Works for
MoisturizingPalmitoyl oligopeptide, Palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7 + 7 moreWorks well
“Deliver a burst of hydration to the skin with the Joanna Vargas Supernova Serum, an innovative skincare treatment designed to address the signs of ageing to help leave the skin appearing radiantly youthful.”
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, butylene glycol.
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: cucumis sativus oil, caprylyl glycol.
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: palmitoyl oligopeptide, palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7
Evens skin toneRetinol, Retinyl palmitate + 2 moreWorks well
“Pigmentation / Dark Spots”
This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: retinol.
In addition, this product contains salicylic acid. This ingredient (ingredients) might help reduce hyperpigmentation, but the effect, if any, is likely to be small.
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: albizia julibrissin bark extract, retinyl palmitate.
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-agingRetinol, Palmitoyl oligopeptide + 3 moreWorks well
“Deliver a burst of hydration to the skin with the Joanna Vargas Supernova Serum, an innovative skincare treatment designed to address the signs of ageing to help leave the skin appearing radiantly youthful.”
This product can help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness because it contains retinol.
These ingredients in the product can also be helpful, even though there is less evidence for their effectiveness: palmitoyl oligopeptide, palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7, retinyl palmitate.
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.
Anti-oxidationSide benefit · Retinol, Albizia julibrissin bark extract + 2 moreWorks well
This product contains antioxidants (retinol) that can help neutralize free radicals in skin. By doing so, they can lessen the damage the skin gets from the UV light (sun).
ExfoliationSide benefit · Retinol, Salicylic acid + 1 moreWorks well
This product can help exfoliate the skin. In other words, it helps break down the bonds between dead cells on the surface of the skin and speed up the skin turnover. Skin often appears softer and brighter after exfoliation, but overdoing it can result in disrupted skin barrier. The following ingredient is doing the exfoliating job in this product: retinol, salicylic acid.
Anti-blemishSide benefit · Retinol, Salicylic acid + 2 moreWorks well
This product can help reduce breakouts and clogged pores because it contains the following ingredient: retinol, salicylic acid. These ingredients is used for treating acne and can have a noticeable effect.
The following ingredient (ingredients) in this product might be helpful, but there is no evidence to confirm that it actually works: retinyl palmitate
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy3 strong irritants: Retinyl palmitate, Retinol + 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~45–55%
Malus domestica fruit cell culture extract~5.2–6.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Leucojum aestivum bulb extract~4.1–5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Albizia julibrissin bark extract~3.1–3.8%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that might help to neutralize free radicals in skin. Is claimed to help reduce hyperpigmentation but evidence is missing
More about Albizia julibrissin bark extractPalmitoyl oligopeptide~2.4–3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of peptide. Peptides are excellent moisturizers and might be able support collagen production reducing fine lines and wrinkles
More about Palmitoyl oligopeptidePalmitoyl tetrapeptide-7~2–2.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of peptide. Peptides are excellent moisturizers and might be able support collagen production reducing fine lines and wrinkles
More about Palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7Pseudoalteromonas ferment extract~1.6–2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Tocopheryl acetate~1.4–1.7%
- 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 acetateGlyceryl linoleate~1.2–1.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Glyceryl linoleateRetinyl palmitate~0.9–1.1%
- Irritation risk
- High
Three steps removed from the active form of vitamin A - retinoic acid. To have an effect in the skin, it first needs to be converted twice to become the retinoic acid. This means it is less potent than retinol, but could also be less irritating. Once converted to the retinoic acid in the skin, it helps against all signs of aging, improves skin cell turnover and helps fight blemishes and clogged pores. However, in many cosmetic formulations, it is used in a concentration that is too low to have the full effect
More about Retinyl palmitateSodium ascorbyl phosphate~0.65–1%
- 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 phosphateCaprylyl glycol~0.6–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolGlyceryl caprylate~0.55–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that can also help water and oil mix together, as well as prevent bacteria growth in products
More about Glyceryl caprylateTapioca starch~0.45–0.7%
Retinol~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- High
Two steps removed from the active form of vitamin A - retinoic acid. Once converted to the retinoic acid in the skin, retinol is proven to be effective against all signs of aging. It improves skin cell turnover, helps fight blemishes and clogged pores, can regulate excess oil production and even skin tone. It can, however, be quite irritating
