Works for
Anti-blemishNiacinamide, Beta-glucanWorks well
“Enriched with Cabbage Leaf Extract, the acne-combatting formula aids in healing micro-cracks and calms inflammation, whilst nourishing and strengthening the walls of the skin’s cells.”
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.
Evens skin toneNiacinamide, Dipotassium glycyrrhizate + 1 moreWorks well
“Brightening and plumping active Niacinamide significantly improves the skin’s natural barrier function and helps to reduce the appearance of age spots and uneven skin tone and texture.Enriched with Cabbage Leaf Extract, the acne-combatting formula aids in healing micro-cracks and calms inflammation, while nourishing and strengthening the walls of the skin’s cells.”
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.
Anti-agingNiacinamide, Beta-glucan + 1 moreWorks well
“With age, our body’s natural production of Hyaluronic Acid drastically falls, drying out the skin and causing fine lines, wrinkles and sagginess.”
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.
MoisturizingNiacinamide, Glycerin + 11 moreWorks well
“Prep acne-prone skin for further treatments with the skin-brightening 3 Seconds Starter – Vita Complex from Korean cosmetics label Holika Holika ; a dual-action facial pre-serum that moisturizes the complexion and acts as a make-up base.Combining the powers of botanical extracts with a vitamin complex of Niacinamide, Portalaca Extract and Vitamin C, the lightweight serum features a watery consistency that penetrates deeply into the skin’s layers, locking in all-day hydration.”
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:
arginine, betaine.
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: arginine, phenyl trimethicone.
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: niacinamide
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy3 strong irritants: Alcohol denat., Angelica keiskei leaf/stem extract + 1 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%
Alcohol denat.~8.2–10%
- Irritation risk
- High
Produces temporary toning effect. Can help dissolve other ingredients or preserve products
More about Alcohol denat.Glycerin~4.1–5.1%
- 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 GlycerinButylene glycol~3–3.7%
- 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 glycolNiacinamide~2.3–2.8%
- 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 NiacinamideBetaine~1.9–2.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improves the product texture
More about BetaineBis-peg-18 methyl ether dimethyl silane~1.6–2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of silicone that helps soften the upper layer of the skin and create a nice product texture
More about Bis-peg-18 methyl ether dimethyl silaneGlyceryl acrylate/acrylic acid copolymer~1.4–1.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and provide a longer-lasting hydration. Can create a thicker product consistency
More about Glyceryl acrylate/acrylic acid copolymerPropylene glycol~1.1–1.4%
- 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 glycolDipropylene glycol~0.9–1.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to dissolve other ingredients in a formulation. Slows down the rate of product drying
More about Dipropylene glycolPortulaca oleracea extract~0.65–1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant extract that has some anti-oxidant activity, but solid research is lacking. Can help attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Portulaca oleracea extractPeg-60 hydrogenated castor oil~0.6–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Peg-60 hydrogenated castor oilDipotassium glycyrrhizate~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A salt derived from licorice. Works as an emollient to soften the upper layer of the skin and can help calm down inflammation. Might be helpful for skin lightening
More about Dipotassium glycyrrhizateBeta-glucan~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin, calm down inflammation and irritation, restore the barrier function and support wound healing. It can be helpful in reducing fine lines and wrinkles
More about Beta-glucanArginine~0.4–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An amino acid that is naturally present in skin and helps keep it hydrated. When used together with AHAs, it can reduce their irritating effect on the skin
More about ArginineCarbomer~0.4–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps create a thicker or gel-like product texture. It is not a surfactant but can be used in gentle cleansing formulations
More about CarbomerLactuca scariola sativa leaf extract~0.35–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Cichorium intybus root extract~0.3–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Brassica oleracea italica extract~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Might have some anti-inflammatory properties but research is lacking
More about Brassica oleracea italica extractBrassica oleracea capitata leaf extract~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Plant extract that might help calm down inflammation and have some anti-oxidant properties
More about Brassica oleracea capitata leaf extractBrassica oleracea botrytis extract~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Angelica keiskei leaf/stem extract~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- High
A fragrant plant extract. Might have some anti-oxidant properties. Can be irritating
More about Angelica keiskei leaf/stem extractAralia cordata extract~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Citrullus lanatus fruit extract~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant extract that can contain an antioxidant compound
More about Citrullus lanatus fruit extractSolanum lycopersicum fruit extract~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Xanthan gum~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumSodium 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 hyaluronatePhenyl trimethicone~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of silicone that can decrease loss of moisture from the skin surface. It helps create a nice product texture
More about Phenyl trimethiconeTocopheryl acetate~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A more stable but less bio-available form of vitamin E compared to Tocopherol. Might help moisturize and protect the skin from free radicals, but mostly used in low concentrations to stabilize other ingredients.
