MDO

MDO The Serum

Name: MDO - The Serum
Brand: MDO

Efficacy75/100IrritancyMedium

See all ingredients

Works for

Moisturizing

Panthenol, Glycerin + 7 more

Works well

What the product description says

“No matter what your concern – whether it be dryness, sagging, irritation or fine lines – The Serum acts as a do-it-all treatment to repair, regenerate, hydrate, nourish and smooth all skin types.”

Source: Cultbeauty

This product contains good ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. These ingredients are called "humectants": glycerin, sodium hyaluronate.

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).

The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: panthenol

PanthenolHero· HumectantEffect: HighHelps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help improve skin barrier function~1.6–2.5%

GlycerinKey active· HumectantEffect: HighOne of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant~2.1–3.2%

Sodium lactateKey active· HumectantEffect: HighHelps attract water to the upper layer of the skin. Is often used to adjust the pH level of the product~0.55–1.35%

Sodium pcaKey active· HumectantEffect: HighNaturally present in skin and helps to attract water to its upper layer~0.45–1.05%

GlucoseKey active· HumectantEffect: MediumHelps attract water to the upper layer of the skin. Could be helpful in restoring the skin barrier function~0.15–0.7%

Sodium hyaluronateKey active· HumectantEffect: HighOne of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin~0.1–0.45%

Sorbitol· HumectantEffect: LowHelps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improves the product texture~0.95–1.45%

Propylene glycol· HumectantEffect: LowHelps oil and water mix together and can enhance the penetration of other ingredients into the skin. It can be irritating~0.1–0.35%

Aloe barbadensis leaf juiceEffect: Low, below effective doseTraditionally 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~1.2–1.9%

Anti-aging

Aloe barbadensis leaf juice

Not delivered

What the product description says

“No matter what your concern – whether it be dryness, sagging, irritation or fine lines – The Serum acts as a do-it-all treatment to repair, regenerate, hydrate, nourish and smooth all skin types.”

Source: Cultbeauty

This product does not contain ingredients that are able to reduce fine lines and wrinkles or help with skin elasticity, but it can improve the look of the skin temporarily through moisturization. Well-moisturized skin might also be able to repair the sun damage better.

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy

2 strong irritants: Alcohol, Rosmarinus officinalis leaf extract

Medium risk

We flagged 8 ingredients with irritancy potential. Severity depends on your sensitivity threshold; the table lists the worst offenders first.

IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount

Isopropyl alcoholA drying alcohol. Can increase skin's sensitivity and cause dryness and irritationHigh~3.5–5.2%est.

AlcoholCan be drying and contribute to skin irritation. Used in formulars to dissolve other ingredients, create a thinner product consistency or for its antibacterial propertiesHigh~2.7–4.1%est.

Propylene glycolHelps oil and water mix together and can enhance the penetration of other ingredients into the skin. It can be irritatingHigh~0.1–0.35%est.

Nasturtium officinale flower/leaf extractUsed as a fragrance or masking agentHigh~0.05–0.2%est.

Panax ginseng root extractA plant extract that might have some anti-inflammatory properties, but solid evidence is lacking. It can be irritatingHigh~0.05–0.2%est.

Rosmarinus officinalis leaf extractCan be helpful in reducing inflammation in skin, including inflamed acne. It can be irritatingHigh~0.01–0.05%est.

Aloe barbadensis leaf juiceTraditionally 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 skinMedium~1.2–1.9%est.

Sodium lactateHelps attract water to the upper layer of the skin. Is often used to adjust the pH level of the productMedium~0.55–1.35%est.

Comedogenic

1 ingredient rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale

1 flagged

These ingredients have a comedogenic rating of 2 or more on a 0–5 scale; the table shows each one's rating. In leave-on products they can clog pores in acne-prone skin.

IngredientFunctionRatingEst. amount

Fucus vesiculosus extract—3/5~0.05–0.3%est.

Alternatives

Cheaper, or higher on efficacy

Skintegra Lunar Concentrate Serum

Higher efficacy · 87/10067% match

endota spa Peptide 8 Hyaluronic Serum

Higher efficacy · 100/10067% match

View all alternatives

User reviews

Would you recommend?

No community reviews yet.

Be the first — your take helps the next person decide.

Ingredients

Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.

Water~40–60%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Plain old water

More about Water

Polyglyceryl-5 laurate~4.5–6.8%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

Cleansing

More about Polyglyceryl-5 laurate

Isopropyl alcohol~3.5–5.2%

Irritant · high

Irritation risk: High

A drying alcohol. Can increase skin's sensitivity and cause dryness and irritation

More about Isopropyl alcohol

Alcohol~2.7–4.1%

Irritant · high

Irritation risk: High

Works for

Antibacterial

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 Alcohol

Glycerin~2.1–3.2%

Key active

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

Moisturizing

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 Glycerin

Panthenol~1.6–2.5%

Hero · Moisturizing

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

MoisturizingReduces rednessReduces irritation

Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help improve skin barrier function

More about Panthenol

Phenoxyethanol~0.5–1%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products

