Nella

Nella Honey 1 Snail Ageless Brightening Essence

Name: Nella - Honey 1 Snail Ageless Brightening Essence
Brand: Nella

Efficacy100/100IrritancyHigh

See all ingredients

Works for

Moisturizing

Niacinamide, Glycerin + 9 more

Works well

What the product description says

“Brand from South Korea Nella. Benefits All-in-one serum instantly brightens and revitalizes your skin with moisturizing, nourishing effect.”

Source: Yesstyle

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

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: niacinamide

NiacinamideHeroEffect: HighIs 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~2.7–4%

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~4.1–6.2%

Methyl gluceth-20Key active· HumectantEffect: MediumHelps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and soften it~1.3–2%

Snail secretion filtrateKey active· HumectantEffect: HighTypically contains hyaluronic acid that helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin. Might contain allantoin that is helpful in calming down inflammation. There is no evidence that it can have any further benefits for the skin, especially when used in skincare products~1.2–1.8%

Honey extractKey active· HumectantEffect: MediumHelps attract water to the upper layer of the skin~0.95–1.4%

Royal jelly extractKey active· HumectantEffect: MediumA compound secreted by bees. Might be able to attract water to the top layer of the skin. Avoid if sensitive to honey and bee products~0.6–1.35%

Propolis extractKey activeEffect: MediumA complex substance produced by honey bees. Can have anti-bacterial and some anti-oxidant effect. Is an allergen and can be irritating~0.5–1.15%

AdenosineKey activeEffect: MediumMight help improve cell turnover and reduce inflammation in skin. One study shows that the ingredients might be able to help reduce dynamic wrinkles (for example, in the corners of the eyes or on the forehead)~0.2–0.8%

Sodium hyaluronateKey active· HumectantEffect: HighOne of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin~0.15–0.65%

Butylene glycol· HumectantEffect: LowUsed 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~1.6–2.4%

Caprylyl glycol· Humectant, EmollientEffect: LowHelps preserve products and creates a nice product texture~0.1–0.35%

Evens skin tone

Niacinamide

Works well

What the product description says

“Contains Adenosine which helps brighten your overall skin tone and effectively reduce the appearences of wrinkles and fine lines.”

Source: Yesstyle

This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: niacinamide

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.

NiacinamideKey activeEffect: HighIs 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~2.7–4%

Anti-aging

Niacinamide, Adenosine

Works well

What the product description says

“Contains Adenosine which helps brighten your overall skin tone and effectively reduce the appearences of wrinkles and fine lines.”

Source: Yesstyle

This product can help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness because it contains adenosine, niacinamide.

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.

AdenosineKey activeEffect: HighMight help improve cell turnover and reduce inflammation in skin. One study shows that the ingredients might be able to help reduce dynamic wrinkles (for example, in the corners of the eyes or on the forehead)~0.2–0.8%

Anti-blemish

Not advertised by the brand · Niacinamide

Works 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?

Irritancy

11 flagged ingredients — patch-test recommended

High risk

We flagged 11 ingredients with irritancy potential. Severity depends on your sensitivity threshold; the table lists the worst offenders first.

IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount

Propolis extractA complex substance produced by honey bees. Can have anti-bacterial and some anti-oxidant effect. Is an allergen and can be irritatingHigh~0.5–1.15%est.

Rosa centifolia flower extractContains essential oil. Can be irritatingHigh~0.4–0.9%est.

Hamamelis virginiana extractA plant extract that can help calm down inflammation in skin. Can, however, itself be irritatingHigh~0.35–0.85%est.

ParfumAn aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredientsHigh~0.01–0.05%est.

Snail secretion filtrateTypically contains hyaluronic acid that helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin. Might contain allantoin that is helpful in calming down inflammation. There is no evidence that it can have any further benefits for the skin, especially when used in skincare productsMedium~1.2–1.8%est.

Honey extractHelps attract water to the upper layer of the skinMedium~0.95–1.4%est.

Royal jelly extractA compound secreted by bees. Might be able to attract water to the top layer of the skin. Avoid if sensitive to honey and bee productsMedium~0.6–1.35%est.

1,2-hexanediolA preservativeMedium~0.05–0.25%est.

Caprylyl glycolHelps preserve products and creates a nice product textureMedium~0.1–0.35%est.

ChlorphenesinA preservativeMedium~0.05–0.15%est.

Disodium edtaStabilizes the product formulationMedium~0.01–0.05%est.

Comedogenic

Clean of flagged comedogenic ingredients

None flagged

Alternatives

Cheaper, or higher on efficacy

Formal Bee Propolis Vita C Essence Toner

Cheaper94% match

$17.92

Bliv:U Collagen Bouncing Toner 200ml

Cheaper94% match

$17.52

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Ingredients

Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.

