Galactomyces Pure Vitamin C Glow Serum
- Routine step
- Serum (serum)
- When
- Morning and evening
- Skin types
- Normal, Combination, Oily
- Pairs well with
- Tretinoin, Retinaldehyde, Azelaic Acid, Salicylic Acid
- Use with care
- 2 layering conflicts, listed below
Apply a pea-sized amount to clean, slightly damp skin before your moisturizer. Start with a few nights a week if it contains an active you are new to.
This product contains an active that can irritate at first. Patch test on the inner forearm for 24 hours and start two or three times a week.
Ingredient research in this formula
These are ingredient-level research links, not evidence that this exact product has been clinically tested.
A yeast-based ingredient that brightens skin tone and refines the look of pores. Made famous by SK-II essences.
Good for: Brightening, Hydrating
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 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
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 yeast-based ingredient that brightens skin tone and refines the look of pores. Made famous by SK-II essences.
Snowball JM et al., Integration of Transcriptomics and Spatial Biology Analyses Reveals Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate Promotes Epidermal Interconnectivity, International Journal of Cosmetic Science 2024
Miyamoto K et al., Significant Reversal of Facial Wrinkle, Pigmented Spot and Roughness by Daily Application of Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate-Containing Skin Products for 12 Months—An 11-Year Longitudinal Skin Aging Rejuvenation Study, Journal of Clinical Medicine 2023;12(3):1168: 86 female volunteers; 12-month daily application reversed wrinkle, spot, and roughness markers that had deteriorated over the prior 11-year interval
Yan X et al., Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate Potentiates an Anti-Inflammaging System in Keratinocytes, Journal of Clinical Medicine 2022;11(21):6338: GFF activates AHR/NRF2 antioxidant signaling, attenuating inflammaging
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 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
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.
Full ingredient list
Everything on the package label, not just the tracked actives above.
- Contains fragrance: Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil, Linalool, LimoneneWorth knowing if you have sensitive or reactive skin.
+−Show all 64 ingredients
Listed in the order printed on the package. By regulation, ingredients at 1% or higher are listed in descending order by concentration, so the first entry is the largest part of the formula.
- Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate
- Dipropylene Glycol
- Glycerin
- Ascorbic Acid
- Butylene Glycol
- 1,2-Hexanediol
- Niacinamide
- Tromethamine
- Water
- Trehalose
- C12-14 Pareth-12
- Allantoin
- Hydroxyethylcellulose
- Xanthan Gum
- Ethylhexylglycerin
- Adenosine
- Citrus Aurantium Bergamia (Bergamot) Fruit Oil
- Hydrogenated Lecithin
- Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
- Sodium Hyaluronate
- Pvm/Ma Copolymer
- Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate
- Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil
- Panthenol
- Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
- Phenylethyl Resorcinol
- Propolis Extract
- Aronia Melanocarpa Fruit Extract
- Bambusa Vulgaris Extract
- Aspalathus Linearis Extract
- Saccharide Hydrolysate
- Maltodextrin
- Ficus Carica (Fig) Fruit Extract
- Phoenix Dactylifera (Date) Fruit Extract
- Tuber Magnatum Extract
- Pyridoxine
- Houttuynia Cordata Extract
- Folic Acid
- Biotin
- Opuntia Ficus-Indica Extract
- Opuntia Coccinellifera Fruit Extract
- Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
- Adansonia Digitata Seed Extract
- Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
- Sparassis Crispa Extract
- Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract
- Brassica Oleracea Italica (Broccoli) Extract
- Tocopherol
- Cyanocobalamin
- Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Extract
- Vaccinium Macrocarpon (Cranberry) Fruit Extract
- Vaccinium Angustifolium (Blueberry) Fruit Extract
- Rubus Idaeus (Raspberry) Fruit Extract
- Rubus Fruticosus (Blackberry) Fruit Extract
- Ribes Nigrum (Black Currant) Fruit Extract
- Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract
- Spirulina Maxima Extract
- Thiamine Hcl
- Linoleic Acid
- Inositol
- Astaxanthin
- Caramel
- Linalool
- Limonene
Layering conflicts
Ingredients in this product that can react with common actives. Avoid stacking unless noted.
- Benzoyl Peroxidemedium
Benzoyl peroxide breaks down vitamin C, making both less effective. Use one in the morning and the other at night.
- Retinollow
Vitamin C and retinol work best at different pH levels. Use vitamin C in the morning and retinol at night.
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.