Lakme Glycolic Illuminate Serum With 1% Glycolic Acid Reduces Dullness & Improves Texture

DESCRIPTION

What It Does: Provides humectant hydration and active ingredient solubilization with excellent skin feel.

Why It's Used: Preferred glycol humectant in premium and k-beauty formulations for superior skin feel vs propylene glycol with equivalent functionality.

How It Works: Two hydroxyl groups at 1,3-positions provide water binding and solvent activity. better tolerated than propylene glycol with minimal sensitization risk. 4-carbon backbone provides slightly greater hydrophobic character enabling dissolution of less polar actives vs pg.

Typically Found In: Toners,essences,serums,k-beauty formulas

TECHNICAL DETAILS

Primary Category: Functional ingredient – glycol 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%–10%

SOURCING & ETHICS

Vegan Status: Yes – synthetic

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

K-beauty's preference for butylene glycol over propylene glycol is driven by two factors: bg's superior skin feel (less tacky than pg's higher viscosity) and its lower sensitization potential (1,3-bg has better spatial distribution of hydroxyl groups that reduces protein interaction vs pg's 1,2-position oh groups).

Last Verified: Cosing database,cir safety assessment

Primary Sources: 2026-03-12

DESCRIPTION

What It Does: Provides maximum aha efficacy from the smallest most penetrating alpha-hydroxy acid.

Why It's Used: The most potent aha — glycolic acid's smallest molecular size provides the deepest penetration and highest efficacy of any alpha-hydroxy acid for exfoliation and anti-aging.

How It Works: Smallest aha (mw 76) provides deepest stratum corneum penetration. disrupts corneodesmosomes reducing cohesion. stimulates fibroblast collagen i and iii synthesis. efficacy is ph-dependent — free acid fraction determines activity.

Typically Found In: Chemical peels,body lotions,anti-aging serums,exfoliating toners

TECHNICAL DETAILS

Primary Category: Active ingredient – primary aha

Secondary Functions: Brightening,collagen stimulation

Application Areas:

Facial Skincare

Body Care

Hair Care

Beard Care

Color Cosmetics (Makeup)

Dietary/Oral Supplements

Typical Concentration Range: 1%–10% cosmetic; higher professional

SOURCING & ETHICS

Vegan Status: Yes – synthetic or fermentation-derived

Halal Status: Yes

Source Notes: Fermentation-derived or synthetic. ph must be ≤4.0 for aha activity.

SKIN COMPATIBILITY

Irritancy Rating: 2/5 – low to moderate

Comedogenicity Rating: 0/5 – non-comedogenic

Sensitivity Concerns: Photosensitizing – mandatory spf use. start at low frequency.

Safe for Sensitive Skin: Use with caution – spf required

SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY

Safety Profile: Eu cosmetics: max 10% leave-on, ph ≥3.5, mandatory sun protection advisory. professional peel concentrations regulated separately.

Works Well With: Niacinamide,ceramides,hyaluronic acid,spf

Avoid Combining With: Retinol in same step; multiple exfoliants simultaneously

SCIENTIFIC NOTE

Glycolic acid's ph-dependent efficacy is critical: at ph 3.0 ~100% is in the free acid (membrane-permeable) form; at ph 3.5 ~70%; at ph 4.0 ~50%. the eu ph ≥3.5 requirement reduces free acid proportion, lowering efficacy but also reducing irritation — why professional peel concentrations at lower ph are far more active than equivalent cosmetic concentrations.

Last Verified: Cosing database,eu aha guidelines,cir safety assessment

Primary Sources: 2026-03-12

DESCRIPTION

What It Does: Provides hyaluronic acid hydration in the most formulation-stable and compatible form.

Why It's Used: The standard form of ha used in cosmetics – more stable than free ha, better solubility, and equivalent skin hydration benefits.

How It Works: Sodium salt reduces the polyelectrolyte repulsion of ha chains, allowing better packing in formulations. on skin, sodium ions dissociate and the ha chain unfolds to its full water-binding conformation. provides full ha humectant and barrier benefits equivalent to free ha.

Typically Found In: Hydrating serums,toners,moisturizers,sheet masks,anti-aging products

TECHNICAL DETAILS

Primary Category: Active ingredient – ha sodium salt

Secondary Functions: Equivalent ha hydration,superior stability

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 – bacterial 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

The sodium salt form of ha has approximately 10% better water solubility than free hyaluronic acid at equivalent molecular weight due to reduced chain-chain electrostatic repulsion from partial sodium counterion screening. this improved solubility enables higher concentration formulations without viscosity issues.

Last Verified: Cosing database,cir safety assessment

Primary Sources: 2026-03-12