Formulyst Active Serum – Vitamin B, C, E, Ferulic + Niacinamide
Works for
Anti-agingAscorbic acid, Ferulic acid + 2 moreWorks well
“It leaves your skin looking brighter, healthier and more youthful.”
This product can help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness because it contains ascorbic acid.
These ingredients in the product can also be helpful, even though there is less evidence for their effectiveness: ferulic acid.
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.
MoisturizingSide benefit · Panthenol, Glycerin + 4 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: panthenol
Evens skin toneSide benefit · Ascorbic acid, Ferulic acid + 1 moreWorks well
This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: ascorbic acid.
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: ferulic 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-oxidationSide benefit · Ascorbic acid, Ferulic acid + 1 moreWorks well
This product contains antioxidants (ascorbic acid, ferulic acid) that can help neutralize free radicals in skin. By doing so, they can lessen the damage the skin gets from the UV light (sun).
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy6 flagged ingredientsLow 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~40–60%
Ethoxydiglycol~5.5–8.3%
Ascorbic acid~4.1–6.1%
- Irritation risk
- High
The most well-researched antioxidant that works in skin. Helps neutralize free radicals supporting collagen production, helping to even out the skin tone and preventing early signs of aging
More about Ascorbic acidPropylene glycol~2.8–4.2%
- Irritation risk
- High
Helps oil and water mix together and can enhance the penetration of other ingredients into the skin. It can be irritating
More about Propylene glycolGlycerin~2.2–3.3%
- 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 GlycerinLaureth-23~1.8–2.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Laureth-23Tocopherol~1.3–1.9%
- 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 TocopherolFerulic acid~0.9–1.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A potent anti-oxidant that has been shown to be effective in neutralizing free radicals in skin. There seem to have a synergetic effect of ferulic acid, vitamin E and C, meaning that when the ingredients are used together, they enhance each other's ability protect the skin against free radicals. Ferulic acid also helps to stabilize other ingredients - including vitamins C and E. It can help to even out the skin tone. Ferulic acid is approved for use as a sunscreen ingredient in Japan in concentrations up to 10%
More about Ferulic acidPanthenol~0.55–1.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help improve skin barrier function
More about PanthenolTriethanolamine~0.4–1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to adjust pH of the product and can help improve the product's smell
More about TriethanolamineSodium hyaluronate~0.2–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
More about Sodium hyaluronateSodium pca~0.15–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Naturally present in skin and helps to attract water to its upper layer
More about Sodium pcaNiacinamide~0.1–0.35%
- 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 NiacinamidePhenoxyethanol~0.1–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolEthylhexylglycerin~0.05–0.2%
Ingredient list view
Water, Ethoxydiglycol, Ascorbic acid, Propylene glycol, Glycerin, Laureth-23, Tocopherol, Ferulic acid, Panthenol, Triethanolamine, Sodium hyaluronate, Sodium pca, Niacinamide, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin
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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.
| FormulystActive Serum – Vitamin B, C, E, Ferulic + NiacinamideYOUR PRODUCT | NourishMaxVITAMIN C + B + E + FERULIC & RETINOL SERUM | Goldfaden MDBrightening Elixir | Aesthetics RxVitamin C Serum 23% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 100% | 98% | 97% |
| Price | — | $59.00 | $45.00 | $82.10 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 7 of 7 | 6 of 7 | 6 of 7 |
| Key difference | — | — | Niacinamide | Glycine Soja Oil |
| Irritancy | Low | Medium | Low | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: SkinCeuticals Serum 20 AOXEczema Honey Co Eczema Honey 15% Vitamin C + Ferulic Acid Serum
Product summary
"Formulyst - Active Serum – Vitamin B, C, E, Ferulic + Niacinamide" is effective for: Moisturizing, Evens skin tone, Anti-oxidation and Anti-aging
Ingredient callouts
- This product also contains Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) 4.10% - 6.10% It can be helpful in stimulating collagen production, neutralizing free radicals in skin and improving pigmentation marks. We recommend to use up this product quickly after opening: Ascorbic Acid degrades fast when it gets in contact with air and light. The moment the product turns orange, it is a sign that a significant share of the vitamin C in it is no longer effective.
- An effective concentration of Panthenol (pro-vitamin B5) - about 0.55% - 1.25%. Panthenol helps strengthen the skin barrier, improve hydration and reduce inflammation in skin.
- Humectants (sodium pca 0.15% - 0.55%, sodium hyaluronate 0.20% - 0.80%, panthenol 0.55% - 1.25% and glycerin 2.20% - 3.30%). These ingredients help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improve the skin hydration.
Price
The product retails for 80.00$ 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.
- 1Surfactants and experimental irritant contact dermatitisncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 2Propylene Glycolpubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 3Skin-sensitizing and irritant properties of propylene glycolonlinelibrary.wiley.com
- 4
- 5Vitamin E in dermatologyncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 6Vitamin E and Skin Healthlpi.oregonstate.edu
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