Water~40–60%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Plain old water

More about Water

Glycerin~4.1–6.2%

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

Dipropylene glycol~3.6–5.4%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Helps to dissolve other ingredients in a formulation. Slows down the rate of product drying

More about Dipropylene glycol

Niacinamide~2.7–4%

Hero · Moisturizing, Anti-blemish

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

Anti-blemishEvens skin toneAnti-agingMoisturizingReduces irritationAntibacterialReduces rednessAnti-inflammatory

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 Niacinamide

Peg/ppg-17/6 copolymer~2–3%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

More about Peg/ppg-17/6 copolymer

Butylene glycol~1.6–2.4%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

Moisturizing

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 glycol

Methyl gluceth-20~1.3–2%

Key active

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

Moisturizing

Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and soften it

More about Methyl gluceth-20

Snail secretion filtrate~1.2–1.8%

Key activeIrritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

Works for

MoisturizingAnti-inflammatory

Typically contains hyaluronic acid that helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin. Might contain allantoin that is helpful in calming down inflammation. There is no evidence that it can have any further benefits for the skin, especially when used in skincare products

More about Snail secretion filtrate

Honey extract~0.95–1.4%

Key activeIrritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

Works for

Moisturizing

Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin

More about Honey extract

Royal jelly extract~0.6–1.35%

Key activeIrritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

Works for

Moisturizing

A compound secreted by bees. Might be able to attract water to the top layer of the skin. Avoid if sensitive to honey and bee products

More about Royal jelly extract

Propolis extract~0.5–1.15%

Key activeIrritant · high

Irritation risk: High

Works for

MoisturizingAntibacterialAnti-oxidation

A complex substance produced by honey bees. Can have anti-bacterial and some anti-oxidant effect. Is an allergen and can be irritating

More about Propolis extract

Rosa centifolia flower extract~0.4–0.9%

Irritant · high

Irritation risk: High

Contains essential oil. Can be irritating

More about Rosa centifolia flower extract

Hamamelis virginiana extract~0.35–0.85%

Irritant · high

Irritation risk: High

Works for

Anti-inflammatory

A plant extract that can help calm down inflammation in skin. Can, however, itself be irritating

More about Hamamelis virginiana extract

Adenosine~0.2–0.8%

Key active

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

Anti-agingMoisturizingAnti-oxidation

Might help improve cell turnover and reduce inflammation in skin. One study shows that the ingredients might be able to help reduce dynamic wrinkles (for example, in the corners of the eyes or on the forehead)

More about Adenosine

Sodium hyaluronate~0.15–0.65%

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

Peg-40

Not recognized

Hydrogenated castor oil stearate~0.15–0.55%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

More about Hydrogenated castor oil stearate

Ammonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/vp copolymer~0.1–0.4%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Increases thickness of a product. Texture enhancer for oil-in-water emulsions

More about Ammonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/vp copolymer

1,2-hexanediol~0.05–0.25%

Irritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

A preservative

More about 1,2-hexanediol

Caprylyl glycol~0.1–0.35%

Irritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

Works for

Moisturizing

Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture

More about Caprylyl glycol

Chlorphenesin~0.05–0.15%

Irritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

A preservative

More about Chlorphenesin

Disodium edta~0.01–0.05%

Irritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

Stabilizes the product formulation

More about Disodium edta

Parfum~0.01–0.05%

Irritant · high

Irritation risk: High

An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients

More about Parfum

Ingredient list view

Water, Glycerin, Dipropylene glycol, Niacinamide, Peg/ppg-17/6 copolymer, Butylene glycol, Methyl gluceth-20, Snail secretion filtrate, Honey extract, Royal jelly extract, Propolis extract, Rosa centifolia flower extract, Hamamelis virginiana extract, Adenosine, Sodium hyaluronate, Unknown, Hydrogenated castor oil stearate, Ammonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/vp copolymer, 1,2-hexanediol, Caprylyl glycol, Chlorphenesin, Disodium edta, 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.

Side-by-side comparison of this product against its closest alternatives
	NellaHoney 1 Snail Ageless Brightening EssenceYOUR PRODUCT	MEDI-PEELAesthe Derma Red Marine Collagen Toner	D'RANOh Beau White Radiance Hydrating Toner	Formal BeePropolis Vita C Essence Toner
Match	—	95%	94%	94%
Price	$19.80	—	$56.70+$36.90	$17.92−$1.88
Shared key ingredients	—	4 of 6	5 of 6	4 of 6
Key difference	—	Acetyl Tetrapeptide-5	Copper Tripeptide-1	Betaine
Irritancy	High	Medium	Medium	Medium
Drying alcohol	—	—	Contains drying alcohol	—
	View product	Shop	Shop	Shop

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Product summary

"Nella - Honey 1 Snail Ageless Brightening Essence" is effective for: Moisturizing, Evens skin tone, Anti-aging and Anti-blemish

Ingredient callouts

A good concentration of Niacinamide (2.70% - 4.00%). 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.
Adenosine 0.20% - 0.80%. It is a chemical present inside our skin cells. A clinical trial confirmed that topical application of Adenosine in a low concentration can reduce dynamic wrinkles (these are the wrinkles that appear with age in a places where our mimic is the most active, for example, in the corners of the eyes or on the forehead).
Humectants (sodium hyaluronate 0.15% - 0.65%, snail secretion filtrate 1.20% - 1.80% and glycerin 4.10% - 6.20%). These ingredients help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improve the skin hydration.