The Derma Co. 2% Kojic Acid Face Serum with 1% Alpha Arbutin & Niacinamide For Dark Spots & Pigmentation - 30 ml*2 Pack of 2

DESCRIPTION

What It Does: Delivers targeted skin-conditioning or bioactive benefits through a specific mechanism of action suited to the formulation's intended purpose.

Why It's Used: Specialty actives address specific skin concerns through targeted molecular mechanisms, providing efficacy beyond what base formulation ingredients alone can achieve.

How It Works: The bioactive compound interacts with specific molecular targets in skin cells or the extracellular matrix — enzymes, receptors, structural proteins, or signaling molecules — triggering beneficial biological responses.

Typically Found In: Serums,treatments,moisturizers,specialty products

TECHNICAL DETAILS

Primary Category: Specialty actives

Secondary Functions: Skin-conditioning,anti-aging

Application Areas:

Facial Skincare

Body Care

Hair Care

Beard Care

Color Cosmetics (Makeup)

Dietary/Oral Supplements

Typical Concentration Range: 0.01–5%

SOURCING & ETHICS

Vegan Status: Yes

Halal Status: Yes

Source Notes: Specialty active ingredient; check individual sourcing for vegan status.

SKIN COMPATIBILITY

Irritancy Rating: 1899-12-31 00:00:00 -0800

Sensitivity Concerns: Low sensitization potential at recommended use concentrations.

Safe for Sensitive Skin: Yes

SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY

Safety Profile: Well-characterized cosmetic ingredient with established safety profile. generally non-irritating at typical use concentrations. suitable for leave-on and rinse-off cosmetics.

Works Well With: Niacinamide,hyaluronic acid,vitamin c,peptides

Avoid Combining With: Incompatible with oxidizing agents; check ph stability

SCIENTIFIC NOTE

Specialty actives typically work through enzyme inhibition (e.g., tyrosinase inhibition for brightening, mmp inhibition for anti-aging), receptor activation (e.g., retinoid receptors, ppar-γ for barrier genes), or transcription factor modulation (e.g., nrf2 for antioxidant gene upregulation). structure-activity relationships determine potency and selectivity.

Last Verified: Cosing eu database; pcpc cosmetic ingredient safety reviews; ingredient-specific safety and efficacy literature

Primary Sources: 2025-01-15

DESCRIPTION

What It Does: Provides documented cosmetic activity from astragalus gummifer gum.

Why It's Used: Astragalus gummifer gum delivers formulation value through its specific biological activity and established safety and efficacy.

How It Works: Source: astragalus gummifer gum. mechanism: documented in cosmetic literature. safety: cosing-reviewed. standard cosmetic use concentrations.

Typically Found In: Skin care formulations,active products

TECHNICAL DETAILS

Primary Category: Active ingredient – antioxidant

Secondary Functions: Free radical scavenging,anti-aging

Application Areas:

Facial Skincare

Body Care

Hair Care

Beard Care

Color Cosmetics (Makeup)

Dietary/Oral Supplements

Typical Concentration Range: 0.1%–5%

SOURCING & ETHICS

Vegan Status: Conditional

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: 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

Astragalus gummifer gum provides cosmetic activity through its characteristic mechanism. at standard concentrations it delivers documented biological activity with an established safety profile from cosmetic science literature and regulatory review.

Last Verified: Cosing database,astragalus gummifer gum technical literature

Primary Sources: 2026-03-12

DESCRIPTION

What It Does: Provides the most potent antimicrobial diol activity alongside skin feel enhancement.

Why It's Used: Premium antimicrobial diol — caprylyl glycol's c8 chain provides the strongest membrane-disrupting antimicrobial activity of common diol preservative boosters with unique skin-feel enhancement.

How It Works: C8 1,2-diol: c8 chain length provides strongest bacterial and fungal membrane disruption of common diols. emollient skin feel improvement from c8 chain length interaction with skin surface. active at lower concentrations than shorter-chain diols. synergistic with ethylhexylglycerin.

Typically Found In: Natural preservation systems,skin feel enhancement

TECHNICAL DETAILS

Primary Category: Functional ingredient – antimicrobial humectant

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%

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: Good safety profile at recommended concentrations. ewg score: 1–2.

Works Well With: Standard skincare actives

Avoid Combining With: No known significant incompatibilities

SCIENTIFIC NOTE

Caprylyl glycol's antimicrobial potency follows the chain-length dependent membrane activity of fatty acids: c8 is the optimal chain length for membrane disruption (same as caprylic acid's antimicrobial optimum), providing maximum membrane integration without the skin sensitisation associated with longer chain lengths. this chain-length pharmacophore relationship is why c8 > c6 > c5 in diol antimicrobial potency despite identical head group chemistry.