More about RetinolSalicylic acid~0.4–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- High
Used for skin exfoliation. It has an anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial effect, helps to unclog pores, prevent blemishes and speed up healing of the existing ones. Sometimes referred to as a BHA (beta-hydroxy acid)
More about Salicylic acidDarutoside~0.4–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Chamomilla recutita flower extract~0.35–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- High
Plant extract that can have healing and anti-inflammatory properties. It is a potential allergen and can be irritating
More about Chamomilla recutita flower extractSalix alba extract~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Serenoa serrulata fruit extract~0.3–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant extract that might help calm down inflammation in skin but evidence of effectiveness is lacking
More about Serenoa serrulata fruit extractHydrastis canadensis extract~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Cucumis sativus oil~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A plant oil that works as a great moisturizer by softening the upper layer of the skin. Due to the high linoleic acid content, can help reduce inflammation in skin
More about Cucumis sativus oilPhenoxyethanol~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolPropanediol~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin
More about PropanediolCarbomer~0.2–0.35%
- 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 CarbomerSorbitol~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improves the product texture
More about SorbitolXanthan gum~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumGlycerin~0.15–0.3%
- 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 GlycerinLecithin~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used mostly for creating emulsions - helping oil and water mix together. Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about LecithinPolysorbate 20~0.15–0.25%
Butylene glycol~0.1–0.2%
- 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 glycolParfum~0.05–0.1%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumIngredient list view
Water, Malus domestica fruit cell culture extract, Leucojum aestivum bulb extract, Albizia julibrissin bark extract, Palmitoyl oligopeptide, Palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7, Pseudoalteromonas ferment extract, Tocopheryl acetate, Glyceryl linoleate, Retinyl palmitate, Sodium ascorbyl phosphate, Caprylyl glycol, Glyceryl caprylate, Tapioca starch, Retinol, Salicylic acid, Darutoside, Chamomilla recutita flower extract, Unknown, Salix alba extract, Serenoa serrulata fruit extract, Hydrastis canadensis extract, Cucumis sativus oil, Phenoxyethanol, Propanediol, Carbomer, Sorbitol, Xanthan gum, Glycerin, Lecithin, Polysorbate 20, Butylene glycol, 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.
| Joanna VargasSupernova SerumYOUR PRODUCT | UltraceuticalsUltra A Perfecting Serum | TruSkinVitamin C Super Serum | NaturiumVitamin C Super Serum Plus | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 80% | 74% | 74% |
| Price | $295.00 | — | $24.99−$270.01 | $18.19−$276.81 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 4 of 8 | 4 of 8 | 3 of 8 |
| Key difference | — | Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 | Niacinamide | Vitamin C |
| Irritancy | High | Medium | High | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: ZO Skin Health Clear RenewalDr Dennis Gross Advanced Retinol + Ferulic Texture Renewal Serum Packette
Product summary
"Joanna Vargas - Supernova Serum" is effective for: Anti-inflammatory, Moisturizing, Exfoliation, Evens skin tone, Anti-aging and Anti-blemish
Ingredient callouts
- this product contains an effective form of Retinoids (vitamin A): retinol 0.35% - 0.75%. Retinoids are potent multitasking actives. They work to improve and prevent early signs of aging, reduce hyperpigmentation (age spots and post-acne marks), and prevent inflamed blemishes and clogged pores. The downside of Retinoids is that they can be irritating. If you are not already using a Retinoid in your routine, it is best to start slowly and apply the Retinoid product only a few times per week. If your skin tolerates it well, you can gradually increase the frequency to daily.
- Peptides (palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7 1.80% - 2.70% and palmitoyl oligopeptide 2.20% - 3.30%). There are many different kind of Peptides and they are naturally present in our skin. They all are a combination of aminoacids. Some of them work as natural antibiotics, promote wound-healing and production of collagen. The science is still not settled on how effective Peptides are in skincare, but it is very likely that they have a benefit. They might help restore the skin barrier and fight the signs of aging. At the very least, Peptides work as humectants: they attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improve its hydration.
- Humectants (glycerin 0.05% - 0.30%). These ingredients help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improve the skin hydration.
Price
The product retails from 236.00$ up to 295.00$ in the United States, for 329.37A$ in Australia, from 213.11£ up to 1800.00£ in the United Kingdom and for 371.70CA$ 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 19 studies and safety reviews.
- 1Phytopharmacological properties of Albizia species: A reviewresearchgate.net
- 2
- 3Sodium ascorbyl phosphate in topical microemulsionssciencedirect.com
- 4
- 5
- 6
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