Hyper Niacinamide 20 Serum

The base most products are built on. It carries the other ingredients and has no safety concern.

A form of vitamin B3 used to support a more even-looking tone and a comfortable barrier. Well tolerated at cosmetic levels.

A light, low-odor glycol used as a solvent and humectant, extremely common in Korean toners and essences. It has a low reported irritation rate and is graded low concern in published assessments.

A small glycol used as a solvent and to boost the absorption of actives, and to help preservatives work at lower levels. It is well tolerated and graded low concern in published assessments.

A corn-derived solvent and humectant that has largely replaced propylene glycol in "clean" formulas; CIR reviewed the alkane diol group and found use concentrations up to about 40 percent in leave-on products like deodorant sticks with no meaningful irritation signal.

Arbutin is a plant-derived brightening ingredient that is chemically related to hydroquinone and can release small amounts of it in formulation. EU regulators have set new maximum use levels for arbutin and alpha-arbutin in leave-on products because of this hydroquinone-release concern, so products sold there must stay within those caps.

A humectant that draws water into the skin. One of the best-studied, best-tolerated ingredients in personal care.

Zinc PCA is a zinc salt of a naturally occurring skin humectant, used mainly to help regulate oil and support a balanced skin microbiome in oily or acne-prone formulas. It has a long history of use with no significant reported irritation, though dedicated cosmetic-specific review data is thinner than for more common ingredients.

Sodium PCA is a natural component of skin's own moisturizing factor and is used in cosmetics as a humectant to help skin hold onto water. It has an extensive history of safe use with no meaningful irritation or sensitization signal.

A plant extract used in Korean skincare for its soothing, antioxidant reputation. It is well tolerated with a low reported irritation rate; the soothing claims rest on limited but reasonable evidence.

A humectant that holds water at the skin surface for a more hydrated look. No safety concern.

A broken-down form of hyaluronic acid with smaller molecules intended to penetrate more deeply into the skin. It functions as a humectant and is well tolerated, with the same safety profile as standard hyaluronic acid.

A chemically cross-linked form of sodium hyaluronate designed to remain on the skin surface longer and provide sustained hydration. It functions as a humectant and is well tolerated, with the same safety profile as standard hyaluronic acid.

A synthetic polymer used to thicken and stabilize water-based formulas like gels and serums. It provides texture and suspension of particles without interfering with skin feel. Well established in cosmetics.

A naturally occurring nucleoside used in anti-aging formulas, often marketed for smoothing the look of fine lines. It has a low irritation profile and no established hazard at cosmetic use levels.

A buffering agent used in tiny amounts to set a product's pH, most often alongside gel-forming polymers. It is graded low concern in published assessments at the levels used.

A lightweight humectant and solvent similar in role to propylene glycol, used to carry actives and give lotions a lighter feel. CIR has reviewed it and considers it safe as used in cosmetics.

A glycol used very widely in Korean and Western skincare as a lightweight humectant, solvent, and gentle preservative-booster, often in place of traditional preservatives. It has a low reported irritation rate at use levels and is graded low concern in published assessments.