This is the upgraded version of Purito's original Buffet Serum, not just a fragrance removal. The Unscented version adds ceramide NP for barrier repair, dipotassium glycyrrhizate (licorice root) for additional soothing, and pancratium maritimum extract for brightening — all while removing the bergamot and lavender oils. The result is a serum that's both gentler and more effective than the original, with 49% centella, ceramide, niacinamide, four peptides, panthenol, and licorice in one fragrance-free bottle.
The definitive version of Purito's multi-active centella serum — fragrance-free, ceramide-enriched, and packed with 49% centella, niacinamide, four peptides, and licorice root extract. An affordable do-everything serum that genuinely does most of what it promises.
Note: While this serum has been available since 2019, total review counts are moderate compared to mass-market alternatives. Our scoring reflects ingredient analysis, expert platform assessments, and the well-documented efficacy of centella asiatica, ceramide NP, and niacinamide.
The case for it
Same rule for everyone. “Good choice” is the verdict on 1,938 of 45,024 concern verdicts across the catalog; rule F2 decided 1,938 of them. Unchanged since September 5, 2026, engine 5.1.1.
Brand or formulator? Disclose a concentration or correct a fact →
The studies behind the evidence row
The case for it
What would change this: Guideline or regulatory standing for the active on this concern would move this from a promising bet to a recommendation.
Same rule for everyone. “Promising” is the verdict on 7,858 of 45,024 concern verdicts across the catalog; rule R9p decided 7,858 of them. Unchanged since September 5, 2026, engine 5.1.1.
Brand or formulator? Disclose a concentration or correct a fact →
The studies behind the evidence row
The case for it
Same rule for everyone. “Good choice” is the verdict on 9,564 of 45,024 concern verdicts across the catalog; rule R5 decided 9,072 of them. Unchanged since September 5, 2026, engine 5.1.1.
Brand or formulator? Disclose a concentration or correct a fact →
The studies behind the evidence row
The case for it
Cautions: fungal-acne triggers.
What would change this: A declared concentration would move this to a firmer reading of the dose.
Same rule for everyone. “Promising” is the verdict on 7,858 of 45,024 concern verdicts across the catalog; rule R9p decided 7,858 of them. Unchanged since September 5, 2026, engine 5.1.1.
Brand or formulator? Disclose a concentration or correct a fact →
The studies behind the evidence row
The case for it
What would change this: A declared concentration would move this to a firmer reading of the dose.
Same rule for everyone. “Promising” is the verdict on 7,858 of 45,024 concern verdicts across the catalog; rule R9p decided 7,858 of them. Unchanged since September 5, 2026, engine 5.1.1.
Brand or formulator? Disclose a concentration or correct a fact →
The studies behind the evidence row
Also listed for Dullness — the actives here (Centella Asiatica, Niacinamide, Ceramides, Licorice Root Extract) are in our research queue for that concern; there is no verdict until their evidence rows are written. That is a gap in our table, not a mark against the product.
A verdict is DermApproved’s assessment of how well a product’s ingredients fit a concern — never a claim about what the product treats. Evidence dots and collected reviews sit beside it and are never blended in. Rules 0.5.1 · evidence table ev-2026.09-r228 · how we decide
Reformulations usually mean subtraction. A brand catches heat for an irritating ingredient, quietly pulls it, and ships a watered-down version that fans grumble about. Purito did something rarer with this serum: when it stripped the bergamot and lavender essential oils out of its original Centella Green Level Buffet Serum, it didn't just remove and call it done — it added ceramide NP and licorice root extract on the way out, turning a defensive edit into a genuine upgrade. The Unscented version that resulted, released in 2019, ended up being not a lesser sibling but arguably the better product, which is a strange and welcome outcome for a fragrance-free remake.
The backbone carries over intact: centella asiatica extract at 49%, nearly half the formula, delivering a concentrated dose of the plant's anti-inflammatory triterpenes. What's notable is that Purito lists the isolated actives individually — asiaticoside, asiatic acid, and madecassic acid — rather than hiding behind a vague 'centella extract' line, which means the specific compounds doing the soothing and wound-supportive work are present at targeted levels. The evidence here is solid: asiaticoside has been shown to stimulate collagen synthesis and fibroblast activity, while madecassic and asiatic acid modulate inflammatory pathways. In the original, those triterpenes shared the bottle with essential oils added for sensory appeal; here they work without that interference, which is exactly what truly reactive skin needs.
