Below is every ingredient in Nykaa Skinrx Serum Hydra Fresh 2 Hyaluronic Acid explained, its standout actives, and the side effects reported in research for those actives — analysed for Indian skin.
Flags derived from the ingredient list using dermatology reference data (fungal-acne substrate, comedogenicity, EU allergens). General guidance, not a diagnosis.
Answers are derived from the printed ingredient list and dermatology reference data — general guidance, not a diagnosis or a therapeutic claim.
Hyaluronic acid is a glycosaminoglycan that attracts and binds water to the skin, helping to maintain hydration and improve the appearance of plumpness and smoothness. It is widely used in moisturizers and serums and is generally well tolerated across skin types.
Pelvetia Canaliculata Extract is derived from a brown seaweed (channelled wrack) and is used in skincare for its moisturizing, antioxidant, and skin-conditioning properties due to its content of polysaccharides, minerals, and vitamins. It is often included in anti-aging and hydrating formulations to support skin barrier function.
Aggregated from the active ingredients in this product.
| Reported effect | How often | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Skin dryness or barrier disruption with excessive contact | Uncommon | Frequent or prolonged exposure to water, especially hot or hard water, can disrupt the skin barrier and contribute to transepidermal water loss. |
| Irritation from impurities or hard water minerals | Rare | Reactions are attributed to contaminants, chlorine, or mineral content rather than water itself. |
| Mild transient stinging or irritation | Rare | Generally very well tolerated; minor irritation reported mostly on compromised skin |
| Allergic contact dermatitis | Very rare | Isolated sensitization reports, uncommon for this ingredient |
| Redness or tingling | Rare | Typically resolves quickly after discontinuation |
| Mild irritation or stinging | Rare | Transient irritation may occur, more often on compromised or sensitive skin. |
| Contact urticaria | Very rare | Isolated reports of immediate hives following topical exposure. |
| Tacky or sticky skin feel | Common | A cosmetic sensation rather than an adverse reaction, more noticeable at higher concentrations. |
| Contact dermatitis or allergic reaction | Rare | True allergy to glycerin is uncommon; patch-test positivity is infrequent. |
| Skin dehydration in very low humidity | Rare | In very dry environments humectants may draw water from deeper skin layers if not paired with an occlusive. |
| Transient skin tightness or dryness | Uncommon | May occur in low-humidity environments where the ingredient can draw moisture from deeper skin layers if not sealed with an occlusive. |
| Mild irritation, redness, or stinging | Uncommon | Often related to other formulation components or compromised skin barrier rather than hyaluronic acid itself. |
| Hypersensitivity reactions with injectable forms | Rare | Pertains to dermal filler use rather than topical application; includes swelling or nodule formation. |
| Mild skin irritation | Uncommon | Transient redness or stinging, more likely at higher concentrations or on compromised skin. |
| Eye irritation | Uncommon | Can cause irritation on direct contact with eyes, relevant in eye-area products. |
Frequencies reflect typical cosmetic use reported in the literature, not a guarantee for your skin.
| Ingredient | What it does |
|---|---|
| Water Solvent/vehicle | Water is the most common base ingredient in cosmetic formulations, serving as a solvent that dissolves other ingredients and forms the bulk of emulsions and aqueous solutions. It is generally considered safe and non-irritating. |
| Betaine Humectant / osmolyte | Betaine is a naturally derived amino acid derivative (trimethylglycine) used in skincare as a humectant and osmoprotectant that attracts and retains moisture while helping stabilize skin barrier function. It also improves the texture and mildness of formulations. |
| Panthenol Humectant / skin-conditioning agent | Panthenol (provitamin B5) is converted to pantothenic acid in the skin, where it acts as a humectant and helps support skin barrier function and hydration. It is also used for its soothing and mild anti-inflammatory properties in topical formulations. |
| Glycerin Humectant | Glycerin is a widely used humectant that attracts and retains water in the skin, helping to hydrate the stratum corneum and support barrier function. It is considered safe and well-tolerated across most skin types and concentrations. |
| Hyaluronic Acid Key active Humectant / hydrating agent | Hyaluronic acid is a glycosaminoglycan that attracts and binds water to the skin, helping to maintain hydration and improve the appearance of plumpness and smoothness. It is widely used in moisturizers and serums and is generally well tolerated across skin types. |
| Phenoxyethanol Preservative | Phenoxyethanol is a widely used broad-spectrum preservative that protects cosmetic and skincare formulations from bacterial and fungal contamination. It is typically used at concentrations up to 1% and serves as a formulation/base ingredient rather than an active treatment. |
