Formula · 8.9

Brand · 8.9

innisfree · hyaluronic acid and green tea · South Korea

innisfree Green Tea Seed Hyaluronic Serum

innisfree Green Tea Seed Hyaluronic Serum
8.9

LabReadAI label score

How the score is calculated
  • Actives and evidence0.8Actives with strong evidence: 1 of 6
  • Active concentration0.9After the 1 % line: panthenol (pro-vitamin b5), squalane, vitamin c — the concentration is likely token
  • Completeness for the purpose1.0For “hydration” — 97 %; below threshold: niacinamide (vitamin b3); a formula with one main purpose
  • Tolerance1.0No ingredients from irritant or allergen lists
  • adults
  • pregnancyallowed per the leaflet
  • atopic skin
  • dry skin
  • oily skin
  • acne-prone
  • children
  • babies
  • sensitive skinat 10 % flushing is possible
  • rosaceaask a dermatologist
Free from:
  • alcohol (alcohol denat) · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “denatured alcohol” group — evaporates fast and degreases; frequent contact can dry the skin — a tolerance question, not a regulatory one; does not clog pores
  • sulfates (SLS/SLES) · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “ammonium laureth sulfate (ALES), ammonium lauryl sulfate (ALS), sodium coco-sulfate, sodium laureth sulfate (SLES), sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), sodium myreth sulfate, TEA-lauryl sulfate” group — a cleansing surfactant from the sulfate family but with an ethoxylated chain: it cleanses more gently than lauryl sulfate. Still not for those looking for a sulfate-free product.
  • formaldehyde releasers · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “formaldehyde releasers” group — preservatives that slowly release formaldehyde; allowed at low levels but a frequent cause of contact allergy
  • isothiazolinones (MIT/MCI) · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “isothiazolinone preservatives (MIT/MCI)” group — preservatives; banned in EU leave-on products and limited in rinse-off (0.0015%) — a frequent cause of contact allergy
  • fragrance · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “fragrance and its allergens” group — the fragrance and its aromatic components; the EU requires 26 of them to be listed separately — matters to people allergic to fragrance, does not affect how the product works
  • parabens · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “parabens” group — preservatives; methyl- and ethylparaben are recognised as safe at permitted levels, propyl- and butyl- are limited by the EU to 0.14 %; a frequent buyer question rather than proven harm
  • mineral oils and petrolatum · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “petrolatum and mineral oils” group — purified cosmetic-grade petroleum products: form a protective barrier film; safety is established, a preference question; 0–2 of 5 (depends on the raw-material source), cosmetic white oil per DiNardo (2005) is non-comedogenic
  • soap · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “potassium soap (potassium cocoate), plant soap base (sodium palmate, sodium cocoate), tallow soap base (sodium tallowate)” group — liquid soap: fatty acids boiled with alkali. It cleanses well, but its acidity is around 9-10 against 5 for skin, which is why it often leaves tightness. The product is rinsed off, so the question is tolerance.
  • silicones · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “silicones” group — form a smooth film and shine; inert and not absorbed — a preference question, not a safety one
  • gelatin in the coating · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “vegetarian coating” group — a plant-based tablet coating instead of gelatin; it keeps moisture out and makes swallowing easier
  • toning dyes · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “violet toning dyes” group — direct dyes that settle on the hair surface and cancel the yellow cast of blonde; they wash out in 1–3 washes and leave a lilac tint if left too long; HC Blue 2 and Disperse Violet 1 are known contact allergens of hair dyes
  • tar · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “wood (birch) tar” group — a traditional remedy for dandruff and itching with a sharp smell; it reduces flaking, but can irritate a sensitive scalp and dries the hair
What for: Hydrating products draw water into the upper skin layer (glycerin, hyaluronate, panthenol, ectoin) — one humectant is enough. Without barrier ingredients (niacinamide, ceramides, oils) the effect does not last.
When:
  • leave-on
  • morning
  • evening
morning and evening on damp skin, cream on top
When to expect an effect: hydration — immediately; lasting effect — 2–4 weeks; tone, pores — 4–8 weeks; sebum — 2–4; soothing — days; barrier — 2–4 weeks; soothing and less tightness — within days; softness — right away; dryness — 1–2 weeks; tone, glow — 4–8 weeks
What is normal: mild flushing in the first days at high concentration; nothing special — well tolerated; stinging at high concentration

Ingredients — 40 components · 6 work

What works: 6 of 40 ingredients: hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, panthenol and 3 more. Hydrating products draw water into the upper skin layer (glycerin, hyaluronate, panthenol, ectoin) — one humectant is enough. Without barrier ingredients (niacinamide, ceramides, oils) the effect does not last.