The upgrade that matters most is ceramide NP. It's a skin-identical ceramide that directly restores the intercellular lipid barrier, and putting it in a serum — a step applied before your moisturizer — means barrier repair begins earlier in the routine rather than waiting for the cream. The principle behind layered K-beauty routines is that each step contributes something; a ceramide at the serum stage primes the barrier for the occlusive moisture that follows. It doesn't replace what a ceramide-rich cream provides, and you shouldn't expect it to, but having it present at all in a sub-twenty-dollar serum is the kind of detail most brands skip. Alongside it sits niacinamide at a meaningful position in the formula, pulling triple duty: it boosts the skin's own ceramide synthesis (complementing the exogenous ceramide NP through a different route), helps regulate sebum for oily-combination skin, and contributes gradual brightening by interfering with melanin transfer. Controlled studies have documented increased stratum corneum ceramide levels after a few weeks of topical niacinamide, so the pairing of applied-plus-stimulated ceramide isn't just marketing symmetry — it's two mechanisms aimed at the same barrier.
Rounding it out is a four-peptide complex — palmitoyl hexapeptide-12, tripeptide-1, tetrapeptide-7, and dipeptide-10 — that adds signal-peptide support for collagen and firmness. Be realistic about this part: at the concentrations you'd expect here, the anti-aging effect is maintenance-level rather than dramatic, and the peptide evidence is promising rather than locked-down. But for a soothing serum to also offer collagen signaling is a genuine bonus, not a liability. And the dipotassium glycyrrhizate — the licorice-derived anti-inflammatory added specifically to compensate for the removed essential oils' mild calming properties — reduces redness through a different biochemical pathway than centella, so the two stack additively rather than redundantly. That's the thoughtful part of the reformulation: Purito didn't just cut the oils, it replaced their one useful function with something better.
On skin it behaves like a well-made gel serum. It's lightweight, slightly viscous, spreads easily, and absorbs within a minute or two. There's a brief moment of tackiness — common in serums carrying high polysaccharide content from a centella-heavy base — but it resolves quickly and doesn't interfere with whatever you layer next. The completely unscented experience is its own kind of pleasant, the way silence is pleasant after noise: you apply it, it does its work, and your nose stays out of it entirely. Soothing and hydration are immediate; visible redness reduction tends to show within one to two weeks, while the brightening from niacinamide and the barrier strengthening from ceramide NP build over four to eight weeks of consistent use.
The limitations are honest and minor. That initial tackiness, while it passes, is worth knowing about before you buy. The high centella concentration can cause brief tingling on actively broken or compromised skin, and a few users report a short adjustment-period purge. The peptides are almost certainly present at modest levels, so this isn't the serum to reach for if dramatic anti-aging is the goal. And because it's water-based, it primes the barrier but doesn't seal it — for serious barrier damage you'll still want a ceramide-rich cream on top. One genuine drawback worth naming: the independent review count is lower than the mainstream alternatives, so there's a little less crowd-sourced data behind it, which is part of why the confidence here is medium rather than high.
Value is where it pulls clear ahead. At roughly sixteen dollars for two ounces, you're getting a fragrance-free, oil-free, silicone-free serum that consolidates soothing, hydration, barrier support, gentle brightening, and a touch of collagen signaling into a single bottle. Purito is still an emerging brand — founded in 2017, without the decades of clinical validation a legacy name carries — so a little caution on the bolder claims is fair, but the formula itself is genuinely well-constructed for the price. Buy it if you have sensitive, reactive, normal, or combination skin and want a do-most-things serum that won't trigger fragrance reactions; it's an especially good fit for anyone who liked the original Buffet Serum but couldn't tolerate the oils. Skip it only if you need a heavyweight treatment for one specific concern, or if your skin is so fragile that even a high centella load reads as a tingle you'd rather avoid.
