
Highlights
WHAT IS IT?
Day Serum with Vitamin C and Hyaluronic Acid
FEATURES
BEST FOR
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Who Is It For?
What Does It Help With?
Sun Protection Skin HydrationBudget
Mid-range ($30-$75)How To Use
Which routine should it be used in?
Instructions:
Key Information
About the Brand:
Ingredients Overview
Ingredients List
Expozen, Ferulic Acid, Niacinamide, Royalbiocyte, Ecotin
Key Ingredients
Vitamin C, Hyaluronic Acid
Ingredients Details
Ferulic Acid
Common Name(s): 4-hydroxy-3-methoxycinnamic acid,coniferic acid
CAS Number: 1135-24-6
DESCRIPTION
What It Does: Doubles vitamin c and e efficacy through synergistic stabilization, providing superior photoprotection.
Why It's Used: Essential in vitamin c serums as the c+e+ferulic acid synergistic antioxidant trio that provides exceptional photoprotection โ a clinically proven combination.
How It Works: Phenolic structure provides direct free radical scavenging. also stabilizes l-ascorbic acid and tocopherol by donating hydrogen atoms to regenerate oxidized antioxidants. absorbs uv (290โ330nm) providing additional photoprotection.
Typically Found In: Vitamin c serums,antioxidant complexes,sunscreens,anti-aging products
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Primary Category: Active ingredient โ hydroxycinnamic acid antioxidant
Secondary Functions: Vitamin c synergist,uv absorber,antioxidant stabilizer
Application Areas:
Facial Skincare
Body Care
Hair Care
Beard Care
Color Cosmetics (Makeup)
Dietary/Oral Supplements
Typical Concentration Range: 0.5%โ1%
SOURCING & ETHICS
Vegan Status: Yes โ plant-derived (wheat, rice bran, oats)
Halal Status: Yes
Source Notes: Extracted from ferulic acid-rich plant sources (wheat bran, rice bran, sweet corn) or synthetically produced.
SKIN COMPATIBILITY
Irritancy Rating: 1/5 โ very low
Comedogenicity Rating: 0/5 โ non-comedogenic
Sensitivity Concerns: Non-irritating; well-tolerated.
Safe for Sensitive Skin: Yes
SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY
Safety Profile: Excellent safety profile. ewg score: 1.
Works Well With: Vitamin c,vitamin e,ferulic acid,spf,other antioxidants
Avoid Combining With: No significant incompatibilities
SCIENTIFIC NOTE
Pinnell et al. demonstrated that the combination of 15% vitamin c + 1% vitamin e + 0.5% ferulic acid provides 8ร superior photoprotection to vitamin c alone. ferulic acid stabilizes ascorbic acid by donating electrons, preventing oxidative degradation.
Last Verified: Cosing database,pinnell et al. (2005) ce ferulic study,murray et al. antioxidant synergy
Primary Sources: 2026-03-12
Niacinamide
Common Name(s): Vitamin b3,nicotinamide,pyridine-3-carboxamide
CAS Number: 98-92-0
DESCRIPTION
What It Does: Niacinamide strengthens the skin barrier, reduces visible pore size, regulates sebum production, fades dark spots, and improves skin texture and tone.
Why It's Used: It is used because it addresses multiple skin concerns at once without irritation, making it suitable for all skin types. it is stable in formulations and pairs well with most other actives.
How It Works: Niacinamide inhibits the transfer of melanosomes (pigment packets) to skin cells, reducing hyperpigmentation. it also stimulates ceramide synthesis to strengthen the skin barrier and reduces inflammation by modulating cytokine activity.
Typically Found In: Serums,moisturizers,toners,cleansers,eye creams,sunscreens,primers
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Primary Category: Active ingredient โ vitamin
Secondary Functions: Barrier repair,brightening,anti-inflammatory
Application Areas:
Facial Skincare
Body Care
Hair Care
Beard Care
Color Cosmetics (Makeup)
Dietary/Oral Supplements
Typical Concentration Range: 2%โ10% (typical: 5%; higher concentrations may cause flushing in some individuals)
SOURCING & ETHICS
Vegan Status: Yes โ synthetically produced
Halal Status: Yes โ synthetic origin
Source Notes: Commercially produced via synthesis from nicotinic acid or 3-cyanopyridine. no animal-derived sources used in cosmetic-grade niacinamide.
SKIN COMPATIBILITY
Irritancy Rating: 1/5 โ very low; concentrations above 10% may cause temporary flushing in sensitive individuals
Comedogenicity Rating: 0/5 โ non-comedogenic
Sensitivity Concerns: At concentrations >10%, some users experience niacin flush (transient redness/tingling). generally very well-tolerated.
Safe for Sensitive Skin: Yes โ one of the best-tolerated actives for sensitive skin
SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY
Safety Profile: Extensively studied and considered very safe. ewg hazard score: 1. no significant systemic toxicity concerns at topical concentrations.
Works Well With: Retinol,peptides,ahas/bhas,hyaluronic acid,ceramides,zinc,vitamin c,spf
Avoid Combining With: High concentrations of vitamin c (ascorbic acid) may theoretically convert to niacin โ use at different times if using pure l-ascorbic acid above 15%
SCIENTIFIC NOTE
Niacinamide is a precursor to nad+ and nadp+, coenzymes vital to cellular energy metabolism. its benefits for dna repair and mitochondrial function make it a key ingredient in anti-aging strategies.
Last Verified: Cosing database,cir safety assessment,ewg skin deep,pubmed clinical studies
Primary Sources: 2026-03-12