Works for
Evens skin tone3-o-ethyl ascorbic acid, NiacinamideWorks well
“A 5% vitamin C And niacinamide serum that visibly brightens skin, reduces the appearance of hyperpigmentation, and boosts overall glow.”
This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: niacinamide
The following ingredient (ingredients) in this product might be helpful, but there is no evidence to confirm that it actually can help even out the skin tone: 3-o-ethyl ascorbic acid.
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.
Anti-agingNiacinamide, 3-o-ethyl ascorbic acidWorks well
“Niacinamide Helps reduce the appearance of pores, fine lines, and wrinkles”
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.
ExfoliationNo ingredient credited for this claimNot delivered
“Fruit-derived AHA Gently exfoliates skin, helps resurface texture, and helps refine pores”
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, InulinWorks 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.
MoisturizingSide benefit · Niacinamide, Glycerin + 7 moreWorks well
This product contains good ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. These ingredients are called "humectants": glycerin, sodium hyaluronate.
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
Anti-oxidationSide benefit · 3-o-ethyl ascorbic acid, Citrus reticulata peel extract + 5 moreMay help
This product contains antioxidants (3-o-ethyl ascorbic acid) that might be able to help neutralize free radicals in skin to lessen the damage it gets from the UV light (sun). There is not enough evidence to confirm their effectiveness in skin though.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy7 strong irritants: Citrus aurantium bergamia fruit extract, Citrus paradisi fruit extract + 5 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~40–60%
Propanediol~4.6–6.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin
More about PropanediolPentylene glycol~3.5–5.2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product texture
More about Pentylene glycol3-o-ethyl ascorbic acid~2.7–4%
- Irritation risk
- High
A vitamin C derivative that is more stable but less potent than pure form of vitamin C. Can help neutralize free radicals and help 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 3-o-ethyl ascorbic acidNiacinamide~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 NiacinamideSorbitan oleate decylglucoside crosspolymer~1.7–2.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together. Used as a cleansing agent
More about Sorbitan oleate decylglucoside crosspolymerCitrus aurantium bergamia fruit extract~1.4–2.1%
- Irritation risk
- High
Citrus paradisi fruit extract~1.2–1.8%
- Irritation risk
- High
Citrus reticulata peel extract~0.95–1.4%
- Irritation risk
- High
A likely irritant. Might have some anti-oxidant activity, but is mostly used as a fragrance in cosmetic products
More about Citrus reticulata peel extractCitrus aurantium dulcis fruit extract~0.55–1.35%
- 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~0.45–1.05%
- Irritation risk
- High
Used as a fragrance. Can be irritating and cause photosensitivity
More about Citrus limon fruit extract1,2-hexanediol~0.35–0.85%
Vaccinium myrtillus fruit extract~0.35–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant extract that might help neutralize free radicals in skin, but research on its efficacy in skin is lacking
More about Vaccinium myrtillus fruit extractSodium citrate~0.35–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps to control the skin's pH level. Maintains the skin's natural film of amino-lactic acids and oils. Helps to preserve products
More about Sodium citrateXanthan gum~0.3–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumInulin~0.2–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin. Is claimed to support the growth of "good" bacteria in skin (as a "prebiotic"), but the research is lacking
More about InulinTerminalia ferdinandiana fruit extract~0.3–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant extract that might have some anti-oxidant effect in skin, but evidence is lacking
More about Terminalia ferdinandiana fruit extractGlycerin~0.2–0.8%
- 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 GlycerinSaccharum officinarum extract~0.15–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Sugar extract that helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Saccharum officinarum extractSodium phytate~0.15–0.6%
Sodium tocopheryl phosphate~0.15–0.6%
Heptyl glucoside~0.15–0.55%
Caprylhydroxamic acid~0.1–0.45%
