Pai Skincare The Impossible Glow

Pai Skincare The Impossible Glow

Efficacy75/100IrritancyMedium

Works for

Moisturizing
Glycerin, Ascophyllum nodosum extract + 3 more
Works
What the product description says
“It is packed with hyaluronic acid and sea kelp for hydration, and lemon fruit water to illuminate.”
Source: Mankind

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

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).

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~2.7–4.1%
Ascophyllum nodosum extractKey activeEffect: HighBrown seaweed extract. Can help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and might have some antioxidant effect~2.1–3.2%
Hydrolyzed glycosaminoglycansKey active· HumectantEffect: HighLong sugars that help attract water to the upper layer of the skin~1.4–2.1%
Hyaluronic acidKey active· HumectantEffect: HighOne of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin. Naturally present in skin. Typically has large molecule size unless advertised otherwise on the product label. Helps support skin's barrier function and may help to reduce inflammation~0.45–1.1%
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)~0.2–0.75%

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy
2 strong irritants: Citrus limon fruit water, Sodium anisate
Medium risk
We flagged 5 ingredients with irritancy potential. Severity depends on your sensitivity threshold; the table lists the worst offenders first.
IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount
Citrus limon fruit water—High~5–7.5%est.
Sodium anisateUsed as a fragranceHigh~0.4–0.9%est.
Sodium levulinateA preservativeMedium~1.2–1.8%est.
Sodium dehydroacetateA preservativeMedium~0.3–0.6%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~0.2–0.75%est.
Comedogenic
Clean of flagged comedogenic ingredients
None flagged

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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
Citrus limon fruit water~5–7.5%
Irritant · high
Mica~3.7–5.5%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Creates an illusion of smoother and more radiant skin tone. Adds shimmer to the skin by reflecting light

More about Mica
Glycerin~2.7–4.1%
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
Ascophyllum nodosum extract~2.1–3.2%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
MoisturizingAnti-oxidation

Brown seaweed extract. Can help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and might have some antioxidant effect

More about Ascophyllum nodosum extract
Sclerotium gum~1.7–2.5%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Used to create gel-like formulas and stabilize emulsions

More about Sclerotium gum
Hydrolyzed glycosaminoglycans~1.4–2.1%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

Long sugars that help attract water to the upper layer of the skin

More about Hydrolyzed glycosaminoglycans
Sodium levulinate~1.2–1.8%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

A preservative

More about Sodium levulinate
Xanthan gum~0.95–1.45%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Cleansing

Used to create a thicker product consistency

More about Xanthan gum
Sodium dehydroacetate~0.3–0.6%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

A preservative

More about Sodium dehydroacetate
Hyaluronic acid~0.45–1.1%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
MoisturizingAnti-inflammatoryAnti-aging

One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin. Naturally present in skin. Typically has large molecule size unless advertised otherwise on the product label. Helps support skin's barrier function and may help to reduce inflammation

More about Hyaluronic acid
Sodium anisate~0.4–0.9%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

Used as a fragrance

More about Sodium anisate
Lactic acid~0.2–0.75%
Under-dosedIrritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Evens skin toneMoisturizingExfoliationAnti-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~0.15–0.6%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Used to stabilize product formulations

More about Sodium phytate
Maltodextrin~0.1–0.45%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Mattifying

Used to stabilize the product formulation and can help absorb oil

More about Maltodextrin
Mica~0.1–0.35%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Creates an illusion of smoother and more radiant skin tone. Adds shimmer to the skin by reflecting light

More about Mica
Iron oxides~0.1–0.35%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Sun protection

An umbrella term for the following three colorants: CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499. They might be able to offer some protection against visible light, but the degree of the protection is not clear

More about Iron oxides
Titanium dioxide~0.05–0.2%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Sun protection

Works as a UV filter when used in high concentrations. It is photostable and is effective mostly against the UVB light, with some protection in the UVA range. In small concentrations, used for its ability to improve the color of cosmetic products. Is usually well tolerated by the skin

More about Titanium dioxide
Ingredient list view

Water, Citrus limon fruit water, Mica, Glycerin, Ascophyllum nodosum extract, Sclerotium gum, Hydrolyzed glycosaminoglycans, Sodium levulinate, Xanthan gum, Sodium dehydroacetate, Hyaluronic acid, Sodium anisate, Lactic acid, Sodium phytate, Maltodextrin, Mica, Iron oxides, Titanium dioxide

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Amazon USPrice as of 11/14 09:22 GMT
$44.00
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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
Pai SkincareThe Impossible GlowYOUR PRODUCTcocokindHydrating Electrolyte Rescue SerumUNPAHalo Celtening AmpouleSCINICHyaluronic Acid Ampoule Serum
Match—37%37%37%
Price$44.00$12.59−$31.41$16.59−$27.41$17.60−$26.40
Shared key ingredients—3 of 43 of 43 of 4
Key difference—Beta-GlucanNiacinamideNiacinamide
Irritancy Medium Low Low Low
Drying alcohol————
View product Shop Shop Shop

More alternatives: ARZTIN A-Cera Barrier Ampoule TonerAvatara Niacinamide Water Gel Face Mask

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Sources cited in this review

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

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Pai Skincare The Impossible Glow
Pai SkincareThe Impossible Glow

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As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.