Maximum Glycolic Meta Serum

• WaterSolvent
• Glycolic AcidPh Adjuster, Buffering Agent, Exfoliant
• Lactic AcidSkin Conditioning, Fragrance, Humectant, Ph Adjuster, Buffering Agent, Exfoliant, Skin-Conditioning, Humectant
• PropanediolSolvent, Viscosity Controlling, Viscosity Decreasing Agent
• 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/
• Citric AcidMasking, Fragrance, Chelating Agent, Ph Adjuster, Buffering Agent
• Malic AcidFragrance, Ph Adjuster, Buffering Agent
• Salicylic AcidSkin Conditioning, Masking, Fragrance, Hair Conditioning, Antidandruff Agent, Antiacne Agent, Denaturant, Preservative, Exfoliant, Keratolytic, Corn/Callus/Wart Remover
• Phragmites Communis ExtractSkin Conditioning
• Centella Asiatica (Gotu Kola) ExtractSkin Conditioning, Cleansing, Soothing, Tonic, Smoothing, Antioxidant
• Hibiscus Sabdariffa (Roselle) Flower ExtractSkin Conditioning, Antioxidant
• Poria Cocos ExtractSkin-Soothing, Antioxidants
• Sodium LactateHumectant, Buffering Agent, Exfoliant, Keratolytic
• HydroxyethylCelluloseViscosity Controlling, Viscosity Increasing Agent, Emulsion Stabilising, Binding Agent, Binding, Stabilising, Film Forming
• 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/
• Sodium PCASkin Conditioning, Humectant, Antistatic Agent, Hair Conditioning
• GlycineCautionSkin Conditioning, Fragrance, Antistatic Agent, Hair Conditioning, Buffering Agent, Skin-Conditioning Agent -Miscellaneous

  Ingredient Notes

  When this Amino Acid is in the presence of lipids it accelerates the growth of Malassezia. Also In vitro, Glycine stimulates the fast growth of M. furfur. Patch testing highly recommended!

  EWG1

  CIRS

  References

  • https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3255962/
  • https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12100536
  • https://www.google.com/books/edition/Malassezia_and_the_Skin/WSKEPJNe_UEC?gbpv=1&pg=PA122
  • https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/750
• FructoseHumectant, Flavoring Agent
• Benzyl AlcoholSolvent, Masking, Fragrance, Viscosity Decreasing Agent, Preservative, External Analgesic
• Benzoic AcidMasking, Fragrance, Bulking Agent, Ph Adjuster, Preservative
• Dehydroacetic AcidPreservative

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