Last Verified: Cosing database,schülke sensiva sc 50 technical data,cir safety assessment

Primary Sources: 2026-03-12

DESCRIPTION

What It Does: Provides colour in cosmetic formulations within permitted application areas (eye, lip, or general) as specified per ci 19140 in fda 21 cfr 73/74 and eu annex iv.

Why It's Used: Regulatory compliance requires verifying permitted use category (fd&c, d&c, ext. d&c) and approved application area for each target market before formulating.

How It Works: Colour from electronic transitions in the chromophore structure — metal d-orbital transitions (inorganic pigments) or π→π* transitions (organic chromophores) absorb specific visible wavelengths providing the perceived complementary colour.

Typically Found In: Colour cosmetics

TECHNICAL DETAILS

Primary Category: Active ingredient – mineral / metal active

Secondary Functions: Antimicrobial,sebum regulation,antioxidant enzyme cofactor

Application Areas:

Facial Skincare

Body Care

Hair Care

Beard Care

Color Cosmetics (Makeup)

Dietary/Oral Supplements

Typical Concentration Range: Per fda/eu permitted list

SOURCING & ETHICS

Vegan Status: Conditional

Halal Status: Conditional

Source Notes: Mineral/inorganic compound. cosmetic or pharmaceutical grade.

SKIN COMPATIBILITY

Irritancy Rating: 1/5 – very low

Comedogenicity Rating: 0/5 – non-comedogenic

Sensitivity Concerns: Non-irritating at recommended concentrations.

Safe for Sensitive Skin: Yes at recommended concentrations

SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY

Safety Profile: Excellent safety profile at cosmetic concentrations. ewg score: 1–2.

Works Well With: Niacinamide,salicylic acid,other actives

Avoid Combining With: No significant incompatibilities at standard concentrations

SCIENTIFIC NOTE

Us fda requires batch certification per lot; eu annex iv restricts by product type. both markets require verifying the specific permitted use category for each colorant.

Last Verified: Fda 21 cfr 73/74,eu annex iv cosmetic colorant

Primary Sources: 2026-03-12

DESCRIPTION

What It Does: Provides the specific b-vitamin's characteristic skin and hair benefits: brightening and barrier reinforcement (niacinamide), keratin structural support (biotin), deep conditioning humectancy (panthenol).

Why It's Used: B-vitamins operate through fundamental cellular biochemistry pathways — nad⁺ for niacinamide, carboxylase cofactor for biotin, coa synthesis for panthenol — providing multi-benefit activity from essential metabolic chemistry.

How It Works: Acts as coenzyme or substrate in essential metabolic pathways: niacinamide → nad⁺/nadp⁺ → ceramide synthesis, melanosome transfer inhibition; biotin → carboxylase → fatty acid synthesis for ceramide; panthenol → pantothenic acid → coa → lipid metabolism.

Typically Found In: Multi-function skin care,b-vitamin formulas

TECHNICAL DETAILS

Primary Category: Active ingredient – vitamin b complex

Secondary Functions: Antioxidant cofactor,metabolic support

Application Areas:

Facial Skincare

Body Care

Hair Care

Beard Care

Color Cosmetics (Makeup)

Dietary/Oral Supplements

Typical Concentration Range: 0.1%–10%

SOURCING & ETHICS

Vegan Status: Yes

Halal Status: Yes

Source Notes: Synthetically produced for cosmetic use.

SKIN COMPATIBILITY

Irritancy Rating: 1/5 – very low

Comedogenicity Rating: 0/5 – non-comedogenic

Sensitivity Concerns: Non-irritating; excellent tolerability.

Safe for Sensitive Skin: Yes

SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY

Safety Profile: Excellent safety profile. ewg score: 1.

Works Well With: Other b vitamins,niacinamide,antioxidant complexes

Avoid Combining With: No significant incompatibilities

SCIENTIFIC NOTE

B-vitamins are water-soluble, non-irritating, and well-tolerated across all skin types — providing clinical efficacy with an exceptional safety profile from their essential nutrient status.

Last Verified: Cosing database,d-panthenol b-vitamin skin review

Primary Sources: 2026-03-12

DESCRIPTION

What It Does: Provides biocompatible penetration enhancement for improved active ingredient delivery.

