Rebound Serum
Rebound Serum
Product Description
tbh. Rebound Serum is a lightweight, gel-textured barrier support serum designed to calm angry, stressed and irritated skin. Developed with pharmaceutical scientist Hannah English, it packs a 5% niacinamide, a triple-ceramide complex, hyaluronic acid, panthenol, centella, oat and copper peptides into one bottle to hydrate, visibly reduce redness and rebuild a compromised skin barrier โ without oils, fragrance or heavy textures.
โจ Texture & Feel
Barrier Rebuild
A triple ceramide complex (NP, AP, EOP) plus cholesterol and phytosphingosine restock the skin's own lipids to patch a damaged barrier.
Multi-Layer Hydration
Hyaluronic acid, glycerin, panthenol and urea pull and lock moisture into the skin for a plump, comfortable feel.
Calms Visible Redness
Centella, aloe, oat extract and green tea soothe irritated, reactive skin and visibly reduce the look of redness.
Refines & Brightens
5% niacinamide with zinc gluconate refines the look of pores, balances oil and supports a more even tone.
๐ก๏ธ Safety & Compatibility
tbh. states the Rebound range is "baby bump friendly." It contains no retinoids, salicylic acid, hydroquinone or chemical sunscreens. Always confirm with your doctor.
Not fully malassezia-safe. It includes C13-14 Isoparaffin, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate and Laureth-7, which some FA-prone users prefer to avoid.
Oil-free, silicone-free, lightweight gel formula. Marketed as suitable for blemish-prone skin without clogging pores.
Plays well with most routines and actives. A great buffering/recovery layer alongside retinoids, vitamin C, AHAs and BHAs.
No added fragrance or essential oils, making it a sensible choice for sensitive and reactive skin types.
Present low in the list as a quick-absorbing solvent. Generally well tolerated, but very dry or alcohol-sensitive skin should patch test first.
๐ฌ Ingredient Breakdown
๐งช Niacinamide ~5% Proven
A multitasking form of vitamin B3 and the star active here. It strengthens the skin barrier, balances oil, refines the look of pores and helps fade dark spots โ while staying gentle enough for sensitive skin.
- Source: Independent analysis (WIMJ) estimates a 4.6%โ5.6% concentration in this formula.
- Source: Niacinamide is well-documented to reduce trans-epidermal water loss and support barrier function.
๐งฑ Ceramide Complex (NP, AP, EOP) ~0.7% Proven
Three skin-identical ceramides paired with cholesterol and phytosphingosine. Together they replace the lipids a damaged barrier loses, helping to "patch" the skin so it holds water and resists irritants.
- Source: Ceramides are intercellular lipids our skin makes naturally and are a core building block of the barrier.
- Source: Ceramide + cholesterol + fatty-acid blends mimic the skin's natural lipid ratio for stronger repair.
๐งฌ Copper Tripeptide-1 (GHK-Cu) Low % Promising
A signal peptide complex of glycine-histidine-lysine bound to copper. Early research links it to collagen support, improved firmness and skin regeneration, making it a bonus "rebuild" ingredient.
- Source: A 1998 exploratory study saw increased procollagen in 7 of 10 participants using copper tripeptide.
- Source: Human data is still limited; most studies are small or in-vitro, so results are promising but not conclusive.
๐ฟ Centella Asiatica + Oat + Green Tea Soothing Blend Proven
The calming heart of the formula. Centella (cica) is rich in antioxidants and soothing compounds, colloidal oat reduces the look of irritation, and green tea adds antioxidant polyphenols.
- Source: Centella's compounds are documented to soothe and support skin and help reduce the look of redness.
- Source: Avena Sativa (colloidal oat) binds water and helps calm and soften irritated skin.
๐ฆ Hyaluronic Acid + Glycerin + Panthenol Hydration Trio Proven
A layered humectant system. Sodium hyaluronate and glycerin draw water into the skin, while panthenol (pro-vitamin B5) hydrates and soothes, leaving skin plump and comfortable.
- Source: Glycerin is a highly effective humectant that pulls moisture into deeper skin layers.
- Source: Panthenol is a humectant that also supports wound healing and skin comfort.
