What's In My Jar
Admire My Skin Ultra Potent Brightening Serum A3
Admire My Skin

Admire My Skin Ultra Potent Brightening Serum A3

Efficacy100/100IrritancyMedium
See all ingredients

Works for

Evens skin tone
Azelaic acid, Kojic acid + 3 more
Works well
What the product description says
“This concentrated serum uses 1% Synovea® HR – the gold standard clinical ingredient for addressing melasma, hyperpigmentation and age spots.”
Source: Admire My Skin

This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: azelaic acid, kojic acid

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.

Azelaic acidKey activeEffect: HighIs produced by a yeast that lives on normal human skin. It is used in medicine as a topical treatment for mild to moderate acne. It has a mild exfoliating effect. It can also help reduce hyperpigmentation, helps calm down inflammation and can help neutralize free radicals~4.8–7.2%
Kojic acidKey activeEffect: HighHelps to reduce hyperpigmentation and neutralize free radicals. Can be irritating~0.9–1.35%
Salicylic acidEffect: Low, below effective doseUsed for skin exfoliation. It has an anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial effect, helps to unclog pores, prevent blemishes and speed up healing of the existing ones. Sometimes referred to as a BHA (beta-hydroxy acid)~0.35–0.85%
Lactic acidUnder-dosedAn exfoliating and moisturizing alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA). Typically causes less irritation than other AHAs, for example, glycolic acid. At high concentrations (about 15%), lactic acid can help reduce lines and wrinkles. Recent studies show that lactic acid can support the "good" bacteria living on skin's surface (healthy skin microbiome)~1.6–2.4%
Ascorbic acidUnder-dosedThe most well-researched antioxidant that works in skin. Helps neutralize free radicals supporting collagen production, helping to even out the skin tone and preventing early signs of aging~0.4–0.95%
Anti-blemish
Not advertised by the brand · Azelaic acid, Salicylic acid
Works well

This product can help reduce breakouts and clogged pores because it contains the following ingredient: azelaic acid. This ingredient is used for treating acne and can have a noticeable effect.

Azelaic acidHeroEffect: HighIs produced by a yeast that lives on normal human skin. It is used in medicine as a topical treatment for mild to moderate acne. It has a mild exfoliating effect. It can also help reduce hyperpigmentation, helps calm down inflammation and can help neutralize free radicals~4.8–7.2%
Salicylic acidUnder-dosedUsed for skin exfoliation. It has an anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial effect, helps to unclog pores, prevent blemishes and speed up healing of the existing ones. Sometimes referred to as a BHA (beta-hydroxy acid)~0.35–0.85%
Anti-oxidation
Not advertised by the brand · Azelaic acid, Kojic acid + 1 more
Works well

This product contains antioxidants (azelaic acid, 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).

Azelaic acidKey activeEffect: HighIs produced by a yeast that lives on normal human skin. It is used in medicine as a topical treatment for mild to moderate acne. It has a mild exfoliating effect. It can also help reduce hyperpigmentation, helps calm down inflammation and can help neutralize free radicals~4.8–7.2%
Kojic acidKey activeEffect: HighHelps to reduce hyperpigmentation and neutralize free radicals. Can be irritating~0.9–1.35%
Ascorbic acidUnder-dosedThe most well-researched antioxidant that works in skin. Helps neutralize free radicals supporting collagen production, helping to even out the skin tone and preventing early signs of aging~0.4–0.95%
Anti-aging
Not advertised by the brand · Lactic acid, Ascorbic acid
May help

This product contains azelaic acid, kojic acid. These ingredients help neutralize free radicals in skin. By doing so, they might be able to prevent early signs of aging (like fine lines and wrinkles), at least to some extent. These ingredients will not be able to "reverse" signs of aging.

Lactic acidUnder-dosedAn exfoliating and moisturizing alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA). Typically causes less irritation than other AHAs, for example, glycolic acid. At high concentrations (about 15%), lactic acid can help reduce lines and wrinkles. Recent studies show that lactic acid can support the "good" bacteria living on skin's surface (healthy skin microbiome)~1.6–2.4%
Ascorbic acidUnder-dosedThe most well-researched antioxidant that works in skin. Helps neutralize free radicals supporting collagen production, helping to even out the skin tone and preventing early signs of aging~0.4–0.95%

