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ACURE Brightening Day Cream
ACURE

ACURE Brightening Day Cream

Efficacy75/100IrritancyHigh
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Works for

1 of 2 advertised claims delivered

Moisturizing
14 ingredients credited for this claim
Good support
What the product description says
“Cica and argan oil moisturize and protect, fight dullness and even out skin tone for skin that's bright and beautiful.”
Source: Ulta

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.

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: cocos nucifera oil, helianthus annuus seed oil.

Theobroma cacao seed butterKey active· EmollientEffect: HighHelps soften the upper layer of the skin and can be helpful in restoring the skin barrier function. Might have some anti-oxidant effect~3.4–4.1%
Carthamus tinctorius seed oilKey active· EmollientEffect: HighAn emollient that helps soften the skin and might help calm down inflammation~6.2–7.5%
Cocos nucifera oilKey active· Emollient, OcclusiveEffect: HighAn emollient. Found to be as effective as a moisturizer for dry skin as mineral oil. Could be comedogenic~4.4–5.4%
GlycerinKey active· HumectantEffect: HighOne of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant~1.3–1.6%
Helianthus annuus seed oilKey active· Emollient, OcclusiveEffect: HighA great emollient due to its high linoleic acid content. One of the most effective plant oils in helping skin hydration and repairing skin barrier function~1–1.2%
Oenothera biennis oilKey active· EmollientEffect: HighHelps soften the upper layer of the skin and can support skin barrier function~0.45–0.7%
Olea europaea fruit oilKey active· EmollientEffect: MediumAn emollient that helps soften the skin but is not effective for restoring its barrier function. Might be helpful to calm down inflammation~0.55–0.8%
Cetearyl alcoholKey active· EmollientEffect: MediumA non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture~1.8–2.2%
Chlorella pyrenoidosa extractKey activeEffect: MediumAn algae extract. Can help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and might help neutralize free radicals in skin~0.1–0.2%
Glyceryl caprylate· EmollientEffect: LowAn emollient that can also help water and oil mix together, as well as prevent bacteria growth in products~1.5–1.8%
Glyceryl stearate citrate· EmollientEffect: LowHelps oil and water mix together while softening the upper layer of the skin~2.2–2.7%
Argania spinosa kernel oilUnder-dosedEffect: HighAn emollient that helps soften the upper layer of the skin. Might have some weak anti-oxidant properties~0.15–0.25%
TocopherolEffect: Low, below effective dosePure form of vitamin E. Can help moisturise and protect the skin from free radicals. Often used to help stabilise other ingredients or the formula itself~0.3–0.6%
Aloe barbadensis leaf juiceEffect: Low, below effective doseTraditionally 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~0.3–0.55%
Evens skin tone
1 ingredient credited for this claim
Limited support
What the product description says
“Cica and argan oil moisturize and protect, fight dullness and even out skin tone for skin that's bright and beautiful.”
Source: Ulta

This product contains ingredients (punica granatum extract) that could help reduce hyperpigmentation (for example, post-acne marks or age spots) in theory, but there is not enough evidence that they actually work.

Punica granatum extractEffect: LowA 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~0.25–0.45%
Anti-oxidation
Not advertised by the brand · 13 ingredients credited for this claim
Moderate support

This product contains antioxidants (punica granatum extract) that might be able to help neutralize free radicals in skin to lessen the damage it gets from the UV light (sun). There is not enough evidence to confirm their effectiveness in skin though.

Punica granatum extractKey activeEffect: MediumA 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~0.25–0.45%
Aspalathus linearis leaf extractEffect: LowPlant extract that might have help to neutralize free radicals in skin, but evidence of effectiveness is skin is lacking~0.2–0.4%
Carthamus tinctorius seed oilEffect: LowAn emollient that helps soften the skin and might help calm down inflammation~6.2–7.5%
Chlorella pyrenoidosa extractEffect: LowAn algae extract. Can help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and might help neutralize free radicals in skin~0.1–0.2%
Euterpe oleracea fruit extractEffect: LowA plant extract that can have some anti-oxidant effect in skin~0.25–0.45%
Oenothera biennis oilEffect: LowHelps soften the upper layer of the skin and can support skin barrier function~0.45–0.7%
Theobroma cacao seed butterEffect: LowHelps soften the upper layer of the skin and can be helpful in restoring the skin barrier function. Might have some anti-oxidant effect~3.4–4.1%
Rubus fruticosus fruit extractEffect: LowA plant extract that might help neutralize free radicals in skin~0.25–0.45%
Rosa canina fruit extractEffect: LowA plant extract that might have some anti-oxidant properties, but evidence is lacking~0.25–0.45%
Calendula officinalis flower extractEffect: LowA plant extract that has some anti-oxidant and anti-bacterial properties. Can be irritating~0.2–0.4%
TocopherolUnder-dosedEffect: HighPure form of vitamin E. Can help moisturise and protect the skin from free radicals. Often used to help stabilise other ingredients or the formula itself~0.3–0.6%
Tocopheryl acetateEffect: Low, below effective doseA more stable but less bio-available form of vitamin E compared to Tocopherol. Might help moisturize and protect the skin from free radicals, but mostly used in low concentrations to stabilize other ingredients.~0.45–0.65%
Argania spinosa kernel oilEffect: Low, below effective doseAn emollient that helps soften the upper layer of the skin. Might have some weak anti-oxidant properties~0.15–0.25%