45 ingredients
Water, Niacinamide, Butylene Glycol, Panthenol, Phenoxyethanol, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder, Glycerin, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Hyaluronate, Pentylene Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Polyacrylamide, Alcohol Denat., Citric Acid, Fructose, Sodium Hydroxide, Urea, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Cholesterol, Phytosphingosine, Laureth-7, Allantoin, Maltose, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Lactate, Sodium PCA, Trehalose, Magnesium Chloride, T-Butyl Alcohol, Zinc Gluconate, Carbomer, Copper Tripeptide-1, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Caprylyl Glycol, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Glucose, Centella Asiatica Extract, Caffeine, Ceramide EOP, Benzyl Alcohol (0.001%).
๐ Where It Fits in Your Routine
Use morning and night after cleansing. As a hydrating barrier layer it sits before your moisturizer, and can buffer stronger actives like retinol or acids.
๐ How to Use
Cleanse
Start with clean, slightly damp skin in the AM and PM.
Dispense
Massage one to two pumps directly onto the face and neck.
Pat In
Let it absorb for around 30 seconds โ it feels slightly tacky, then sets.
Seal & Protect
Follow with moisturizer, and always finish with SPF in the morning.
๐ค Who Is It For?
โ Perfect for you if:
- Your skin barrier feels compromised, tight or over-exfoliated
- You experience redness, sensitivity or reactivity
- You have oily or blemish-prone skin and want barrier support without heavy oils
- You want hydration, niacinamide and ceramides in one simple step
- You prefer fragrance-free, vegan, cruelty-free formulas
โ Consider alternatives if:
- You strictly follow a fungal-acne (malassezia) safe routine
- You have very dry skin needing a rich, occlusive cream alone
- You are highly sensitive to alcohol denat. in formulas
- You're after a high-strength single active (e.g. 10% niacinamide)
- You want a fully oil/ester-free minimalist formula
๐ฏ Skin Type Compatibility
Lightweight, oil-free gel with niacinamide and zinc that won't add shine or grease.
Hydrating and ceramide-rich, but very dry skin will likely want a richer moisturizer on top.
Balances hydration and oil control well across different zones of the face.
Fragrance-free and built around soothing centella, oat and ceramides. Patch test if very reactive.
Non-comedogenic and made with blemish-prone skin in mind, though not fully fungal-acne safe.
๐ Results Timeline
Instant Hydration & Comfort
Skin feels quenched, softer and more comfortable straight after applying. Tightness eases on irritated skin.
~80% noticedCalmer, Less Reactive Skin
Visible redness and the look of irritation start to settle as the barrier is supported day and night.
~65% noticedSmoother Texture & Refined Pores
Niacinamide and consistent hydration help skin look more even, smooth and balanced.
~55% noticedStronger, More Resilient Barrier
With continued use the barrier feels more robust and better able to tolerate actives and daily stressors.
~50% noticedโญ Ratings by Platform
โ๏ธ Pros & Cons
โ Praised
- Genuinely calming on red, angry and reactive skin
- Lightweight, fast-setting and never greasy
- Multi-tasker: hydration, niacinamide and ceramides in one
- Pharmacist-formulated with sensible, science-backed actives
- Fragrance-free, vegan and cruelty-free
- Pregnancy-friendly ingredient profile
โ Criticized
- Only 30ml โ runs out fast for twice-daily users
- Not fully fungal-acne (malassezia) safe
- Contains alcohol denat. (low in the list)
- A small minority report irritation โ patch test first
- Frequently sells out / restock delays
๐ฐ Budget-Friendly Alternatives (Dupes)
Closest dupe โ niacinamide, a ceramide complex and centella focused on barrier and redness. Lower niacinamide (2%) and no copper peptides, but excellent value.
Far cheaper and stronger on niacinamide/zinc for oil and pores, but it lacks ceramides, peptides and the calming centella/oat blend that makes Rebound soothing.
Shares ceramides and hyaluronic acid for barrier and hydration, but skips the niacinamide and the soothing botanical actives that target redness.
๐ Comparison with Competitors
tbh. Rebound Serum (Featured)
$49.95 AUDThe Ordinary Soothing & Barrier Support
$17.00Krave Beauty Great Barrier Relief
$28.00La Roche-Posay Cicaplast B5 Serum
$40.00๐ฆ Storage & Shelf Life
12 months after opening
Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight; keep the pump closed.
30ml pump bottle for hygienic, measured dispensing.
Yes โ 30ml is well under the 100ml carry-on limit.