Alpha-glucan oligosaccharide~0.15–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Alpha-glucan oligosaccharideSodium hydroxide~0.1–0.45%
Leuconostoc/radish root ferment filtrate~0.1–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A preservative that comes from radishes fermented by a bacteria. New research suggests that the preservation properties in the ingredient come from an ammonium salt that is not present naturally in radish root but used in its cultivation. Is problematic because the exact amount of the preservative agents is difficult to determine
More about Leuconostoc/radish root ferment filtrateAcer saccharum extract~0.1–0.35%
- 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 extractCitric acid~0.1–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
More about Citric acidActinidia chinensis fruit extract~0.1–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that might have some anti-oxidant properties, but evidence of effectiveness in skin is lacking
More about Actinidia chinensis fruit extractPhyllanthus acidus fruit extract~0.05–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Pyrus malus fruit extract~0.05–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can have some moisturizing properties due to its sugar content
More about Pyrus malus fruit extractSodium hyaluronate~0.05–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
More about Sodium hyaluronateCitrus junos fruit extract~0.05–0.1%
- Irritation risk
- High
Contains essential oil. Can be irritating and lead to photosensitivity
More about Citrus junos fruit extractCitrus unshiu peel extract~0.01–0.05%
- Irritation risk
- High
Rosa canina fruit oil~0.05–0.1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A great emollient. Contains vitamin E (tocopherol) which may give it some anti-oxidant properties. Can contain volatile compounds and can be irritating
More about Rosa canina fruit oilIngredient list view
Water, Propanediol, Pentylene glycol, 3-o-ethyl ascorbic acid, Niacinamide, Sorbitan oleate decylglucoside crosspolymer, Citrus aurantium bergamia fruit extract, Citrus paradisi fruit extract, Citrus reticulata peel extract, Citrus aurantium dulcis fruit extract, Citrus limon fruit extract, 1,2-hexanediol, Vaccinium myrtillus fruit extract, Sodium citrate, Xanthan gum, Inulin, Terminalia ferdinandiana fruit extract, Glycerin, Saccharum officinarum extract, Sodium phytate, Sodium tocopheryl phosphate, Heptyl glucoside, Caprylhydroxamic acid, Alpha-glucan oligosaccharide, Sodium hydroxide, Leuconostoc/radish root ferment filtrate, Acer saccharum extract, Citric acid, Actinidia chinensis fruit extract, Phyllanthus acidus fruit extract, Pyrus malus fruit extract, Sodium hyaluronate, Citrus junos fruit extract, Citrus unshiu peel extract, Rosa canina fruit oil
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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.
| FollainBRIGHTENING SERUM: Vitamin C BoostYOUR PRODUCT | indē wildAM Sunrise Glow Serum | OptimumVitamin C Serum | pharma oilSunshine Serum 10% Vitamin C | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 94% | 94% | 94% |
| Price | $32.00 | $39.00+$7.00 | $20.06−$11.94 | — |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 4 of 7 | 4 of 7 | 4 of 7 |
| Key difference | — | Vitamin C | Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride | Panthenol |
| Irritancy | High | Medium | Medium | Low |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Osea Malibu Anti-Aging Sea SerumStandard Seoul Brightening Bouncy Boost Serum
Product summary
"Follain - BRIGHTENING SERUM: Vitamin C Boost" is effective for: Anti-blemish, Anti-aging, Evens skin tone and Moisturizing
Ingredient callouts
- A good concentration of Niacinamide (2.00% - 3.00%). Niacinamide is a well-studied multi-tasking active. It is stable, and can work well in almost any hydrating formulation. There is solid evidence that Niacinamide can help support skin barrier, regulate oil production and reduce acne and clogged pores. It also helps to fight photodamage and improve the skin tone, reducing pigmentation marks.
- Humectants (glycerin 0.20% - 0.80% and sodium hyaluronate 0.05% - 0.15%). These ingredients help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improve the skin hydration.
About the brand
According to Cruelty-Free Kitty "Follain" is cruelty free and so is its parent company.
Price
The product retails for 38.00$ in the United States.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 15 studies and safety reviews.
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