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy
4 strong irritants: Citrus aurantium dulcis peel oil, Citrus nobilis peel oil + 2 more — patch-test recommended
High risk
We flagged 17 ingredients with irritancy potential. Severity depends on your sensitivity threshold; the table lists the worst offenders first.
IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount
Citrus aurantium dulcis peel oilAn essentil oil from orange peel. Potential allergen and can be irritatingHigh~0.7–1%est.
Citrus nobilis peel oilA plant oil with high content of volatile compounds that, especially when exposed to air, can cause allergic reactions and irritate the skinHigh~0.45–0.65%est.
Calendula officinalis flower extractA plant extract that has some anti-oxidant and anti-bacterial properties. Can be irritatingHigh~0.3–0.6%est.
Eugenia caryophyllus bud oilUsed as a fragrance. Can be irritatingHigh~0.25–0.5%est.
Chamomilla recutita flower extractPlant extract that can have healing and anti-inflammatory properties. It is a potential allergen and can be irritatingHigh~0.2–0.4%est.
Glyceryl laurateHelps water and oil mix together and has an anti-microbial effect helping to preserve product formulationsMedium~0.65–0.95%est.
Olea europaea fruit oilAn emollient that helps soften the skin but is not effective for restoring its barrier function. Might be helpful to calm down inflammationMedium~0.55–0.8%est.
Sodium levulinateA preservativeMedium~0.45–0.65%est.
Tocopheryl acetateA more stable but less bio-available form of vitamin E compared to Tocopherol. Might help moisturize and protect the skin from free radicals, but mostly used in low concentrations to stabilize other ingredients.Medium~0.45–0.65%est.
Oenothera biennis oilHelps soften the upper layer of the skin and can support skin barrier functionMedium~0.45–0.7%est.
Potassium sorbateA preservativeMedium~0.3–0.6%est.
Aloe barbadensis leaf juiceTraditionally 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 skinMedium~0.3–0.55%est.
Euterpe oleracea fruit extractA plant extract that can have some anti-oxidant effect in skinMedium~0.25–0.45%est.
Rubus fruticosus fruit extractA plant extract that might help neutralize free radicals in skinMedium~0.25–0.45%est.
Punica granatum extractA 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 effectiveMedium~0.25–0.45%est.
Rosa canina fruit extractA plant extract that might have some anti-oxidant properties, but evidence is lackingMedium~0.25–0.45%est.
Argania spinosa kernel oilAn emollient that helps soften the upper layer of the skin. Might have some weak anti-oxidant propertiesMedium~0.15–0.25%est.
Comedogenic
5 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale
5 flagged
These ingredients have a comedogenic rating of 2 or more on a 0–5 scale; the table shows each one's rating. In leave-on products they can clog pores in acne-prone skin.
IngredientFunctionRatingEst. amount
Cocos nucifera oilAn emollient. Found to be as effective as a moisturizer for dry skin as mineral oil. Could be comedogenic3/5~4.4–5.4%est.
Theobroma cacao seed butterHelps soften the upper layer of the skin and can be helpful in restoring the skin barrier function. Might have some anti-oxidant effect3/5~3.4–4.1%est.
Chlorella pyrenoidosa extractAn algae extract. Can help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and might help neutralize free radicals in skin3/5~0.1–0.2%est.
Cetearyl alcoholA non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture2/5~2.6–3.1%est.
Cetearyl alcoholA non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture2/5~1.8–2.2%est.
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Ingredients

