The Amazing 30 Serum
What it's good for
Key actives from our research database. Click any to read the full evidence dossier.
A gentle smoother and skin-soother. Reduces flakiness and helps the surface look more even.
Good for: Anti-inflammatory, Hydrating
Calms irritation and adds light hydration. The classic for sunburned or reactive skin.
Good for: Anti-inflammatory, Hydrating
A "universal antioxidant" that protects both the oily and watery parts of your skin. It's unique because it can recycle your Vitamin C and E, making them last longer. It also prevents "sugar-sag" (glycation) and reduces fine lines.
Good for: Antioxidant, Anti-aging
The Moroccan kitchen-staple oil with real cosmetic data behind it. Daily use measurably improves skin elasticity in postmenopausal women. Good for dry, mature, or barrier-compromised skin without feeling greasy.
Good for: Hydrating, Barrier repair, Antioxidant
A workhorse hydrator that pulls water into your skin. In nearly every good moisturizer for a reason.
Good for: Hydrating
A pure hydrator that holds water in your skin. Makes skin look plumper and smoother almost immediately.
Good for: Hydrating
Technically a wax that masquerades as oil, molecularly closer to your own sebum than any other plant oil. Hydrates without clogging pores, calms inflammation, and plays well in acne-prone and sensitive routines.
Good for: Hydrating, Barrier repair, Anti-inflammatory
Pro-vitamin B5. Deeply hydrates and helps repair the skin barrier, calming dry or compromised skin.
Good for: Hydrating, Barrier repair
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.
Good for: Anti-aging
Brightens dull skin and helps fade dark spots. Also defends against everyday UV and pollution damage when worn under sunscreen.
Good for: Brightening, Antioxidant
A workhorse antioxidant that defends your skin from daily oxidative damage. Pairs especially well with vitamin C, and it's in nearly every good moisturizer for a reason.
Good for: Antioxidant
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.
A gentle smoother and skin-soother. Reduces flakiness and helps the surface look more even.
Xu Z et al., Efficacy and Safety of Topical Compound Heparin Sodium Allantoin Gel for the Treatment of Rosacea, Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology 2025;24(4):e70129 — RCT (n=82, 12 weeks): allantoin gel improved erythema and alleviated itching/burning vs traditional therapy
Tan C et al., The combination of allantoin, bisabolol, D-panthenol and dipotassium glycyrrhizinate mitigates UVB-induced PGE2 synthesis by keratinocytes, International Journal of Cosmetic Science 2024;46(5):691-701 — in vitro: allantoin combination reduced UVB-induced PGE2, IL-1α, IL-6, IL-8, TNFα
Saucedo-Acuna RA et al. (Mexico), Characterization and In Vivo Assay of Allantoin-Enriched Pectin Hydrogel for the Treatment of Skin Wounds, International Journal of Molecular Sciences 2023;24(8):7377 — allantoin-pectin hydrogel reduced wound healing time by ~71% with complete closure at day 15 in rat model
Calms irritation and adds light hydration. The classic for sunburned or reactive skin.
Huang YN et al., Effects of Aloe vera on Burn Injuries: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials, Journal of Burn Care & Research 2024;45(6):1536-1545 — topical aloe vera reduced burn wound-healing time
Tungkasamit T et al., Reduction in severity of radiation-induced dermatitis in head and neck cancer patients treated with topical aloe vera gel: A randomized multicenter double-blind placebo-controlled trial, European Journal of Oncology Nursing 2022;59:102164 — aloe vera reduced severity of moderate-to-severe radiation dermatitis
Sharma S et al., Second-Degree Burns and Aloe Vera: A Meta-analysis and Systematic Review, Advances in Skin & Wound Care 2022;35(11):1-9 — topical aloe vera shortened time to healing for second-degree burns
A "universal antioxidant" that protects both the oily and watery parts of your skin. It's unique because it can recycle your Vitamin C and E, making them last longer. It also prevents "sugar-sag" (glycation) and reduces fine lines.