The hero actives that drive this product's performance.
| Ingredient | Function | Evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Centella Asiatica Extract 49% (49%) | Nearly half the formula is centella extract, delivering concentrated anti-inflammatory triterpenes (asiaticoside, asiatic acid, madecassic acid are individually listed). In this fragrance-free version, the centella works without interference from essential oils, making it ideal for truly reactive skin. | Limited for Rosacea |
| Niacinamide | Provides barrier strengthening, sebum regulation, and brightening in a formula already focused on soothing. The niacinamide here works synergistically with both the centella (reducing inflammation from different pathways) and the ceramide NP (boosting the skin's own ceramide synthesis). | Established mechanism for Compromised Skin Barrier · established mechanism |
| Ceramide NP | A skin-identical ceramide that directly restores the intercellular lipid barrier. This is the Unscented version's key upgrade over the original Buffet Serum — the addition of ceramide NP means this serum doesn't just soothe inflammation but actively rebuilds the damaged barrier that caused the inflammation in the first place. | Established mechanism for Compromised Skin Barrier · established mechanism |
| Peptide Complex | Four signal peptides — palmitoyl hexapeptide-12, tripeptide-1, tetrapeptide-7, and dipeptide-10 — that support collagen production and skin firmness. They add long-term structural support to the serum's acute soothing and barrier repair functions. | Limited for Aging |
| Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate | A licorice-derived anti-inflammatory that reduces redness and soothes irritation through a different mechanism than centella. Added to the Unscented version to compensate for the removed essential oils' mild anti-inflammatory properties, this ingredient ensures the reformulation actually improves on the original. | Limited for Rosacea |
Ingredient standings describe the active at treatment-level doses and vehicles; this product's own condition grades weigh its actual formula.
Centella Asiatica Extract (49%), Water, Glycerin, Dipropylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Glycereth-26, Ceramide NP, Sodium Hyaluronate, Asiaticoside, Asiatic Acid, Madecassic Acid, Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Palmitoyl Dipeptide-10, Carbomer, Arginine, Sclerotium Gum, Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters, Caprylyl Glycol, Polyglyceryl-10 Myristate, Panthenol, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Pancratium Maritimum Extract, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Disodium EDTA, Adenosine.
serum
AM & PM
Apply after toner and before moisturizer. The lightweight gel texture layers beautifully under creams and sunscreens without pilling. Can be used as a standalone treatment for oily skin in warm weather, or layered under richer creams for dry skin.
Immediate soothing and hydration. Redness reduction visible within 1-2 weeks. Brightening from niacinamide and barrier strengthening from ceramide NP become apparent over 4-8 weeks of consistent use.
The 49% centella asiatica extract delivers a concentrated dose of the plant's therapeutic triterpenes. Asiaticoside has been shown in published research to stimulate type I collagen synthesis and promote fibroblast proliferation. Madecassic acid and asiatic acid demonstrate potent anti-inflammatory effects through NF-kB pathway modulation. The combined effect of these triterpenes addresses both the inflammatory and structural components of barrier damage.
The addition of ceramide NP in the Unscented version addresses a gap in the original formula. Research in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology has demonstrated that topical ceramide application directly restores the lamellar lipid structures of the stratum corneum, reducing TEWL and improving barrier function. Having ceramide in a serum layer — applied before a moisturizer — ensures barrier repair begins earlier in the routine.
Dipotassium glycyrrhizate, the licorice-derived anti-inflammatory added to replace essential oils, has been documented as an effective anti-inflammatory agent in dermatological literature. It inhibits prostaglandin E2 production and reduces erythema, providing soothing activity through a different biochemical pathway than centella — creating additive anti-inflammatory effects.
Niacinamide's role in ceramide synthesis has been validated in controlled studies showing increased stratum corneum ceramide levels after 2-4 weeks of topical application. Combined with exogenous ceramide NP, this creates a dual-mechanism approach to barrier lipid restoration — direct application plus enhanced endogenous production.
Dermatologists recognize the centella-ceramide-niacinamide combination as a well-designed approach to skin barrier support and inflammation management. Most dermatologists emphasize that the completely fragrance-free formulation makes this serum appropriate for patients with contact dermatitis, rosacea, and post-procedure sensitivity. The addition of licorice root extract provides validated anti-inflammatory support without the sensitization risk of essential oils. Dermatologists would recommend this as a suitable daily serum for patients undergoing retinoid therapy or recovering from in-office procedures.
After cleansing and toning, dispense 2-3 pumps and pat gently into skin. Allow 1-2 minutes to absorb before applying moisturizer and sunscreen. Use morning and evening. For enhanced soothing, apply an extra layer to irritated areas. Pairs perfectly with Purito's Centella Unscented Recovery Cream as a serum-cream duo for comprehensive barrier repair.