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Water~45–55%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Plain old water

More about Water
Carthamus tinctorius seed oil~6.2–7.5%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
MoisturizingAnti-oxidation

An emollient that helps soften the skin and might help calm down inflammation

More about Carthamus tinctorius seed oil
Cocos nucifera oil~4.4–5.4%
Key activeComedogenic 3/5
Irritation risk
Low
Comedogenicity
3/5
Works for
Moisturizing

An emollient. Found to be as effective as a moisturizer for dry skin as mineral oil. Could be comedogenic

More about Cocos nucifera oil
Theobroma cacao seed butter~3.4–4.1%
Key activeComedogenic 3/5
Irritation risk
Low
Comedogenicity
3/5
Works for
MoisturizingAnti-oxidationAnti-dandruff

Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and can be helpful in restoring the skin barrier function. Might have some anti-oxidant effect

More about Theobroma cacao seed butter
Cetearyl alcohol~2.6–3.1%
Key activeComedogenic 2/5
Irritation risk
Low
Comedogenicity
2/5
Works for
CleansingMoisturizing

A non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture

More about Cetearyl alcohol
Glyceryl stearate citrate~2.2–2.7%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
CleansingMoisturizing

Helps oil and water mix together while softening the upper layer of the skin

More about Glyceryl stearate citrate
Cetearyl alcohol~1.8–2.2%
Key activeComedogenic 2/5
Irritation risk
Low
Comedogenicity
2/5
Works for
CleansingMoisturizing

A non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture

More about Cetearyl alcohol
Glyceryl caprylate~1.5–1.8%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
CleansingMoisturizing

An emollient that can also help water and oil mix together, as well as prevent bacteria growth in products

More about Glyceryl caprylate
Glycerin~1.3–1.6%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

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 Glycerin
Helianthus annuus seed oil~1–1.2%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

A great emollient due to its high linoleic acid content. One of the most effective plant oils in helping skin hydration and repairing skin barrier function

More about Helianthus annuus seed oil
Citrus aurantium dulcis peel oil~0.7–1%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

An essentil oil from orange peel. Potential allergen and can be irritating

More about Citrus aurantium dulcis peel oil
Glyceryl laurate~0.65–0.95%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Cleansing

Helps water and oil mix together and has an anti-microbial effect helping to preserve product formulations

More about Glyceryl laurate
Olea europaea fruit oil~0.55–0.8%
Key activeIrritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Moisturizing

An emollient that helps soften the skin but is not effective for restoring its barrier function. Might be helpful to calm down inflammation

More about Olea europaea fruit oil
Citrus nobilis peel oil~0.45–0.65%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

A plant oil with high content of volatile compounds that, especially when exposed to air, can cause allergic reactions and irritate the skin

More about Citrus nobilis peel oil
Sodium levulinate~0.45–0.65%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

A preservative

More about Sodium levulinate
Tocopheryl acetate~0.45–0.65%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Anti-oxidation

A more stable but less bio-available form of vitamin E compared to Tocopherol. Might help moisturize and protect the skin from free radicals, but mostly used in low concentrations to stabilize other ingredients.

More about Tocopheryl acetate
Oenothera biennis oil~0.45–0.7%
Key activeIrritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
MoisturizingAnti-blemishAnti-inflammatoryAnti-oxidation

Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and can support skin barrier function

More about Oenothera biennis oil
Calendula officinalis flower extract~0.3–0.6%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Anti-oxidation

A plant extract that has some anti-oxidant and anti-bacterial properties. Can be irritating

More about Calendula officinalis flower extract
Tocopherol~0.3–0.6%
Under-dosed
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Anti-oxidationAnti-inflammatoryAnti-agingMoisturizing

Pure form of vitamin E. Can help moisturise and protect the skin from free radicals. Often used to help stabilise other ingredients or the formula itself

More about Tocopherol
Potassium sorbate~0.3–0.6%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

A preservative

More about Potassium sorbate
Aloe barbadensis leaf juice~0.3–0.55%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
MoisturizingAnti-inflammatoryReduces rednessAntibacterialReduces irritationAnti-blemishAnti-aging

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 juice
Eugenia caryophyllus bud oil~0.25–0.5%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

Used as a fragrance. Can be irritating

More about Eugenia caryophyllus bud oil
Euterpe oleracea fruit extract~0.25–0.45%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Anti-oxidation