โ Frequently Asked Questions
Generally yes. tbh. describes the Rebound range as "baby bump friendly," and the formula contains no retinoids, salicylic acid, hydroquinone or chemical sunscreens โ the ingredients most often flagged during pregnancy. Its core actives (niacinamide, ceramides, hyaluronic acid, panthenol, centella) are widely considered pregnancy-friendly. As always, confirm with your doctor or midwife before adding any product during pregnancy or breastfeeding.
Not fully. While it's lightweight and oil-free, the formula includes a few ingredients that strict fungal-acne routines tend to avoid โ namely C13-14 Isoparaffin, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate and Laureth-7. Many people with general acne use it without issue, but if you specifically manage malassezia/fungal acne, approach with caution and patch test first.
Yes. Its main job is barrier support and hydration, which makes it a great companion to stronger actives. Many people use it to buffer or recover after retinol, vitamin C or exfoliating acids. A simple approach is to apply your active first, then layer Rebound to soothe and hydrate, or alternate actives on different nights if your skin is sensitive.
It suits all skin types but shines for sensitive, reactive, redness-prone and compromised-barrier skin. Oily and combination skin love the lightweight, non-greasy gel; blemish-prone skin appreciates the non-comedogenic, oil-free formula. Very dry skin will enjoy the hydration but should layer a richer moisturizer on top.
Hydration and a calmer, more comfortable feel are usually immediate. Visible redness and irritation tend to settle over the first one to two weeks of consistent twice-daily use. Smoother texture and refined-looking pores typically appear around the four-week mark, with stronger barrier resilience building from roughly eight weeks onward.
Apply it after cleansing (and toning, if you tone) and before your moisturizer, in both your morning and evening routine. Massage one to two pumps into the skin, let it absorb, then seal with moisturizer. In the morning, always finish with SPF.
It has a low comedogenic rating (around 1/5). The formula is oil-free, silicone-free and lightweight, and it's specifically marketed for blemish-prone skin to support the barrier without clogging pores. If you're very breakout-prone, patch testing is still a sensible step.
The Period After Opening (PAO) is 12 months. For best results, use it within a year of opening, keep the pump closed, and store it in a cool, dry spot out of direct sunlight.
Verdict: tbh. Rebound Serum is a smart, pharmacist-formulated barrier serum that does a lot in one lightweight step โ 5% niacinamide, a triple-ceramide complex, hyaluronic acid and a genuinely calming centella, oat and green tea blend. It's a standout for sensitive, reactive, oily and blemish-prone skin that needs hydration and redness relief without heavy oils, and its fragrance-free, vegan, pregnancy-friendly profile widens its appeal. The main trade-offs are the small 30ml size, the inclusion of alcohol denat. and the fact that it isn't fully fungal-acne safe. For most people seeking everyday barrier support, it earns a confident recommendation.
Product Overview
What are Quick Product Notes?
Quick product notes are a great way to check if a product is free from commonly avoided ingredients by skincare enthusiasts. These preferences come about for different reasons depending on the ingredient such as personal experiences, sensitivities, health preferences & etc.
Pro Tip Alert!
Just because a product is not free from a common preference does not mean it's a bad product! You can make a personal decision whether or not you want to use a product that contains these ingredients or not - click the labels of the preference to read more about them.
Quick Product Notes
Paraben-Free
Paraben-Free
Understanding Parabens
Parabens are a large group of preservatives which are used to prevent bacteria growing in cosmetic formulations. There has been some healthy controversy surrounding them due to a few studies finding paraben presence in breast tumours and breast tissue. However, the majority of the scientific community have deemed these findings non-conclusive due to the limitations of these studies. There's still a lot of support for avoiding parabens following the better safe than sorry route. If you do we completely support you! If you are concerned about the health safety of parabens, then feel free to avoid them by looking out for the Paraben-Free icon. If not, don't worry about it - they do have had one of the longest safety records as preservatives!
Which Ingredients are classified as Paraben?
A product will be paraben-free if it does not contain any of the following parabens:
- Sodium Isobutylparaben
- Sodium Ethylparaben
- Sodium Butylparaben
- Propylparaben
- Isopropylparaben
- Isobutylparaben
- Sodium Propylparaben
- Butylparaben
- Ethylparaben
- Sodium Methylparaben
- Methylparaben
Sulfate-Free
Sulfate-Free
Understanding Sulfates
Sulfates are a large group of ingredients which act as cleansing agents in Cosmetics. They help loosen up the dirt and grime from your skin and hair to allow for water to wash it away with ease. However some sulfates are so good at their job, they can wash off your skinโs own natural oils that keep it moisturised and protected which can lead to dryness and irritation. Most people will find no issues with sulfate, however if you find your skin doesn't like sulfates then free feel to avoid them by looking out for the sulfate-free icon on Skincarisma.
