
Highlights
WHAT IS IT?
Vitamin C Serum with 5 key ingredients
FEATURES
Lightweight, easy to spread, fragrance free, hydrates skin, reduces dark circles, brightens skin, nourishes and balances skin
BEST FOR
sensitive
CHECKS
No fragrance, no irritants
Who Is It For?
All Genders Age Range Not SpecifiedWhat Does It Help With?
Hydration Brightening Nourishment Dark Circle Reduction Skin BalanceBudget
Mid-range ($30-$75)How To Use
Which routine should it be used in?
Instructions:
Key Information
What SkinQ Says
Product Description:
Explore the entire range of Serums & Essence available on Nykaa. Shop more SkinQ products here. You can browse through the complete world of SkinQ Serums & Essence.
About the Brand:
Ingredients Overview
Ingredients List
L-Ascorbic-Acid,Ferulic-Acid,Emblica,Hyaluronic-Acid,Sodium-hyaluronate
Key Ingredients
L-Ascorbic Acid,Ferulic Acid,Emblica,Hyaluronic Acid,Sodium hyaluronate
Ingredients Details
Ferulic Acid
Common Name(s): 4-hydroxy-3-methoxycinnamic acid,coniferic acid
CAS Number: 1135-24-6
DESCRIPTION
What It Does: Doubles vitamin c and e efficacy through synergistic stabilization, providing superior photoprotection.
Why It's Used: Essential in vitamin c serums as the c+e+ferulic acid synergistic antioxidant trio that provides exceptional photoprotection โ a clinically proven combination.
How It Works: Phenolic structure provides direct free radical scavenging. also stabilizes l-ascorbic acid and tocopherol by donating hydrogen atoms to regenerate oxidized antioxidants. absorbs uv (290โ330nm) providing additional photoprotection.
Typically Found In: Vitamin c serums,antioxidant complexes,sunscreens,anti-aging products
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Primary Category: Active ingredient โ hydroxycinnamic acid antioxidant
Secondary Functions: Vitamin c synergist,uv absorber,antioxidant stabilizer
Application Areas:
Facial Skincare
Body Care
Hair Care
Beard Care
Color Cosmetics (Makeup)
Dietary/Oral Supplements
Typical Concentration Range: 0.5%โ1%
SOURCING & ETHICS
Vegan Status: Yes โ plant-derived (wheat, rice bran, oats)
Halal Status: Yes
Source Notes: Extracted from ferulic acid-rich plant sources (wheat bran, rice bran, sweet corn) or synthetically produced.
SKIN COMPATIBILITY
Irritancy Rating: 1/5 โ very low
Comedogenicity Rating: 0/5 โ 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
Pinnell et al. demonstrated that the combination of 15% vitamin c + 1% vitamin e + 0.5% ferulic acid provides 8ร superior photoprotection to vitamin c alone. ferulic acid stabilizes ascorbic acid by donating electrons, preventing oxidative degradation.
Last Verified: Cosing database,pinnell et al. (2005) ce ferulic study,murray et al. antioxidant synergy
Primary Sources: 2026-03-12
Hyaluronic Acid
Common Name(s): Ha,sodium hyaluronate (salt form),hyaluronan,d-glucuronic acid-n-acetyl-d-glucosamine polymer
CAS Number: 9004-61-9
DESCRIPTION
What It Does: Hyaluronic acid draws and locks moisture into the skin at multiple depths (surface and deeper layers depending on molecular weight), creating a plumping, smoothing, and hydrating effect.
Why It's Used: It is used because it is endogenous to human skin, making it exceptionally biocompatible and non-irritating. its unparalleled moisture-binding capacity makes it the most effective hydrating ingredient available.
How It Works: Ha binds water molecules through its many hydroxyl and carboxyl groups, creating a gel-like matrix. high molecular weight ha (>500 kda) hydrates the skin surface; low molecular weight ha (<50 kda) penetrates deeper to provide interior hydration.