A plant extract that can have some anti-oxidant effect in skin

More about Euterpe oleracea fruit extract
Rubus fruticosus fruit extract~0.25–0.45%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Anti-oxidation

A plant extract that might help neutralize free radicals in skin

More about Rubus fruticosus fruit extract
Punica granatum extract~0.25–0.45%
Key activeIrritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Anti-oxidationEvens skin tone

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 extract
Rosa canina fruit extract~0.25–0.45%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Anti-oxidation

A plant extract that might have some anti-oxidant properties, but evidence is lacking

More about Rosa canina fruit extract
Calendula officinalis flower extract~0.2–0.4%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Anti-oxidation

A plant extract that has some anti-oxidant and anti-bacterial properties. Can be irritating

More about Calendula officinalis flower extract
Chamomilla recutita flower extract~0.2–0.4%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Anti-inflammatory

Plant extract that can have healing and anti-inflammatory properties. It is a potential allergen and can be irritating

More about Chamomilla recutita flower extract
Aspalathus linearis leaf extract~0.2–0.4%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Anti-oxidation

Plant extract that might have help to neutralize free radicals in skin, but evidence of effectiveness is skin is lacking

More about Aspalathus linearis leaf extract
Centella asiatica meristem cell culture~0.2–0.35%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
More about Centella asiatica meristem cell culture
Echinacea angustifolia meristem cell culture~0.15–0.3%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
More about Echinacea angustifolia meristem cell culture
Marrubium vulgare meristem cell culture~0.15–0.25%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
More about Marrubium vulgare meristem cell culture
Chlorella pyrenoidosa extract~0.1–0.2%
Key activeComedogenic 3/5
Irritation risk
Low
Comedogenicity
3/5
Works for
MoisturizingAnti-oxidation

An algae extract. Can help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and might help neutralize free radicals in skin

More about Chlorella pyrenoidosa extract
Argania spinosa kernel oil~0.15–0.25%
Under-dosedIrritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
MoisturizingAnti-oxidation

An emollient that helps soften the upper layer of the skin. Might have some weak anti-oxidant properties

More about Argania spinosa kernel oil
Xanthan gum~0.1–0.15%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Cleansing

Used to create a thicker product consistency

More about Xanthan gum
Ingredient list view

Water, Carthamus tinctorius seed oil, Cocos nucifera oil, Theobroma cacao seed butter, Cetearyl alcohol, Glyceryl stearate citrate, Cetearyl alcohol, Glyceryl caprylate, Glycerin, Helianthus annuus seed oil, Citrus aurantium dulcis peel oil, Glyceryl laurate, Olea europaea fruit oil, Citrus nobilis peel oil, Sodium levulinate, Tocopheryl acetate, Oenothera biennis oil, Calendula officinalis flower extract, Tocopherol, Potassium sorbate, Aloe barbadensis leaf juice, Eugenia caryophyllus bud oil, Euterpe oleracea fruit extract, Rubus fruticosus fruit extract, Punica granatum extract, Rosa canina fruit extract, Calendula officinalis flower extract, Chamomilla recutita flower extract, Aspalathus linearis leaf extract, Centella asiatica meristem cell culture, Echinacea angustifolia meristem cell culture, Marrubium vulgare meristem cell culture, Chlorella pyrenoidosa extract, Argania spinosa kernel oil, Xanthan gum

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Amazon USPrice as of 10/20/2026 15:30 GMT
$19.99
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Sources cited in this review

Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 23 studies and safety reviews.

  1. 1
    Cocoa polyphenols and their influence on parameters involved in ex vivo skin restructuringncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  2. 2
    Glycerol and the skin: holistic approach to its origin and functionsncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  3. 3
    Effect of Olive and Sunflower Seed Oil on the Adult Skin Barrier: Implications for Neonatal Skin Careonlinelibrary.wiley.com
  4. 4
    Topically Applied Sunflower Seed Oil Prevents Invasive Bacterial Infections in Preterm Infants in Egyptjournals.lww.com
  5. 5
    Effect of topically applied lipids on surfactant-irritated skinonlinelibrary.wiley.com
  6. 6
    Impact of topical oils on the skin barrier: possible implications for neonatal health in developing countriesonlinelibrary.wiley.com
ACURE Brightening Day Cream
ACUREBrightening Day Cream
Buy on Amazon$19.99 · as of 10/20 15:30 GMT

Affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.

Buy on Amazon$19.99 · as of 10/20 15:30 GMT

As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.