What's In My Jar
Pai Skincare Prebiotic Inulin 4% Protective Booster
Pai Skincare

Pai Skincare Prebiotic Inulin 4% Protective Booster

Efficacy37/100IrritancyLow·100% recommend (1 review)
See all ingredients

Works for

Moisturizing
Inulin, Glycerin + 4 more
Works
What the product description says
“0 star rating 5 Reviews”
Source: Paiskincare

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

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).

InulinKey activeEffect: HighHelps attract water to the upper layer of the skin. Is claimed to support the growth of "good" bacteria in skin (as a "prebiotic"), but the research is lacking~3.7–5.6%
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~2.1–3.1%
FructoseKey active· HumectantEffect: HighHelps attract water to the upper layer of the skin~0.6–1.35%
Pentylene glycol· EmollientEffect: LowUsed to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product texture~6.1–9.2%
TocopherolEffect: Low, below effective dosePure 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~0.05–0.2%
Lactic acidUnder-dosedAn 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)~0.15–0.7%
Evens skin tone
Lactic acid ~0.15–0.7%, below the ~2% it needs
Under-dosed
What the product description says
“All-Natural Vitamin C Oil to Brighten Dull Skin”
Source: Paiskincare

Effective ingredients missing or their concentration is too low

Lactic acidUnder-dosedAn 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)~0.15–0.7%

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy
2 flagged ingredients
Low risk
We flag 2 ingredients with irritancy potential; the product's overall irritancy is low. The table lists each ingredient's own rating.
IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount
Pentylene glycolUsed to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product textureMedium~6.1–9.2%est.
Lactic acidAn 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)Medium~0.15–0.7%est.
Comedogenic
Clean of flagged comedogenic ingredients
None flagged

User reviews

Would you recommend?
100%·yes

1 of 1 community members would buy it again.

100% would0% wouldn't
  • Ietje· Feb 2023Recommends

    Dry skin

What reviewers noticed
Marker shows the average response

Ingredients

Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.

Water~40–60%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Plain old water

More about Water
Pentylene glycol~6.1–9.2%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Moisturizing

Used to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product texture

More about Pentylene glycol
Inulin~3.7–5.6%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
MoisturizingAnti-blemish

Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin. Is claimed to support the growth of "good" bacteria in skin (as a "prebiotic"), but the research is lacking

More about Inulin
Methylheptylglycerin~2.9–4.3%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
More about Methylheptylglycerin
Glycerin~2.1–3.1%
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
Xanthan gum~1.4–2.1%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Cleansing

Used to create a thicker product consistency

More about Xanthan gum
Cellulose~1.1–1.7%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Mattifying

Can be used to help absorb oil as well as add volume and imporve texture of products.

More about Cellulose
Fructose~0.6–1.35%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin

More about Fructose
Lactic acid~0.15–0.7%
Under-dosedIrritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Evens skin toneExfoliationMoisturizingAnti-aging

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 acid
Sodium phytate~0.1–0.45%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Used to stabilize product formulations

More about Sodium phytate
Cellulose gum~0.01–0.1%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Used to create thicker product consistency and stabilize emulsions

More about Cellulose gum
Tocopherol~0.05–0.2%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Anti-oxidationMoisturizingAnti-inflammatoryAnti-aging

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 Tocopherol
Ingredient list view

Water, Pentylene glycol, Inulin, Methylheptylglycerin, Glycerin, Xanthan gum, Cellulose, Fructose, Lactic acid, Sodium phytate, Cellulose gum, Tocopherol

Compare prices

Retailers ranked by price — lowest first.

No pricing data available yet for this product.

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
Pai SkincarePrebiotic Inulin 4% Protective BoosterYOUR PRODUCTNacomiNext Lvl Vitamin C - Ascorbyl tetraisopalmitate 5%The Purest SolutionsIntensive Hydration Serum Hyaluronic Acid %2 + B5XenoLean Back - Serum-Gel - hemmt Pickel und Rötungen + Healthy Aging
Match—41%41%40%
Price————
Shared key ingredients—3 of 33 of 33 of 3
Key difference—Ascorbyl TetraisopalmitatePanthenolNiacinamide
Irritancy Low Low Low Low
Drying alcohol—— Contains drying alcohol —
View product Shop Shop Shop
  • matches yours
  • differs
  • cheaper

More alternatives: Manuka Doctor Anti-Redness Protective Serum111SKIN Hyaluronic Acid Aqua Booster Serum

Cheaper alternatives? Browse formulas in the same category.
We compare ingredient profiles across our catalog — pick the closest match for your budget.
Open dupe finder

Product summary

"Pai Skincare - Prebiotic Inulin 4% Protective Booster" could be helpful for: Moisturizing, but its actives are not the most effective or are not well-studied.

Ingredient callouts

  • Humectants (fructose 0.60% - 1.35% and glycerin 2.10% - 3.10%). These ingredients help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improve the skin hydration.

About the brand

According to Cruelty-Free Kitty "Pai Skincare" is cruelty free and so is its parent company.

Price

The product retails for 29.00$ in the United States.

For a detailed price comparison: click here.

Sources cited in this review

Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 6 studies and safety reviews.

  1. 1
    Probiotics and prebiotics potential for the care of skin, female urogenital tract, and respiratory tractlink.springer.com
  2. 2
    Glycerol and the skin: holistic approach to its origin and functionsncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  3. 3
    Epidermal and dermal effects of topical lactic acidncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  4. 4
    Dual Effects of Alpha-Hydroxy Acids on the Skinpdfs.semanticscholar.org
  5. 5
    Vitamin E in dermatologyncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  6. 6
    Vitamin E and Skin Healthlpi.oregonstate.edu
Pai Skincare Prebiotic Inulin 4% Protective Booster
Pai SkincarePrebiotic Inulin 4% Protective Booster
Find on Amazon

Affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.

Find on Amazon

As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.