Holika Holika Hyaluronic Acid 3 Second Starter Serum
Works for
MoisturizingGlyceryl acrylate/acrylic acid copolymer, Glycerin + 10 moreWorks
“Providing maximum moisture and hydration, it increases the absorption and effectiveness of further skincare and makeup products.”
This product contains good ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. These ingredients are called "humectants": betaine, glycerin.
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).
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy6 strong irritants: Hydrolyzed viola tricolor extract, Citrus aurantium dulcis fruit extract + 4 more — patch-test recommendedHigh risk
ComedogenicClean of flagged comedogenic ingredientsNone flagged
User reviews
Be the first — your take helps the next person decide.
Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~45–55%
Disodium edta~0.5–1%
Bis-peg-18 methyl ether dimethyl silane~4.3–5.2%
- 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~3.1–3.8%
- 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~2.4–2.9%
- 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~2.1–2.5%
- 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~1.7–2.1%
- 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 glycolBetaine~1.4–1.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improves the product texture
More about BetainePeucedanum ostruthium leaf extract~1.2–1.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Hydrolyzed viola tricolor extract~0.95–1.15%
- Irritation risk
- High
Might have some moisturizing and anti-inflammatory properties. Can be added to products to create a nice smell.
More about Hydrolyzed viola tricolor extractPolysorbate 80~0.7–1.05%
Platinum powder~0.7–1.05%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Vaccinium myrtillus fruit/leaf extract~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Saccharum officinarum extract~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Sugar extract that helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Saccharum officinarum extractAcer saccharum extract~0.4–0.65%
- 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 extractCitrus aurantium dulcis fruit extract~0.4–0.6%
- 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~0.4–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- High
Used as a fragrance. Can be irritating and cause photosensitivity
More about Citrus limon fruit extractNelumbo nucifera flower extract~0.3–0.6%
Nelumbo nucifera leaf extract~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Nelumbo nucifera root extract~0.3–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Nelumbo nucifera seed extract~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Portulaca oleracea extract~0.25–0.5%
- 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 extractWater~0.25–0.45%
Phospholipids~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Emollients that are naturaly present in skin. In addition, they help water and oil mix together in the product
More about PhospholipidsCarbomer~0.25–0.45%
- 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 CarbomerXanthan 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 hyaluronateAmmonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/vp copolymer~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Increases thickness of a product. Texture enhancer for oil-in-water emulsions
More about Ammonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/vp copolymerGlycereth-26~0.2–0.35%
Triethanolamine~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to adjust pH of the product and can help improve the product's smell
More about TriethanolamineAlcohol~0.15–0.3%
- 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 AlcoholPeg-7 caprylic/capric glycerides~0.15–0.3%
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 PhenoxyethanolPeg-60 hydrogenated castor oil~0.1–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Peg-60 hydrogenated castor oilParfum~0.05–0.1%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumIngredient list view
Water, Disodium edta, Bis-peg-18 methyl ether dimethyl silane, Glyceryl acrylate/acrylic acid copolymer, Propylene glycol, Glycerin, Butylene glycol, Betaine, Peucedanum ostruthium leaf extract, Hydrolyzed viola tricolor extract, Polysorbate 80, Platinum powder, Vaccinium myrtillus fruit/leaf extract, Saccharum officinarum extract, Acer saccharum extract, Citrus aurantium dulcis fruit extract, Citrus limon fruit extract, Nelumbo nucifera flower extract, Nelumbo nucifera leaf extract, Nelumbo nucifera root extract, Nelumbo nucifera seed extract, Portulaca oleracea extract, Water, Phospholipids, Carbomer, Xanthan gum, Sodium hyaluronate, Ammonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/vp copolymer, Glycereth-26, Triethanolamine, Alcohol, Peg-7 caprylic/capric glycerides, Methylparaben, Phenoxyethanol, Peg-60 hydrogenated castor oil, Parfum
Compare prices
Retailers ranked by price — lowest first.
Affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.
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 HolikaHyaluronic Acid 3 Second Starter SerumYOUR PRODUCT | D'RANAqua Wonder Intensive Renewing Serum | eb5Anti-Aging Vitamin C Serum Concentrate | the SKIN HOUSENatural Balancing Serum | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 44% | 41% | 40% |
| Price | — | $38.40 | — | $15.44 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 4 of 5 | 3 of 5 | 4 of 5 |
| Key difference | — | Copper Tripeptide-1 | Panthenol | Ceramide 3 |
| Irritancy | High | Medium | Low | High |
| Drying alcohol | Contains drying alcohol | Contains drying alcohol | — | Contains drying alcohol |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: BLANC DIVA Rebirth SerumThe Crème Shop x BT21 BABY CHIMMY Clear Glow Essence Serum - Klean Beauty
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 11 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
- 5
- 6
Affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.