Dragon's Blood Hyaluronic Mask
What it's good for
Key actives from our research database. Click any to read the full evidence dossier.
A safer, slower-acting alternative to prescription-strength dark-spot faders. Built for long-term use without irritation.
Good for: Brightening
Calms redness, fades acne marks, and clears bumps, all without aggravating sensitive skin. Pregnancy-safe.
Good for: Anti-acne, Brightening, Anti-inflammatory
A "master antioxidant" your body already makes. In skincare it gently lightens overall tone and helps fade pigmentation when used consistently over months.
Good for: Brightening, Antioxidant
A workhorse hydrator that pulls water into your skin. In nearly every good moisturizer for a reason.
Good for: Hydrating
A brightening ingredient derived from fungi that fades dark spots and evens skin tone.
Good for: Brightening
A multitasker that calms redness, evens out skin tone, and helps oily skin balance out. One of the safest do-a-little-of-everything ingredients.
Good for: Brightening, Barrier repair, Anti-inflammatory
Goes into your pores and dissolves the oil and dead skin clogging them. Best for blackheads, whiteheads, and oily, acne-prone skin.
Good for: Anti-acne, Exfoliating
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 safer, slower-acting alternative to prescription-strength dark-spot faders. Built for long-term use without irritation.
Ma ZY, Lu Y, Melanin synthesis and regulation in vivo and commonly used melanin inhibitors from natural products and traditional Chinese medicine, Zhongguo Zhong Yao Za Zhi (China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica) 2020;45(24):5898-5916 — Beijing University of Chinese Medicine review classifies arbutin among tyrosinase-active-site-targeting melanin inhibitors
Morag M et al., A double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized trial of Serratulae quinquefoliae folium, a new source of β-arbutin, in selected skin hyperpigmentations, Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology 2015 — 76% of melasma patients showed clinical lightening over 8 weeks
Kim H, Choi HR, Kim DS, Park KC, Topical hypopigmenting agents for pigmentary disorders and their mechanisms of action, Annals of Dermatology 2012;24(1):1-6 — review classifies arbutin among hypopigmenting agents via tyrosinase regulation as a hydroquinone alternative
Calms redness, fades acne marks, and clears bumps, all without aggravating sensitive skin. Pregnancy-safe.
Petrovici AG et al., A Comprehensive Review of Azelaic Acid Pharmacological Properties, Clinical Applications, and Innovative Topical Formulations, Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2025
Feng Y et al., Azelaic Acid: Mechanisms of Action and Clinical Applications, Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology 2024;17:2359-2371 — antibacterial, anti-keratinizing, antimelanogenic, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory; FDA-approved for papulopustular rosacea
King A et al., A systematic review to evaluate the efficacy of azelaic acid in the management of acne, rosacea, melasma and skin aging, Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology 2023;22(10):2650-2662 — azelaic acid more effective than vehicle for rosacea, acne, and melasma; aging evidence limited
A "master antioxidant" your body already makes. In skincare it gently lightens overall tone and helps fade pigmentation when used consistently over months.
Stanescu C et al., Glutathione in Skin Aging and Tissue Regeneration: A Systematic Review of Molecular Mechanisms, Redox Modulation, and Biomedical Implications, Molecules 2026
Sarkar R et al., Glutathione as a skin-lightening agent and in melasma: a systematic review, International Journal of Dermatology 2025
Wahab S et al., Combination of topical and oral glutathione as a skin-whitening agent: a double-blind randomized controlled clinical trial, International Journal of Dermatology 2021;60(8):1013-1018 — 8-week RCT showed combination significantly lowered melanin and raised lightness vs placebo
+−4 more ingredients
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 brightening ingredient derived from fungi that fades dark spots and evens skin tone.
Chang YF et al., Efficacy and safety of topical agents in the treatment of melasma: a network meta-analysis, Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology 2023;22(4):1168-1176 — MA finding kojic acid comparably effective with low irritation for melasma
Park JH et al., Evaluating the tolerance and efficacy of laser-assisted delivery of tranexamic acid, niacinamide, and kojic acid for melasma: A single center, prospective, split-face trial, Dermatologic Therapy 2022;35(3):e15287 — laser-assisted delivery of TXA/niacinamide/kojic acid produced greater melasma improvement vs laser alone
Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS). Opinion on Kojic Acid (CAS No. 501-30-4). SCCS/1637/21. Preliminary opinion October 26-27, 2021; Final opinion adopted March 15-16, 2022; Corrigendum August 2023. Concludes kojic acid is safe as a skin lightening agent in cosmetic products at concentrations up to 1%, with caveats regarding peeling agent combinations and endocrine disruption concerns.
A multitasker that calms redness, evens out skin tone, and helps oily skin balance out. One of the safest do-a-little-of-everything ingredients.
Moro F et al., Skin Cancer Prevention and Antiaging: Role of Nicotinamide, International Journal of Molecular Sciences 2026
Passeron T et al., An Investigator-Blinded, Randomized Trial of a Broad-Spectrum Sunscreen Containing Sclareolide and Niacinamide, Dermatology and Therapy (Heidelberg) 2026
Vergilio MM et al., Topical Formulation with Niacinamide Combined with 5 MHz Ultrasound for Improving Skin Ageing, Current Medicinal Chemistry 2025
Goes into your pores and dissolves the oil and dead skin clogging them. Best for blackheads, whiteheads, and oily, acne-prone skin.
Liu Y et al., Clinical Efficacy of a Salicylic Acid-Containing Gel on Acne Management and Skin Barrier Function: A 21-Day Prospective Study, Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology 2025;24(7):e70353 — salicylic acid gel reduced acne lesions, regulated sebum, improved hydration and barrier function
Ye R et al., 2% supramolecular salicylic acid hydrogel vs. adapalene gel in mild to moderate acne vulgaris: multicenter, randomized, evaluator-blind, parallel-controlled trial, Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology 2024;23(6):2125-2134 — 2% SSA hydrogel was equally effective as adapalene gel for mild-to-moderate acne
Brumley C et al. Allergic contact dermatitis to salicylic acid: A case series of relevant sensitization. Contact Dermatitis. 2024;91(2):133-138. doi:10.1111/cod.14573 — Case series of 489 patch-tested patients (2020-2024): 21 positive reactions to salicylic acid. Documents that ACD to SA is likely underreported; testing at 5% concentration feasible.
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.
- Retinolhigh
Retinol + salicylic acid can over-exfoliate and damage the barrier. Alternate nights.
- Tretinoinhigh
Tretinoin + salicylic acid — major irritation risk. Strict separation required.
- Glycolic Acidmedium
AHA + BHA stacking risks over-exfoliation. Use a pre-formulated AHA/BHA product or alternate days.
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.