Which ingredients are classified as sulfates?
We've taken the Sulfates which are considered more harsh for our Sulfate-Free status. A product will be Sulfate-Free if it does not contain any of the following Sulfates:
- TEA-Dodecylbenzenesulfonate
- Ammonium Laureth Sulfate
- Sodium Lauryl Sulfate
- PEG-15 Cocamine
- Sodium Laureth Sulfate
- Sodium Cocoyl Sarcosinate
- Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
- Dioctyl Sodium Sulfosuccinate
- Ammonium Xylenesulfonate
- Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate
- Sodium Xylenesulfonate
- Sodium Myreth Sulfate
- Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate
Alcohol-Free
Alcohol-Free
Understanding Simple Alcohols
Alcohol ingredients are widely used in cosmetics and come in different types. For the most part alcohols are not problematic at all. However one type of alcohols, simple alcohols can be quite drying to the skin because it evaporates very quickly. This can cause irritation which can also lead to other skin complications. These alcohols should never be used alone on your skin, but combined with other cosmetic ingredients, they are normally without issue. However, for some people with sensitive and easily irritable skin, avoiding products with these simple alcohols may be beneficial. If you find your skin doesn't like these simple alcohols, then free feel to avoid them by looking out for the Alcohol-Free icon.
Which Ingredients are classified as Alcohol?
A product will be alcohol-free if it does not contain any of the following alcohol ingredients:
- SD Alcohol
- Alcohol Denat
- Isopropyl Alcohol
- Alcohol
Silicone-Free
Silicone-Free
Understanding Silicones
If you've ever used a skincare, makeup or beauty product that's made your skin look and feel smoother tempoarily - it's likely contained Silicone. They are a popular class of ingredients found in cosmetics due to their smooth, soft, easy-to-spread and smooth properties that help creates an artificial layer/barrier on top of skin or hair (commonly found in conditioners).
For the same reasons they are popularly used, they are also commonly avoided. Anecdotally, many individuals have reported that Silicones cause/excerbate breakouts, irritation, cause a feeling of skin being unable to breathe, cause clumping of cosmetic products and find it difficult to wash off. As a result, those who find them problematic are avoiding them and increasingly, cosmetic companies are avoiding them as well.
If you have had bad experiences with Silicones in the past, or suspect they are problematic then look out for the tick on the Silicone-free label.
Disclaimer
The Silicone-free label only includes the most common Silicone ingredients that have indentified been reported by individuals that could potentially cause issues.
These include: Amodimethicone, Behenoxy Dimethicone, Bis-Aminopropyl Dimethicone, Cetearyl Methicone, Cetyl Dimethicone, Cyclomethicone, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, Dimethicone Copolyol, Dimethiconol, Methicone, Phenyl Trimethicone, Phenyl Trimethicone, Stearoxy Dimethicone, Stearyl Dimethicone, Trimethylsilylamodimethicone.
Note, that this does not include all ingredients part of the Silicone class of ingredients.
EU Allergen-Free
EU Allergen-Free
Understanding the Identified Contact Allergens
The EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) has identified and established 26 cosmetic ingredients that are likely contact allergens (potential to cause skin allergies) as demonstrated in clinical or epidemiological studies. The EU's SCCS have recommend cosmetic companies to disclose them on the labels if used and in cases where the concentration exceeds 0.001% in leave-on products and 0.01% in rinse-off products, then they must be labelled.
Look out for the tick on the EU-Allergen free label to know your cosmetic is free from any of the 26 identified cosmetic ingredients.
For more information regarding the EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety, please visit their official website.
Disclaimer
The EU Allergen Free label is for the 26 ingredients identified by the EU SCCS and products will be only flagged if a suspected ingredient is on it's ingredient list. It is possible for cosmetics to contain one of the suspect ingredients without it appearing on the ingredient list due to it not reaching the concentration threshold to disclose it and cosmetic manufacturers choice to not disclose it.
Also note, the EU Allergen Free label is not personalized for your own allergies you may have and it does not constitute as medical advice. For your specific case, always consult your medical professiona such as dermatologist, physician, pharmacist, or health care provider - please read our medical disclaimer for more information.
