“While most AHA (Alpha-Hydroxy Acids) serums focus only on the exfoliation aspect that can sometimes lead to tightness and irritation, this multitasking booster is formulated to not only gently dissolve dead skin cells but also replenish moisture and nourish the skin, with its hydrating blend of Hyaluronic Acid, Niacinamide and essential fatty acids from Organic Rosehip and Tamanu Oil.”
This product can help exfoliate the skin. In other words, it helps break down the bonds between dead cells on the surface of the skin and speed up the skin turnover. Skin often appears softer and brighter after exfoliation, but overdoing it can result in disrupted skin barrier. The following ingredient is doing the exfoliating job in this product: lactic acid, mandelic acid, salicylic acid.
“While most AHA (Alpha-Hydroxy Acids) serums focus only on the exfoliation aspect that can sometimes lead to tightness and irritation, this multitasking booster is formulated to not only gently dissolve dead skin cells but also replenish moisture and nourish the skin, with its hydrating blend of Hyaluronic Acid, Niacinamide and essential fatty acids from Organic Rosehip and Tamanu Oil.”
This product contains good ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. These ingredients are called "humectants": dextran, glutamic acid.
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. If the air is dry, humectants can speed up the moisture loss from the skin. This is why it is a good idea to use another product on top of this one to help "seal in" the moisture (look for ingredients like dimethicone, squalane, oils and butters).
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: niacinamide, nonapeptide-1, palmitoyl tripeptide-5, panthenol
“A next-generation overnight serum, Allies of Skins’ Mandelic Pigmentation Corrector Night Serum is supercharged with a hardworking blend of 11% mandelic, lactic and salicylic acid along with brighteners, antioxidants and peptides to battle stubborn pigmentation, large pores, melasma, persistent breakouts, uneven texture and blackheads.”
This product can help reduce breakouts and clogged pores because it contains the following ingredient: niacinamide, salicylic acid. These ingredients is used for treating acne and can have a noticeable effect.
In addition, this product contains bakuchiol. It can help in reducing blemishes, even though it is less effective.
The following ingredient (ingredients) in this product might be helpful, but there is no evidence to confirm that it actually works: mandelic acid
“Bakuchiol – provides Retinol-like benefits that are clinically proven to reduce multiple signs of aging, significantly reduces roughness, and improves skin tone, elasticity, firmness, and radiance, while multiple peptides like Acetyl Tetrapeptide-40 and Nonapeptide-1 combats redness and promotes radiance.”
This product can help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness because it contains bakuchiol, niacinamide.
These ingredients in the product can also be helpful, even though there is less evidence for their effectiveness: lactic acid, nonapeptide-1, palmitoyl tripeptide-5.
Keep in mind that it typically takes at least 6 weeks to notice any results because the changes that are needed to improve fine lines and elasticity happen in the deeper layers of the skin. No topical anti-aging product can “erase” wrinkles or fully reverse signs of aging.
“This next-generation overnight serum (pH 3.5) is supercharged with a hardworking blend of 11% Mandelic, Lactic + Salicylic Acid, 1% Bakuchiol, 8 Brighteners, and 7 Antioxidants and Peptides, that reduces the appearance of stubborn dullness and discoloration for brighter, even-toned skin.”
This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: bakuchiol, lactic acid, mandelic acid, niacinamide, salicylic 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: resveratrol dimethyl ether.
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.
This product contains antioxidants (bakuchiol, superoxide dismutase) 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 - camellia sinensis leaf extract also can have an antioxidant effect, but there is less evidence to confirm their effectiveness in skin.

