ADVANCED CLINICALS

ADVANCED CLINICALS Dark Spot Cream

Name: ADVANCED CLINICALS - Dark Spot Cream
Brand: ADVANCED CLINICALS

Efficacy37/100IrritancyMedium

See all ingredients

Works for

Moisturizing

Glycerin, Glyceryl stearate se + 11 more

Works

What the product description says

“Hydrates for softer, more radiant-looking skin.”

Source: Advanced Clinicals

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, caprylyl 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: cocos nucifera oil, cetyl alcohol.

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~4.3–5.2%

Glyceryl stearate seKey activeEffect: MediumUsed to stabilize the product formulations and works as an emollient~3–3.6%

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~2.5–3%

Synthetic beeswaxKey activeEffect: HighHelps soften the upper layer of the skin~1.5–1.8%

Cetyl alcoholKey active· EmollientEffect: MediumA non-drying alcohol that works to soften the skin and stabilize product formulations helping oil and water mix together~1.1–1.4%

Stearic acid· EmollientEffect: LowHelps oil and water mix together and works as an emollient~8.2–10%

Glyceryl stearate· EmollientEffect: LowAn emollient that softens the skin and forms a protective layer on its surface. Helps water and oil mix together~2.1–2.5%

Behenyl alcohol· Emollient, OcclusiveEffect: LowNon-drying alcohol that helps water and oil mix together. Also serves as an emollient~1.4–1.7%

Caprylyl glycol· Humectant, EmollientEffect: LowHelps preserve products and creates a nice product texture~0.15–0.3%

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~0.75–1.15%

Simmondsia chinensis seed oilUnder-dosedSoftens the upper layer of skin and helps restore the healthy skin barrier. Has shown to help calm down inflammation in skin. It is a stable oil, meaning that it retains its properties even when exposed to air.~0.65–0.95%

Dipotassium glycyrrhizateUnder-dosedA salt derived from licorice. Works as an emollient to soften the upper layer of the skin and can help calm down inflammation. Might be helpful for skin lightening~0.6–0.9%

Butyrospermum parkii butterUnder-dosedA great moisturising ingredient that softens the skin and reduces water loss from its upper layer. It also can be helpful in protecting skin from free radicals~0.55–0.8%

Evens skin tone

Aminopropyl ascorbyl phosphate ~0.65–0.95%, below the ~2% it needs

Under-dosed

What the product description says

“This Dark Spot Cream, infused with Vitamin C, Licorice Root Extract, Jojoba Oil, and Aloe Vera, visibly improves the look of dark spots and uneven tone.”

Source: Advanced Clinicals

Effective ingredients missing or their concentration is too low

Dipotassium glycyrrhizateEffect: Low, below effective doseA salt derived from licorice. Works as an emollient to soften the upper layer of the skin and can help calm down inflammation. Might be helpful for skin lightening~0.6–0.9%

Aminopropyl ascorbyl phosphateUnder-dosedA more stable but less potent derivative of vitamin C. It can help neautralize free radicals and even out the skin tone if used in high enough concentration (required levels are likely to be much higher than for pure vitamin C, and solid studies are lacking at the moment)~0.65–0.95%

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy

1 strong irritant: Parfum

Medium risk

We flagged 8 ingredients with irritancy potential. Severity depends on your sensitivity threshold; the table lists the worst offenders first.

IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount

ParfumAn aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredientsHigh~0.15–0.25%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~0.75–1.15%est.

Aminopropyl ascorbyl phosphateA more stable but less potent derivative of vitamin C. It can help neautralize free radicals and even out the skin tone if used in high enough concentration (required levels are likely to be much higher than for pure vitamin C, and solid studies are lacking at the moment)Medium~0.65–0.95%est.

Simmondsia chinensis seed oilSoftens the upper layer of skin and helps restore the healthy skin barrier. Has shown to help calm down inflammation in skin. It is a stable oil, meaning that it retains its properties even when exposed to air.Medium~0.65–0.95%est.

Disodium edtaStabilizes the product formulationMedium~0.25–0.5%est.

EthylhexylglycerinA preservativeMedium~0.15–0.25%est.

Caprylyl glycolHelps preserve products and creates a nice product textureMedium~0.15–0.3%est.

Hexylene glycolHelps create a more spreadable product textureMedium~0.1–0.15%est.

Comedogenic

3 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale

3 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 comedogenic3/5~2.5–3%est.

Butyrospermum parkii butterA great moisturising ingredient that softens the skin and reduces water loss from its upper layer. It also can be helpful in protecting skin from free radicals3/5~0.55–0.8%est.

Glyceryl stearate seUsed to stabilize the product formulations and works as an emollient2/5~3–3.6%est.

