Works for
Evens skin toneTetrahexyldecyl ascorbate, Niacinamide + 4 moreWorks well
“Featuring the brand’s bio-fermented “MUTHALOADTM Core Technology”, (which is a blend of hyaluronic acid, rice peptides and rice kefiran), alongside a super-effective form of vitamin C, the No.1 Serum helps to diminish the look of pigmentation, retain moisture, increase collagen production, repair and protect against sun damage.”
This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: niacinamide, tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate
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: ferulic acid, glycyrrhiza glabra root extract.
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-agingTetrahexyldecyl ascorbate, Niacinamide + 3 moreWorks well
“Featuring the brand’s bio-fermented “MUTHALOADTM Core Technology”, (which is a blend of hyaluronic acid, rice peptides and rice kefiran), alongside a super-effective form of vitamin C, the No.1 Serum helps to diminish the look of pigmentation, retain moisture, increase collagen production, repair and protect against sun damage.”
This product can help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness because it contains niacinamide, tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate.
These ingredients in the product can also be helpful, even though there is less evidence for their effectiveness: ferulic acid.
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.
MoisturizingNiacinamide, Glycerin + 10 moreWorks well
“Featuring the brand’s bio-fermented “MUTHALOADTM Core Technology”, (which is a blend of hyaluronic acid, rice peptides and rice kefiran), alongside a super-effective form of vitamin C, the No.1 Serum helps to diminish the look of pigmentation, retain moisture, increase collagen production, repair and protect against sun damage.”
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, polyglutamic acid.
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: oryza sativa bran oil, pentylene glycol.
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: niacinamide
Anti-oxidationNot advertised by the brand · Tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate, Ferulic acid + 4 moreWorks well
This product contains antioxidants (ferulic acid, tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate) that can help neutralize free radicals in skin. By doing so, they can lessen the damage the skin gets from the UV light (sun).
Anti-blemishNot advertised by the brand · Niacinamide, Aloe barbadensis leaf juice + 1 moreWorks well
This product can help reduce breakouts and clogged pores because it contains the following ingredient: niacinamide. This ingredient is used for treating acne and can have a noticeable effect.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy1 strong irritant: Calendula officinalis flower extractMedium 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.
Aloe barbadensis leaf juice~23–34%
- 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 juiceTetrahexyldecyl ascorbate~8.1–12.2%
- 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 ascorbateGlycerin~4.7–7.1%
- 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 GlycerinCamellia japonica seed oil~4.1–6.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A plant oil that helps to soften the upper layer of the skin and can help restore skin's barrier function. Might have an anti-oxidant effect
More about Camellia japonica seed oilWater~3–4.4%
Propanediol~2.2–3.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin
More about PropanediolEthylhexyl olivate~1.7–2.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Ethylhexyl olivateNiacinamide~1.4–2.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Is proven to be effective in reducing blemishes, evening out skin tone and helping to improve lines and wrinkles. It helps the skin to repair sun damage, calm down inflammation and keep maintain good levels of moisture. The concentration of about 2% is effective for supporting the skin barrier and evening out the skin tone. Concentration of 4-6% is better for helping with acne and balancing the sebum production
More about NiacinamideOryza sativa bran oil~1.3–2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and might have some anti-oxidant properties
More about Oryza sativa bran oilSodium hyaluronate~1.1–1.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
More about Sodium hyaluronateSodium hyaluronate crosspolymer~0.9–1.3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
More about Sodium hyaluronate crosspolymerHydrolyzed sodium hyaluronate~0.55–1.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
More about Hydrolyzed sodium hyaluronateSodium acetylated hyaluronate~0.55–1.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of hyaluronic acid that works as an excellent moisturizer by attracting water into the upper layer of the skin. Is typically feels less sticky on the skin compared to the usual hyaluronic acid
