This exfoliating facial serum combines alpha hydroxy acids with barrier-restoring ceramides to gently resurface, brighten, and smooth uneven skin texture overnight.
The formula demonstrates strong efficacy by combining chemical exfoliants with restorative barrier components. Key alpha hydroxy acids like glycolic acid and lactic acid promote cellular turnover, refine skin texture, and brighten uneven skin tone, while phenylethyl resorcinol works synergistically to target hyperpigmentation. To counteract potential dryness from exfoliation, the serum incorporates deeply hydrating humectants such as glycerin and sodium hyaluronate, alongside an essential lipid complex of ceramide NP, AP, and EOP, cholesterol, and phytosphingosine. Soothing dipotassium glycyrrhizate further enhances performance by reducing redness, resulting in a balanced, high-performing resurfacing treatment.
The product maintains a favorable safety profile characterized by gentle, skin-compatible formulation practices. The formulation is free from harsh fragrances, drying alcohols, and aggressive surfactants that typically compromise the skin. The presence of ceramides and cholesterol actively mitigates irritation often caused by glycolic acid and lactic acid, while sodium hydroxide acts as a pH adjuster to ensure safe acid application. Standard, well-tolerated preservatives such as phenoxyethanol, caprylyl glycol, and benzoic acid provide reliable broad-spectrum protection. Although sensitive skin types should introduce the AHAs gradually, the overall composition is balanced to minimize adverse reactions.
Overall, this serum presents a well-engineered formulation that successfully balances potent resurfacing activity with robust barrier support. The deliberate pairing of exfoliating alpha hydroxy acids with brightening phenylethyl resorcinol delivers visible improvements in skin clarity and radiance. Concurrently, the inclusion of three essential ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and anti-inflammatory dipotassium glycyrrhizate maintains the skin’s moisture barrier and moderates irritation risk. With its well-tolerated preservation system and absence of unnecessary irritants, the product provides reliable corrective efficacy alongside reassuring safety, making it a dependable multi-functional treatment for diverse skin types seeking gentle exfoliation.
This formula is anchored by a potent dual-acid blend of glycolic acid and lactic acid, working synergistically as chemical exfoliants to dissolve dead surface skin cells and accelerate cellular turnover. Glycolic acid penetrates efficiently due to its small molecular size, smoothing uneven texture and refining the appearance of pores, while lactic acid provides gentler resurfacing alongside mild humectant properties. Together with citric acid, these alpha hydroxy acids help restore a luminous, revitalized complexion, making the treatment highly effective for combating dullness, fine lines, and textural irregularities without resorting to harsh physical scrubs.
To balance the potency of the exfoliating acids, the formulation incorporates a robust lipid-replenishing complex consisting of ceramide NP, ceramide AP, and ceramide EOP, supported by phytosphingosine and cholesterol. This skin-identical lipid matrix mimics the natural stratum corneum barrier, actively replenishing depleted moisture and preventing transepidermal water loss. The inclusion of sodium hyaluronate and glycerin draws deep hydration into the epidermal layers, ensuring that the skin maintains optimal moisture balance while undergoing active exfoliation, effectively neutralizing the common drying side effects associated with acid treatments.
In addition to barrier care and exfoliation, the serum features targeted brightening and anti-inflammatory ingredients. Phenylethyl resorcinol acts as a powerful antioxidant that helps diminish dark spots and even out hyperpigmentation, while dipotassium glycyrrhizate, derived from licorice root, provides significant soothing and redness-calming benefits. Emollients such as dimethicone and cetearyl ethylhexanoate deliver a smooth, velvety finish that shields the skin surface during sleep, minimizing irritation and allowing the active brighteners to work gently on compromised or reactive complexions.
Overall, this serum presents a well-rounded and thoughtfully balanced approach to nightly resurfacing. It is best suited for evening routines, ideally paired with broad-spectrum sunscreen the following morning to protect sensitized new skin cells from UV damage. While generally well-tolerated across normal to dry skin types, individuals with ultra-sensitive skin or compromised skin barriers should introduce it gradually. Additionally, those prone to pore-clogging should be mindful of isopropyl myristate, making a preliminary patch test advisable before committing to regular all-over facial application.
🧪 Glycolic Acid / 甘醇酸
Purpose: Chemical exfoliant that removes dead skin cells and enhances cell turnover.
Concerns: May cause irritation, tingling, or increased sun sensitivity.
Notes: Smallest alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) molecule, allowing for deep penetration into the stratum corneum.
🧪 Lactic Acid / 乳酸
Purpose: AHA exfoliant and natural moisturizing factor that smooths texture and hydrates.
Concerns: Can cause mild stinging on compromised skin and increases UV sensitivity.
Notes: Gentler and more hydrating than glycolic acid due to its larger molecular size.
🧪 Phenylethyl Resorcinol / 苯乙基间苯二酚
Purpose: Skin-brightening active that inhibits tyrosinase activity to reduce hyperpigmentation.
Concerns: May cause mild irritation in sensitive skin types at higher concentrations.
Notes: Commonly known as SymWhite 377, a potent antioxidant and brightening agent inspired by pinosylvin.
🧪 Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate / 甘草酸二钾
Purpose: Soothing and anti-inflammatory agent derived from licorice root.
Notes: Helps calm irritation and reduces redness associated with chemical exfoliants.
🧪 Ceramide NP / 神经酰胺 NP
Purpose: Skin-identical lipid that reinforces the natural skin barrier and prevents moisture loss.
Notes: One of the most abundant ceramides found naturally in human skin.
🧪 Ceramide AP / 神经酰胺 AP
Purpose: Lipid component supporting epidermal barrier repair and cellular cohesion.