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy
2 strong irritants: Alcohol denat., Hamamelis virginiana water
Medium risk
We flagged 8 ingredients with irritancy potential. Severity depends on your sensitivity threshold; the table lists the worst offenders first.
IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount
Propylene glycolHelps oil and water mix together and can enhance the penetration of other ingredients into the skin. It can be irritatingHigh~23–34%est.
Alcohol denat.Produces temporary toning effect. Can help dissolve other ingredients or preserve productsHigh~9.3–14%est.
Hamamelis virginiana waterA plant extract that can help calm down inflammation in skin. Can, however, itself be irritatingHigh~2.3–3.4%est.
Kojic acidHelps to reduce hyperpigmentation and neutralize free radicals. Can be irritatingHigh~0.9–1.35%est.
Salicylic acidUsed for skin exfoliation. It has an anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial effect, helps to unclog pores, prevent blemishes and speed up healing of the existing ones. Sometimes referred to as a BHA (beta-hydroxy acid)High~0.35–0.85%est.
Ascorbic acidThe most well-researched antioxidant that works in skin. Helps neutralize free radicals supporting collagen production, helping to even out the skin tone and preventing early signs of agingHigh~0.4–0.95%est.
Lactic acidAn exfoliating and moisturizing alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA). Typically causes less irritation than other AHAs, for example, glycolic acid. At high concentrations (about 15%), lactic acid can help reduce lines and wrinkles. Recent studies show that lactic acid can support the "good" bacteria living on skin's surface (healthy skin microbiome)Medium~1.6–2.4%est.
Hydroxypropyl methylcelluloseUsed to create a thicker product consistency and stabilize the formulationMedium~0.2–0.7%est.
Comedogenic
Clean of flagged comedogenic ingredients
None flagged
Alternatives
The closest match we found
Intensive Hydration Serum Hyaluronic Acid %2 + B5
The Purest Solutions Intensive Hydration Serum Hyaluronic Acid %2 + B5
Closest match89% match
$16.99
View all alternatives

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Ingredients

Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.

Propylene glycol~23–34%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Moisturizing

Helps oil and water mix together and can enhance the penetration of other ingredients into the skin. It can be irritating

More about Propylene glycol
Alcohol denat.~9.3–14%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

Produces temporary toning effect. Can help dissolve other ingredients or preserve products

More about Alcohol denat.
Azelaic acid~4.8–7.2%
Hero · Anti-blemish
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Anti-blemishAnti-oxidationEvens skin toneExfoliation

Is produced by a yeast that lives on normal human skin. It is used in medicine as a topical treatment for mild to moderate acne. It has a mild exfoliating effect. It can also help reduce hyperpigmentation, helps calm down inflammation and can help neutralize free radicals

More about Azelaic acid
Water~3.5–5.2%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Plain old water

More about Water
Hamamelis virginiana water~2.3–3.4%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Anti-inflammatory

A plant extract that can help calm down inflammation in skin. Can, however, itself be irritating

More about Hamamelis virginiana water
Lactic acid~1.6–2.4%
Under-dosedIrritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
ExfoliationMoisturizingEvens skin toneAnti-aging

An exfoliating and moisturizing alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA). Typically causes less irritation than other AHAs, for example, glycolic acid. At high concentrations (about 15%), lactic acid can help reduce lines and wrinkles. Recent studies show that lactic acid can support the "good" bacteria living on skin's surface (healthy skin microbiome)

More about Lactic acid
Kojic acid~0.9–1.35%
Key activeIrritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Evens skin toneAnti-oxidation

Helps to reduce hyperpigmentation and neutralize free radicals. Can be irritating

More about Kojic acid
Salicylic acid~0.35–0.85%
Under-dosedIrritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Anti-blemishExfoliationAnti-inflammatoryAntibacterialEvens skin tone

Used for skin exfoliation. It has an anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial effect, helps to unclog pores, prevent blemishes and speed up healing of the existing ones. Sometimes referred to as a BHA (beta-hydroxy acid)

More about Salicylic acid
Ascorbic acid~0.4–0.95%
Under-dosedIrritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Anti-agingEvens skin toneAnti-oxidation

The most well-researched antioxidant that works in skin. Helps neutralize free radicals supporting collagen production, helping to even out the skin tone and preventing early signs of aging

More about Ascorbic acid
Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose~0.2–0.7%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Cleansing

Used to create a thicker product consistency and stabilize the formulation

More about Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose
Sodium hydroxide~0.1–0.35%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Used to adjust the product's pH

More about Sodium hydroxide
Ingredient list view

Propylene glycol, Alcohol denat., Azelaic acid, Water, Hamamelis virginiana water, Lactic acid, Kojic acid, Salicylic acid, Ascorbic acid, Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, Sodium hydroxide

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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.

Side-by-side comparison of this product against its closest alternatives
Admire My SkinUltra Potent Brightening Serum A3YOUR PRODUCTThe Purest SolutionsIntensive Hydration Serum Hyaluronic Acid %2 + B5Honest BeautyIn The Clear Acne SerumPaula's choiceCLEAR DAILY SKIN-CLEARING TREATMENT AZELAIC ACID + BHA
Match—89%83%83%
Price—$16.99——
Shared key ingredients—0 of 42 of 42 of 4
Key difference—PanthenolNiacinamideCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Irritancy Medium Low Low Low
Drying alcohol Contains drying alcohol Contains drying alcohol ——
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Sources cited in this review

Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 11 studies and safety reviews.

  1. 1
    Surfactants and experimental irritant contact dermatitisncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  2. 2
    Propylene Glycolpubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  3. 3
    Skin-sensitizing and irritant properties of propylene glycolonlinelibrary.wiley.com
  4. 4
    Epidermal and dermal effects of topical lactic acidncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  5. 5
    Dual Effects of Alpha-Hydroxy Acids on the Skinpdfs.semanticscholar.org
  6. 6
    TOPICAL TREATMENT OF MELASMAncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Admire My Skin Ultra Potent Brightening Serum A3
Admire My SkinUltra Potent Brightening Serum A3
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