Dark Spot Solution Serum

• WaterSolvent
• NiacinamideSkin Conditioning, Hair Conditioning, Smoothing

  Ingredient Notes

  Niacinamide is a B vitamin, but not one of the B vitamins linked to Malassezia. Growth work names thiamine (B1) and pyridoxine (B6) as increasing growth alongside a lipid, without being required for it. Thiamine is not food for the yeast: it speeds the step that turns an amino acid into the carbon skeleton it uses, and supplying that skeleton directly removes the need for thiamine entirely. B3 is not named in any of that work. We rate niacinamide safe on that evidence rather than treating the whole B group as one risk, and nothing we hold shows it treats fungal acne either.

  EWG1

  CIRS

  References

  • https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-03616-3_4
  • https://doi.org/10.3181/00379727-58-14895
  • https://doi.org/10.1007/s004030050304
  • https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5605215/
  • https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/dth.12481
  • https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25399625/
  • https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3724370/
• PolymethylsilsesquioxaneOpacifying
• GlycerinSolvent, Perfuming, Fragrance, Humectant, Viscosity Decreasing Agent, Hair Conditioning, Skin Protecting, Denaturant

  Ingredient Notes

  In a lab study, Malassezia was unable to grow on glycerin without the presence of fatty acids in the agar, indicating that it is not a fungal acne trigger.

  EWG2

  CIRS

  References

  • https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Glycerol
  • https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18510666
  • https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11301638
  • https://www.mdpi.com/2079-9284/6/3/45
  • https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29737895
  • https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/4128616
  • https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC118058/
  • https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022202X15498574
  • http://en.cnki.com.cn/Article_en/CJFDTOTAL-ZHYY201307007.htm
  • https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25134312/
  • https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5137500/
• DimethiconeSkin Conditioning, Emollient, Anti-foaming Agent, Skin Protecting
• Pyrus Malus (Apple) Fruit ExtractSkin Conditioning, Proprietary
• Butylene GlycolSolvent, Skin Conditioning, Masking, Fragrance, Humectant, Viscosity Controlling, Viscositydecreasing Agent
• Polysorbate 20Fungal Acne TriggerSurfactant, Emulsifying

  May cause fungal acne (Malassezia folliculitis) breakouts.

  EWG3

  CIRSQ
• AllantoinSkin Conditioning, Skin Protecting, Soothing, Anti-inflammatory, Keratolytic Agent
• Aminomethyl PropanolPh Adjuster, Buffering Agent
• Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP CopolymerViscosity Controlling
• Benzyl AlcoholSolvent, Masking, Fragrance, Viscosity Decreasing Agent, Preservative, External Analgesic
• Caprylyl GlycolSkin Conditioning, Emollient, Humectant, Hair Conditioning
• CarbomerViscosity Controlling, Viscosity Increasing Agent, Emulsion Stabilizing, Gel Forming
• Citric AcidMasking, Fragrance, Chelating Agent, Ph Adjuster, Buffering Agent
• Dimethicone CrosspolymerViscosity Controlling, Emulsion Stabilising, Hair Fixing, Suspending Agent - Nonsurfactant, Viscosity Increasingagent - Nonaqueous
• Dipotassium GlycyrrhizateSkin Conditioning, Humectant, Flavoring Agent, Soothing
• EthylhexylglycerinSkin Conditioning, Deodorant
• Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root ExtractSkin Conditioning, Perfuming, Humectant, Antioxidant
• Hexylene GlycolSolvent, Skin Conditioning, Perfuming, Surfactant, Fragrance, Viscosity Decreasing Agent, Emulsifying
• LecithinSkin Conditioning, Emollient, Surfactant, Emulsifying, Antistatic Agent
• PanthenolSkin Conditioning, Anti-static Agent, Hair Conditioning
• PhenoxyethanolFragrance, Preservative
• Plankton ExtractSkin Conditioning, Antioxidant
• Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf ExtractPerfuming, Fragrance, Antioxidant, Antimicrobial Agent, Skin Conditioning Agent, Occlusive
• Salix Alba (White Willow) Bark ExtractHair Conditioning, Skin Conditoning, Astringent, Soothing, Tonic, Anti-inflammatory Agent
• SilicaViscosity Controlling, Abrasive, Absorbent, Bulking Agent, Opacifying, Anticaking Agent
• Sodium AscorbateAntioxidant
• Spinacia Oleracea (Spinach) Leaf ExtractSkin Conditioning
• Tocopherol (Vitamin E)CautionAntioxidant, Fragrance, Skin Conditioning, Occlusive,

  Ingredient Notes

  Depending on the source, Tocopherols may be UNSAFE. The Synthetic versions without trace amounts of soybean oil are okay. Patch testing recommended.

  EWG1

  CIRS

  References

  • https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Vitamin-E
  • https://www.cosmeticsinfo.org/ingredient/tocopherol

Packaging and formulations can change. Always verify the live box, bottle, or retailer ingredient list before use.