At approximately $16 for 60ml, this serum offers exceptional value for a fragrance-free, multi-active centella formulation with ceramide NP. Comparable Western serums with similar ingredient profiles cost $25-45 for smaller volumes. The multi-active approach effectively consolidates soothing, barrier repair, brightening, and anti-aging into one step, providing practical value beyond the price tag. Available from multiple K-beauty retailers with competitive pricing.
Anyone seeking a fragrance-free, multi-active soothing serum. Sensitive skin types who want high-concentration centella without any essential oils. Retinol and acid users who need daily soothing support. People who want to consolidate multiple serum steps into one product. Those choosing between the scented and unscented Purito serums — this is the better formula.
Anyone looking for a standalone anti-aging treatment with high peptide concentrations. People who specifically want the herbal scent experience of the original Buffet Serum. Those who find any amount of initial serum tackiness unacceptable.
Lightweight gel serum with smooth, slightly viscous consistency. Spreads easily and absorbs within 1-2 minutes. Clear to slightly translucent appearance.
Completely unscented. Zero detectable fragrance, essential oils, or masking agents.
Pump bottle with controlled dispensing. Hygienic design prevents contamination. Simple, clean Purito branding with 'Unscented' clearly labeled.
Applies smoothly with a pleasant, lightweight feel. Absorbs quickly with brief moment of tackiness that resolves within a minute. Zero scent — refreshingly neutral. Skin feels immediately calmer and more hydrated.
2-3 months with twice-a-day use at 2-3 pumps per application.
All Year
Released in 2019, this serum was Purito's response to users who loved the Buffet Serum's centella-peptide-niacinamide approach but couldn't tolerate the essential oils. Rather than simply removing fragrance, Purito added ceramide NP and licorice root extract — turning a reformulation into a genuine upgrade that made the Unscented version arguably the better product.
Purito Seoul was founded in 2017. The Unscented Serum was released in 2019 as a fragrance-free alternative to the original Centella Green Level Buffet Serum, with the added bonus of ceramide NP and licorice root extract.
Fragrance-free serums are less effective because essential oils have skincare benefits.
While some essential oils have anti-inflammatory properties, the dipotassium glycyrrhizate (licorice root) added to this version provides stronger, more targeted anti-inflammatory activity without any irritation risk. The Unscented version is more effective, not less.
You need separate serums for soothing, brightening, and anti-aging.
This serum addresses all three through different active pathways: centella for soothing, niacinamide for brightening, and peptides for anti-aging. While dedicated products may provide higher concentrations of individual actives, this multi-active approach is effective for maintenance and prevention.
The Unscented version removes bergamot and lavender essential oils and adds ceramide NP, dipotassium glycyrrhizate (licorice root), and pancratium maritimum extract. The core 49% centella, niacinamide, and four-peptide complex remain the same. The Unscented version is considered the better formula for sensitive skin.
Yes — they're designed to work together as a serum-cream duo. The serum delivers centella, niacinamide, ceramide, and peptides in a lightweight format, while the cream adds additional ceramides, phytosphingosine, and multi-oil emollients for complete barrier repair.
The fragrance-free formula with 49% centella, ceramide NP, and licorice root extract is well-suited for rosacea-prone skin. Centella's anti-inflammatory properties help calm the redness and irritation associated with rosacea, and the absence of any fragrance compounds minimizes the risk of flare-ups.
The niacinamide helps reduce post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (the dark marks left after acne), while the centella triterpenes support tissue repair. For active scarring, results will be gradual and modest — dedicated brightening or retinol treatments may be more effective for established scars.
Yes. The formula is completely oil-free, silicone-free, and fragrance-free, making it suitable for oily and acne-prone skin types. It uses hydrolyzed jojoba esters and glycerin for hydration rather than traditional oils.
Recurring themes our editors read across retailer reviews of this product — summaries in our words, not quotations, and not a substitute for your own patch test.
Completely fragrance-free with no detectable scent whatsoever
49% centella extract with ceramide NP — better than the scented original
Lightweight gel absorbs quickly and layers perfectly under any moisturizer
Visibly reduces redness and calms irritation within days
Affordable multi-active serum that replaces multiple products
Slight initial tackiness before full absorption
High centella concentration may cause tingling on actively broken skin
Some users report breakouts during initial adjustment
Review count is lower than mainstream alternatives
Verified answers from our questions library — the nuance a product page cannot carry.
