Works for
Evens skin toneGluconolactone, Camellia sinensis leaf extract + 1 moreWorks well
“Introducing our Vitamin C Jojoba Brightening Serum, an effective treatment for sunspots, discoloration, and dark spots.”
This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: gluconolactone
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.
MoisturizingPanthenol, Squalane + 10 moreWorks well
“With regular use, this serum will leave your skin looking brighter, clearer, and more even, while providing intense hydration and nourishment.”
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, sodium hyaluronate.
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: squalane, carthamus tinctorius oleosomes.
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: panthenol
Anti-agingGluconolactone, Aloe barbadensis leaf juice + 3 moreWorks well
“Vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant, helps to brighten and lighten the skin, while promoting collagen production for a youthful, radiant appearance.”
This product can help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness because it contains gluconolactone.
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.
ExfoliationNot advertised by the brand · GluconolactoneWorks 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: gluconolactone.
Anti-oxidationNot advertised by the brand · Gluconolactone, Sambucus nigra flower extract + 3 moreMay help
This product contains antioxidants (gluconolactone) that might be able to help neutralize free radicals in skin to lessen the damage it gets from the UV light (sun). There is not enough evidence to confirm their effectiveness in skin though.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy3 strong irritants: Citrus aurantium bergamia fruit oil, Limonene + 1 more — patch-test recommendedHigh risk
Comedogenic1 ingredient rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale1 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%
Aloe barbadensis leaf juice~5.8–8.6%
- 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 juiceSqualane~3.7–5.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An oil naturally present in skin. Works as an emollient to soften the skin and form a protective layer on its surface without a greasy feeling.
More about SqualaneGlycerin~2.8–4.1%
- 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 GlycerinCarthamus tinctorius oleosomes~2.1–3.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Carthamus tinctorius oleosomesGlyceryl stearate se~1.7–2.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
Used to stabilize the product formulations and works as an emollient
More about Glyceryl stearate seGluconolactone~1.4–2.1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A polyhydroxy acid (PHA) that helps shed the dead cells from the skin surface revealing smoother skin. Is believed to be genter than AHAs. It helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can stimulate production of skin's own hyaluronic acid resulting in improved hydration levels. It has been shown to be helpful against acne and clogged pores if used consistently (e.g over a period of 12 weeks) in high enough concentration. It can help reduce fine lines and wrinkles and improve skin tone with long-term application. Can help neutralize free radicals
More about GluconolactonePanthenol~1.2–1.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help improve skin barrier function
More about PanthenolTetrahexyldecyl ascorbate~0.95–1.45%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Being a lipid soluble form of vitamin C, it is more stable than ascorbic acid, but still degrades quickly and needs to be stabilized in a formulation with another ingredient. It is claimed to penetrate skin better than pure vitamin C and have the the similar benefits, but solid studies of its effectiveness are lacking. Is likely to require a higher concentration in a product than pure vitamin C to be effective. It might be able to help reduce pore clogging.
More about Tetrahexyldecyl ascorbatePotassium sorbate~0.3–0.6%
Sodium benzoate~0.25–0.5%
Xanthan gum~0.4–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumSodium phytate~0.35–0.85%
Tocopherol~0.35–0.75%
- 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 TocopherolSimmondsia chinensis seed oil~0.35–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Softens the upper layer of skin and helps restore the healthy skin barrier. Has shown to help calm down inflammation in skin. It is a stable oil, meaning that it retains its properties even when exposed to air.
More about Simmondsia chinensis seed oilCitrus aurantium bergamia fruit oil~0.2–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant oil with a high content of volatile compounds that can irritate the skin and lead to allergic reactions. Can lead to photosensitivity
More about Citrus aurantium bergamia fruit oilCamellia sinensis leaf extract~0.3–0.7%
- 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 extractChamomilla recutita flower extract~0.15–0.7%
- 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 extractSambucus nigra flower extract~0.15–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that might help neutralize free radicals in skin
More about Sambucus nigra flower extractTaraxacum officinale leaf extract~0.15–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Calcium gluconate~0.15–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and helps to improve appearance of the product
More about Calcium gluconateSodium hyaluronate~0.1–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
More about Sodium hyaluronateHydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer~0.1–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A gelling agent that thickens the product consistency and leaves the skin with a velvety finish
More about Hydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymerPolyacrylate crosspolymer-6~0.1–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
T-butyl alcohol~0.05–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to dissolve other ingredients and to improve smell of products. It could be irritating
More about T-butyl alcoholLimonene~0.05–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- High
A common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heat
More about LimoneneLinalool~0.05–0.15%
Citric acid~0.01–0.1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
More about Citric acidIngredient list view
Water, Aloe barbadensis leaf juice, Squalane, Glycerin, Carthamus tinctorius oleosomes, Glyceryl stearate se, Gluconolactone, Panthenol, Tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate, Potassium sorbate, Sodium benzoate, Xanthan gum, Sodium phytate, Tocopherol, Simmondsia chinensis seed oil, Citrus aurantium bergamia fruit oil, Camellia sinensis leaf extract, Chamomilla recutita flower extract, Sambucus nigra flower extract, Taraxacum officinale leaf extract, Calcium gluconate, Sodium hyaluronate, Hydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer, Polyacrylate crosspolymer-6, T-butyl alcohol, Limonene, Linalool, Citric acid
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.
| Luma & LeafAfterglow Vitamin C SerumYOUR PRODUCT | Luzern LaboratoriesLuzern Firming Collagen Booster | Youth To The PeopleSuperfood Firm + Brighten Serum | MZ SkinHyaluronic Acid Hydrating Serum | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 57% | 55% | 53% |
| Price | — | — | — | $113.37 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 4 of 10 | 5 of 10 | 4 of 10 |
| Key difference | — | Niacinamide | 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid | Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid |
| Irritancy | High | Medium | Medium | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Image skincare IMAGE MD restoring youth repair serumOSKIA Isotonic Hydra-Serum
Product summary
"Luma & Leaf - Afterglow Vitamin C Serum" is effective for: Evens skin tone, Exfoliation, Moisturizing and Anti-aging
Ingredient callouts
- This product contains acids (gluconolactone 1.40% - 2.10%). Their concentration is low, and they will not have a strong exfoliating effect. Instead, they work to support the skin natural acid mantle and to attract water (as humectants). PHAs (gluconolactone) especially are great for improving skin hydration. They might be even able to stimulate the production of skin's natural humectants and support the healthy skin microbiome.
- Panthenol (pro-vitamin B5) at about 1.20% - 1.80% concentration. In this concentration, Panthenol works effectively to improve the skin barrier and reduce inflammation.
- Humectants (sodium hyaluronate 0.10% - 0.45%, panthenol 1.20% - 1.80% and glycerin 2.80% - 4.10%). These ingredients help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improve the skin hydration.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 26 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
Affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.