Pai Skincare The impossible glow serum

Pai Skincare The impossible glow serum

Efficacy75/100IrritancyMedium

Works for

Moisturizing
Ascophyllum nodosum extract, Hydrolyzed glycosaminoglycans + 3 more
Works
What the product description says
“Radiance Hydrating Glow Along with naturally derived bronzing pigment we’ve included Hyaluronic Acid and Sea Kelp – for hydration – as well as Vitamin C-rich Lemon Fruit Water to boost radiance.”
Source: John Lewis

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).

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%
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~1.1–1.6%
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~0.35–0.8%
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)~0.2–0.7%

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~0.4–0.95%est.
Sodium levulinateA preservativeMedium~0.8–1.2%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~0.2–0.7%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
Xanthan gum~1.2–1.8%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Cleansing

Used to create a thicker product consistency

More about Xanthan gum
Glycerin~1.1–1.6%
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
Sodium levulinate~0.8–1.2%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

A preservative

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

A preservative

More about Sodium dehydroacetate
Sodium anisate~0.4–0.95%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

Used as a fragrance

More about Sodium anisate
Hyaluronic acid~0.35–0.8%
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
Lactic acid~0.2–0.7%
Under-dosedIrritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
ExfoliationEvens skin toneMoisturizingAnti-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~0.15–0.55%
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
Ci 77491~0.05–0.3%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

A red colorant made of iron oxide. Typically is not irritating

More about Ci 77491
Ci 77891~0.1–0.35%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
More about Ci 77891
Ci 77019 (iron oxides)
Not recognized
Ingredient list view

Water, Citrus limon fruit water, Mica, Glycerin, Ascophyllum nodosum extract, Sclerotium gum, Hydrolyzed glycosaminoglycans, Xanthan gum, Glycerin, Sodium levulinate, Sodium dehydroacetate, Sodium anisate, Hyaluronic acid, Lactic acid, Sodium phytate, Maltodextrin, Ci 77491, Ci 77891, Unknown

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Amazon USPrice as of 11/11 18:19 GMT
$49.00
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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 glow serumYOUR PRODUCTSCINICHyaluronic Acid Ampoule SerumUNPAHalo Celtening AmpouleÉciatKeep Calm Soothing serum
Match—42%42%41%
Price$49.00$17.60−$31.40$16.59−$32.41—
Shared key ingredients—3 of 43 of 43 of 4
Key difference—NiacinamideNiacinamideNiacinamide
Irritancy Medium Low Low Low
Drying alcohol————
View product Shop Shop Shop

More alternatives: Nacomi Next Level Active face serum with niacinamide 15%BADSKIN Collagen Bomb Hydrating Ampoule

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Product summary

"Pai Skincare - The impossible glow serum" could be helpful for: Moisturizing, but its actives are not the most effective or are not well-studied.

Ingredient callouts

  • Humectants (hyaluronic acid 0.30% - 0.75%, glycerin 0.90% - 1.35%, hydrolyzed glycosaminoglycans 1.30% - 1.90% and glycerin 2.70% - 4.10%). 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 19.00£ 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 6 studies and safety reviews.

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Pai Skincare The impossible glow serum
Pai SkincareThe impossible glow serum

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

As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.