Glow Recipe
O2 Niacinamide Eight-Active Serum
Eight-active serum featuring niacinamide, watermelon extract, lactic acid, and salicylic acid for a bright, balanced complexion.
Ingredient Snapshot
7 beneficial ingredients detected with no known safety concerns.
3 ingredients to watch — Alpha Hydroxy Acid (AHA), BHA / Salicylic Acid, Fragrance (Parfum) may cause sensitivity in some skin types.
Ingredients (10)
Niacinamide(Vitamin B3)
Benefits
- ✓Minimizes pores
- ✓Evens skin tone
- ✓Strengthens the skin barrier
- ✓Anti-inflammatory
Potential concerns
- !May cause flushing at high concentrations in sensitive individuals
Sources
Niacinamide (Vitamin B3) — FDA Cosmetic Ingredient Review: Niacinamide is considered safe for use in cosmetics. It is a well-established skin-conditioning agent with evidence supporting its role in improving skin texture, tone, and barrier function.
CTPA Ingredient Library — Niacinamide: CTPA lists niacinamide as a safe and effective skin-conditioning agent widely used across cosmetic formulations, with a strong safety profile across concentrations typically used in cosmetics (2–10%).
Glycerin(Glycerol)
Benefits
- ✓Humectant preventing cleansing-related dryness
- ✓Keeps skin hydrated post-wash
Sources
FDA GRAS Database — Glycerin: Glycerin (glycerol) is affirmed as Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) by the FDA. As a cosmetic ingredient, it is one of the most widely used and well-tolerated humectants, drawing moisture from the environment to the outer layers of the skin.
Sodium Hyaluronate(Hyaluronic Acid Salt)
Benefits
- ✓Powerful humectant holding up to 1000x its weight in water
- ✓Improves skin hydration and plumping
- ✓Biocompatible — naturally found in skin
Sources
FDA Briefing on Hyaluronic Acid in Topical Formulations: Sodium hyaluronate is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) as a cosmetic ingredient. It functions as an effective humectant and skin-conditioning agent suitable for all skin types.
Citrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract(Watermelon Extract)
Benefits
- ✓Rich in lycopene and amino acids (citrulline)
- ✓Antioxidant and soothing properties
- ✓Lightweight hydration without greasiness
Sources
CIR/FDA Ingredient Assessment — Not Found in Regulatory Databases: No published safety assessment was found for this ingredient in the CIR (FDA advisory panel), CTPA, or MFDS regulatory databases at the time of this review. This does not necessarily indicate a safety concern — many commonly used cosmetic ingredients have not been individually assessed by these bodies.
Lactic Acid(Alpha Hydroxy Acid (AHA))
Benefits
- ✓Exfoliates by loosening dead skin cell bonds
- ✓Humectant that attracts and retains moisture
- ✓Improves skin texture and tone
- ✓Acts as a pH adjuster in formulations
Potential concerns
- !Increases UV sensitivity — daily sunscreen use is recommended
- !May cause irritation, redness, or stinging at higher concentrations
Sources
CIR Safety Assessment of Alpha Hydroxy Acids as Used in Cosmetics: The CIR Expert Panel reviewed lactic acid as part of its AHA assessment. It is safe as a pH adjuster and gentle exfoliant. At active exfoliant concentrations, the Panel recommended sun protection advisories due to increased photosensitivity potential.
CTPA Ingredient Library — Lactic Acid: CTPA lists lactic acid as a safe alpha hydroxy acid used as a pH adjuster and skin-conditioning agent. At higher active concentrations, CTPA advises labelling for potential increased sun sensitivity, consistent with EU Cosmetics Regulation requirements for AHA products.
Salicylic Acid(BHA / Salicylic Acid)
Benefits
- ✓Oil-soluble acid that penetrates and unclogs pores
- ✓Effective treatment for acne, blackheads, and whiteheads
- ✓Anti-inflammatory — reduces redness around blemishes
- ✓Exfoliates inside the pore lining
Potential concerns
- !Can cause dryness, peeling, and irritation with overuse
- !Not recommended during pregnancy at high concentrations
- !May increase photosensitivity
Sources
FDA OTC Monograph — Salicylic Acid Acne Products: Salicylic acid is approved as an OTC active ingredient for acne treatment at 0.5-2% concentrations. It functions as a keratolytic agent, promoting shedding of the outer skin layer and unclogging pores.
Korean MFDS Salicylic Acid Use Standards in Cosmetics: Korean MFDS restricts salicylic acid to a maximum of 0.5% in rinse-off cosmetics and 2% in leave-on products for acne. Products must include a warning to avoid use during pregnancy and to use sun protection.
Allantoin
Benefits
- ✓Soothing agent that calms irritation and supports skin healing
- ✓Mild keratolytic that softens skin and improves texture
- ✓Well tolerated by sensitive skin
Sources
FDA OTC Skin Protectant Active Ingredient — Allantoin: The FDA recognises allantoin as a safe and effective OTC skin protectant active ingredient at concentrations of 0.5–2.0%. It soothes and protects irritated skin and helps relieve minor skin irritation from chapping, chafing, and wind.
CTPA Ingredient Library — Allantoin: CTPA lists allantoin as a safe, soothing skin-conditioning agent with a long history of safe use as a skin protectant. It is well tolerated by sensitive and reactive skin types.
Ethylhexylglycerin
Benefits
- ✓Conditions and softens skin
- ✓Boosts preservative efficacy
Sources
CIR Safety Assessment of Ethylhexylglycerin as Used in Cosmetics: The CIR Expert Panel found ethylhexylglycerin safe as used in cosmetics. It functions as a skin-conditioning agent and preservative booster enhancing the efficacy of other preservatives. No significant irritation or sensitisation was identified at cosmetic concentrations.
CTPA Ingredient Library — Ethylhexylglycerin: CTPA lists ethylhexylglycerin as a safe skin-conditioning agent and preservative enhancer. It is used in cosmetics to improve formula feel and boost preservation systems, and is considered non-irritating for most skin types.
Phenoxyethanol
Benefits
- ✓Broad-spectrum preservative preventing microbial contamination
Potential concerns
- !Potential skin sensitizer in some individuals
Sources
FDA — Phenoxyethanol in Cosmetics: FDA has reviewed phenoxyethanol as a cosmetic preservative and considers it safe at concentrations up to 1.0% in cosmetic products. FDA advises caution in products used around the mouth of infants.
CTPA Ingredient Library — Phenoxyethanol: CTPA confirms phenoxyethanol is a permitted cosmetic preservative under EU Cosmetics Regulation at a maximum concentration of 1.0%, and is considered safe for use in both rinse-off and leave-on products.
Fragrance(Fragrance (Parfum))
Benefits
- ✓Provides scent to the product
Potential concerns
- !One of the most common causes of skin irritation and allergic reactions
- !Particularly concerning for babies and sensitive skin
- !Specific compounds not disclosed
Sources
FDA — Fragrances in Cosmetics: The FDA notes that fragrance is one of the most common causes of adverse reactions to cosmetics. Fragrance ingredients can cause allergic contact dermatitis in sensitised individuals. The FDA requires fragrance to appear on the ingredient label but does not require individual fragrance components to be disclosed.
CTPA Ingredient Library — Fragrance (Parfum): CTPA notes that fragrance (parfum) is a recognised skin sensitiser for some individuals. EU Cosmetics Regulation requires 26 specific fragrance allergens to be individually listed on product labels when present above threshold concentrations.
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