skinbetter-science Skinbetter Science Alto Defense Serum

Ingredients overview

Label order. Colour is our internal rating: green routine, yellow restricted or worth a look, red prohibited or high-risk, grey not yet decoded.

Ingredients are listed in label order; the order reflects the label only, not exact concentrations.

1. Aqua/Water
2. Butylene Glycol
3. Propanediol
4. Ethylhexyl Olivate
5. Cetearyl Alcohol
6. Chlorogenic Acids
7. Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
8. Lauryl Lactate
9. Dimethyl Isosorbide
10. Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
11. Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
12. Ergothioneine
13. Benzylidene Dimethoxydimethylindanone
14. Arabidopsis Thaliana Extract
15. Carnosine
16. Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
17. Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract
18. Theobroma Cacao Seed Extract
19. Curcuma Longa Root Extract
20. Olea Europaea Fruit Extract
21. Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract
22. Trifluoroacetyl Tripeptide-2
23. Buddleja Officinalis Flower Extract
24. Coffea Arabica Leaf Cell Extract
25. Crocus Sativus Leaf Cell Culture Extract
26. Superoxide Dismutase
27. Ubiquinone
28. Zingiber Officinale Root Extract
29. Ceramide NP
30. Ceramide AP
31. Ceramide Eop
32. Linoleic Acid
33. Linolenic Acid
34. Sea Whip Extract
35. Bisabolol
36. Tocopherol
37. Tocopheryl Acetate
38. Cholesterol
39. Phytosphingosine
40. Jojoba Esters
41. Sodium Pca
42. Pentylene Glycol
43. Methyl Gluceth-20
44. Glycerin
45. Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax
46. Acacia Decurrens Flower Wax
47. Lecithin
48. Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate
49. Dicetyl Phosphate
50. Propanediol Dicaprylate/Caprate
51. Polyglycerin-3
52. Ceteth-20 Phosphate
53. Diisostearyl Malate
54. Xanthan Gum
55. Steareth-2
56. Acacia Senegal Gum
57. Carbomer
58. Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
59. Dextran
60. Sodium Hydroxide
61. Citric Acid
62. Disodium EDTA
63. Ethylhexylglycerin
64. Phenoxyethanol

Highlights

Free of alcoholFree of parabensFree of siliconesFree of sulfatesFree of mineral oilFree of formaldehyde releasersContains essential oilsContains fragranceContains animal-derived

Key ingredients

溶剂

Aqua/Water

HUMECTANT

Butylene Glycol

SOLVENT

PropanediolDimethyl Isosorbide

SKIN CONDITIONING

Ethylhexyl OlivateHydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate

SKIN CONDITIONING - EMOLLIENT

Cetearyl AlcoholLauryl Lactate

Other ingredients

Chlorogenic AcidsGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root ExtractTetrahexyldecyl AscorbateErgothioneineBenzylidene DimethoxydimethylindanoneArabidopsis Thaliana ExtractCarnosineCamellia Sinensis Leaf ExtractVitis Vinifera Seed ExtractTheobroma Cacao Seed ExtractCurcuma Longa Root ExtractOlea Europaea Fruit ExtractEuterpe Oleracea Fruit ExtractTrifluoroacetyl Tripeptide-2Buddleja Officinalis Flower ExtractCoffea Arabica Leaf Cell ExtractCrocus Sativus Leaf Cell Culture ExtractSuperoxide DismutaseUbiquinoneZingiber Officinale Root ExtractCeramide NPCeramide APCeramide EopLinoleic AcidLinolenic AcidSea Whip ExtractBisabololTocopherolTocopheryl AcetateCholesterolPhytosphingosineJojoba EstersSodium PcaPentylene GlycolMethyl Gluceth-20GlycerinHelianthus Annuus Seed WaxAcacia Decurrens Flower WaxLecithinSodium Lauroyl LactylateDicetyl PhosphatePropanediol Dicaprylate/CapratePolyglycerin-3Ceteth-20 PhosphateDiisostearyl MalateXanthan GumSteareth-2Acacia Senegal GumCarbomerAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate CrosspolymerDextranSodium HydroxideCitric AcidDisodium EDTAEthylhexylglycerinPhenoxyethanol

Skim through

Ingredients explained

Aqua/Water

Solvent, formulation base; requires preservation, pure water is microbially prone.

Butylene Glycol

Polyol humectant and solvent at 1–5%; aids solubilization, light feel

Propanediol

Polyol solvent at 1–5%; light feel, aids solubilization, propylene glycol alternative

Ethylhexyl Olivate

Oleate ester emollient; light feel, high comedogenic rating, limit for acne-prone skin.

Cetearyl Alcohol

Fatty alcohol emulsifier at 1-5%; non-ionic surfactant

Chlorogenic Acids

Not decoded yet

Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate

Low-molecular-weight hyaluronic acid derivative with better penetration and strong hydration; different molecular weights provide hydration at various depths, typical concentration 0.1-1%.

Lauryl Lactate

Lauric lactate ester; mild emollient and emulsifier; suitable for all skin types, low allergenicity.

Dimethyl Isosorbide

Dimethyl isosorbide as solvent and viscosity control; low toxicity, common use

Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract

Liquorice root extract for soothing and brightening; batch variability, watch polyphenol interactions

Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate

Lipophilic Vitamin C derivative, antioxidant and brightening; more stable than VC, oil-soluble, must pair with oil phase

Ergothioneine

Ergothioneine, potent antioxidant; 0.01–0.1%, water-soluble, synergizes with Vit C/E.

Benzylidene Dimethoxydimethylindanone

Not decoded yet

Arabidopsis Thaliana Extract

Arabidopsis thaliana extract, typically used as a plant-derived antioxidant or actives; research-grade ingredient; confirm stability in final formulation

Carnosine

Dipeptide skin conditioner with antioxidant and buffering properties; used in synergy with other actives.

Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract

Green tea extract for antioxidant/astringent; contains caffeine, possible irritation in sensitive skin.

Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract

Grape seed extract with OPCs; potent antioxidant; used for skin protection and UV support; needs stabilizers.

Theobroma Cacao Seed Extract

Cacao seed extract; polyphenols. Antioxidant and conditioning, hygroscopic, store in dry conditions.

Curcuma Longa Root Extract

Turmeric root extract, contains curcumin, colorant/antioxidant; high doses may sensitize.

Olea Europaea Fruit Extract

Olea europaea fruit extract rich in polyphenols for antioxidant and conditioning use; add preservative/antioxidant against oxidation.

Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract

Açaí extract; rich in antioxidants; used for hair/skin, oil-based so needs emulsification.

Trifluoroacetyl Tripeptide-2

Not decoded yet

Buddleja Officinalis Flower Extract

Buddleja extract, UV-filtering; data limited, sensitization caution, pregnancy

Coffea Arabica Leaf Cell Extract

Not decoded yet

Crocus Sativus Leaf Cell Culture Extract

Not decoded yet

Superoxide Dismutase

Enzymatic antioxidant breaking down superoxide radicals; used as bioactive at low levels, requires strict temperature control to prevent inactivation.

Ubiquinone

Coenzyme Q10 analog used as an antioxidant; prone to discoloration, needs protection from light and air.

Zingiber Officinale Root Extract

Root extract for scent and toning; may irritate compromised skin.

Ceramide NP

Ceramide N3 for barrier repair; lipophilic, needs oil phase or emulsion, avoid high standalone use.

Ceramide AP

Ceramide analog for barrier repair; best results when combined with cholesterol and free fatty acids

Ceramide Eop

Ceramide EOP, repairs skin barrier lipids; often blended with cholesterol and fatty acids.

Linoleic Acid

Essential fatty acid for barrier repair and hydration; oxidizes easily, high levels may be comedogenic

Linolenic Acid

Omega-6 fatty acid for barrier repair; prone to oxidation, needs antioxidants and low light exposure

Sea Whip Extract

Coral extract for skin conditioning; low usage, check source stability

Bisabolol

Soothing and anti-inflammatory agent, 0.01–0.1%; low irritation, good for sensitive skin.

Tocopherol

Natural antioxidant (vitamin E) at 0.1–1%; prone to oxidation, store protected from light

Tocopheryl Acetate

Vitamin E derivative antioxidant at 0.1–1%; more stable than tocopherol, store protected from light

Cholesterol

Cholesterol; barrier repair lipid mimicking stratum corneum; often blended with ceramides, plant or fermentation source.

Phytosphingosine

Phytosphingosine barrier repair ingredient, 0.1–1%; water-soluble, good for dry skin.

Jojoba Esters

Jojoba esters, light emollient ester, low comedogenic; sebum-like, excellent spreadability.

Sodium Pca

Sodium PCA, NMF component, 1-10% humectant; salty/tacky at high levels.

Pentylene Glycol

Polyol humectant at 1-3%; low irritancy, suitable for sensitive skin

Methyl Gluceth-20

Not decoded yet

Glycerin

Workhorse humectant at 3–10%; tacky at high levels, pair with occlusives

Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax

Sunflower seed wax for thickness/filming; waxy texture, potential comedogenic at high levels.

Acacia Decurrens Flower Wax

Plant wax for emollience and film formation; blend with other waxes for melting point.

Lecithin

Phospholipid emulsifier at 1-5%; biocompatible, moisturizing/antioxidant, prone to oxidation (add TBHQ), mild for sensitive skin.

Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate

Mild emulsifier at 1–5%; suitable for sensitive skin, mind cationic surfactant compatibility

Dicetyl Phosphate

Emulsifier and auxiliary surfactant for stable lotions; used at low levels in creams.

Propanediol Dicaprylate/Caprate

Not decoded yet

Polyglycerin-3

Not decoded yet

Ceteth-20 Phosphate

Not decoded yet

Diisostearyl Malate

Diisostearyl malate; lightweight emollient and emulsifier; non-greasy feel, biodegradable, used in premium systems.

Xanthan Gum

Natural thickener at 0.1–1%; provides gel texture, pH-stable, requires full hydration

Steareth-2

Not decoded yet

Acacia Senegal Gum

Natural film-former and fragrance agent; used for viscosity or film, check purity for allergens

Carbomer

Gelling thickener requiring neutralization; watch out for ion compatibility

Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer

Crosspolymer for thickening/film; needs neutralization to pH 7-8 to hydrate, check ion strength.

Dextran

Polysaccharide for binding; water-soluble requires preservation.

Sodium Hydroxide

Strong base neutralizer for pH adjustment; handle with extreme care

Citric Acid

Buffer and chelator at 0.1–2%; adjusts pH, may irritate sensitive skin at low pH

Disodium EDTA

Chelating agent at 0.05–0.5%; sequesters metal ions for stability, boosts preservative efficacy

Ethylhexylglycerin

Mild conditioner and preservative booster at 0.5–1%; reduces preservative load, smooth feel

Phenoxyethanol

Broad-spectrum preservative at ≤1%; may irritate sensitive eye areas, often paired with ethylhexylglycerin

Related products in this category

• be-better Be Better Age Defying Vitamin C Serum
• masque-ology MASQUE-OLOGY Vita-Collagen Dual Action Powder Mask + Cleanse
• hbl HBL Treatment Oil
• garnier Garnier Intensive 7 Days Hydrating Lotion
• lush Lush Oatifix Face Mask
• biologique-recherche Biologique Recherche Serum Elastine Pure