| Citric Acid pH adjuster / AHA exfoliant | Citric acid is an alpha-hydroxy acid derived from citrus fruits, used primarily to adjust and buffer formulation pH and as a chelating agent, and at higher concentrations as a mild chemical exfoliant. It can promote surface cell turnover and is sometimes included in antioxidant or brightening products. |
| Sodium Acrylates Copolymer Thickener / film-forming stabilizer | Sodium Acrylates Copolymer is a synthetic anionic polymer used to thicken, stabilize, and improve the texture of cosmetic formulations, often forming a smooth film on the skin. It functions primarily as a rheology modifier and emulsion stabilizer rather than a treatment active. |
| Xylitylglucoside Humectant / moisturizer | Xylitylglucoside is a sugar-derived humectant, typically used in combination with anhydroxylitol and xylitol, that helps attract and retain water in the skin and supports the skin barrier. It is valued for its skin-hydrating and moisturizing properties in cosmetic formulations. |
| Anhydroxylitol Humectant / moisturizing agent | Anhydroxylitol is a sugar-derived (xylitol) humectant used in skincare to attract and retain water, helping to maintain skin hydration and barrier function. It is often combined with xylitol and xylitylglucoside to enhance the skin's natural moisturizing factors. |
| Xanthan Gum Thickener/stabilizer | Xanthan gum is a polysaccharide produced by bacterial fermentation, used in skincare as a thickening, gelling, and emulsion-stabilizing agent. It improves product texture and suspension of ingredients without contributing active treatment effects. |
| Lecithin Emollient / Emulsifier | Lecithin is a naturally occurring phospholipid (commonly derived from soybean or egg) used in skincare as an emulsifier, emollient, and penetration enhancer. It helps stabilize oil-and-water formulations and supports the skin barrier by mimicking natural lipids. |
| Maltitol Humectant / moisturizing agent | Maltitol is a sugar alcohol (polyol) used in skincare formulations primarily as a humectant and skin-conditioning agent that helps attract and retain moisture. It is also valued for its hydrating and texture-enhancing properties in topical products. |
| Pelvetia Canaliculata Extract Key active Conditioning/antioxidant marine extract | Pelvetia Canaliculata Extract is derived from a brown seaweed (channelled wrack) and is used in skincare for its moisturizing, antioxidant, and skin-conditioning properties due to its content of polysaccharides, minerals, and vitamins. It is often included in anti-aging and hydrating formulations to support skin barrier function. |
| Disodium EDTA Chelating agent | Disodium EDTA is a chelating agent used in cosmetics to bind metal ions, improving product stability, preventing rancidity, and enhancing the efficacy of preservatives. It is a formulation/base ingredient rather than a treatment active. |
| Sclerotium Gum Thickener / stabilizer | Sclerotium Gum is a natural polysaccharide produced by fermentation of the fungus Sclerotium rolfsii, used as a thickening, gelling, and emulsion-stabilizing agent in cosmetic formulations. It also imparts a smooth skin feel and helps suspend particles in creams, gels, and serums. |
| Diethylene Glycol Monoethyl Ether Solvent / penetration enhancer | Diethylene glycol monoethyl ether (ethoxydiglycol) is a versatile solvent and penetration enhancer used in cosmetic and topical formulations to dissolve active ingredients and improve their absorption into the skin. It also functions as a viscosity reducer and coupling agent in mixed-phase products. |
| Diazolidinyl Urea Preservative (antimicrobial) | Diazolidinyl urea is a formaldehyde-releasing preservative used to prevent microbial growth in cosmetics and personal care products. It is effective against bacteria and some fungi and is commonly found in creams, lotions, and shampoos. |
| Ethylhexylglycerin Preservative booster / skin-conditioning agent | Ethylhexylglycerin is a multifunctional glyceryl ether used in cosmetics primarily as a preservative-enhancing agent and emollient, often paired with phenoxyethanol to broaden antimicrobial efficacy. It also acts as a deodorizing agent and humectant in skincare formulations. |
| Xylitol Humectant / moisturizer | Xylitol is a sugar alcohol used in topical formulations as a humectant that helps attract and retain moisture in the skin, and it may support the skin's microbiome and barrier function. It is generally well tolerated and considered safe for topical use. |
| Pullulan Film-forming agent / texturizer | Pullulan is a naturally derived polysaccharide produced by fermentation of starch by the fungus Aureobasidium pullulans. In skincare it forms a thin, breathable film on the skin, providing a temporary tightening or smoothing effect and helping to stabilize formulations. |
| Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate Preservative | Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate (IPBC) is a broad-spectrum antimicrobial preservative used in cosmetics and personal care products primarily to protect against fungal and bacterial contamination. It is typically used at very low concentrations within regulatory limits. |
Key active = does the main work. Ingredient explanations are drawn from public databases & literature.
Peer-reviewed papers on the active ingredients in this product, via PubMed.