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Helps shed the upper layer of dead cells from the surface of the skin revealing smoother, brighter skin. It can help to reduce hyperpigmentation. It has anti-bacterial properties, and might help to reduce blemishes, as well as fine lines and wrinkles. It is considered to be gentler than glycolic acid
More about Mandelic acidOne 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 GlycerinUsed 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 glycolIs proven to be effective in reducing blemishes, evening out skin tone and helping to improve lines and wrinkles. It helps the skin to repair sun damage, calm down inflammation and keep maintain good levels of moisture. The concentration of about 2% is effective for supporting the skin barrier and evening out the skin tone. Concentration of 4-6% is better for helping with acne and balancing the sebum production
More about NiacinamideAn 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 acidA great emollient. Contains vitamin E (tocopherol) which may give it some anti-oxidant properties. Can contain volatile compounds and can be irritating
More about Rosa canina fruit oilUsed 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 acidA plant extract that is, though different in chemical structure, acts similar to retinoids. First studies show that it can help reduce fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin tone, reduce clogged pores and blemishes, and reduce inflammation. There is no conclusive evidence that bakuchiol is as effective as retinol however. The study that directly compared retinol with bakuchiol used bakuchiol applied twice daily compared to once per day for the retinol. According to this study, bakuchiol is less irritating than retinol. Bakuchiol is extracted from seeds of Babchi plant. Other parts of the plant contain coumarins that could cause allergic and irritant reactions. These compounds should be removed in the extraction process when bakuchiol is produced, but it is a good idea to be cautious and stay away from products that include the Babchi plant extracts other than purified bakuchiol to avoid irritation
More about BakuchiolAn antioxidant enzyme that is naturally present in skin. It can help support skin barrier function and reduce inflammation in skin. It is used in topical medications for inflammatory skin conditions including atopic dermatitis (eczema) and psoriasis. There are three types of natural Superoxide Dismutase in human skin. The compound used in topical treatments and cosmetics are mimics of typically one of these natural variants
More about Superoxide dismutaseCan contain potent anti-oxidant compounds (abbreviated ECG, GCG, EGC, and EGCG) that might help protect the skin from free radicals. Can help calm down inflammation and has some anti-bacterial properties. Unfortunately, these antioxidants are unstable and lose their effectiveness very quickly in products. The concentration of the antioxidant compounds in the extract also tends to be low to be effective in topical formulation
More about Camellia sinensis leaf extractHelps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help improve skin barrier function
More about PanthenolOne of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
More about Sodium hyaluronateBrown seaweed extract. Can help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and might have some antioxidant effect
More about Ascophyllum nodosum extractA type of peptide. Peptides are excellent moisturizers and might be able support collagen production reducing fine lines and wrinkles
More about Nonapeptide-1A type of peptide. Peptides are excellent moisturizers and might be able support collagen production reducing fine lines and wrinkles
More about Palmitoyl tripeptide-5An amino-acid that helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Glutamic acidA more stable derivative of anti-oxidant resveratrol. There is not enough research to confirm its efficacy in skin
More about Resveratrol dimethyl etherA 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 acetateThe 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 acidPure 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 TocopherolUsed to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumUsed to create gel-like formulas and stabilize emulsions
More about Sclerotium gumHelps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolHelps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improves the product texture
More about SorbitolHelps attract water to the most upper layer of the skin. Derived from sugar
More about DextranUsed to create a thicker product consistency
More about Acetyl tributyl citrateA preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolWater, Mandelic acid, Glycerin, Butylene glycol, Niacinamide, Polysorbate 20, Lactic acid, Rosa canina fruit oil, Calophyllum inophyllum seed oil, Salicylic acid, Bakuchiol, Superoxide dismutase, Camellia sinensis leaf extract, Panthenol, Sodium hyaluronate, Rumex occidentalis extract, Ascophyllum nodosum extract, Nonapeptide-1, Palmitoyl tripeptide-5, Acetyl tetrapeptide-40, Pterocarpus marsupium bark extract, Glutamic acid, Phenyl t-butylnitrone, Resveratrol dimethyl ether, Tocopheryl acetate, Ascorbic acid, Tocopherol, Xanthan gum, Sclerotium gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylyl glycol, Sorbitol, Dextran, Sodium gluconate, Disodium succinate, Acetyl tributyl citrate, O-cymen-5-ol, Sodium hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol
Retailers ranked by price — lowest first.
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.
| Allies of SkinMandelic Pigmentation Corrector Night SerumYOUR PRODUCT | PCA SKINIntensive Clarity Treatment 0.5 Percent Pure Retinol | Versed SkinJust Breathe Clarifying Serum | Ere PerezWhite Tea Phyto-Retinol Elixir | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 69% | 68% | 67% |
| Price | $105.00 | $120.00+$15.00 | $13.98−$91.02 | $42.80−$62.20 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 4 of 17 | 5 of 17 | 6 of 17 |
| Key difference | — | Myristoyl Nonapeptide-3 | Hydrated Silica | Gluconolactone |
| Irritancy | Medium | Medium | Low | Low |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
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Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 31 studies and safety reviews.
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