SUGAR
SUGAR Coffee Culture Brightening Serum
SUGAR Coffee Culture Brightening Serum
SUGAR
sugar-coffee-culture-brightening-serum
Serum
10084928946469
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WHAT IS IT?
Brightening serum with 12 ingredients
FEATURES
Intensely hydrating serum infused with cica, vitamin E, witch hazel, organic jojoba oil; antioxidant rich coffee seed oil fights free radicals; brightens skin, smoothens fine lines; preps skin for better absorption; free from alcohol, parabens, sulphates, mineral oils; 100% vegan, cruelty-free; lightweight, non-sticky
BEST FOR
sensitive
CHECKS
Free from alcohol, parabens, sulphates, mineral oils
Who Is It For?
What Does It Help With?
Hydration Brightening Soothing Irritated Skin Anti-aging Improving Elasticity Refining Skin TextureBudget
Affordable (under $30)How To Use
Which routine should it be used in?
Instructions:
Key Information
What SUGAR Says
Product Description:
Make your skin glow like never before with the new SUGAR Coffee Culture Brightening Serum! Formulated using revitalizing coffee seed oil, green tea and witch hazel extract, this brightening serum intensely hydrates while boosting skin’s natural radiance. It also contains cica, which is known to soothe troubled skin, smoothen fine lines and improve skin’s elasticity. This intensely refreshing serum has organic jojoba oil that helps maintain the skin’s pH balance and keeps it supple along with vitamin E that keeps the skin firm and youthful. This light-weight formula absorbs quickly, leaving behind no sticky residue.
About the Brand:
Ingredients Overview
Ingredients List
aqua,aloe-vera-leaf-extract,glycerin,kosher-vegetable,camellia-sinensis-extract-green-tea,hamamelis-virginiana-water-witch-hazel,tocopheryl-acetate-vitamin-e,simmondsia-chinensis-oil-organic-jojoba,centella-asiatica-extract,caffeine,coffea-arabica-seed-oil,hydroxyethyl-ethylcellulose,carrageenan-gum,sodium-benzoate,phenoxyethanol,ethyl-hexyl-glycerin
Key Ingredients
coffee-seed-oil,green-tea-extract,cica,organic-jojoba-oil,vitamin-e,witch-hazel
Ingredients Details
Caffeine
Common Name(s): Caffeine,methylxanthine anti-cellulite,antioxidant vasoactive
CAS Number: N/a
DESCRIPTION
What It Does: Stimulates lipolysis in adipocytes by inhibiting phosphodiesterase (preventing camp breakdown), reduces eye puffiness through vasoconstriction of periorbital capillaries, and provides antioxidant dna repair stimulation for photoprotective benefit.
Why It's Used: The only cosmetic active with a well-defined mechanism for anti-cellulite claims — phosphodiesterase inhibition elevating adipocyte camp is the documented biochemical pathway, providing mechanism-based efficacy substantiation superior to most slimming actives.
How It Works: Caffeine inhibits phosphodiesterase (pde3, pde4) preventing camp hydrolysis → elevated camp activates protein kinase a → phosphorylates hormone-sensitive lipase → lipolysis of triglycerides in adipocytes. for eye puffiness: caffeine's adenosine receptor antagonism reduces prostaglandin-mediated capillary dilation in periorbital tissue, reducing fluid accumulation.
Typically Found In: Anti-cellulite,eye creams,antioxidant products
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Primary Category: Active ingredient – antioxidant
Secondary Functions: Free radical scavenging,anti-aging
Application Areas:
Facial Skincare
Body Care
Hair Care
Beard Care
Color Cosmetics (Makeup)
Dietary/Oral Supplements
Typical Concentration Range: 0.1%–3%
SOURCING & ETHICS
Vegan Status: Yes
Halal Status: Yes
Source Notes: Plant-derived extract or synthetic.
SKIN COMPATIBILITY
Irritancy Rating: 1/5 – very low
Comedogenicity Rating: 0/5 – 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
Caffeine has one of the highest sc penetration rates of any cosmetic active (logp -0.07, mw 194 da) — the combination of small size and moderate logp providing excellent aqueous solubility with sufficient sc lipid partitioning for effective transdermal delivery to adipose tissue.
Last Verified: Cosing database,caffeine pde inhibitor anti-cellulite lipolysis review
Primary Sources: 2026-03-12
Glycerin
Common Name(s): Glycerol,glycerine,1,2,3-propanetriol
CAS Number: 56-81-5
DESCRIPTION
What It Does: Glycerin pulls water from the environment and deeper skin layers into the outer skin layer (epidermis), boosting moisture levels and keeping skin soft, smooth, and plump.