More about Phenoxyethanol

Aloe barbadensis leaf juice~1.2–1.9%

Irritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

Works for

MoisturizingAntibacterialAnti-inflammatoryReduces rednessReduces irritationAnti-blemishAnti-aging

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 juice

Sorbitol~0.95–1.45%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

Moisturizing

Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improves the product texture

More about Sorbitol

Sodium lactate~0.55–1.35%

Key activeIrritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

Works for

Moisturizing

Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin. Is often used to adjust the pH level of the product

More about Sodium lactate

Sodium pca~0.45–1.05%

Key active

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

Moisturizing

Naturally present in skin and helps to attract water to its upper layer

More about Sodium pca

Carbomer~0.4–0.9%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

Cleansing

Helps create a thicker or gel-like product texture. It is not a surfactant but can be used in gentle cleansing formulations

More about Carbomer

Methylparaben~0.15–0.3%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

A preservative

More about Methylparaben

Ethylparaben~0.2–0.4%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

A preservative

More about Ethylparaben

Glucose~0.15–0.7%

Key active

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

Moisturizing

Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin. Could be helpful in restoring the skin barrier function

More about Glucose

Onopordum acanthium flower/leaf/stem extract~0.15–0.55%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

More about Onopordum acanthium flower/leaf/stem extract

Sodium hyaluronate~0.1–0.45%

Key active

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

Moisturizing

One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin

More about Sodium hyaluronate

Propylene glycol~0.1–0.35%

Irritant · high

Irritation risk: High

Works for

Moisturizing

Helps oil and water mix together and can enhance the penetration of other ingredients into the skin. It can be irritating

More about Propylene glycol

Fucus vesiculosus extract~0.05–0.3%

Comedogenic 3/5

Irritation risk: Low
Comedogenicity: 3/5

More about Fucus vesiculosus extract

Fumaria officinalis flower/leaf/stem extract~0.05–0.2%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

More about Fumaria officinalis flower/leaf/stem extract

Nasturtium officinale flower/leaf extract~0.05–0.2%

Irritant · high

Irritation risk: High

Used as a fragrance or masking agent

More about Nasturtium officinale flower/leaf extract

Panax ginseng root extract~0.05–0.2%

Irritant · high

Irritation risk: High

Works for

Anti-inflammatoryAnti-oxidation

A plant extract that might have some anti-inflammatory properties, but solid evidence is lacking. It can be irritating

More about Panax ginseng root extract

Rosmarinus officinalis leaf extract~0.01–0.05%

Irritant · high

Irritation risk: High

Works for

Anti-blemishAntibacterialAnti-oxidation

Can be helpful in reducing inflammation in skin, including inflamed acne. It can be irritating

More about Rosmarinus officinalis leaf extract

Rumex acetosella extract~0.01–0.05%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

More about Rumex acetosella extract

Ingredient list view

Water, Polyglyceryl-5 laurate, Isopropyl alcohol, Alcohol, Glycerin, Panthenol, Phenoxyethanol, Aloe barbadensis leaf juice, Sorbitol, Sodium lactate, Sodium pca, Carbomer, Methylparaben, Ethylparaben, Glucose, Onopordum acanthium flower/leaf/stem extract, Sodium hyaluronate, Propylene glycol, Fucus vesiculosus extract, Fumaria officinalis flower/leaf/stem extract, Nasturtium officinale flower/leaf extract, Panax ginseng root extract, Rosmarinus officinalis leaf extract, Rumex acetosella extract

Compare prices

Retailers ranked by price — lowest first.

Find on Amazon

🇬🇧 Cultbeauty (UK)30 ml

≈ $56.35 Out of stock

Check

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.

Side-by-side comparison of this product against its closest alternatives
	MDOThe SerumYOUR PRODUCT	SkintegraLunar Concentrate Serum	REVOLUTION SKINCAREBlemish Resurfacing and Recovery 2% Tranexamic Acid Serum	endota spaPeptide 8 Hyaluronic Serum
Match	—	67%	67%	67%
Price	—	—	—	—
Shared key ingredients	—	5 of 5	5 of 5	5 of 5
Key difference	—	Madecassoside	Urea	Niacinamide
Irritancy	Medium	Low	Low	Low
Drying alcohol	Contains drying alcohol	—	—	—
	View product	Shop	Shop	Shop

More alternatives: PSA Skin The Most: Hyaluronic Super Nutrient Hydration Serum L300 INTENSIVE MOISTURE FACE SERUM

Cheaper alternatives? See how this stacks up against similar formulas.

We compare ingredient profiles across our catalog — pick the closest match for your budget.

Open dupe finder

Product summary

"MDO - The Serum" is effective for: Moisturizing

Ingredient callouts

An effective concentration of Panthenol (pro-vitamin B5) - about 1.60% - 2.50%. Panthenol helps strengthen the skin barrier, improve hydration and reduce inflammation in skin.
Humectants (panthenol 1.60% - 2.50%, sodium lactate 0.55% - 1.35%, sodium hyaluronate 0.10% - 0.45%, glycerin 2.10% - 3.20% and sodium pca 0.45% - 1.05%). These ingredients help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improve the skin hydration.