Cica & 10% Niacinamide Serum
Serum
Updated 10 Dec 2025

Cica & 10% Niacinamide Serum

Dot & Key
19Ingredients
0EU Banned
4Caution
0.3/5Comedogenic
Pregnancy SafeNo flagged ingredients
0.3/5Comedogenic
Pregnancy SafeNo flagged ingredients
Allergen-freeNo fragrance allergens
32% Natural53% synthetic

Contains Regulated Ingredients

EU Restricted Ingredients

These ingredients are permitted in the EU but subject to concentration limits, usage conditions, or mandatory labelling requirements under Annex III of the EU Cosmetics Regulation.

Kojic AcidMax 1.0%
Max concentration:1.0%
Product types:Face and hand products
Conditions:From 1 February 2025 cosmetic products containing that substance and not complying with the conditions shall not be placed on the Union market. From 1 November 2025 cosmetic products containing that substance and not complying with the conditions shall not be made available on the Union market.
Alpha-ArbutinMax 5.0%
Max concentration:5.0%
Product types:(a) Face cream(b) Body lotion
Conditions:Hydroquinone levels shall remain as low as possible in formulations containing alpha-Arbutin and shall not be higher than the unavoidable trace level.From 1 February 2025 cosmetic products containing that substance and not complying with the conditions shall not be placed on the Union market. From 1 November 2025 cosmetic products containing that substance and not complying with the conditions shall not be made available on the Union market.
PhenoxyethanolMax 1.0%
Max concentration:1.0%
What does "EU Restricted" mean?

Restricted ingredients are not banned — they are allowed in cosmetic products as long as specific conditions are met:

  • Concentration limits — maximum allowed percentage in the final product
  • Product type restrictions — some ingredients are only allowed in rinse-off or leave-on products
  • pH restrictions — the finished product must stay within a specific pH range
  • Mandatory labelling — certain allergens must be listed on the packaging
  • Usage conditions — must not be combined with certain other ingredients

These limits are based on the EU CosIng database (Annex III) and are updated regularly. Products sold in the EU must comply with all applicable restrictions.

Ingredient Chemistry

pH

pH Efficacy

pH Efficacy

pH 5.6 — Ineffective
5.6
0Neutral 714
pH estimated from category & ingredients: 5.6
Active ingredients: Niacinamide, Kojic Acid, L-Ascorbic Acid, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Alpha-Arbutin
Niacinamide at pH 5.6: optimal range (5–7)
Kojic Acid at pH 5.6: acceptable but not ideal (3.5–5 is best)
L-Ascorbic Acid at pH 5.6: likely ineffective — above 4
Ascorbyl Glucoside at pH 5.6: optimal range (5–7)
Alpha-Arbutin at pH 5.6: optimal range (4–6.5)
L-Ascorbic Acid is at pH 5.6, which is too high for optimal efficacy (2.5–3.5).
Detected actives & ideal pH
NiacinamidepH 5–7
Kojic AcidpH 3.5–5
L-Ascorbic AcidpH 2.5–3.5
Ascorbyl GlucosidepH 5–7
Alpha-ArbutinpH 4–6.5

Microbiome

Composition & Ethics

Product Details

Attributes

Ethics
VeganLikely
No animal-derived ingredients detected
Cruelty-FreeUnknown
No brand statement — contact manufacturer
Safety
Fragrance-FreeLikely
No fragrance ingredients detected
Key Actives
Contains Vitamin CConfirmed
Contains vitamin C derivative
Vitamin C SerumConfirmed
Niacinamide SerumConfirmed
Brightening SerumConfirmed
Confirmed Inferred Unknown Not compliant

Composition

32% natural52% synthetic
6 natural 3 unknown 10 synthetic

Based on 19 ingredients analyzed. 32% natural, 16% unknown and 52% synthetic.

Active ingredients3 actives
Preservatives1 preservative

Functions Overview (15)

Texture & Feel

Texture & Feel

Expected texture
Viscous, serum-like — slightly "thick water" feel
SpreadabilityEasy
AbsorptionFast
Tackiness / ResidueLight
Finish:Luminous / radiant — subtle light-reflecting glow

Slight initial tackiness that fades into a hydrated dewy finish.