatitis and inflammation, but evidence for its effectiveness is lacking. The extract can contain humectants that help attract water into the skin
More about Aloe barbadensis leaf extractCucumis sativus fruit extract~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Might be somewhat helpful in reducing hyperpigmentation and neutralizing free radicals but its typical concentration in a product is too low for having an effect
More about Cucumis sativus fruit extractCalendula officinalis flower extract~0.15–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that has some anti-oxidant and anti-bacterial properties. Can be irritating
More about Calendula officinalis flower extractSodium phytate~0.15–0.25%
Benzyl alcohol~0.1–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- High
A preservative. Can be used to mask unpleasant smell. Can be irritating
More about Benzyl alcoholSalicylic acid~0.1–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- High
Used for skin exfoliation. It has an anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial effect, helps to unclog pores, prevent blemishes and speed up healing of the existing ones. Sometimes referred to as a BHA (beta-hydroxy acid)
More about Salicylic acidSorbic acid~0.1–0.2%
Dehydroxanthan gum~0.05–0.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps create thicker product formulations and stabilize emulsions
More about Dehydroxanthan gumIngredient list view
Water, Caprylyl/capryl glucoside, Polyglyceryl-10 laurate, Glycerin, Polyglyceryl-10 oleate, Niacinamide, Citrus limon peel extract, Euphrasia officinalis extract, Vaccinium myrtillus seed extract, Saccharum officinarum extract, Citrus aurantium dulcis fruit extract, Citrus limon fruit extract, Acer saccharum extract, Phospholipids, Retinyl palmitate, Tocopherol, Ascorbyl palmitate, Beta-carotene, Hyaluronic acid, Citrus grandis seed extract, Camellia sinensis leaf extract, Aloe barbadensis leaf extract, Cucumis sativus fruit extract, Calendula officinalis flower extract, Sodium phytate, Benzyl alcohol, Salicylic acid, Sorbic acid, Dehydroxanthan gum
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Worth comparing, line by line.
Match % combines shared ingredients, the first five ingredients, shared actives and hero ingredients, irritancy (lower counts in the alternative's favour), texture and body area. Only products in the same routine step are compared.
| East 29thVital SerumYOUR PRODUCT | innisfreeGentle Retinol Salicylic Acne Serum | Allies of SkinDaily Deal: Allies of Skin Mandelic Pigmentation Corrector Night Serum | skinmadeAzelaic Acid + Salicylic Acid serum | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 89% | 89% | 88% |
| Price | — | $34.00 | $33.41 | — |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 5 of 8 | 5 of 8 | 4 of 8 |
| Key difference | — | Retinol | Nonapeptide-1 | Azelaic Acid |
| Irritancy | High | Medium | Medium | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Radiant Glow Botanical Advanced Acne SerumRenee Rouleau Pore + Wrinkle Perfecting Serum
Product summary
"East 29th - Vital Serum" is effective for: Anti-aging, Evens skin tone, Moisturizing and Anti-blemish
Ingredient callouts
- A good concentration of Niacinamide (1.90% - 2.30%). Niacinamide is a well-studied multi-tasking active. It is stable, and can work well in almost any hydrating formulation. There is solid evidence that Niacinamide can help support skin barrier, regulate oil production and reduce acne and clogged pores. It also helps to fight photodamage and improve the skin tone, reducing pigmentation marks.
- This product includes a form of Retinoids (vitamin A) - retinyl palmitate 0.40% - 0.60%, but this type of vitamin A is not very effective. It could in theory help with fine lines and wrinkles, but the effect is most likely minimal.
- Humectants (hyaluronic acid 0.30% - 0.50% and glycerin 3.10% - 3.70%). These ingredients help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improve the skin hydration.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 19 studies and safety reviews.
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