Works for
Evens skin toneKojic acid, Punica granatum extractWorks well
“This botanical-rich, kojic acid-based hydrating serum helps minimize the appearance of dark spots, melasma, and hyperpigmentation.”
This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: kojic acid
The following ingredient (ingredients) in this product might be helpful, but there is no evidence to confirm that it actually can help even out the skin tone: punica granatum extract.
Keep in mind that you would need to apply any topical skincare targetted at hypigmentation consistently for a couple of months to get a result. No topical skincare product can help get rid of hyperpigmentation (including post-acne marks and age spots) instantly.
MoisturizingCeramide np, Ceramide ap + 13 moreWorks well
“This botanical-rich, kojic acid-based hydrating serum helps minimize the appearance of dark spots, melasma, and hyperpigmentation.”
This product can help improve hydration of the skin with the two types of ingredients.
The first type is called “humectants”:
these ingredients help attract water.
When humectants are on the surface of the skin, they “pull in” the moisture from the outside environment, or from
within deeper layers of the skin. The following ingredients in this product do the job:
glycerin, butylene glycol.
This product also contains ingredients called “occlusives”. They help reduce the speed with which our skin loses moisture to the outside environment. These ingredients also help soften the upper layer of the skin, so it feels less tight and nicer to the touch. The following ingredients in this product do the job: cholesterol.
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: ceramide ap, ceramide eop, ceramide np, palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7, palmitoyl tripeptide-1, palmitoyl tripeptide-5, panthenol, phytosphingosine
Anti-oxidationNot advertised by the brand · Kojic acid, Punica granatum extract + 2 moreWorks well
This product contains antioxidants (kojic acid) that can help neutralize free radicals in skin. By doing so, they can lessen the damage the skin gets from the UV light (sun).
The following ingredients - punica granatum extract also can have an antioxidant effect, but there is less evidence to confirm their effectiveness in skin.
Anti-agingNot advertised by the brand · Palmitoyl tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7 + 1 moreMay help
This product contains palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7, palmitoyl tripeptide-1, palmitoyl tripeptide-5. These ingredients might be able to help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness, but there is not enough evidence that it actually works.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy1 strong irritant: AlcoholMedium risk
Comedogenic1 ingredient rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale1 flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~40–60%
Glycerin~4–6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant
More about GlycerinHydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer~3.7–5.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A gelling agent that thickens the product consistency and leaves the skin with a velvety finish
More about Hydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymerPyrus malus fruit extract~2.7–4.1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can have some moisturizing properties due to its sugar content
More about Pyrus malus fruit extractLepidium sativum sprout extract~2–3.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Kojic acid~1.6–2.4%
- Irritation risk
- High
Helps to reduce hyperpigmentation and neutralize free radicals. Can be irritating
More about Kojic acidCeramide np~1.4–2.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of lipid similar to ceramides naturally present in skin. Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin and supports the skin barrier function to keep it hydrated. Can help to prevent inflammation in skin
More about Ceramide npCeramide ap~1.3–1.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of lipid similar to ceramides naturally present in skin. Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin and supports the skin barrier function to keep it hydrated. Can help to prevent inflammation in skin
More about Ceramide apCeramide eop~1.1–1.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of lipid similar to ceramides naturally present in skin. Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin and supports the skin barrier function to keep it hydrated. Can help to prevent inflammation in skin
More about Ceramide eopPhytosphingosine~0.9–1.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of lipid that is naturally present in skin. It might help in repairing skin barrier function and has anti-bacterial effect
More about PhytosphingosineCholesterol~0.55–1.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that is naturally found in skin
More about CholesterolSodium lauroyl lactylate~0.45–1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps water and oil mix together
More about Sodium lauroyl lactylateCarbomer~0.4–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps create a thicker or gel-like product texture. It is not a surfactant but can be used in gentle cleansing formulations
More about CarbomerXanthan gum~0.35–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumButylene glycol~0.3–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a nice product texture and help delivery of other ingredients. Might be somewhat helpful in attracting water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Butylene glycolPolysorbate 20~0.35–0.8%
Palmitoyl tripeptide-1~0.35–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of peptide. Peptides are excellent moisturizers and might be able support collagen production reducing fine lines and wrinkles
More about Palmitoyl tripeptide-1Palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7~0.3–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of peptide. Peptides are excellent moisturizers and might be able support collagen production reducing fine lines and wrinkles
More about Palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7Palmitoyl tripeptide-5~0.15–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of peptide. Peptides are excellent moisturizers and might be able support collagen production reducing fine lines and wrinkles
More about Palmitoyl tripeptide-5Phenoxyethanol~0.15–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolPolysorbate 80~0.15–0.6%
Alcohol~0.15–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- High
Can be drying and contribute to skin irritation. Used in formulars to dissolve other ingredients, create a thinner product consistency or for its antibacterial properties
More about AlcoholPalmaria palmata extract~0.15–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
Red algae extract that helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Palmaria palmata extractLecithin~0.15–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used mostly for creating emulsions - helping oil and water mix together. Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about LecithinPunica granatum extract~0.1–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant extract that can help neutralize free radicals in skin and even out the skin tone, but is typically used in products in a concentration that is too low to be effective
More about Punica granatum extractPanthenol~0.1–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help improve skin barrier function
More about PanthenolEthylhexylglycerin~0.05–0.3%
Aloe barbadensis leaf extract~0.1–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Traditionally used to treat sunburns, dermatitis and inflammation, but evidence for its effectiveness is lacking. The extract can contain humectants that help attract water into the skin
More about Aloe barbadensis leaf extractDisodium edta~0.05–0.1%
Genistein~0.05–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Ingredient list view
Water, Glycerin, Hydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer, Pyrus malus fruit extract, Lepidium sativum sprout extract, Kojic acid, Ceramide np, Ceramide ap, Ceramide eop, Phytosphingosine, Cholesterol, Sodium lauroyl lactylate, Carbomer, Xanthan gum, Butylene glycol, Polysorbate 20, Palmitoyl tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7, Palmitoyl tripeptide-5, Phenoxyethanol, Polysorbate 80, Alcohol, Palmaria palmata extract, Lecithin, Punica granatum extract, Panthenol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Aloe barbadensis leaf extract, Disodium edta, Genistein
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Worth comparing, line by line.
Match % combines shared ingredients, the first five ingredients, shared actives and hero ingredients, irritancy (lower counts in the alternative's favour), texture and body area. Only products in the same routine step are compared.
| 1 ozHydra-FaderYOUR PRODUCT | DRMTLGYNeedle-less Serum | Dr. Emi ArpaAbsolut A Retinal Serum | Daughters of MalayPost-Breakout Recovery Serum | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 67% | 57% | 56% |
| Price | $56.00 | $69.00+$13.00 | — | — |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 10 of 13 | 8 of 13 | 8 of 13 |
| Key difference | — | Niacinamide | Lactic Acid | Niacinamide |
| Irritancy | Medium | Low | Low | Low |
| Drying alcohol | Contains drying alcohol | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Paula's choice Hyaluronic Acid BoosterMakeup Artists' Choice Transforming Anti Aging Serum V2
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 11 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2TOPICAL TREATMENT OF MELASMAncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
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