More about Tocopheryl acetateMagnesium ascorbyl phosphate~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A derivative of vitamin C that is more stable, but less bioavailable than the pure form of vitamin C. It does not penetrate the skin well, but has been shown to convert to pure vitamin C once in skin. It can be helpful in stimulating collagen production and lightening the skin tone, but the required concentration is likely to be very high
More about Magnesium ascorbyl phosphateDisodium edta~0.15–0.25%
Methylparaben~0.1–0.2%
Phenoxyethanol~0.1–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolParfum~0.05–0.1%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumIngredient list view
Water, Alcohol denat., Glycerin, Butylene glycol, Niacinamide, Betaine, Bis-peg-18 methyl ether dimethyl silane, Glyceryl acrylate/acrylic acid copolymer, Propylene glycol, Dipropylene glycol, Portulaca oleracea extract, Peg-60 hydrogenated castor oil, Dipotassium glycyrrhizate, Beta-glucan, Arginine, Carbomer, Lactuca scariola sativa leaf extract, Cichorium intybus root extract, Brassica oleracea italica extract, Brassica oleracea capitata leaf extract, Brassica oleracea botrytis extract, Angelica keiskei leaf/stem extract, Aralia cordata extract, Citrullus lanatus fruit extract, Solanum lycopersicum fruit extract, Xanthan gum, Sodium hyaluronate, Phenyl trimethicone, Tocopheryl acetate, Magnesium ascorbyl phosphate, Disodium edta, Methylparaben, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum
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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.
| Holika Holika3 Seconds StarterYOUR PRODUCT | D'RANWonder Moisture Toner | VT CosmeticsHydrop Reedle Shot 100hL | MedicubeRed Succinic Acid Serum 30ml | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 97% | 97% | 96% |
| Price | — | $31.68 | $18.00 | $23.02 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 7 of 9 | 6 of 9 | 6 of 9 |
| Key difference | — | Copper Tripeptide-1 | Madecassoside | Salicylic Acid |
| Irritancy | High | Medium | Medium | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | Contains drying alcohol | Contains drying alcohol | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Arencia Deep Water Surge Serum 30Goodal Black Carrot Vita-A Retinol Firming Ampoule
Product summary
"Holika Holika - 3 Seconds Starter" is effective for: Anti-blemish, Evens skin tone, Anti-aging and Moisturizing
Ingredient callouts
- A good concentration of Niacinamide (2.30% - 2.80%). Niacinamide is a well-studied multi-tasking active. It is stable, and can work well in almost any hydrating formulation. There is solid evidence that Niacinamide can help support skin barrier, regulate oil production and reduce acne and clogged pores. It also helps to fight photodamage and improve the skin tone, reducing pigmentation marks.
- Humectants (sodium hyaluronate 0.20% - 0.40%, glyceryl acrylate/acrylic acid copolymer 1.40% - 1.70%, glycerin 4.10% - 5.10%, betaine 1.90% - 2.30% and arginine 0.40% - 0.60%). These ingredients help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improve the skin hydration.
Price
The product retails from 11.40£ up to 27.00£ in the United Kingdom, for 13.95$ in the United States and from 19.60CA$ up to 22.70CA$ in Canada.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 24 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4Surfactants and experimental irritant contact dermatitisncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 5Propylene Glycolpubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 6Skin-sensitizing and irritant properties of propylene glycolonlinelibrary.wiley.com
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