
Highlights
WHAT IS IT?
Brightening Serum with Vitamin C derivative 3-O-ethyl ascorbate
FEATURES
Low molecular structure for deep skin penetration; antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties; boosts collagen production, reduces hyperpigmentation and fine lines, brightens skin.
BEST FOR
sensitive
CHECKS
Parabens, Sulfates
Who Is It For?
What Does It Help With?
Reducing Acne Marks Pigmentation Oxidative Stress Hyperpigmentation Fine Lines Brightening Skin Slowing Signs Of AgingBudget
Affordable (under $30)How To Use
Which routine should it be used in?
Instructions:
Key Information
What Nykaa E retail limited Says
Product Description:
Kass Brightening Serum is formulated with 2% 3-O-ethyl ascorbate, a derivative of Vitamin C which is the most potent at small quantity & equates to 10% of other forms of Vitamin C. Though has high efficacy its molecular structure makes its ultimate caring and gentle for all skin, including sensitive skin. It’s low molecular structure helps in deep skin penetration which gives fast & visible results. Vitamin C is one of the best ingredients for reducing acne mark. It has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that help to reduce pigmentation, fight oxidative stress, and moisturize the skin. Vitamin C and Alpha Arbutine together boosts collagen production sooner than other serums, reduces hyperpigmentation and fine lines, and brightens skin. Suitable for all skin types, this serum is for anyone looking for a solution for bright skin, helps recover from acne cycle & slow down the signs of aging. Free from parabens, and sulfates.
About the Brand:
Ingredients Overview
Ingredients List
Aqua,Crocus-Sativus-water,Hibiscus-Rosa-Sinensis-Flower-Water,Propanediol,Dimethyl-Isosorbide,3-O-Ethyl-Ascorbic-Acid,Arbutin-and-Vitis-Vinifera,Glycerin,Palmaria-palmata-Extract,Phenoxyethanol,Triethylene-glycol,Sodium-Hyaluronate,Allantoin,Hydrolyzed-Candida-Saitoana-Extract
Key Ingredients
3-O-Ethyl-Ascorbic-Acid,Alpha-Arbutine
Ingredients Details
Allantoin
Common Name(s): 5-ureidohydantoin,glyoxyldiureide,aluminum dihydroxy allantoinate
CAS Number: 97-59-6
DESCRIPTION
What It Does: Soothes irritation, accelerates wound healing, promotes skin cell renewal, and provides mild keratolytic exfoliation.
Why It's Used: Gold standard multi-function soothing active – one of the most widely used cosmetic ingredients across all product types for its exceptional tolerability and clinically proven multi-action skin conditioning.
How It Works: Promotes keratinocyte proliferation and fibroblast migration for wound healing. mild keratolytic activity by disrupting corneocyte binding. anti-irritant via direct protein binding and anti-inflammatory cytokine reduction. humectant activity via hydroxyl groups.
Typically Found In: Post-procedure products,sensitive skin formulas,wound care,anti-acne treatments,baby products
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Primary Category: Active ingredient – soothing / anti-inflammatory
Secondary Functions: Wound healing,keratolytic,anti-irritant
Application Areas:
Facial Skincare
Body Care
Hair Care
Beard Care
Color Cosmetics (Makeup)
Dietary/Oral Supplements
Typical Concentration Range: 0.1%–2%
SOURCING & ETHICS
Vegan Status: Yes – synthetic or comfrey-derived
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: Exceptionally well-tolerated; suitable for all skin types including baby and compromised skin.
Safe for Sensitive Skin: Yes – particularly recommended for sensitive skin
SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY
Safety Profile: Excellent safety profile. ewg score: 1.
Works Well With: Ceramides,panthenol,allantoin,hyaluronic acid,centella asiatica
Avoid Combining With: No significant incompatibilities
SCIENTIFIC NOTE
Allantoin's keratinocyte proliferation stimulation occurs via receptor-mediated signaling (possibly machr activation) rather than non-specific irritation-driven proliferation, making it a true wound-healing stimulant rather than a pro-inflammatory proliferative signal.
Last Verified: Cosing database,cir safety assessment,araújo et al. allantoin 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
Propanediol
Common Name(s): 1,3-propanediol,zemea,bio-propanediol
CAS Number: 504-63-2
DESCRIPTION
What It Does: Provides humectant and solvent functionality from sustainable corn-based fermentation.
Why It's Used: Bio-based propylene glycol alternative from renewable corn — propanediol provides equivalent functionality to propylene glycol with sustainable renewable feedstock and superior skin feel.
How It Works: Two oh groups provide humectant water binding. excellent solvent for fragrances, actives, and preservatives. mild antimicrobial from diol structure for preservative system boosting. renew corn fermentation origin (dupont zemea process). better skin feel than propylene glycol — less sticky.
Typically Found In: Virtually all cosmetic categories as pg alternative
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Primary Category: Functional ingredient – humectant
Secondary Functions: Tewl reduction,skin plumping
Application Areas:
Facial Skincare
Body Care
Hair Care
Beard Care
Color Cosmetics (Makeup)
Dietary/Oral Supplements
Typical Concentration Range: 1%–20%
SOURCING & ETHICS
Vegan Status: Yes – from corn sugar fermentation
Halal Status: Yes
Source Notes: Synthetic or naturally derived. excellent aqueous solubility.
SKIN COMPATIBILITY
Irritancy Rating: 1/5 – very low
Comedogenicity Rating: 0/5 – non-comedogenic
Sensitivity Concerns: Non-irritating; suitable for all skin types.
Safe for Sensitive Skin: Yes
SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY
Safety Profile: Excellent safety profile. ewg score: 1.
Works Well With: Ceramides,emollients,occlusives,glycerin,hyaluronic acid
Avoid Combining With: No significant incompatibilities
SCIENTIFIC NOTE
Propanediol's dupont tate & lyle bio products 'zemea' process ferments corn sugar to 1,3-propanediol using engineered e. coli — one of the first commercially viable bio-fermentation routes to a cosmetic diol previously made only from petroleum. the renewable route produces chemically identical 1,3-propanediol while reducing carbon footprint by approximately 40% vs petrochemical synthesis.
Last Verified: Cosing database,dupont tate & lyle zemea technical data,cir safety assessment
Primary Sources: 2026-03-12