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Ingredients

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Water~45–55%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Plain old water

More about Water

Stearic acid~8.2–10%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

CleansingMoisturizing

Helps oil and water mix together and works as an emollient

More about Stearic acid

Glycerin~4.3–5.2%

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

Glyceryl stearate se~3–3.6%

Key activeComedogenic 2/5

Irritation risk: Low
Comedogenicity: 2/5

Works for

CleansingMoisturizing

Used to stabilize the product formulations and works as an emollient

More about Glyceryl stearate se

Cocos nucifera oil~2.5–3%

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

Glyceryl stearate~2.1–2.5%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

CleansingMoisturizing

An emollient that softens the skin and forms a protective layer on its surface. Helps water and oil mix together

More about Glyceryl stearate

Peg-100 stearate~1.8–2.2%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix togehter and creates a nice product texture

More about Peg-100 stearate

Synthetic beeswax~1.5–1.8%

Key active

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

Moisturizing

Helps soften the upper layer of the skin

More about Synthetic beeswax

Behenyl alcohol~1.4–1.7%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

Moisturizing

Non-drying alcohol that helps water and oil mix together. Also serves as an emollient

More about Behenyl alcohol

Cetyl alcohol~1.1–1.4%

Key active

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

CleansingMoisturizing

A non-drying alcohol that works to soften the skin and stabilize product formulations helping oil and water mix together

More about Cetyl alcohol

Aloe barbadensis leaf juice~0.75–1.15%

Irritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

Works for

MoisturizingAntibacterialAnti-inflammatoryReduces rednessReduces irritationAnti-agingAnti-blemish

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

Aminopropyl ascorbyl phosphate~0.65–0.95%

Under-dosedIrritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

Works for

Anti-agingAnti-oxidationEvens skin tone

A more stable but less potent derivative of vitamin C. It can help neautralize free radicals and even out the skin tone if used in high enough concentration (required levels are likely to be much higher than for pure vitamin C, and solid studies are lacking at the moment)

More about Aminopropyl ascorbyl phosphate

Dipotassium glycyrrhizate~0.6–0.9%

Under-dosed

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

MoisturizingAnti-inflammatoryEvens skin tone

A salt derived from licorice. Works as an emollient to soften the upper layer of the skin and can help calm down inflammation. Might be helpful for skin lightening

More about Dipotassium glycyrrhizate

Simmondsia chinensis seed oil~0.65–0.95%

Under-dosedIrritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

Works for

Moisturizing

Softens the upper layer of skin and helps restore the healthy skin barrier. Has shown to help calm down inflammation in skin. It is a stable oil, meaning that it retains its properties even when exposed to air.

More about Simmondsia chinensis seed oil

Butyrospermum parkii butter~0.55–0.8%

Under-dosedComedogenic 3/5

Irritation risk: Low
Comedogenicity: 3/5

Works for

MoisturizingAnti-oxidationAnti-aging

A great moisturising ingredient that softens the skin and reduces water loss from its upper layer. It also can be helpful in protecting skin from free radicals

More about Butyrospermum parkii butter

Cetearyl dimethicone~0.45–0.7%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

More about Cetearyl dimethicone

Xanthan gum~0.3–0.6%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

Cleansing

Used to create a thicker product consistency

More about Xanthan gum

Disodium edta~0.25–0.5%

Irritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

Stabilizes the product formulation

More about Disodium edta

Sodium hydroxide~0.2–0.4%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Used to adjust the product's pH

More about Sodium hydroxide

Parfum~0.15–0.25%

Irritant · high

Irritation risk: High

An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients

More about Parfum

Ethylhexylglycerin~0.15–0.25%

Irritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

A preservative

More about Ethylhexylglycerin

Caprylyl glycol~0.15–0.3%

Irritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

Works for

Moisturizing

Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture

More about Caprylyl glycol

Hexylene glycol~0.1–0.15%

Irritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

Works for

Cleansing

Helps create a more spreadable product texture

More about Hexylene glycol

Phenoxyethanol~0.1–0.2%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products

More about Phenoxyethanol

Ingredient list view

Water, Stearic acid, Glycerin, Glyceryl stearate se, Cocos nucifera oil, Glyceryl stearate, Peg-100 stearate, Synthetic beeswax, Behenyl alcohol, Cetyl alcohol, Aloe barbadensis leaf juice, Aminopropyl ascorbyl phosphate, Dipotassium glycyrrhizate, Simmondsia chinensis seed oil, Butyrospermum parkii butter, Cetearyl dimethicone, Xanthan gum, Disodium edta, Sodium hydroxide, Parfum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylyl glycol, Hexylene glycol, Phenoxyethanol

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Advanced Clinicals

$12.99

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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
	ADVANCED CLINICALSDark Spot CreamYOUR PRODUCT	ATTITUDEDeep Moisturizing Soothing Cream : SENSITIVE SKIN Baby	Element EightO2 Hyaluronic Acid Hydrate Correct Moisturizer for Dry Skin	UltraceuticalsLIMITED EDITION SIZE Ultra Moisturiser Cream
Match	—	40%	40%	39%
Price	$12.99	—	$250.00+$237.01	—
Shared key ingredients	—	3 of 7	2 of 7	3 of 7
Key difference	—	Avena Sativa Kernel Flour	Panthenol	Urea
Irritancy	Medium	Low	Low	Low
Drying alcohol	—	—	—	—
	View product	Shop	Shop	Shop

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Sources cited in this review

Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 4 studies and safety reviews.

ADVANCED CLINICALSDark Spot Cream

Buy at Advanced Clinicals$12.99 Amazon

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

Buy at Advanced Clinicals$12.99 Amazon

As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.