
Highlights
WHAT IS IT?
Serum with 12 ingredients
FEATURES
Fights acne, clears pores, exfoliates, hydrates, softens, prevents wrinkles, reduces blemishes, blackheads, whiteheads, free from harmful chemicals, 100% vegan and cruelty-free
BEST FOR
sensitive
CHECKS
No parabens, no harmful silicones, no cyclopentasiloxane, no sulfates, no mineral oils, no SLS, no petroleum, no artificial preservatives, no synthetic fragrances/perfume
Who Is It For?
What Does It Help With?
Acne Blemishes Blackheads Whiteheads Hydration Wrinkles Sensitive Skin SoothingBudget
Affordable (under $30)How To Use
Which routine should it be used in?
Instructions:
Key Information
What Underated Says
Product Description:
Underated Salicylic Acid 2% Betaine 3% Serum offers skin benefits like never before, fighting acne, clearing pores, gently exfoliating, and achieving flawless, glowing skin. Salicylic acid penetrates pores, removing dead skin and promoting fresh skin. Betaine, a natural champion, keeps skin hydrated, soft, and free from lines and wrinkles. The Underrated Serum, containing 5% betaine, keeps skin hydrated, soft, and free from lines and wrinkles. Horsetail kelp, also known as Laminaria Digitata, provides vitamins and amino acids, carotenoids, and antioxidants to hydrate, feed, and refresh the skin. Witch hazel, or Hamamelis virginiana, contains tannins and gallic acid, which fight against bad stuff and calm the skin. These ingredients are like superheroes for sensitive skin, providing a cool, refreshing breeze. Overall, it offers a comprehensive skincare solution for a healthier, more radiant complexion. Features: Face serum that fights acne, clears pores, and exfoliates. Infused with salicylic acid, betaine, horsetail kelp extract, and witch hazel extract. Betaine hydrates, softens, and prevents wrinkles. Salicylic acid reduces blemishes, acne, blackheads, and whiteheads. Free from parabens, harmful silicones, cyclopentasiloxane (bad silicone), sulfates, mineral oils, SLS, petroleum, artificial preservatives, and synthetic fragrances/perfume. 100% vegan and cruelty-free. Underated helps you achieve remarkable skin improvement.
About the Brand:
Ingredients Overview
Ingredients List
aqua, betaine, glycerin, salicylic-acid, saccharide-isomerate, citric-acid, sodium-citrate, sodium-hydroxide, sodium-benzoate, potassium-sorbate, sodium-hyaluronate, sodium-gluconate, equisetum-arvense-extract, hamamelis-virginiana-extract
Key Ingredients
salicylic acid, betaine, horsetail kelp extract, witch hazel extract
Ingredients Details
Betaine
Common Name(s): Trimethylglycine,tmg,natural betaine
CAS Number: 107-43-7
DESCRIPTION
What It Does: Provides osmoprotective humectant conditioning with anti-irritant and mild foam-boosting activity.
Why It's Used: Natural-origin multifunctional osmolyte from sugar beet providing hydration, anti-irritancy, and conditioning in virtually every cosmetic category.
How It Works: Quaternary ammonium betaine provides zwitterionic character for water binding via ionic hydration. osmoprotective function at 100โ500mm as compatible solute protecting cells from osmotic stress. reduces surfactant irritation by competing with sls for protein binding sites. mild foam enhancement.
Typically Found In: Virtually all categories โ moisturisers, shampoos, cleansers
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Primary Category: Functional ingredient โ 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: 0.5%โ10%
SOURCING & ETHICS
Vegan Status: Yes โ from beta vulgaris (sugar beet) molasses
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
Betaine's anti-irritant mechanism for surfactant systems involves competitive protein protection: betaine at high concentrations preferentially interacts with skin proteins, occupying binding sites that would otherwise be occupied by surfactant molecules causing protein denaturation. this competition reduces available protein binding for irritating surfactants, explaining betaine's well-documented ability to reduce sls irritation when co-formulated.
Last Verified: Cosing database,craig betaine osmoprotective review,cir safety assessment
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%โ30% (typical: 3โ10%)
SOURCING & ETHICS
Vegan Status: Yes โ plant-derived (coconut, soy, palm) or synthetic
Halal Status: Yes โ 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 โ very low; non-irritating at all standard concentrations
Comedogenicity Rating: 0/5 โ 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