IllustrationPart 1 · Good Molecules
Niacinamide Serum 10%
Niacinamide 10% serum (AM/PM)
ANiacinamide · 30
How we build Mystro Active Balance Serum
Four steps: the original, what makes it special, the parts we use, and how to get closer.
The original
SkinBetter Science
Mystro Active Balance Serum
$225 · 1 fl oz (30 ml)
A non-retinoid serum built on plant-derived adaptogens (P.A.T.H.
Prices and listings checked Oct 28, 2026. Amazon prices change; the link shows today's price.
What stands out 100 pts
- ANiacinamide30 pts
Evens tone, supports the barrier and helps with pores.
- BAlpha-lipoic acid, astaxanthin and ergothioneine antioxidant blend30 pts
The Mystro antioxidant core that defines the formula beyond niacinamide.
No close retail equivalent: we credit at most 40% of these points.
- CBotanical adaptogen blend (turmeric, hops, echinacea, panax notoginseng, magnolia)20 pts
Plant extracts aimed at calming stress-related redness and dullness.
No close retail equivalent: we credit at most 40% of these points.
- DSqualane and light emollients10 pts
A skin-like oil that softens and makes the serum feel cushiony.
- EHyaluronic acid and glycerin10 pts
Water-binding base.
Total to match100 pts
Now we cover those 5 with shelf products
Our build 4 parts
Niacinamide + hydrating base
Illustration
IllustrationPart 2 · The Ordinary
Lactic Acid 10% + HA
Gentle lactic acid for dullness (PM, 1x/week)
EHyaluronic acid and glycerin · 3 of 10
IllustrationPart 3 · Paula's Choice
RESIST Ultra-Light Super Antioxidant Serum
Adds: Alpha-lipoic acid, astaxanthin and ergothioneine antioxidant blend; Hyaluronic acid and glycerin
ANiacinamide · 15 of 30BAlpha-lipoic acid, astaxanthin and ergothioneine antioxidant blend · 12 of 30EHyaluronic acid and glycerin · 5 of 10
IllustrationPart 4 · The Ordinary
The Ordinary 100% Plant-Derived Squalane
Adds: Squalane and light emollients
DSqualane and light emollients · 10
How to use. AM niacinamide; PM lactic acid once weekly on clean skin. Patch test. SPF 30+ every AM. Add Paula's Choice RESIST Ultra-Light Super Antioxidant Serum: Best antioxidant-plus-niacinamide mid-tier match; ingredient list and price not confirmed, so confidence is lower. Add The Ordinary 100% Plant-Derived Squalane: Plain squalane oil for the emollient part; check the current product page for size and price.
Partial credit means the part only partly matches that standout.
Match score57 / 100
- A · D fully covered40 pts
- B · E partly covered17 pts
- C not covered (hatched)0 pts
Mystro Active Balance Serum$225
Our build~$14.20 + check price
The total leaves out the 2 parts showing "Check price".
Get closer score under 80
57 / 100. One add-on lifts this build to 62/100.
IllustrationAdd The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (with Ceramides)
The Ordinary
+5 pts → 62/100 · +$9.90
EHyaluronic acid and glycerin · +5
Cheap hyaluronic acid serum for the humectant part of the formula.
70 is our ceiling. No retail serum pairs alpha-lipoic acid, astaxanthin and ergothioneine; other antioxidant serums give partial credit. This botanical set has no retail match; nothing at retail covers it.
Buy the build · ~$14.20 + check priceScore 57/100
Other single-product swaps
One bottle instead of a build. Sorted by match score; scores use the same standouts as above.
mid Closest we found
Match score 32 out of 100RESIST Ultra-Light Super Antioxidant Serum
Paula's Choice
No close match yet — we show the nearest formulas.
Check price on Amazon · 1 oz
What it shares, what it misses
Shares
Misses
- Alpha lipoic acid
- Astaxanthin
- Ergothioneine
- Botanical adaptogens
Why it is close. Best antioxidant-plus-niacinamide mid-tier match; ingredient list and price not confirmed, so confidence is lower.
budget
Match score 31 out of 100Resurfacing Retinol Serum
CeraVe
$21.99 · 1 fl oz
What it shares, what it misses
Shares
Misses
- Antioxidants
- Botanicals
Why it is close. Barrier and niacinamide support only; includes retinol, which Mystro does not have.
budget
Match score 30 out of 100Niacinamide Serum 10%
Good Molecules
~$5 Price not confirmed · 30 ml
What it shares, what it misses
Shares
Misses
- Antioxidant blend
- Botanicals
Why it is close. Another high-percentage niacinamide serum; same limited overlap. Price approximate.
budget
Match score 30 out of 100Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
The Ordinary
~$6 Price not confirmed · 30 ml
What it shares, what it misses
Shares
Misses
- Alpha lipoic acid
- Astaxanthin
- Ergothioneine
- Botanical adaptogens
- Squalane
Why it is close. Niacinamide is the only shared active at a very low price; Mystro's antioxidant and adaptogen blend has no budget equivalent.
budget
Match score 30 out of 10010% Niacinamide Serum
The INKEY List
Check price on Amazon · 30 ml
What it shares, what it misses
Shares
Misses
- Antioxidant blend
- Botanicals
Why it is close. Niacinamide serum. Price not found.
What the science says
Topical niacinamide (5%, 12 weeks, split-face) improved fine lines, hyperpigmented spots, redness and sallowness in aging facial skin.
Bissett 2005 · Dermatol SurgA 5% alpha-lipoic acid cream was tested in a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study on photoaged facial skin.
Beitner 2003 · Br J Dermatol
Full ingredient list
Show the INCI list
Aqua/Water, Copaifera Officinalis (Balsam Copaiba) Resin, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Propanediol, Polyglyceryl-3 Distearate, Isosorbide Dicaprylate, Cetearyl Glucoside, Ethoxydiglycol, Diheptyl Succinate, Squalane, Niacinamide, Panax Notoginseng Root Extract, Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Leaf Cell Extract, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract, Magnolia Officinalis Bark Extract, Echinacea Purpurea Extract, Sophora Japonica Bud Extract, Humulus Lupulus (Hops) Extract, Curcuma Longa (Turmeric) Root Extract, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Haematococcus Pluvialis Extract, Astaxanthin, Ergothioneine, Thioctic Acid, Sorbitan Olivate, Tocopherol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Capryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-di-t-butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Tribehenin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Acacia Senegal Gum, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Xanthan Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenethyl Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Citric Acid, Phytic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide
Questions
What does the 57/100 score for our Mystro Active Balance Serum build mean?
We split Mystro Active Balance Serum into 5 standout parts worth 100 points in total. The build earns 57 of a possible 70. 70 is the most we claim, because some standouts have no close retail equivalent.
What is the best dupe for Mystro Active Balance Serum?
RESIST Ultra-Light Super Antioxidant Serum by Paula's Choice is our closest single-product match at 32 out of 100 (1 oz). It shares Antioxidants (CoQ10, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid per Paula's description).
How much can I save on Mystro Active Balance Serum?
Mystro Active Balance Serum costs $225 for 1 fl oz (30 ml). The closest dupe has no price we could confirm (see the seller page). Prices change, so check the seller page.
Is RESIST Ultra-Light Super Antioxidant Serum exactly the same as Mystro Active Balance Serum?
No. Dupes share the key actives but can differ in concentration, vehicle and supporting ingredients. Missing from this one: Alpha lipoic acid, Astaxanthin, Ergothioneine, Botanical adaptogens. See our methodology for how we score.
