Shop APLB Retinol Vitamin C Vitamin E Ampoule Serum 40ml
Serum
APLB

Retinol Vitamin C Vitamin E Ampoule Serum 40ml

~$22· 40ml
AcneDark spotsFine lines & firmnessRadiance

Evidence behind the ingredients

Real citations from our research database — one per tracked active in this product. Click any ingredient name to read its full evidence dossier.

Tea Tree OilModerate evidence4 citations

A natural acne spot-treatment that kills the bacteria behind red, painful pimples. Slower than benzoyl peroxide but with fewer side effects when used at 5%.

Najafi-Taher R et al., A topical gel of tea tree oil nanoemulsion containing adapalene versus adapalene marketed gel in patients with acne vulgaris: a randomized clinical trial, Archives of Dermatological Research 2022;314(7):673-679 — RCT showed tea tree oil + adapalene nanoemulsion gel produced significantly better reduction in total, inflammatory and non-inflammatory acne lesions than standard adapalene

2022Positive — efficacyPMID:34251536View source ↗

Malhi HK, Tu J, Riley TV, Kumarasinghe SP, Hammer KA, Tea tree oil gel for mild to moderate acne; a 12 week uncontrolled, open-label phase II pilot study, Australasian Journal of Dermatology 2017;58(3):205-210

2017Positive — efficacyPMID:27000386View source ↗

Enshaieh S, Jooya A, Siadat AH, Iraji F, The efficacy of 5% topical tea tree oil gel in mild to moderate acne vulgaris: a randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled study, Indian Journal of Dermatology Venereology and Leprology 2007;73(1):22-5

2007Positive — efficacyPMID:17314442View source ↗
Hydrolyzed CollagenModerate evidence3 citations

The protein your skin loses with age, broken down small enough to absorb. Multiple meta-analyses of RCTs show measurable wins in wrinkles, elasticity, and hydration after ~12 weeks. Most evidence is oral, but topical helps surface hydration too.

Pu SY et al., Effects of Oral Collagen for Skin Anti-Aging: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis, Nutrients 2023;15(9):2080 — 26 RCTs / 1,721 patients: hydrolyzed collagen significantly improved skin hydration and elasticity vs placebo across multiple collagen sources

2023Meta-analysis — positivePMID:37432180View source ↗

de Miranda RB, Weimer P, Rossi RC, Effects of hydrolyzed collagen supplementation on skin aging: a systematic review and meta-analysis, International Journal of Dermatology 2021 — 19 RCTs / 1,125 participants: 90-day oral hydrolyzed collagen significantly reduced wrinkles and improved skin elasticity and hydration vs placebo

2021Meta-analysis — positivePMID:33742704View source ↗

Evans M et al., A randomized triple-blind placebo-controlled parallel study to evaluate the efficacy of a freshwater marine collagen on skin wrinkles and elasticity, Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology 2021;20(3):825-834 — 12-week RCT: ~35% reduction in wrinkle scores and improved elasticity vs placebo

2021Positive — efficacyPMID:32799362View source ↗
Beta-GlucanModerate evidence4 citations

A heavy-duty hydrator that also reduces irritation. Often called "better than hyaluronic acid" for sensitive skin.

Feng X et al., Exploring the Properties and Application Potential of beta-Glucan in Skin Care, Food Science and Nutrition 2025;13(4):e70212 — review concludes beta-glucan exhibits antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, barrier repair, and moisturizing bioactivities

2025Mechanism onlyPMID:40291929View source ↗

Kussie HC et al., Avenanthramide and beta-Glucan Therapeutics Accelerate Wound Healing Via Distinct and Nonoverlapping Mechanisms, Advances in Wound Care 2024;13(4):155-166 — in vivo: beta-glucan accelerated wound closure with increased angiogenesis

2024Positive — efficacyPMID:38299969View source ↗

Du B et al., Oat β-glucan ameliorates epidermal barrier disruption by upregulating CaSR via dectin-1-mediated ERK/p38 signaling, International Journal of Biological Macromolecules 2021 — mechanism for barrier-repair effects; in-vitro and animal-model evidence

2021Mechanism onlyPMID:34237364View source ↗
+3 more ingredients
Rice Bran ExtractModerate evidence8 citations

A traditional Japanese brightener with built-in antioxidants. Softens, hydrates, and adds glow.