Why It's Used: It is used in virtually every moisturizer, serum, and cleanser because it is highly effective at hydrating skin, is well-tolerated by all skin types, and enhances the texture and spreadability of formulations.
How It Works: As a humectant, glycerin forms hydrogen bonds with water molecules, trapping them in the skin. it also reinforces the skin barrier by integrating into lipid structures between skin cells.
Typically Found In: Moisturizers,serums,cleansers,toners,sheet masks,sunscreens,body lotions,shampoos,conditioners
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Primary Category: Humectant
Secondary Functions: Skin barrier support,emollient,solvent
Application Areas:
Facial Skincare
Body Care
Hair Care
Beard Care
Color Cosmetics (Makeup)
Dietary/Oral Supplements
Typical Concentration Range: 1%–30% (typical: 3–10%)
SOURCING & ETHICS
Vegan Status: Yes – plant-derived (coconut, soy, palm) or synthetic
Halal Status: Yes – when plant-derived or synthetic; verify source with supplier
Source Notes: Derived from plant oils via hydrolysis or saponification; synthetic versions also available. palm-derived glycerin carries sustainability concerns.
SKIN COMPATIBILITY
Irritancy Rating: 1/5 – very low; non-irritating at all standard concentrations
Comedogenicity Rating: 0/5 – non-comedogenic
Sensitivity Concerns: Extremely rare allergic reactions; generally safe for all skin types including sensitive and baby skin
Safe for Sensitive Skin: Yes
SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY
Safety Profile: Widely recognized as safe. ewg hazard score: 1. no significant concerns for irritation, sensitization, or toxicity at typical concentrations (up to 50%).
Works Well With: Hyaluronic acid,ceramides,niacinamide,panthenol,urea,peptides,retinol,ahas/bhas
Avoid Combining With: No known incompatibilities at standard concentrations
SCIENTIFIC NOTE
Glycerin is an endogenous skin component found naturally in the stratum corneum. aquaporin-3 channels in keratinocytes facilitate glycerin transport, making it integral to natural skin hydration pathways.
Last Verified: Cosing database,cir safety assessment,ewg skin deep,inci decoder
Primary Sources: 2026-03-12
Phenoxyethanol
Common Name(s): 2-phenoxyethanol,rose ether,ethylene glycol monophenyl ether
CAS Number: 122-99-6
DESCRIPTION
What It Does: Prevents microbial contamination and spoilage in cosmetic formulations.
Why It's Used: The benchmark cosmetic preservative – eu-permitted up to 1%, effective against virtually all cosmetically relevant microorganisms, and excellent tolerability.
How It Works: Phenol ring provides broad antimicrobial activity via disruption of bacterial and fungal cell membranes and inhibition of enzymatic activity. effective against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, yeasts (candida), and molds (aspergillus). activity ph range: 3-9.
Typically Found In: All cosmetic formulations as primary preservative
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Primary Category: Functional ingredient – broad-spectrum preservative
Secondary Functions: Skin conditioning
Application Areas:
Facial Skincare
Body Care
Hair Care
Beard Care
Color Cosmetics (Makeup)
Dietary/Oral Supplements
Typical Concentration Range: 0.1%–1% (eu max 1%)
SOURCING & ETHICS
Vegan Status: Yes – synthetic
Halal Status: Yes
Source Notes: Commercially produced for cosmetic use. verify vegan/halal status with supplier.
SKIN COMPATIBILITY
Irritancy Rating: 1/5 – very low
Comedogenicity Rating: 0/5 – non-comedogenic
Sensitivity Concerns: Well-tolerated by most skin types.
Safe for Sensitive Skin: Yes
SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY
Safety Profile: Eu cosmetics regulation max 1%. sccs assessed as safe at ≤1%. avoid use around eyes in baby products per some country regulations. ewg score: 4.
Works Well With: Standard skincare actives
Avoid Combining With: No known significant incompatibilities
SCIENTIFIC NOTE
Phenoxyethanol's widespread adoption as the primary cosmetic preservative followed the phaseout of parabens from many formulations in the 2000s-2010s. despite having a comparable or better safety profile to parabens, it is often cited in 'free-from' formulations – a consumer perception issue rather than a scientific safety concern.
Last Verified: Cosing database,sccs opinion on phenoxyethanol,cir safety assessment
Primary Sources: 2026-03-12