The Evidence Atlas.

The oil-soluble ester of vitamin C. Unlike low-pH aqueous L-ascorbic acid, it integrates into lipid carriers and is cleaved by skin-resident esterases to release active ascorbate. Stamford 2012 and Lin 2005 document its stability and antioxidant behavior in topical use. We disclose 2.00%, within the published 1.5–3.0% topical range, paired with 0.50% Ferulic Acid for added stability.

Oil-soluble ascorbate ester, cleaved intracellularly — not equivalent to acid L-ascorbic chemistry in low-pH aqueous vehicles.

A form of vitamin B3. It supports barrier function through NAD+/NADH-linked ceramide synthesis and contributes to visible tone evenness through a separate pigment-transfer pathway. Hakozaki 2002 established the pigment-transfer mechanism; Bissett 2005 documented visible improvement in tone, red blotchiness and sallowness at 5% twice daily. We disclose 2.00% — within published topical-use range, below the 5% at which Bissett recorded visible change.

Barrier support through ceramide synthesis is a documented secondary mechanism; the primary role here is brightening.

A meroterpene phenol whose gene-expression pattern overlaps retinol-regulated pathways — a botanical retinoid, without being vitamin A. Dhaliwal 2019 compared 0.5% Bakuchiol twice daily against 0.5% retinol once daily over twelve weeks and found comparable improvement in wrinkles and hyperpigmentation, with better tolerability. We disclose 1.00% in a daily-use anhydrous serum, double the 0.5% Dhaliwal concentration.

The “botanical retinoid” framing rests on the documented retinol-like gene-expression overlap in Chaudhuri 2014 — not category shorthand.

A hydroxycinnamic acid that stabilizes vitamin C against oxidation and reinforces the formula's lipid-phase antioxidant behavior. Lin 2005 established the vitamin C + E + ferulic combination at 0.5% ferulic acid. We disclose exactly 0.50%, paired with 2.00% THD Ascorbate and the tocopherol-bearing oils — stabilizing the brightening actives rather than standing alone.

A flavonolignan complex — silybin, silychristin, silydianin and related constituents — documented as a keratinocyte-supporting polyphenol under oxidative stress. Berardesca 2008 used topical silymarin at 0.5% in a reactive-skin context. We disclose 1.00%, the upper end of the published topical-use range, adding polyphenol depth to the brightening actives.

The primary flavanone of Citrus species, purified here rather than delivered as a crude peel extract. In topical mechanism literature it supports the antioxidant-enzyme response and reduces UVB-induced inflammatory cytokine expression. It works alongside Ferulic Acid and Silymarin as a second-line polyphenol supporting the vitamin C actives.

Contributes glabridin, an isoflavonoid documented to interrupt tyrosinase-driven pigment synthesis, along with glycyrrhizin-family soothing context. Its role is a third brightening pathway: THD works on the ascorbate route, Niacinamide on pigment transfer, and glabridin on tyrosinase — three distinct mechanisms toward even tone rather than one.

A methylated stilbene related to resveratrol, with greater lipophilicity and stronger skin-lipid compatibility. McCormack 2013 and Sirerol 2015 document its antioxidant and photoprotective behavior. It gives Bakuchiol a polyphenol partner with deeper lipid-phase persistence, so renewal rests on more than a single ingredient.

A plant sterol structurally analogous to cholesterol — one of the lamellar lipids that helps organize the skin barrier. Loden 2003 documents phytosterols in barrier-lipid support. It pairs the turnover support of Bakuchiol and Pterostilbene with lipid-scaffold support, so an ambitious renewal load does not fall on the barrier alone.

A short-chain benzoquinone with topical environmental-protection literature. The McDaniel 2005 panel evaluated idebenone against familiar cosmetic antioxidants on ROS scavenging, photoaging markers and sunburn-cell formation, with a clinical photodamage assessment at 0.5% and 1.0%. We disclose 1.00% — the higher of the two concentrations McDaniel tested clinically — working with Astaxanthin and R-Alpha Lipoic Acid across three redox compartments.

A xanthophyll keto-carotenoid whose polar termini and lipophilic backbone let it span the lipid bilayer, so its ROS-quenching happens at the lipid/water interface rather than in one compartment. The often-cited ≈6,000× vitamin E figure comes from singlet-oxygen quenching assays; we pair the number with the membrane-spanning chemistry that explains it. Tominaga 2017 and Davinelli 2018 document its role in skin condition. We disclose 0.20%, near the upper edge of stable topical use for this pigment-rich format.

Membrane-interface antioxidant chemistry is distinct from photoprotection chemistry; Radiance remains a cosmetic serum, not a sun-care product.

The biologically occurring enantiomer of thioctic acid. Its dithiolane ring and carboxylic-acid tail give it amphiphilic behavior, and its redox cycling helps regenerate oxidized vitamin C and vitamin E toward their active states. We specify the R-isomer rather than a commodity racemate and disclose 0.50%, where it works as the formula's redox recycler rather than a frontline ROS quench.

Formulated below the Beitner 2003 5% clinical-cream dose: R-Alpha Lipoic Acid works as the formula's redox recycler — regenerating vitamins C and E — not a standalone high-dose active.

A sesquiterpene alcohol used in cosmetic calmative systems. Maurya 2014 documents inhibitory activity against pro-inflammatory cytokine cascades in skin-cell models. We disclose 0.30% to help the serum feel composed on application while the active ingredients stay at meaningful concentrations rather than trace levels.

Calendula's documented cosmetic value sits in the lipophilic triterpene fraction, especially faradiol monoesters; a CO₂ extract captures that fraction more cleanly than a water infusion or oil maceration. Della Loggia 1994 and Preethi 2009 document its anti-inflammatory and skin-support activity. It adds a plant-matrix dimension to the soothing role beside Bisabolol's single-molecule action.