On my quest to navigate through the K-beauty world, I would stumble across popular products that would appear time and time again. Goodal Tangerine Serum was definitely one of those products. With its bright yellow and green packaging, it was hard to pass the eye catching serum with such promising claims.
The Philosophy
With a name that means good [skincare] for all, this brand encompasses naturally derived ingredients fit for everyone to use. Their 'fresh brewing' methods (free from boiling and heating) help to retain the integrity of the ingredient and it's properties. We're slowly becoming familiar with these new-age brands who prioritise natural ingredients, free from parabens, sulphates and phthalates with highly effective properties.
The Product
A potent serum designed to fade hyperpigmentation and diminish dark spots and freckles. Freckles even?? That's a strong claim indeed. Still, the bottle was intriguing and it has such a mass following, I was more than curious.
The Application
I was pleasantly surprised by this formula due to its absorbency and light texture compared to other vitamin C serums. This water-glycerine base hosts the tangerine extract which is meant to hero the type of vitamin C. Hence, the lightweight nature of this serum comes from it's water base making it comparable in texture to most hyaluronic serums. It comes out as a gel and sinks into the skin fairly quickly, making it less slippery and giving you low chances of piling. There's a slight tack which signals to me that my skin is hydrated, but some may not like the slight residue.
The Rundown
According to the goodal website, green tangerines hold a higher dose of Vitamin C than regular tangerines with also a higher concentration of antioxidants compared to mandarin oranges. Good claim, but we already know that oranges have a lower vitamin C concentration than even kiwis. In saying that, I appreciate that it is the first ingredient, so it's the first thing to be absorbed into my skin and that it's grown in Jeju (a nutrient rich island full of native plants)
The high doses of niacinamide are also carrying this product's dark spot/hyperpigmentation claim and I don't mind it at all. Niacinamide has proven to be a beautiful ingredient for reducing redness and evening skin tone by increasing production of collagen. This has to be in high doses - I'm not sure if it's at the percentage for such claims, but knowing it's among the top 10 signals that it can result in some of the niacinamide benefits.
Arbutin is also thrown into the mix, a type of hydroquinone that inhibits tyrosinase (the skin cell in charge of producing melanin - your skin colour and pigmentation).
There are a lot of natural ingredient extracts which mainly make the skin feel hydrated and impart a glow. Some to reduce redness and inflammation like centella and some to aid in the reduction of melanin - liquorice.
Citrus Tangerina (Tangerine) Extract, Butylene Glycol, Dipropylene Glycol, Methyl Gluceth-20, Water, 1,2-Hexanediol, Glycereth-26, Niacinamide, Arbutin, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Saccharum Officinarum (Sugar Cane) Extract, Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters, Sodium Hyaluronate, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Curcuma Longa (Turmeric) Root Extract, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia (Bergamot) Fruit Oil, Glycyrrhiza Uralensis (Licorice) Root Extract, Citrus Limon (Lemon) Peel Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil, Cananga Odorata Flower Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Peel Oil, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Extract, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract, Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Leaf Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP Copolymer, Panthenol, Choleth-24, Tromethamine, Ethylhexylglycerin, Allantoin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Adenosine, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Glycerin, Madecassoside, Maltodextrin, Saccharide Hydrolysate, Asiaticoside, Carbomer, Disodium EDTA, Limonene, Linalool
The Results
Having diligently used this for 3-4 months, I immediately noticed a textural difference with the surface of my skin. Smooth and radiant through the cheeks with slight evening in texture on my forehead. As for pigmentation, my skin is only slightly patchy around my forehead and lower cheek area. Not noticeable to most facialists, so I would say my results are quite hard to notice. The main thing was my cheeks were a lot plumper and even. It was only when I stopped using the serum, did I observe this change back to my normal texture and dull complexion. If I used this over a year, I think there would be a more significant different.
I enjoyed using this serum and would recommend it to anyone for an antioxidant protection serum for the day. As for hyperpigmentation, you shouldn't rely purely on this serum to give you the results. It's not strong enough. I would combine this with regular exfoliation, LED, and SPF.
Great for: uneven skin tone, acneic skin, dull complexion
Perfect with: hydrating toners, SPF, day serum
Try it if you’re: dehydrated, sensitive, dull, have acne scars/pigmentation