All Purpose Creams APH Hydroquinone Cream
Works for
2 of 2 advertised claims delivered
MoisturizingParaffinum liquidum, Dimethicone + 6 moreStrong evidence
“APH Hydroquinone Cream”
This product can help soften the skin and reduce its moisture loss with emollients and occlusives: dimethicone, cetyl alcohol.
Keep in mind that this product does not contain effective ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. This is why an additional product with humectants like glycerin or hyaluronic acid can be helpful (apply it before this product for the best results).
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: paraffinum liquidum
Evens skin toneHydroquinoneStrong evidence
“Fades Dark Spots Fast Hydroquinone targets melasma, sun spots, and uneven tone for visibly clearer skin.”
This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: hydroquinone.
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.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy3 strong irritants: Hydroquinone, Diazolidinyl urea + 1 more — patch-test recommendedHigh risk
ComedogenicClean of flagged comedogenic ingredientsNone flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~40–60%
Propylene glycol~4.8–7.2%
- Irritation risk
- High
Helps oil and water mix together and can enhance the penetration of other ingredients into the skin. It can be irritating
More about Propylene glycolParaffinum liquidum~3.7–5.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Mineral oil. One of the most effective and well studied occlusive and emollient moisturizing ingredients. Helps reduce moisture loss in skin and repair skin barrier function
More about Paraffinum liquidumHydroquinone~2.6–4%
- Irritation risk
- High
A potent anti-pigmentation active. It can have serious side-effects though and ideally is used under supervision of a doctor. It should not be used over a long period of time (over a year).
More about HydroquinoneStearic acid~2.1–3.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix together and works as an emollient
More about Stearic acidCetyl alcohol~1.7–2.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A non-drying alcohol that works to soften the skin and stabilize product formulations helping oil and water mix together
More about Cetyl alcoholEdta~0.5–1%
Glyceryl stearate~1.2–1.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that softens the skin and forms a protective layer on its surface. Helps water and oil mix together
More about Glyceryl stearateAloe barbadensis extract~0.95–1.45%
- 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 extractTriethanolamine~0.6–1.35%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to adjust pH of the product and can help improve the product's smell
More about TriethanolamineDimethicone~0.5–1.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A silicone that helps to reduce water loss from the surface of the skin. Can temporarily "fill in" lines and wrinkles, absorb oil, and create a nice product finish
More about DimethiconePropylparaben~0.2–0.4%
Methylparaben~0.15–0.3%
Allantoin~0.1–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps calm down inflammation in skin and can help reduce itching. Helps to repair the skin barrier and keep skin hydrated
More about AllantoinCarbomer~0.1–0.4%
- 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 CarbomerPropylene glycol~0.05–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- High
Helps oil and water mix together and can enhance the penetration of other ingredients into the skin. It can be irritating
More about Propylene glycolDiazolidinyl urea~0.05–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- High
A preservative. Works by releasing formaldehyde. Can be irritating
More about Diazolidinyl ureaIodopropynyl butylcarbamate~0.01–0.02%
Ingredient list view
Water, Propylene glycol, Paraffinum liquidum, Hydroquinone, Stearic acid, Cetyl alcohol, Edta, Glyceryl stearate, Aloe barbadensis extract, Unknown, Triethanolamine, Dimethicone, Propylparaben, Methylparaben, Allantoin, Carbomer, Propylene glycol, Diazolidinyl urea, Iodopropynyl butylcarbamate
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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.
| All Purpose CreamsAPH Hydroquinone CreamYOUR PRODUCT | First Aid BeautyUltra Repair Cream Peppermint Twist | fabUltra Repair Cream Intense Hydration Jumbo | Clinicians Complex6% Skin Bleaching Cream | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 62% | 62% | 59% |
| Price | — | $70.00 | $66.00 | — |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 3 of 3 | 3 of 3 | 2 of 3 |
| Key difference | — | Lanolin | Lanolin | Glycerin |
| Irritancy | High | High | High | High |
| Drying alcohol | — | Contains drying alcohol | Contains drying alcohol | Contains drying alcohol |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
Product summary
Judging from the ingredient list, "All Purpose Creams - APH Hydroquinone Cream" works well for improving skin hydration As we expect from a proper moisturizer, the formula includes a combo of effective humectants and emollients. These are the two different types of ingredients that are essential for improving the skin hydration and supporting a healthy skin barrier. Aloe barbadensis extract and propylene glycol in this product (humectants) attract water molecules to the upper layer of the skin (the water comes from the outside air or from the deeper layers of the skin if the air is dry). Emollients in this formulation (paraffinum liquidum, dimethicone, cetyl alcohol, glyceryl stearate and stearic acid) help to reduce the moisture loss from the skin. They also soften the skin surface and relieve the feeling of dryness and tightness.
This product contains ingredients that could be beneficial, but their concentrations are too low in this formulation: allantoinIrritation risk
We assess the overall irritancy of this moisturizer to be high. For a detailed overview of all potential irritants: click here
You can see the detailed formula review with the breakdown of all actives in the product and the full ingredient list with estimated concentrations in the tables below.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 8 studies and safety reviews.
- 1Surfactants and experimental irritant contact dermatitisncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 2Propylene Glycolpubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 3Skin-sensitizing and irritant properties of propylene glycolonlinelibrary.wiley.com
- 4A review on the extensive skin benefits of mineral oilncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 5
- 6Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Dimethicone Copolyoljournals.sagepub.com
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