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Votary Brightening Hyaluronic Serum - Narcissus and AHAs
Votary

Votary Brightening Hyaluronic Serum - Narcissus and AHAs

Efficacy93/100IrritancyHigh
See all ingredients

Works for

Exfoliation
Glycolic acid, Salicylic acid
Works well
What the product description says
“Votary's Brightening Hyaluronic Acid Serum - Narcissus and AHAs is infused with Glycolic Acid to help accelerate the skin's natural exfoliation process while lifting dead skin cells for a fresh, dewy complexion.”
Source: Face the future

This product can help exfoliate the skin. In other words, it helps break down the bonds between dead cells on the surface of the skin and speed up the skin turnover. Skin often appears softer and brighter after exfoliation, but overdoing it can result in disrupted skin barrier. The following ingredient is doing the exfoliating job in this product: glycolic acid.

Glycolic acidKey activeEffect: HighAn alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) that helps to remove the dead skin cells on the surface of the skin reveling a more even, smoother complexation. It is also able to stimulate collagen production with long-term use. Could help to reduce pore congestion. It can be irritating to the skin. Apply sunscreen daily if using products with glycolic acid~0.35–0.8%
Salicylic acidUnder-dosedUsed for skin exfoliation. It has an anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial effect, helps to unclog pores, prevent blemishes and speed up healing of the existing ones. Sometimes referred to as a BHA (beta-hydroxy acid)~0.1–0.45%
Anti-aging
Glycolic acid, Ascorbyl glucoside
Works well
What the product description says
“Hydrating Hyaluronic Acid plumps and smooths away fine lines, while potent plant extracts Bilbury Fruit and Neroli Flower Water provide antioxidant protection and help to support the skin's barrier function while moisturising and refreshing the skin, for a radiant finish.”
Source: Face the future

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

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.

Glycolic acidKey activeEffect: HighAn alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) that helps to remove the dead skin cells on the surface of the skin reveling a more even, smoother complexation. It is also able to stimulate collagen production with long-term use. Could help to reduce pore congestion. It can be irritating to the skin. Apply sunscreen daily if using products with glycolic acid~0.35–0.8%
Ascorbyl glucosideUnder-dosedA vitamin C derivative that is more stable but less potent than pure form of vitamin C. Has a potential to boost collagen production, nutralise free radicals and reduce hyperpigmentation, but the required concentration is likely to be much higher than for the pure form of vitamin C, limiting the ingredient's effectiveness in products~0.1–0.3%
Evens skin tone
Glycolic acid, Salicylic acid + 1 more
Works well
What the product description says
“Formulated with Narcissus Extract, Votary's Brightening Hyaluronic Serum unifies the skin tone and restores radiance to dull skin.”
Source: Face the future

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

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.

Glycolic acidKey activeEffect: HighAn alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) that helps to remove the dead skin cells on the surface of the skin reveling a more even, smoother complexation. It is also able to stimulate collagen production with long-term use. Could help to reduce pore congestion. It can be irritating to the skin. Apply sunscreen daily if using products with glycolic acid~0.35–0.8%
Salicylic acidEffect: Low, below effective doseUsed for skin exfoliation. It has an anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial effect, helps to unclog pores, prevent blemishes and speed up healing of the existing ones. Sometimes referred to as a BHA (beta-hydroxy acid)~0.1–0.45%
Ascorbyl glucosideUnder-dosedA vitamin C derivative that is more stable but less potent than pure form of vitamin C. Has a potential to boost collagen production, nutralise free radicals and reduce hyperpigmentation, but the required concentration is likely to be much higher than for the pure form of vitamin C, limiting the ingredient's effectiveness in products~0.1–0.3%
Moisturizing
Glycerin, Sucrose + 2 more
Works
What the product description says
“Hydrating Hyaluronic Acid plumps and smooths away fine lines, while potent plant extracts Bilbury Fruit and Neroli Flower Water provide antioxidant protection and help to support the skin's barrier function while moisturising and refreshing the skin, for a radiant finish.”
Source: Face the future

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

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~3.5–5.2%
SucroseKey active· HumectantEffect: HighCan help attract water to the upper layer of the skin. In crystal form, it can work as a gentle exfoliant, gentler than the salt scrub. Helps stabilize the emulsion~1.9–2.9%
Saccharum officinarum extractKey activeEffect: HighSugar extract that helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin~1.6–2.4%
Sodium hyaluronateKey active· HumectantEffect: HighOne of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin~1.2–1.8%