Strengths: active concentration, completeness for the purpose, tolerance

What lowers the score: actives and evidence: actives with strong evidence: 1 of 6

Questions: no debatable ingredients in the formula

  • Hyaluronic acid + Panthenol (pro-vitamin B5) — reinforce each othertwo humectants with different action: moisture plus soothing
  • Niacinamide (vitamin B3) + Vitamin C — reinforce each otherthe niacinamide–vitamin C “conflict” is a myth: conversion to nicotinic acid happens only with heat and long storage; in cosmetics they are compatible and both work against pigment
  • Water / Aqua / Eau base: coating, fillers · water — the solvent and base; listed first because there is more of it than anything else; in supplements — part of the capsule shell
  • Propanediol base: coating, fillers · a humectant and solvent from corn sugar: it holds water and helps actives dissolve. A gentler replacement for propylene glycol.
  • Glycerin base: coating, fillers · a humectant: coats the tablet, holds moisture in creams and shampoos; does not clog pores
  • 1,2-Hexanediol base: coating, fillers · a solvent and humectant with antimicrobial action: it helps the product keep without classic preservatives.
  • Niacinamide works · the active ingredient — what the product is for; form: niacinamide
  • Betaine base: coating, fillers · draws water in and holds it in the upper layer of the skin
  • Saccharide Isomerate base: coating, fillers · draws water in and holds it in the upper layer of the skin
  • Camellia Sinensis Seed Oil base: coating, fillers · the plant base: emollient oils, waxes and care extracts
  • Xylitol base: coating, fillers · draws water in and holds it in the upper layer of the skin
  • Cetearyl Olivate base: coating, fillers · makes hair softer and easier to comb
  • Hydrogenated Lecithin base: coating, fillers · soften, condition and carry the actives; the backbone of the texture
  • Butylene Glycol base: coating, fillers · a humectant and solvent: it makes the texture lighter and helps actives spread. Better tolerated than propylene glycol.
  • Sorbitan Olivate base: coating, fillers · keeps the water and oil parts from separating
  • Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate base: coating, fillers · skin-microbiome ferments, prebiotics and formula antioxidants
  • Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer base: coating, fillers · hold the texture: gels, creams and foam do not separate
  • Squalane works · the active ingredient — what the product is for; form: squalane (saturated, from olive or sugarcane)
  • Panthenol works · the active ingredient — what the product is for; form: panthenol
  • Allantoin works · the active ingredient — what the product is for; form: allantoin
  • Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer base: coating, fillers · hold the texture: gels, creams and foam do not separate
  • Tromethamine base: coating, fillers · tune the acidity and texture; salt is a common shampoo thickener
  • Ethylhexylglycerin base: coating, fillers · a preservative booster and skin-conditioning ingredient: it barely preserves on its own but helps phenoxyethanol work and lowers the amount needed.
  • Ceratonia Siliqua (Carob) Gum base: coating, fillers · hold the texture: gels, creams and foam do not separate
  • Sodium Metaphosphate label wording · an allergen (sodium (salt)) — matters when limiting salt, for example with blood pressure; the label says it is absent
  • Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract base: coating, fillers · an ingredient from the European cosmetic ingredient inventory; what exactly it does in this product is not described here yet
  • Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate base: coating, fillers · draws water in and holds it in the upper layer of the skin
  • Sodium Hyaluronate works · the active ingredient — what the product is for; form: sodium hyaluronate
  • Hyaluronic Acid works · the active ingredient — what the product is for; form: sodium hyaluronate
  • Dextrin base: coating, fillers · a starch breakdown product: a filler, thickener and film former; does not act
  • Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Extract base: coating, fillers · the plant base: emollient oils, waxes and care extracts
  • 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid works · the active ingredient — what the product is for; form: 3-O-ethyl ascorbic acid
  • Sorbitan Isostearate base: coating, fillers · a water-in-oil emulsifier; rarely clogs pores in leave-on face products
  • Sodium Citrate base: coating, fillers · tune the acidity and texture; salt is a common shampoo thickener
  • Citric Acid base: coating, fillers · acidity regulator
  • Glyceryl Oleate base: coating, fillers · fills the gaps between skin flakes, so the surface feels smooth
  • Tocopherol base: coating, fillers · vitamin E at hundredths of a percent: keeps the oils of the formula (a cream or a capsule fill) from going rancid; at that share it protects the product, it is not vitamin E as an active
  • Lecithin base: coating, fillers · fills the gaps between skin flakes, so the surface feels smooth
  • Sucrose base: coating, fillers · plain sugar: topically — a humectant from the NMF set, in supplements — a sweetening filler in milligrams, no effect on dietary sugar
  • Lauryl Glucoside base: coating, fillers · a sugar surfactant: it cleanses gently and foams lightly, usually paired with betaines.
  • Polyglyceryl-6 Laurate base: coating, fillers · keeps the water and oil parts from separating
  • Myristyl Glucoside base: coating, fillers · washes oil and dirt off skin or hair
  • Xanthan Gum base: coating, fillers · hold the texture: gels, creams and foam do not separate
  • Lactic Acid base: coating, fillers · tune the acidity and texture; salt is a common shampoo thickener
  • Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid works · the active ingredient — what the product is for; form: sodium hyaluronate
  • Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer works · the active ingredient — what the product is for; form: sodium hyaluronate
  • Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate works · the active ingredient — what the product is for; form: sodium hyaluronate