More about Sodium acetylated hyaluronateFerulic acid~0.5–1.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A potent anti-oxidant that has been shown to be effective in neutralizing free radicals in skin. There seem to have a synergetic effect of ferulic acid, vitamin E and C, meaning that when the ingredients are used together, they enhance each other's ability protect the skin against free radicals. Ferulic acid also helps to stabilize other ingredients - including vitamins C and E. It can help to even out the skin tone. Ferulic acid is approved for use as a sunscreen ingredient in Japan in concentrations up to 10%
More about Ferulic acidGlycyrrhiza glabra root extract~0.5–1.15%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant extract that can help lighten the skin and calm down inflammation. Might be helpful in neutralizing free radicals
More about Glycyrrhiza glabra root extractEuterpe oleracea fruit extract~0.5–1.15%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant extract that can have some anti-oxidant effect in skin
More about Euterpe oleracea fruit extractCalendula officinalis flower extract~0.45–1.05%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that has some anti-oxidant and anti-bacterial properties. Can be irritating
More about Calendula officinalis flower extractCamellia sinensis leaf extract~0.45–1.1%
- 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 extractAmorphophallus konjac root extract~0.5–1.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Hydrolyzed rice bran extract~0.4–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A plant extract that might contain an active compound orthosilicic acid that could be helpful to regulate the level of pigment in skin, but solid research is lacking
More about Hydrolyzed rice bran extractKefiran~0.4–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Xanthan gum~0.35–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumPolyglyceryl-4 oleate~0.35–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Polyglyceryl-4 oleateSodium acrylates copolymer~0.4–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Sodium acrylates copolymerPolyglutamic acid~0.15–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin.
More about Polyglutamic acidPentylene glycol~0.2–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product texture
More about Pentylene glycolEthylhexylglycerin~0.1–0.45%
Potassium sorbate~0.1–0.45%
Sodium benzoate~0.1–0.4%
Citric acid~0.05–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
More about Citric acidIngredient list view
Aloe barbadensis leaf juice, Tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate, Glycerin, Camellia japonica seed oil, Water, Propanediol, Ethylhexyl olivate, Niacinamide, Oryza sativa bran oil, Sodium hyaluronate, Sodium hyaluronate crosspolymer, Hydrolyzed sodium hyaluronate, Sodium acetylated hyaluronate, Ferulic acid, Glycyrrhiza glabra root extract, Euterpe oleracea fruit extract, Calendula officinalis flower extract, Camellia sinensis leaf extract, Amorphophallus konjac root extract, Hydrolyzed rice bran extract, Kefiran, Xanthan gum, Polyglyceryl-4 oleate, Sodium acrylates copolymer, Polyglutamic acid, Pentylene glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Potassium sorbate, Sodium benzoate, Citric acid
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.
| MUTHANo.1 SerumYOUR PRODUCT | The Purest SolutionsVitamin B Complex Serum | INNBEAUTY PROJECTPro C Serum | RéViveBrightening Serum / Skin Illuminator | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 83% | 82% | 82% |
| Price | — | — | $64.00 | $285.00 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 6 of 12 | 4 of 12 | 7 of 12 |
| Key difference | — | Panthenol | Vitamin C | Hexapeptide-9 |
| Irritancy | Medium | Low | Medium | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: skinmade Hyaluronic Acid + Vitamin C serumKate Ryan Skincare Vitamin C Daytime Repair Serum
Product summary
"MUTHA - No. 1 Serum" is effective for: Evens skin tone, Anti-aging, Moisturizing and Anti-blemish
Ingredient callouts
- A good concentration of Niacinamide (1.40% - 2.10%). Niacinamide is a well-studied multi-tasking active. It is stable, and can work well in almost any hydrating formulation. There is solid evidence that Niacinamide can help support skin barrier, regulate oil production and reduce acne and clogged pores. It also helps to fight photodamage and improve the skin tone, reducing pigmentation marks.
- Humectants (sodium hyaluronate crosspolymer 0.90% - 1.30%, sodium hyaluronate 1.10% - 1.60%, sodium acetylated hyaluronate 0.55% - 1.25%, polyglutamic acid 0.15% - 0.65% and glycerin 4.70% - 7.10%). These ingredients help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improve the skin hydration.
Price
The product retails for 115.00£ in the United Kingdom.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 23 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
Affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.