Alpha Skin Care Dual Action Skin Lightener
Works for
Anti-agingGlycolic acid, TocopherolWorks well
“Glycolic AHA helps reduce the appearance of lines and wrinkles while boosting the effectiveness of hydroquinone.”
This product can help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness because it contains glycolic acid.
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.
ExfoliationGlycolic acidWorks well
“Alpha Skin Care's Dual Action Skin Lightener formula provides the optimal balance of 2% hydroquinone and 10% Glycolic AHA.”
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: glycolic acid.
MoisturizingParaffinum liquidum, Cetyl alcohol + 4 moreWorks well
“Hydroquinone is a proven skin lightener.”
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 toneHydroquinone, Glycolic acidWorks well
“Helps to fade dark spots caused by aging, sun damage and blemishes.”
This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: hydroquinone.
In addition, this product contains glycolic acid. This ingredient (ingredients) might help reduce hyperpigmentation, but the effect, if any, is likely to be small.
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.
Anti-blemishGlycolic acidNot delivered
“Helps to fade dark spots caused by aging, sun damage and blemishes.”
This product contains ingredients (glycolic acid) that could help reduce blemishes and clogged pores in theory, but there is not enough evidence that they actually work.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy3 strong irritants: Hydroquinone, Imidazolidinyl urea + 1 moreMedium risk
Comedogenic2 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale2 flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Hydroquinone~22–33%
- 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 HydroquinoneWater~12–18%
Glycolic acid~4.6–6.9%
- Irritation risk
- High
An alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) that helps to remove the dead skin cells on the surface of the skin reveling a more even, smoother complexation. It is also able to stimulate collagen production with long-term use. Could help to reduce pore congestion. It can be irritating to the skin. Apply sunscreen daily if using products with glycolic acid
More about Glycolic acidPropylene glycol~3.2–4.8%
- 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 glycolIsopropyl palmitate~2.5–3.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and create a thicker product consistency
More about Isopropyl palmitateParaffinum liquidum~2–3%
- 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 liquidumGlyceryl stearate~1.6–2.4%
- 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 stearateCetyl alcohol~1.4–2.1%
- 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 alcoholOzokerite~1.2–1.8%
Sodium hydroxide~0.95–1.45%
Steareth-20~0.85–1.25%
Laureth-23~0.6–1.35%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Laureth-23Tocopherol~0.45–1.05%
- Irritation risk
- Low
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 TocopherolDimethicone~0.45–1.05%
- 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 DimethiconeXanthan gum~0.35–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumSodium pvm/ma/decadiene crosspolymer~0.4–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Sorbic acid~0.15–0.5%
Sodium metabisulfite~0.1–0.2%
Imidazolidinyl urea~0.1–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- High
A preservative. Is more irritating than many other preservatives available
More about Imidazolidinyl ureaTetrasodium edta~0.1–0.3%
Parfum~0.05–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumBht~0.05–0.25%
Ingredient list view
Hydroquinone, Water, Glycolic acid, Propylene glycol, Isopropyl palmitate, Paraffinum liquidum, Glyceryl stearate, Cetyl alcohol, Ozokerite, Sodium hydroxide, Steareth-20, Laureth-23, Tocopherol, Dimethicone, Xanthan gum, Sodium pvm/ma/decadiene crosspolymer, Sorbic acid, Sodium metabisulfite, Imidazolidinyl urea, Tetrasodium edta, Parfum, Bht
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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.
| Alpha Skin CareDual Action Skin LightenerYOUR PRODUCT | DermExcelDermalytic | ExuvianceProfessional Pedi-Peel | SkinstitutGlycolic Scrub 14% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 43% | 42% | 42% |
| Price | — | $20.00 | — | $30.90 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 2 of 5 | 3 of 5 | 2 of 5 |
| Key difference | — | Lactic Acid | Lactic Acid | Panthenol |
| Irritancy | Medium | Low | Low | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Institut Glycolic Scrub 14%NEOSTRATA Resurface High Potency Cream for Dull Skin
Product summary
"Alpha Skin Care - Dual Action Skin Lightener" is effective for: Anti-aging, Exfoliation, Moisturizing and Evens skin tone
Ingredient callouts
- Exfoliating acids (glycolic acid 4.60% - 6.90%). In this concentration, they will have a noticeable exfoliating effect. They can also have an anti-aging effect and stimulate collagen production in a long-run.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 13 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2Glycolic acid peel therapy – a current reviewncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 3
- 4Surfactants and experimental irritant contact dermatitisncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 5Propylene Glycolpubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 6Skin-sensitizing and irritant properties of propylene glycolonlinelibrary.wiley.com
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