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy
4 strong irritants: Citrus aurantium amara flower water, Citrus limon fruit water + 2 more — patch-test recommended
High risk
We flagged 14 ingredients with irritancy potential. Severity depends on your sensitivity threshold; the table lists the worst offenders first.
IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount
Citrus aurantium amara flower waterA citrus plant essential oil (in a less concentrated format). Used as a fragrance and can be irritatingHigh~23–34%est.
Citrus limon fruit water—High~5.5–8.2%est.
Citrus aurantium dulcis fruit extractA plant extract that is used as a fragrance. Can be irritating and lead to photosensitivityHigh~0.55–1.35%est.
Citrus limon fruit extractUsed as a fragrance. Can be irritating and cause photosensitivityHigh~0.5–1.15%est.
Glycolic acidAn alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) that helps to remove the dead skin cells on the surface of the skin reveling a more even, smoother complexation. It is also able to stimulate collagen production with long-term use. Could help to reduce pore congestion. It can be irritating to the skin. Apply sunscreen daily if using products with glycolic acidHigh~0.35–0.8%est.
Salicylic acidUsed for skin exfoliation. It has an anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial effect, helps to unclog pores, prevent blemishes and speed up healing of the existing ones. Sometimes referred to as a BHA (beta-hydroxy acid)High~0.1–0.45%est.
Benzyl alcoholA preservative. Can be used to mask unpleasant smell. Can be irritatingHigh~0.05–0.3%est.
Vaccinium myrtillus fruit extractA plant extract that might help neutralize free radicals in skin, but research on its efficacy in skin is lackingMedium~2.6–4%est.
Acer saccharum extractA plant extract that contains small percentage of AHAs. Is unlikely to have any skin benefit due the small concentration of the active compoundsMedium~0.95–1.45%est.
Sodium citrateHelps to control the skin's pH level. Maintains the skin's natural film of amino-lactic acids and oils. Helps to preserve productsMedium~0.45–1.05%est.
Sorbic acidA preservativeMedium~0.3–0.6%est.
Citric acidCan work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pHMedium~0.15–0.7%est.
Ascorbyl glucosideA vitamin C derivative that is more stable but less potent than pure form of vitamin C. Has a potential to boost collagen production, nutralise free radicals and reduce hyperpigmentation, but the required concentration is likely to be much higher than for the pure form of vitamin C, limiting the ingredient's effectiveness in productsMedium~0.1–0.3%est.
HydroxyacetophenoneUsed to increase effectiveness of preservativesMedium~0.05–0.25%est.
Comedogenic
Clean of flagged comedogenic ingredients
None flagged
Alternatives
Cheaper, or higher on efficacy
2% SALICYLIC ACID ANTI ACNE SERUM
skintific 2% SALICYLIC ACID ANTI ACNE SERUM
Higher efficacy · 100/10095% match
Multi Acid AHA and BHA Peel Serum
REVOLUTION SKINCARE Multi Acid AHA and BHA Peel Serum
Higher efficacy · 100/10093% match
View all alternatives

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Ingredients

Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.

Citrus aurantium amara flower water~23–34%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

A citrus plant essential oil (in a less concentrated format). Used as a fragrance and can be irritating

More about Citrus aurantium amara flower water
Water~12–18%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Plain old water

More about Water
Citrus limon fruit water~5.5–8.2%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
More about Citrus limon fruit water
Glycerin~3.5–5.2%
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
Vaccinium myrtillus fruit extract~2.6–4%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Anti-oxidation

A plant extract that might help neutralize free radicals in skin, but research on its efficacy in skin is lacking

More about Vaccinium myrtillus fruit extract
Sucrose~1.9–2.9%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

Can help attract water to the upper layer of the skin. In crystal form, it can work as a gentle exfoliant, gentler than the salt scrub. Helps stabilize the emulsion

More about Sucrose
Saccharum officinarum extract~1.6–2.4%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

Sugar extract that helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin

More about Saccharum officinarum extract
Narcissus pseudo-narcissus flower extract~1.4–2.1%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
More about Narcissus pseudo-narcissus flower extract
Sodium hyaluronate~1.2–1.8%
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
Acer saccharum extract~0.95–1.45%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

A plant extract that contains small percentage of AHAs. Is unlikely to have any skin benefit due the small concentration of the active compounds

More about Acer saccharum extract
Citrus aurantium dulcis fruit extract~0.55–1.35%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

A plant extract that is used as a fragrance. Can be irritating and lead to photosensitivity