Notes: Works synergistically with other ceramides, cholesterol, and fatty acids to mimic the natural lipid matrix.
🧪 Ceramide EOP / 神经酰胺 EOP
Purpose: Essential ceramide that binds lipid bilayers together for barrier integrity.
Notes: Crucial for long-term barrier protection and resilience against external stressors.
🧪 Phytosphingosine / 植物鞘氨醇
Purpose: Ceramide precursor with natural antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties.
Notes: Naturally present in the stratum corneum and helps inhibit acne-causing bacteria.
🧪 Cholesterol / 胆甾醇
Purpose: Skin-identical lipid that works alongside ceramides to repair and maintain the lipid barrier.
Notes: An essential component of the physiological 3:1:1:1 lipid ratio in healthy skin.
🧪 Aqua / Water / Eau / 水
Purpose: Solvent and carrier for water-soluble ingredients.
Notes: Forms the base of most cosmetic emulsions and serums.
🧪 Glycerin / 甘油
Purpose: Classic humectant that draws moisture from the environment and deeper skin layers into the epidermis.
Notes: Gold standard humectant naturally present in human skin.
🧪 Sodium Hyaluronate / 透明质酸钠
Purpose: High-capacity humectant that binds up to 1,000 times its weight in water.
Notes: The salt form of hyaluronic acid with better water solubility and stability in cosmetic formulations.
🧪 Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate / 鲸蜡硬脂醇乙基己酸酯
Purpose: Lightweight synthetic ester that provides skin-softening benefits and a non-greasy feel.
Notes: Often used as a synthetic alternative to preen gland oil to impart water-repellent properties.
🧪 Cetearyl Alcohol / 鲸蜡硬脂醇
Purpose: Fatty alcohol that conditions skin and stabilizes emulsion viscosity.
Concerns: Can potentially cause mild comedogenicity in very acne-prone skin.
Notes: Non-drying fatty alcohol derived from natural vegetable oils.
🧪 Dimethicone / 聚二甲基硅氧烷
Purpose: Silicone emollient that forms a protective, silky breathable barrier to prevent trans-epidermal water loss.
Notes: Widely recognized by the FDA as an effective skin protectant.
🧪 Isopropyl Myristate / 肉豆蔻酸异丙酯
Purpose: Fast-spreading emollient and penetration enhancer.
Concerns: Known to have moderate to high comedogenic potential for pore-clogging.
Notes: Imparts a dry, velvety feel and aids the delivery of active ingredients into the skin.
🧪 Triethyl Citrate / 柠檬酸三乙酯
Purpose: Ester emollient, solvent, and antioxidant stabilizer.
Notes: Biodegradable ingredient that can also help stabilize sensitive active compounds.
🧪 Cetearyl Glucoside / 鲸蜡硬脂基葡糖苷
Purpose: Gentle, non-ionic emulsifier that creates stable liquid-crystal structures in emulsions.
Notes: Derived from glucose and coconut/palm oil, known for high skin tolerance.
🧪 Behentrimonium Methosulfate / 山嵛基三甲基铵甲基硫酸盐
Purpose: Cationic conditioning agent and co-emulsifier that imparts a smooth, powdery skin feel.
Notes: Exceptionally mild despite being a quaternary ammonium compound.
🧪 Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate / 月桂酰乳酰乳酸钠
Purpose: Naturally derived co-emulsifier and penetration enhancer that assists ceramide dispersion.
Notes: Commonly combined with ceramides and cholesterol to form lamellar liquid crystal lipid delivery systems.
🧪 Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6 / 聚丙烯酸酯交联聚合物-6
Purpose: Synthetic polymer thickener and texture enhancer providing a velvety sensory profile.
Notes: Demonstrates excellent stability across a wide pH range and in high-electrolyte formulations.
🧪 Carbomer / 卡波姆
Purpose: Rheology modifier and viscosity builder that produces clear, stable gels.
Notes: Requires neutralization with a base such as sodium hydroxide to achieve full thickening power.
🧪 Xanthan Gum / 黄原胶
Purpose: Natural polysaccharide thickener and emulsion stabilizer.
Notes: Produced through fermentation of sugar by the bacterium Xanthomonas campestris.
🧪 Sodium Hydroxide / 氢氧化钠
Purpose: Alkaline pH adjuster used to neutralize acids and stabilize formula pH.
Concerns: Corrosive in raw form, but completely safe when neutralized in final cosmetic formulations.
Notes: Essential for neutralizing carbomer polymers and buffering AHA concentrations.
🧪 Citric Acid / 柠檬酸
Purpose: Acidic pH adjuster and buffering agent.
Notes: Naturally derived AHA used primarily in tiny quantities for precise pH control.
🧪 Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate / 乙二胺二琥珀酸三钠
Purpose: Biodegradable chelating agent that binds metal ions to prevent formula degradation.
Notes: Eco-friendly alternative to standard EDTA chelators.
🧪 Phenoxyethanol / 苯氧乙醇
Purpose: Broad-spectrum preservative effective against bacteria.
Concerns: May cause mild skin irritation or allergic reactions in very sensitive individuals.
Notes: One of the most globally approved and widely used synthetic preservatives, typically restricted to ≤1.0%.
🧪 Benzoic Acid / 苯甲酸
Purpose: Organic preservative effective against fungi and yeast.
Notes: Most effective in low-pH formulations (pH 5.0 or below).
🧪 Caprylyl Glycol / 辛甘醇
Purpose: Multifunctional ingredient acting as a humectant, emollient, and preservative booster.
Notes: Enhances the efficacy of traditional preservatives by disrupting microbial cell membranes.