innisfree Green Tea Seed Hyaluronic Serum is a product whose active ingredient is hyaluronic acid + niacinamide (vitamin b3) + panthenol (pro-vitamin b5) + allantoin. The concentration is not declared; the active sits after the 1 % line, but works at small shares. The effect is moderately supported: hyaluronic acid, panthenol (pro-vitamin b5), allantoin. The effect is supported by studies: niacinamide (vitamin b3). There is little evidence of effect: squalane, vitamin c. The formula has 40 ingredients, 6 of which do the work; the rest is the formula base. Well-matched pairs in the formula: hyaluronic acid + panthenol (pro-vitamin b5); niacinamide (vitamin b3) + vitamin c. Hydrating products draw water into the upper skin layer (glycerin, hyaluronate, panthenol, ectoin) — one humectant is enough. Without barrier ingredients (niacinamide, ceramides, oils) the effect does not last. By the list, no alcohol (alcohol denat), sulfates (SLS/SLES), formaldehyde releasers, isothiazolinones (MIT/MCI), fragrance, parabens, mineral oils and petrolatum, soap, silicones, gelatin in the coating, toning dyes, tar. Suitable for: adults, pregnancy, atopic skin, dry skin, oily skin, acne-prone, children, babies. sensitive skin, rosacea — ask a doctor. Use: morning and evening on damp skin, cream on top. When to expect an effect: hydration — immediately; lasting effect — 2–4 weeks. Label score — 8.9 out of 10 (actives with strong evidence: 1 of 6; after the 1 % line: panthenol (pro-vitamin b5), squalane, vitamin c — the concentration is likely token; for “hydration” — 97 %; below threshold: niacinamide (vitamin b3); a formula with one main purpose). The brand states no shares; the tea extract and oil sit far from the top of the list, so their share in the formula is small.

Who it does not suit

When to stop: tightness in dry air — apply under a cream; persistent burning — stop; new comedones — stop; persistent redness — stop; a darkened serum has oxidised

Per the maker's leaflet: The brand states no shares; the tea extract and oil sit far from the top of the list, so their share in the formula is small.

Is this product right for your skin?

The score describes the formula, not your skin: the same product dries one person and saves another. Describe your skin type, reactions and goals, attach a photo of the ingredient list or the product — we will go through every ingredient and say whether it suits you, what to pair it with and what to avoid.

Cosmetic ingredient checkDecode my tests

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