Typically Found In: Serums,moisturizers,sheet masks,toners,eye creams,lip treatments,dermal fillers (injectable)
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Primary Category: Active ingredient โ humectant/hydrator
Secondary Functions: Barrier repair,plumping,anti-aging
Application Areas:
Facial Skincare
Body Care
Hair Care
Beard Care
Color Cosmetics (Makeup)
Dietary/Oral Supplements
Typical Concentration Range: 0.1%โ2% (effective at very low concentrations; multi-weight ha provides superior results)
SOURCING & ETHICS
Vegan Status: Yes โ biotechnology-derived (microbial fermentation of streptococcus equi or b. subtilis); vegan-certified versions widely available
Halal Status: Yes
Source Notes: Originally extracted from rooster combs; now predominantly produced via biotechnology (bacterial fermentation), which is vegan and more sustainable.
SKIN COMPATIBILITY
Irritancy Rating: 1/5 โ very low; one of the gentlest skincare ingredients known
Comedogenicity Rating: 0/5 โ non-comedogenic
Sensitivity Concerns: In very dry environments, high-molecular-weight ha on the surface can potentially draw moisture out of the skin if not sealed with an occlusive. apply to damp skin and seal with moisturizer.
Safe for Sensitive Skin: Yes โ ideal for all skin types including rosacea, eczema, and post-procedure skin
SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY
Safety Profile: Exceptional safety profile. endogenous molecule โ no toxicity concerns. ewg hazard score: 1. safe during pregnancy.
Works Well With: Virtually all ingredients; especially ceramides,glycerin,peptides,retinol (reduces irritation),niacinamide,vitamin c
Avoid Combining With: No significant incompatibilities; high concentrations of alcohol in a formula may reduce its efficacy
SCIENTIFIC NOTE
Hyaluronic acid naturally degrades in skin (half-life ~1โ2 days). the skin produces it endogenously, but production decreases with age. multi-molecular-weight ha formulas provide hydration at both surface and deeper skin levels.
Last Verified: Cosing database,cir safety assessment,papakonstantinou et al. (2012) dermato-endocrinology
Primary Sources: 2026-03-12
L-ascorbic Acid
Common Name(s): L-ascorbic acid,cosmetic active,established function
CAS Number: N/a
DESCRIPTION
What It Does: Delivers characteristic cosmetic function โ skin conditioning, antioxidant protection, active biological benefit, or formulation function โ at recommended use concentration.
Why It's Used: Selected for functional contribution and formulation compatibility supported by cosmetic science and regulatory safety data.
How It Works: Works through the mechanism of its molecular class โ physicochemical or biological interaction with skin proteins, lipids, or receptors as documented in peer-reviewed cosmetic literature.
Typically Found In: Skin care formulations
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Primary Category: Active ingredient โ cosmetic active
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%โ10%
SOURCING & ETHICS
Vegan Status: Conditional
Halal Status: Yes
Source Notes: Commercially produced for cosmetic use. verify vegan/halal status with supplier.
SKIN COMPATIBILITY
Irritancy Rating: 1/5 โ very low
Comedogenicity Rating: 0/5 โ non-comedogenic
Sensitivity Concerns: Well-tolerated by most skin types.
Safe for Sensitive Skin: Yes
SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY
Safety Profile: Good safety profile at recommended concentrations. ewg score: 1โ2.
Works Well With: Standard skincare actives
Avoid Combining With: No known significant incompatibilities
SCIENTIFIC NOTE
L-ascorbic acid has an established safety and efficacy profile within the cosmetic regulatory framework at standard use concentrations.
Last Verified: Cosing database,l-ascorbic acid technical literature
Primary Sources: 2026-03-12
Sodium Hyaluronate
Common Name(s): Sodium salt of hyaluronic acid,naha
CAS Number: 9067-32-7
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 โ 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 โ 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%โ2%
SOURCING & ETHICS
Vegan Status: Yes โ bacterial fermentation
Halal Status: Yes
Source Notes: Synthetic or naturally derived. excellent aqueous solubility.
SKIN COMPATIBILITY
Irritancy Rating: 1/5 โ very low
Comedogenicity Rating: 0/5 โ 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