Fungal Acne (Molassezia) Safe
Fungal Acne (Molassezia) Safe
Understanding Fungal Acne (Pityrosporum Folliculitis/Malassezia Folliculitis)
Pityrosporum Folliculitis/Malassezia folliculitis or simply known as Fungal Acne is a persistent acne-like condition that commonly responds poorly to traditional acne-treating methods. Unlike most cases of Acne where bacteria is the culprit, Fungi is the culprit of Fungal Acne (Hence the name!). There are certain classes & groups of ingredients that have been shown to promote and feed the growth of the Fungal Acne, Fungi such as fatty acids, oils, esters, polysorbates and fermented ingredients.
For more information regarding Fungal Acne, please visit Simple Skincare Science (f.c) - #3 of our Recommend Skincare Resources for an amazing comprehensive guide!
Please Read: How to use the Fungal Acne (Malassezia) Label
At SkinCarisma, we've done our best to identify as many ingredients as possible but note the fungal-free label may not be 100% accurate due to the complexconditions and combination of ingredients that malezzeria can thrive on.
Additionally, products that may contain ingredients that have shown to feed Malassezia may not neccessarily exacerbate the condition due to concentration of ingredient used in the product, this information is simply not available on the products.
As a result, please note this is only an experimental label that can be best used to possible identify problematic products you have used in the past. It is in no way a perfect identifier nor a predictor in whether or not it will exacerbate or cause fungal acne. It will continue to be worked on as more information and research comes to light.
If you find any ingredients you believe should be included, please email us at snails@skincarisma.com.
Disclaimer
Due to the lack of substantial research into this area it is very likely there are other ingredients and class/groups of ingredients that could feed Fungal Acne which have not been indentified.
The Fungal-Safe label does not constitute as medical advice. For your specific case, always consult your medical professiona such as dermatologist, physician, pharmacist, or health care provider - please read our medical disclaimer for more information.
What are Notable Effects & Ingredients?
Ever used a product that promised a certain effect but provided no results? It might not have contained any notable ingredients that could have been responsible for that promised effect. It doesn't matter what the marketing or packaging ยซpromisesยป it can do, if it doesn't contain anything that can help - then the likelihood of it helping is low.
We help you identify key notable ingredients that have been shown to help with effects such as acne-fighting, brightening, UV-protection, wound healing & anti-aging to help you achieve your skincare goals smarter. Please note that different notable ingredients have varying levels of research behind them, some are extremely well proven yet some have mixed research in their efficacy.
Pro Tip Alert!
Just because a product doesn't contain any notable ingredients doesn't mean it's bad. And a product with notable ingredients (or even many) doesn't necessarily guarantee the efficacy of the product performing these effects either. There are other factors such as ingredient quality, concentration and formulation that will ultimately determine this.
Be smart and use this as just a starting point for you to make more informed and smarter choices and compare it with reviews to see if the product is right for you
Notable Effects & Ingredients
What are Ingredients Related to Skin Type?
Why are some products great for some people and horrible for others? Well everyone has different skin types and different reactions to the same ingredients.
We've identified a range of ingredients that are commonly regarded as potentially good or bad for those with Dry, Oily/Acne-Prone or Sensitive skin.
Pro Tip Alert!
A product that contains good or bad ingredients for your skin type doesn't always flat out make the entire product good or bad for your skin. There are other factors such as ingredient quality, concentration and formulation that will ultimately determine your skins reaction.
One of the best ways to use this section is to troubleshoot products you've had bad experiences with in the past. Check if it contains any of the marked ingredients to point out suspect ingredients to avoid in the future!
Ingredients Related to Skin Types
Dry Skin
Oily/Acne-Prone Skin
Sensitive Skin
What is the Ingredient Safety Breakdown?
Ingredient Safety Breakdown refers to the percentage % of ingredients in different risk categories as classified by EWG (Environment Working Group) if they are available. There are almost endless cosmetic ingredients and they are one of the few organisations globally that have assigned ratings to a lot of the more commonly used ingredients which is why we reference them.
Pro Tip Alert!
EWG is seen by many to be more on the alarmist side in their assignment of health ratings resulting in rating ingredients as riskier than they actually are. We recommend using this a reference point rather than a strict guide of ingredient safety and to always do further research if into ingredients that you may find suspect.