Works for
MoisturizingGlycerin, Caprylic/capric triglyceride + 5 moreWorks
“While cleansers and toners help rid your skin of traces of dirt, oil and pollutants, serums quickly absorb into your skin to help give it a boost so it looks hydrated and bright.”
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, aloe barbadensis extract.
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: caprylic/capric triglyceride, dicaprylyl ether.
Anti-blemishSodium ascorbyl phosphate ~0.35–0.75%, below the ~5% it needsUnder-dosed
“Besties is gentle enough for all skin types and tones and can be used daily to help prevent blemishes and protect skin from dirt, oil and everyday pollution.”
Effective ingredients missing or their concentration is too low.
Anti-agingSide benefit · Centella asiatica leaf extract, Aloe barbadensis leaf juice + 2 moreMay help
This product contains centella asiatica leaf extract. This ingredient might be able to help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness, but there is not enough evidence that it actually works.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy3 strong irritants: Parfum, Hibiscus rosa-sinensis flower extract + 1 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~40–60%
Glycerin~4.1–6.2%
- 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 GlycerinAloe barbadensis leaf juice~3.5–5.3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Traditionally used to treat sunburns, dermatitis and inflammation, but evidence for its effectiveness is lacking. The extract can contain humectants that help attract water into the skin
More about Aloe barbadensis leaf juiceGlyceryl stearate citrate~2.5–3.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix together while softening the upper layer of the skin
More about Glyceryl stearate citrateCaprylic/capric triglyceride~2.2–3.2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A good mix of fatty acids that forms a protective layer on the skin. Improves the shelf life of products. Derived from coconut and glycerin
More about Caprylic/capric triglycerideDicaprylyl ether~1.7–2.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin while creating a non-greasy feel on the skin. Helps to dissolve other ingredients
More about Dicaprylyl etherPhenoxyethanol~0.5–1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolXanthan gum~1.1–1.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumPotassium cetyl phosphate~0.9–1.35%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Potassium cetyl phosphateParfum~0.5–1.15%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumEthylhexylglycerin~0.45–1%
Sodium ascorbyl phosphate~0.35–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A stable derivative of vitamin C. It is oil-soluble which means it is more likely to penetrate the skin compared to the pure form of vitamin C (which is water-soluble), but it is less bio-available and is way less effective in stimulating collagen and reducing wrinkles compared to the pure form of vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid) and its other derivatives (for example, magnesium ascorbyl phosphate). At the same time, this vitamin C derivative has been shown in studies to be effective in reducing acne, blemishes and clogged pores. It is less irritating then the pure form of vitamin C
More about Sodium ascorbyl phosphateCentella asiatica leaf extract~0.15–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant extract that has been shown to be able to reduce inflammation in skin, support restoration of skin barrier function, as well as support collagen production. It can be irritating to sensitive skin. Might be helpful in preventing stretch marks. It could, however, itself be irritating.
More about Centella asiatica leaf extractHibiscus rosa-sinensis flower extract~0.1–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- High
Rosmarinus officinalis extract~0.05–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- High
Aloe barbadensis extract~0.05–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Traditionally used to treat sunburns, dermatitis and inflammation, but evidence for its effectiveness is lacking. The extract can contain humectants that help attract water into the skin
More about Aloe barbadensis extractCamellia sinensis leaf extract~0.05–0.15%
- 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 extractIngredient list view
Water, Glycerin, Aloe barbadensis leaf juice, Glyceryl stearate citrate, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Dicaprylyl ether, Phenoxyethanol, Xanthan gum, Potassium cetyl phosphate, Parfum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium ascorbyl phosphate, Centella asiatica leaf extract, Hibiscus rosa-sinensis flower extract, Rosmarinus officinalis extract, Aloe barbadensis extract, Camellia sinensis leaf extract
Compare prices
Retailers ranked by price — lowest first.
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.
| InstaNaturalBesties SerumYOUR PRODUCT | MeditherapyRetinal Skin Booster Serum | TopicalsFaded Serum | Eveline CosmeticsSerum Shot Multi Peptides & Collagen Serum Rejuvenation | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 47% | 46% | 46% |
| Price | $9.99 | $19.87+$9.88 | $18.00+$8.01 | — |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 3 of 3 | 3 of 3 | 2 of 3 |
| Key difference | — | Acetyl Hexapeptide-1 | Niacinamide | N-Prolyl Palmitoyl Tripeptide-56 Acetate |
| Irritancy | High | Medium | Medium | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Dr.G R.E.D Blemish Bakuchiol Pore-Jet SerumPhilosophy Nature in A Jar Skin Reset Serum with Bakuchiol
Product summary
"InstaNatural - Besties Serum" could be helpful for: Moisturizing and Anti-aging, but its actives are not the most effective or are not well-studied.
Ingredient callouts
- Humectants (glycerin 4.10% - 6.20%). These ingredients help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improve the skin hydration.
About the brand
According to Cruelty-Free Kitty "InstaNatural" is cruelty free and so is its parent company.
Price
The product retails for 9.99$ 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 10 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3Sodium ascorbyl phosphate in topical microemulsionssciencedirect.com
- 4
- 5
- 6
Affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.