Works for
Evens skin toneGlycyrrhiza glabra root extract, Camellia sinensis leaf extract + 2 moreNot delivered
“An intensive serum that helps visibly brighten and even skin tone.”
This product contains ingredients (glycyrrhiza glabra root extract) that could help reduce hyperpigmentation (for example, post-acne marks or age spots) in theory, but there is not enough evidence that they actually work.
MoisturizingSide benefit · Glycerin, Helianthus annuus seed oil + 12 moreWorks
This product can help improve hydration of the skin with the two types of ingredients.
The first type is called “humectants”:
these ingredients help attract water.
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. The following ingredients in this product do the job:
glycerin, sodium hyaluronate.
This product also contains ingredients called “occlusives”. They help reduce the speed with which our skin loses moisture to the outside environment. These ingredients also help soften the upper layer of the skin, so it feels less tight and nicer to the touch. The following ingredients in this product do the job: chondrus crispus extract, helianthus annuus seed oil.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy12 strong irritants: Hamamelis virginiana water, Alcohol + 10 more — patch-test recommendedHigh risk
Comedogenic1 ingredient rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale1 flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~45–55%
Hamamelis virginiana water~4.6–5.6%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that can help calm down inflammation in skin. Can, however, itself be irritating
More about Hamamelis virginiana waterButylene glycol~3.9–4.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a nice product texture and help delivery of other ingredients. Might be somewhat helpful in attracting water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Butylene glycolAlcohol~3.1–3.8%
- Irritation risk
- High
Can be drying and contribute to skin irritation. Used in formulars to dissolve other ingredients, create a thinner product consistency or for its antibacterial properties
More about AlcoholGlycerin~2.4–3%
- 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 GlycerinHelianthus annuus seed oil~2–2.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A great emollient due to its high linoleic acid content. One of the most effective plant oils in helping skin hydration and repairing skin barrier function
More about Helianthus annuus seed oilPhenoxyethanol~0.5–1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolCaprylyl glycol~1.5–1.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolSorbitol~1.1–1.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improves the product texture
More about SorbitolSodium pca~0.8–1.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Naturally present in skin and helps to attract water to its upper layer
More about Sodium pcaXanthan gum~0.65–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumAscorbyl glucoside~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- 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
More about Ascorbyl glucosideCitrullus lanatus seed oil~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Sclerotium gum~0.4–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create gel-like formulas and stabilize emulsions
More about Sclerotium gumSodium lactate~0.35–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin. Is often used to adjust the pH level of the product
More about Sodium lactateLimonene~0.35–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- High
A common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heat
More about LimoneneSodium hydroxide~0.35–0.6%
Honey extract~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Honey extractSpiraea ulmaria root extract~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Vaccinium vitis-idaea seed oil~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Citrus aurantium dulcis peel oil~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- High
An essentil oil from orange peel. Potential allergen and can be irritating
More about Citrus aurantium dulcis peel oilEthylhexylglycerin~0.25–0.45%
Arctostaphylos uva ursi leaf extract~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Citrus grandis fruit extract~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- High
Glycyrrhiza glabra root extract~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant extract that can help lighten the skin and calm down inflammation. Might be helpful in neutralizing free radicals
More about Glycyrrhiza glabra root extractMorus bombycis root extract~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that might contain arbutin, a compound that has skin-lightening properties. Might have some anti-oxidant activity. Is unlikely to be effective though in the concentrations typically used in skincare products
More about Morus bombycis root extractScutellaria baicalensis root extract~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that might contain a compound baicalin that could be helpful in neutralizing free radicals and reducing inflammation in skin. The baicalin concentration in skincare products is often too low for an effective action. Can be used for its fragrant properties
More about Scutellaria baicalensis root extractCamellia sinensis leaf extract~0.25–0.4%
- 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 extractInulin lauryl carbamate~0.2–0.4%
Sodium hyaluronate~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
More about Sodium hyaluronateCitrus aurantium amara flower oil~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- High
Used as a fragrance. Can be irritating
More about Citrus aurantium amara flower oilCitrus aurantium bergamia fruit oil~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant oil with a high content of volatile compounds that can irritate the skin and lead to allergic reactions. Can lead to photosensitivity
More about Citrus aurantium bergamia fruit oilCedrus atlantica bark oil~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Citrus nobilis peel oil~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant oil with high content of volatile compounds that, especially when exposed to air, can cause allergic reactions and irritate the skin
More about Citrus nobilis peel oilPhytic acid~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA), but is mostly used to stabilize product formulations in cosmetics
More about Phytic acidPotassium sorbate~0.15–0.25%
Sodium benzoate~0.1–0.2%
Linalool~0.1–0.15%
Glucose~0.1–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin. Could be helpful in restoring the skin barrier function
More about GlucoseChondrus crispus extract~0.15–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
Red algae extract that helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and create a nicer product consistency
More about Chondrus crispus extractJasminum officinale flower extract~0.1–0.2%
Rosa damascena flower oil~0.05–0.1%
- Irritation risk
- High
Used as a fragrance. Can be irritating
More about Rosa damascena flower oilRosmarinus officinalis leaf extract~0.05–0.1%
- Irritation risk
- High
Can be helpful in reducing inflammation in skin, including inflamed acne. It can be irritating
More about Rosmarinus officinalis leaf extractIngredient list view
Water, Hamamelis virginiana water, Butylene glycol, Alcohol, Glycerin, Helianthus annuus seed oil, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl glycol, Sorbitol, Sodium pca, Xanthan gum, Ascorbyl glucoside, Citrullus lanatus seed oil, Sclerotium gum, Sodium lactate, Limonene, Sodium hydroxide, Honey extract, Spiraea ulmaria root extract, Vaccinium vitis-idaea seed oil, Citrus aurantium dulcis peel oil, Ethylhexylglycerin, Arctostaphylos uva ursi leaf extract, Citrus grandis fruit extract, Glycyrrhiza glabra root extract, Morus bombycis root extract, Scutellaria baicalensis root extract, Camellia sinensis leaf extract, Inulin lauryl carbamate, Sodium hyaluronate, Citrus aurantium amara flower oil, Citrus aurantium bergamia fruit oil, Cedrus atlantica bark oil, Citrus nobilis peel oil, Phytic acid, Potassium sorbate, Sodium benzoate, Linalool, Glucose, Chondrus crispus extract, Jasminum officinale flower extract, Rosa damascena flower oil, Rosmarinus officinalis leaf extract
Compare prices
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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.
| ESPASkin Radiance Intensive SerumYOUR PRODUCT | DarphinMini Intral Inner Youth Rescue Serum | NeutrogenaHydro Boost Hydrating Serum | KruidvatHyaluron Booster Drops | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 42% | 42% | 41% |
| Price | — | $70.47 | $13.09 | — |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 5 of 8 | 5 of 8 | 4 of 8 |
| Key difference | — | Salicylic Acid | Bisabolol | Urea |
| Irritancy | High | Medium | Medium | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | Contains drying alcohol | — | — | Contains drying alcohol |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: ISANA Hyaluron Booster FeuchtigkeitskonzentratYouth To The People Triple Peptide + Cactus Hydrating + Firming Oasis Serum
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 26 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4Effect of topically applied lipids on surfactant-irritated skinonlinelibrary.wiley.com
- 5
- 6The Roles of Vitamin C in Skin Healthncbi.nlm.nih.gov
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