PRODUCT REVIEW
Cheaper alternatives
What can the product work for?
Works for
Evens skin tone
What does the product description say?
Hydroquinone – a dermatologist-recommended ingredient to safely fade dark spots.
hydroquinone
2%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: 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).
glycine soja protein
0.2% -
0.4%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness:
LOW
A plant extract that helps to attract water to the upper layer of the skin and soften it. It might be helpful in neutralizing free radicals. It might be somewhat helpful for evening out the skin tone. It might be able to support elastin production but solid research is lacking
lactic acid
0.3% -
0.6%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Insufficient!
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)
Moisturizing
What does the product description say?
Hydroquinone – a dermatologist-recommended ingredient to safely fade dark spots.
isopropyl myristate
5.5% -
6.7%
Irritation risk: Comedogenicity: High
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
An emollient that helps soften the skin. Could be comedogenic
betaine
1.8% -
2.2%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improves the product texture
glycerin
4.2% -
5.1%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant
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Anti-oxidation
sodium ascorbyl phosphate
0.15% -
0.25%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness:
MEDIUM
A stable derivative of vitamin C. It is oil-soluble which means it is more likely to penetrate the skin compared to the pure form of vitamin C (which is water-soluble), but it is less bio-available and is way less effective in stimulating collagen and reducing wrinkles compared to the pure form of vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid) and its other derivatives (for example, magnesium ascorbyl phosphate). At the same time, this vitamin C derivative has been shown in studies to be effective in reducing acne, blemishes and clogged pores. It is less irritating then the pure form of vitamin C
glycine soja protein
0.2% -
0.4%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness:
LOW
A plant extract that helps to attract water to the upper layer of the skin and soften it. It might be helpful in neutralizing free radicals. It might be somewhat helpful for evening out the skin tone. It might be able to support elastin production but solid research is lacking
tocopheryl acetate
0.55% -
0.85%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Insufficient!
A 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.
Honesty check
How honest is this product?
| Promise | Can it deliver? |
|---|---|
| Evens skin tone | |
| Moisturizing |
Total Promises Fulfilled score:
87/100.
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Can it cause trouble?
- Overall product irritation risk
- Acne & comedogenic risk ingredients: 1
Potential irritants
hydroquinone
2%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Evens skin tone
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).
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Sun protection
Octinoxate. When used in higher concentrations, works as a sunscreen protecting the skin from UVB rays. When used in lower concentration, helps to preserve the product formulation. Is shown to be harmful to coral reefs - consider avoiding bathing in coral reef areas when wearing a product with this ingredient. It can be irritating
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Comodogenic ingredients
isopropyl myristate
5.5% -
6.7%
Irritation risk: Comedogenicity: High
Works for:
Moisturizing
An emollient that helps soften the skin. Could be comedogenic
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| WIMJ similarity score |
46%
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| Key ingredients |
| Common: Other: | Common:
Other: | Common: Other: | Common: Other: | Common:
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| Common: Other:
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| Common: Other: | Common: Other:
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| Irritancy | IRRITANCY
MEDIUM
| IRRITANCY
LOW
| IRRITANCY
MEDIUM
| IRRITANCY
LOW
| IRRITANCY
LOW
| IRRITANCY
MEDIUM
| IRRITANCY
MEDIUM
| IRRITANCY
MEDIUM
| IRRITANCY
MEDIUM
| IRRITANCY
LOW
| IRRITANCY
LOW
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Ingredients & concentrations
All ingredients
Key Actives
lactic acid
0.3% -
0.6%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Moisturizing,
Exfoliation,
Evens skin tone,
Anti-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)
hydroquinone
2%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Evens skin tone
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).
Show more
Potential irritants
hydroquinone
2%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Evens skin tone
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).
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Sun protection
Octinoxate. When used in higher concentrations, works as a sunscreen protecting the skin from UVB rays. When used in lower concentration, helps to preserve the product formulation. Is shown to be harmful to coral reefs - consider avoiding bathing in coral reef areas when wearing a product with this ingredient. It can be irritating
Show more
Comodogenic ingredients
isopropyl myristate
5.5% -
6.7%
Irritation risk: Comedogenicity: High
Works for:
Moisturizing
An emollient that helps soften the skin. Could be comedogenic
All ingredients
hydroquinone
2%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Evens skin tone
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).
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Sun protection
Octinoxate. When used in higher concentrations, works as a sunscreen protecting the skin from UVB rays. When used in lower concentration, helps to preserve the product formulation. Is shown to be harmful to coral reefs - consider avoiding bathing in coral reef areas when wearing a product with this ingredient. It can be irritating
Show more
Ingredient list view
Hydroquinone, Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate, Water, Glycerin, Isopropyl myristate, Stearic acid, Cetyl alcohol, Potassium cetyl phosphate, Betaine, Glyceryl stearate, Peg-100 stearate, Sodium metabisulfite, Pentaerythrityl tetra-di-t-butyl hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Parfum, Tocopheryl acetate, Methylparaben, Disodium edta, Lactic acid, Propylparaben, Ethylparaben, Peg-16 soy sterol, Sodium ascorbyl phosphate, Butylene glycol, Glycine soja protein
Sources
- Glycerol and the skin: holistic approach to its origin and functions
- Final report on the safety assessment of sodium sulfite, potassium sulfite, ammonium sulfite, sodium bisulfite, ammonium bisulfite, sodium metabisulfite and potassium metabisulfite
- Safety Assessment of Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-t-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate as Used in Cosmetics
- Epidermal and dermal effects of topical lactic acid
- Dual Effects of Alpha-Hydroxy Acids on the Skin
- Sodium ascorbyl phosphate shows in vitro and in vivo efficacy in the prevention and treatment of acne vulgaris
- Sodium ascorbyl phosphate in topical microemulsions
- Final report of the safety assessment of L-Ascorbic Acid, Calcium Ascorbate, Magnesium Ascorbate, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Sodium Ascorbate, and Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate as used in cosmetics
- Regulation of collagen synthesis in human dermal fibroblasts by the sodium and magnesium salts of ascorbyl-2-phosphate
- Comparison of clinical efficacies of sodium ascorbyl phosphate, retinol and their combination in acne treatment
- Application of l-ascorbic acid and its derivatives (sodium ascorbyl phosphate and magnesium ascorbyl phosphate) in topical cosmetic formulations: stability studies
- Sodium L-ascorbyl-2-phosphate 5% lotion for the treatment of acne vulgaris: a randomized, double-blind, controlled trial
- Dermatological and cosmeceutical benefits of Glycine max (soybean) and its active components