Pai Skincare Pai Instant Kalmer Sea Aster & Schisandra Ceramide Serum
Works for
MoisturizingLactobacillus ferment, Glycerin + 11 moreWorks
“The cooling, refreshingly lightweight treatment utilises sea aster, a vibrant plant found along the coast, to help provide a soothing effect to the skin, supported by an abundance of ceramides for a hit of hydration.”
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, lactobacillus ferment.
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: caprylic/capric triglyceride, squalene.
Evens skin toneLactic acid ~0.05–0.3%Under-dosed
“Meanwhile, antioxidant schisandra works to visibly balance tonal irregularities, promoting a more clarified appearance post-use.”
Effective ingredients missing or their concentration is too low
Anti-oxidationSide benefit · Squalene, Lactobacillus ferment + 3 moreMay help
This product contains antioxidants (squalene) 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?
Irritancy2 strong irritants: Citrus aurantium dulcis fruit water, Sodium anisateMedium risk
Comedogenic1 ingredient rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale1 flagged
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~40–60%
Citrus aurantium dulcis fruit water~5.2–7.9%
- Irritation risk
- High
Lactobacillus ferment~3.6–5.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A fermentation product created by bacteria Lactobacillus. The fermented product has anti-bacterial properties and might be helpful in calming down inflammation, but studies are lacking. Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin. Can be used as a preservative
More about Lactobacillus fermentGlycerin~2.8–4.2%
- 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 seed oil~2.2–3.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that helps soften the skin and might help calm down inflammation
More about Carthamus tinctorius seed oilAvena sativa kernel oil~1.7–2.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An effective moisturizing and skin barrier repair ingredient. Helps calm down inflammation and has some anti-oxidant properties
More about Avena sativa kernel oilCaprylic/capric triglyceride~1.6–2.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A good mix of fatty acids that forms a protective layer on the skin. Improves the shelf life of products. Derived from coconut and glycerin
More about Caprylic/capric triglycerideAster tripolium extract~1.3–2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Sodium levulinate~1–1.6%
Lysolecithin~0.85–1.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Lecithin derivative. It helps oil and water mix together and can enhance penetration of other ingredients. It helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about LysolecithinSclerotium gum~0.5–1.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create gel-like formulas and stabilize emulsions
More about Sclerotium gumOphiopogon japonicus root extract~0.4–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Plant extract that might help neutralize free radicals and support skin barrier function, but research on its effectiveness in skin is lacking
More about Ophiopogon japonicus root extractSchizandra sphenanthera fruit extract~0.4–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Sodium anisate~0.35–0.85%
Xanthan gum~0.35–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumPullulan~0.35–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- High
Creates a thin drying film on the skin resulting in a short-term tightening effect
More about PullulanMaltodextrin~0.3–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to stabilize the product formulation and can help absorb oil
More about MaltodextrinSodium dehydroacetate~0.3–0.6%
Glycosphingolipids~0.15–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of lipids naturally present in skin. They can be converted to ceramides in skin
More about GlycosphingolipidsGlycolipids~0.15–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Beta-sitosterol~0.15–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A phytosterol that can support skin's barrier function and help the skin stay hydrated
More about Beta-sitosterolSodium 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 hyaluronateTocopherol~0.1–0.4%
- 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 TocopherolSqualene~0.1–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
An oil that is naturally part of skin sebum that helps to soften its upper layer, reduce water loss and neutralize free radicals. It might be comedogenic. Avoid applying large concentrations (or pure oil) before sun exposure as oxidized squalene can clog pores and lead to skin irritation. Today squalene is mostly derived from vegetable oils or synthetized by yeast
More about SqualeneLactic acid~0.05–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An exfoliating and moisturizing alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA). Typically causes less irritation than other AHAs, for example, glycolic acid. At high concentrations (about 15%), lactic acid can help reduce lines and wrinkles. Recent studies show that lactic acid can support the "good" bacteria living on skin's surface (healthy skin microbiome)
More about Lactic acidSilica~0.1–0.45%
Ingredient list view
Water, Citrus aurantium dulcis fruit water, Lactobacillus ferment, Glycerin, Carthamus tinctorius seed oil, Avena sativa kernel oil, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Aster tripolium extract, Sodium levulinate, Lysolecithin, Sclerotium gum, Ophiopogon japonicus root extract, Schizandra sphenanthera fruit extract, Sodium anisate, Xanthan gum, Pullulan, Maltodextrin, Sodium dehydroacetate, Glycosphingolipids, Glycolipids, Beta-sitosterol, Sodium hyaluronate, Tocopherol, Squalene, Lactic acid, Silica
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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.
| Pai SkincarePai Instant Kalmer Sea Aster & Schisandra Ceramide SerumYOUR PRODUCT | ZO Skin HealthPeptide Facial Refining Concentrate | Purposeful Skincare by Allies (PSA)The Most Hyaluronic Super Nutrient Hydration Serum | Tropic SkincareRAINFOREST DEW hydration serum - Rainforest Dew | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 38% | 37% | 37% |
| Price | $84.00 | $265.00+$181.00 | $35.06−$48.94 | — |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 4 of 10 | 3 of 10 | 3 of 10 |
| Key difference | — | Acetyl Octapeptide-3 | Madecassoside | Hexapeptide-11 |
| Irritancy | Medium | Low | Low | Low |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Vegreen Skin Barrier Reishi SerumPSA Skin The Most: Hyaluronic Super Nutrient Hydration Serum
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 18 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3Use of Probiotics for Dermal Applicationsresearchgate.net
- 4
- 5
- 6Cosmetic use of an ophiopogon japonicus active principlepatents.google.com
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