Lee WJ et al., Anti-Inflammatory and Antioxidative Effects of Alpha Lipoic Acid on Cultured Human Sebocytes, Annals of Dermatology 2019
Beitner H, Randomized, placebo-controlled, double blind study on the clinical efficacy of a cream containing 5% alpha-lipoic acid related to photoageing of facial skin, British Journal of Dermatology 2003;149(4):841-9
+−8 more ingredients
The Moroccan kitchen-staple oil with real cosmetic data behind it. Daily use measurably improves skin elasticity in postmenopausal women. Good for dry, mature, or barrier-compromised skin without feeling greasy.
Lin TK, Zhong L, Santiago JL, Anti-Inflammatory and Skin Barrier Repair Effects of Topical Application of Some Plant Oils, International Journal of Molecular Sciences 2017;19(1):70 — review of 19 plant oils including argan: documents anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, stratum-corneum barrier-repair mechanisms
Boucetta KQ et al., The effect of dietary and/or cosmetic argan oil on postmenopausal skin elasticity, Clinical Interventions in Aging 2015;10:339-349 — 60-day RCT: both dietary and topical argan oil significantly increased cutometer-measured gross, net, and biological elasticity (all p<0.001) vs olive oil control
Boucetta KQ et al., Skin hydration in postmenopausal women: argan oil benefit with oral and/or topical use, Przeglad Menopauzalny 2014;13(5):280-288 — RCT; topical forearm application over 60 days significantly improved skin hydration
A workhorse hydrator that pulls water into your skin. In nearly every good moisturizer for a reason.
Danby SG et al., Different types of emollient cream exhibit diverse physiological effects on the skin barrier in adults with atopic dermatitis, Clinical and Experimental Dermatology 2022;47(6):1154-1164 — glycerol+urea emollient delivered superior barrier-strengthening and irritant protection
Youssef R et al., Glycerol 85% efficacy on atopic skin and its microbiome: a randomized controlled trial, Journal of Dermatological Treatment 2021;32(7):730-736 — topical glycerol 85% RCT on atopic skin
Evans NJ et al., Human axillary skin condition is improved following incorporation of glycerol into the stratum corneum from an antiperspirant formulation, Archives of Dermatological Research 2017;309(9):739-748 — 4% glycerol penetrated axillary SC, reduced irritation, improved hydration
A pure hydrator that holds water in your skin. Makes skin look plumper and smoother almost immediately.
Karabat MU, Tuncer MC. Effects of hyaluronic acid on skin at the cellular level: a systematic review. Rev Assoc Med Bras. 2025;71(8):e20250208. — Systematic review of 45 studies found low-molecular-weight HA stimulates keratinocyte proliferation and migration while high-molecular-weight HA drives skin hydration, supporting topical HA as an effective skin-hydrating and barrier-supporting ingredient.
Bravo B et al., Benefits of topical hyaluronic acid for skin quality and signs of skin aging: From literature review to clinical evidence, Dermatology and Therapy 2022;12(12):2657-2680 — HA-based cosmeceuticals reliably improve hydration and signs of skin aging
Lee SG et al., Hyaluronan Oligosaccharides Improve Rosacea-Like Phenotype through Anti-Inflammatory and Epidermal Barrier-Improving Effects, Annals of Dermatology 2020
Technically a wax that masquerades as oil, molecularly closer to your own sebum than any other plant oil. Hydrates without clogging pores, calms inflammation, and plays well in acne-prone and sensitive routines.
Tietel Z, Melamed S, Ogen-Shtern N, et al. Topical application of jojoba (Simmondsia chinensis L.) wax enhances the synthesis of pro-collagen III and hyaluronic acid and reduces inflammation in the ex-vivo human skin organ culture model. Frontiers in Pharmacology. 2024;15:1333085. — Ex-vivo human skin model showing jojoba wax reduced LPS-induced IL-6/IL-8/TNFα by ~30% and enhanced pro-collagen III and hyaluronic acid synthesis.
Blaak J, Staib P, An updated review on efficacy and benefits of sweet almond, evening primrose and jojoba oils in skin care applications, International Journal of Cosmetic Science 2022;44(1):1-9 — jojoba oil documented as effective for strengthening stratum corneum integrity, recovery, and lipid ratio
Lin TK, Zhong L, Santiago JL, Anti-Inflammatory and Skin Barrier Repair Effects of Topical Application of Some Plant Oils, International Journal of Molecular Sciences 2017;19(1):70 — jojoba reviewed among 19 plant oils: supports stratum-corneum lipid replenishment, anti-inflammatory and wound-healing effects
Pro-vitamin B5. Deeply hydrates and helps repair the skin barrier, calming dry or compromised skin.