More about Citrus aurantium dulcis fruit extract
Citrus limon fruit extract~0.5–1.15%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

Used as a fragrance. Can be irritating and cause photosensitivity

More about Citrus limon fruit extract
Sodium citrate~0.45–1.05%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

Helps to control the skin's pH level. Maintains the skin's natural film of amino-lactic acids and oils. Helps to preserve products

More about Sodium citrate
Sodium phytate~0.4–0.95%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Used to stabilize product formulations

More about Sodium phytate
Glycolic acid~0.35–0.8%
Key activeIrritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Evens skin toneAnti-agingExfoliationAnti-blemish

An alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) that helps to remove the dead skin cells on the surface of the skin reveling a more even, smoother complexation. It is also able to stimulate collagen production with long-term use. Could help to reduce pore congestion. It can be irritating to the skin. Apply sunscreen daily if using products with glycolic acid

More about Glycolic acid
Sorbic acid~0.3–0.6%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

A preservative

More about Sorbic acid
Citric acid~0.15–0.7%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH

More about Citric acid
Salicylic acid~0.1–0.45%
Under-dosedIrritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Anti-blemishExfoliationAnti-inflammatoryAntibacterialEvens skin tone

Used for skin exfoliation. It has an anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial effect, helps to unclog pores, prevent blemishes and speed up healing of the existing ones. Sometimes referred to as a BHA (beta-hydroxy acid)

More about Salicylic acid
Benzyl alcohol~0.05–0.3%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

A preservative. Can be used to mask unpleasant smell. Can be irritating

More about Benzyl alcohol
Sodium hydroxide~0.1–0.4%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Used to adjust the product's pH

More about Sodium hydroxide
Ascorbyl glucoside~0.1–0.3%
Under-dosedIrritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Anti-oxidationAnti-agingEvens skin tone

A vitamin C derivative that is more stable but less potent than pure form of vitamin C. Has a potential to boost collagen production, nutralise free radicals and reduce hyperpigmentation, but the required concentration is likely to be much higher than for the pure form of vitamin C, limiting the ingredient's effectiveness in products

More about Ascorbyl glucoside
Hydroxyacetophenone~0.05–0.25%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

Used to increase effectiveness of preservatives

More about Hydroxyacetophenone
Xanthan gum~0.05–0.25%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Cleansing

Used to create a thicker product consistency

More about Xanthan gum
Ingredient list view

Citrus aurantium amara flower water, Water, Citrus limon fruit water, Glycerin, Vaccinium myrtillus fruit extract, Sucrose, Saccharum officinarum extract, Narcissus pseudo-narcissus flower extract, Sodium hyaluronate, Acer saccharum extract, Citrus aurantium dulcis fruit extract, Citrus limon fruit extract, Sodium citrate, Sodium phytate, Glycolic acid, Sorbic acid, Citric acid, Salicylic acid, Benzyl alcohol, Sodium hydroxide, Ascorbyl glucoside, Hydroxyacetophenone, Xanthan gum

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🇬🇧 Face the future (UK)
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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
VotaryBrightening Hyaluronic Serum - Narcissus and AHAsYOUR PRODUCTskintific2% SALICYLIC ACID ANTI ACNE SERUMArtNaturals LUXEGlycolic SerumREVOLUTION SKINCAREMulti Acid AHA and BHA Peel Serum
Match—95%93%93%
Price————
Shared key ingredients—5 of 64 of 64 of 6
Key difference—Oligopeptide-1Lactic AcidLactic Acid
Irritancy High Medium Medium Medium
Drying alcohol————
View product Shop Shop Shop
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Sources cited in this review

Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 17 studies and safety reviews.

  1. 1
    Glycerol and the skin: holistic approach to its origin and functionsncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  2. 2
    Lonicera caerulea and Vaccinium myrtillus fruit polyphenols protect HaCaT keratinocytes against UVB-induced phototoxic stress and DNA damagesciencedirect.com
  3. 3
    Herbal Medicine: Biomolecular and Clinical Aspects. 2nd edition.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  4. 4
    Hyaluronic acid: A key molecule in skin agingncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  5. 5
    Hyaluronan (Hyaluronic Acid): a natural moisturizer for skin careresearchgate.net
  6. 6
    Safety Assessment of Citrus Fruit-Derived Ingredients as Used in Cosmeticscir-safety.org
Votary Brightening Hyaluronic Serum - Narcissus and AHAs
VotaryBrightening Hyaluronic Serum - Narcissus and AHAs
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Find on Amazon

As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.