Syafitri E et al., Cutaneous Delivery of Bioactive Components from a Rice Bran Oil Nanoemulsion and Their Biodistribution in Porcine and Human Skin, International Journal of Pharmaceutics: X 2026

2026Mechanism onlyPMID:42028061View source ↗

Zamil DH et al., Dermatological uses of rice products: Trend or true?, Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology 2022;21(11):6056-6060 — review of rice-derived ingredients with antiaging, anti-inflammatory, brightening, photoprotective effects

2022Mechanism onlyPMID:35587098View source ↗

Miyasaka K et al., Anti-melanogenic effects of glucosylceramides and elasticamide derived from rice oil by-products in melanoma cells, melanocytes, and human skin, Journal of Food Biochemistry 2022;46(10):e14353 — rice-derived ceramides/elasticamide suppressed UV-induced pigmentation

2022Positive — efficacyPMID:35986572View source ↗
RetinolStrong evidence12 citations

Speeds up how fast your skin renews itself so old, dull cells shed faster and fresher skin shows through. Builds collagen over time, smoothing fine lines.

SCCS Revision of the Scientific Opinion on Vitamin A (Retinol, Retinyl Acetate, Retinyl Palmitate), SCCS/1639/21, final version adopted 24-25 October 2022

2022Safety assessmentSCCS/1639/21View source ↗

MFDS Approved Functional Cosmetic Active — Retinol (anti-wrinkle). Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, Cosmetic Functional Active Ingredient List — listed alongside Adenosine, Retinyl Palmitate, and Polyethoxylated Retinamide in the Korean Functional Cosmetics Codex anti-wrinkle category

2020Regulatory approvalMFDS:Retinol-AntiWrinkleView source ↗

MFDS Approved Functional Cosmetic Active — Retinyl Palmitate (anti-wrinkle, retinol ester form). Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, Cosmetic Functional Active Ingredient List — Retinyl Palmitate explicitly listed in the Korean Functional Cosmetics Codex anti-wrinkle category alongside Retinol, Polyethoxylated Retinamide, and Adenosine

2020Regulatory approvalMFDS:RetinylPalmitate-AntiWrinkleView source ↗
Vitamin CStrong evidence14 citations

Brightens dull skin and helps fade dark spots. Also defends against everyday UV and pollution damage when worn under sunscreen.

Pullar JM et al., The roles of vitamin C in skin health, Nutrients 2017;9(8):866 — concluded topical efficacy "poorly understood"; supports dietary vitamin C

2017Mechanism onlyPMID:28805671View source ↗

Lee JH et al., Effects of VitabridC12 on Skin Inflammation, Annals of Dermatology 2017

2017Mechanism onlyPMID:28966510View source ↗

MFDS Approved Functional Cosmetic Active — Ascorbic Acid and derivatives (whitening). Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, Cosmetic Functional Active Ingredient List — L-ascorbic acid and stabilized derivatives (Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate) are approved whitening actives in the Korean Functional Cosmetics Codex; authorized concentrations documented in Jeon JS et al., International Journal of Cosmetic Science 2016;38(3):286-93 (PMID:26564311)

2016Regulatory approvalMFDS:AscorbicAcid-WhiteningView source ↗

Sources: PubMed · KCI · J-Stage · CNKI · Wanfang · SFD · MFDS · Cochrane · SCCS · CIR. Every entry points to a specific document. See methodology for what each outcome label means.

Layering conflicts

Ingredients in this product that can react with common actives. Avoid stacking unless noted.

  • Retinol + salicylic acid can over-exfoliate and damage the barrier. Alternate nights.

  • Retinol + glycolic acid is a classic barrier-buster. Use on different nights.

  • Retinol + lactic acid is gentler than glycolic but still alternate nights to be safe.

  • Retinol + mandelic acid — alternate nights to preserve barrier integrity.

  • Benzoyl peroxide can break down retinol. Use one in the morning and the other at night, or pick a stabilized formula made to combine them.

  • Sensitive skin may flush.

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