Gao Y et al., Evaluation of the Efficacy and Safety of a Panthenol-Enriched Mask for Skin Barrier Recovery After Facial Laser Treatment, Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology 2025;24(7):e70223 — double-blind RCT (n=60): panthenol mask decreased erythema, enhanced hydration, repaired barrier vs saline
Cho YS et al., Use of Dexpanthenol for Atopic Dermatitis-Benefits and Recommendations Based on Current Evidence, Journal of Clinical Medicine 2022;11(14):3943 — Korean-authored review; dexpanthenol improves barrier and reduces severity in mild-to-moderate AD
Heise R et al., Accelerated wound healing with a dexpanthenol-containing ointment after fractional ablative CO2 laser resurfacing of photo-damaged skin in a randomized prospective clinical trial, Cutaneous and Ocular Toxicology 2019;38(3):274-278 — RCT: dexpanthenol significantly faster wound closure vs petroleum jelly post-laser
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
Chien AL et al. Biomarkers of Tretinoin Precursors and Tretinoin Efficacy in Patients With Moderate to Severe Facial Photodamage: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Dermatology. 2022;158(8):892-900. doi:10.1001/jamadermatol.2022.1891 — RCT comparing topical retinol precursors vs tretinoin for photoaging; both showed equivalent wrinkle reduction at week 24 with retinol formulation causing 6x less erythema than tretinoin.
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
Brightens dull skin and helps fade dark spots. Also defends against everyday UV and pollution damage when worn under sunscreen.
Krutmann J et al. PINGing Sunshine: A Review of the Evidence for Adding Non-Filtering Photoprotective Ingredients to Sunscreens. Photodermatol Photoimmunol Photomed. 2025;41(6). — Review of Photoprotective INGredients (PINGs); L-ascorbic acid (vitamin C) identified as a top-ranked PING demonstrating efficacy across multiple photodamage endpoints.
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
Lee JH et al., Effects of VitabridC12 on Skin Inflammation, Annals of Dermatology 2017
A workhorse antioxidant that defends your skin from daily oxidative damage. Pairs especially well with vitamin C, and it's in nearly every good moisturizer for a reason.
Neves JR et al., Efficacy of a topical serum containing L-ascorbic acid, neohesperidin, pycnogenol, tocopherol, and hyaluronic acid in relation to skin aging signs, Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology 2022;21(10):4462-4469 — tocopherol-containing antioxidant serum reduced pollution-induced damage and improved aging signs
Warshaw EM et al., Patch Testing With Tocopherol and Tocopherol Acetate: The North American Contact Dermatitis Group Experience, 2001 to 2016, Dermatitis 2021;32(5):308-318 — 15-year NACDG data: positive patch-test reactions to tocopherol rare given widespread cosmetic use
Lin FH et al., Ferulic acid stabilizes a solution of vitamins C and E and doubles its photoprotection of skin, Journal of Investigative Dermatology 2005;125(4):826-832 — ferulic acid + vit C + vit E combo doubled photoprotection vs C+E alone (cross-listed; same paper cited for Ferulic Acid and Vit C)
Sources: 10 clinical journals and regulatory databases across the US, EU, Korea, Japan, and China. Every entry points to a specific document. See methodology for the full list and what each outcome label means.
Layering conflicts
Ingredients in this product that can react with common actives. Avoid stacking unless noted.
- Salicylic Acidhigh
Retinol + salicylic acid can over-exfoliate and damage the barrier. Alternate nights.
- Glycolic Acidhigh
Retinol + glycolic acid is a classic barrier-buster. Use on different nights.
- Lactic Acidmedium
Retinol + lactic acid is gentler than glycolic but still alternate nights to be safe.
- Mandelic Acidmedium
Retinol + mandelic acid — alternate nights to preserve barrier integrity.
- Benzoyl Peroxidemedium
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.
Similar comparisons
Not medical advice. GlowPal is educational. Patch-test new products and talk to a qualified healthcare professional before changing your routine, especially if you're pregnant, nursing, or have a diagnosed skin condition. See our terms.