Why It's Used: Biocompatible penetration enhancer from renewable sorbitol — dmi provides penetration enhancement without the toxicity of oleic acid or conventional chemical penetration enhancers.

How It Works: Cyclic ether from sorbitol is biocompatible and biodegradable. disrupts stratum corneum lipid packing via ether oxygen hydrogen bonding. solubilises challenging actives (retinoids, salicylic acid, ahas). enhances penetration 2–5× vs equivalent concentrations without dmi.

Typically Found In: Active delivery formulas,penetration-enhanced products,retinoid vehicles

TECHNICAL DETAILS

Primary Category: Functional ingredient – penetration-enhancing solvent

Secondary Functions: Skin conditioning

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 sorbitol (corn or wheat derived)

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: Good safety profile at recommended concentrations. ewg score: 1–2.

Works Well With: Standard skincare actives

Avoid Combining With: No known significant incompatibilities

SCIENTIFIC NOTE

Dmi's penetration enhancement mechanism differs from oleic acid's lipid disruption: dmi hydrogen bonds to stratum corneum proteins and lipids, temporarily creating more permeable protein-lipid domains without the membrane-fluidisation that causes oleic acid's irritation. this protein-hydrogen-bonding mechanism provides penetration enhancement from a different, gentler pathway.

Last Verified: Cosing database,croda arlasolve dmi technical data,cir safety assessment

Primary Sources: 2026-03-12

DESCRIPTION

What It Does: Delivers characteristic cosmetic function 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 — 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 – 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%–10%

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 – 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: Good safety profile at recommended concentrations. ewg score: 1–2.

Works Well With: Standard skincare actives

Avoid Combining With: No known significant incompatibilities

SCIENTIFIC NOTE

Epigallocatechin gallatyl glucoside has an established safety and efficacy profile within the cosmetic regulatory framework at standard use concentrations.

Last Verified: Cosing database,epigallocatechin gallatyl glucoside technical literature

Primary Sources: 2026-03-12

DESCRIPTION

What It Does: Provides co-solvent and penetration enhancer in cosmetic formulations, improving active ingredient dissolution and product texture while delivering mild skin conditioning.

Why It's Used: Glycol solvents are essential for dissolving actives with limited water or oil solubility — the intermediate polarity of glycol ethers provides access to the wider solubility parameter space between pure water and oil phases.

How It Works: Hydroxyl and ether groups provide h-bonding for water miscibility; the organic chain provides compatibility with lipophilic actives. medium-chain glycols (c3–c6) provide the optimal balance of water compatibility, lipophilic active dissolution, and skin-compatible humectancy.

Typically Found In: Skin care formulations,co-solvent systems

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%–30%

SOURCING & ETHICS

Vegan Status: Yes

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

Glycol ether co-solvents enhance sc penetration of co-applied actives by increasing their thermodynamic activity in the sc lipid phase — high thermodynamic activity (near saturation) drives diffusion by concentration gradient even when absolute concentration is low.

Last Verified: Cosing database,ethoxydiglycol glycol solvent review

Primary Sources: 2026-03-12

DESCRIPTION

What It Does: Provides antimicrobial skin conditioning with deodorant activity and preservation system enhancement.

Why It's Used: Multifunctional clean beauty preservation active — ethylhexylglycerin provides antimicrobial, deodorant, and skin conditioning in a single ingredient accepted in most natural cosmetic certification schemes.

How It Works: Glycerol ether provides antimicrobial via bacterial membrane phospholipid disruption. deodorant activity via reduction of underarm lipase enzyme activity (similar mechanism to triethyl citrate). skin conditioning from glycerol humectant component. synergistic with phenoxyethanol and diols.

Typically Found In: Natural preservation systems,deodorants,skin conditioning products

TECHNICAL DETAILS

Primary Category: Functional ingredient – antimicrobial glycerol ether

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%–0.5%

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: Good safety profile at recommended concentrations. ewg score: 1–2.

Works Well With: Standard skincare actives

Avoid Combining With: No known significant incompatibilities

SCIENTIFIC NOTE

Ethylhexylglycerin's deodorant mechanism is pharmacologically identical to triethyl citrate: both inhibit skin surface microbial lipase enzymes that convert odourless triglycerides to odorous free fatty acids. the glycerol ether structure of ethylhexylglycerin, combined with the 2-ethylhexyl chain, provides lipase inhibition similar to ester-based lipase inhibitors from a different chemical class.

Last Verified: Cosing database,schülke sensiva sc 10 technical data,cir safety assessment

Primary Sources: 2026-03-12