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Bea Skincare Brightening Serum
Bea Skincare

Bea Skincare Brightening Serum

Efficacy100/100IrritancyMedium
See all ingredients

Works for

Exfoliation
Lactic acid, Mandelic acid + 1 more
Works well
What the product description says
“Simultaneously, the Serum promotes a smoother complexion by helping to resurface scarred and uneven skin texture.”
Source: Candour Beauty

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.

Lactic acidKey activeEffect: HighAn 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)10%
Mandelic acidKey activeEffect: HighHelps 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 acid10%
Retinyl palmitateEffect: LowThree steps removed from the active form of vitamin A - retinoic acid. To have an effect in the skin, it first needs to be converted twice to become the retinoic acid. This means it is less potent than retinol, but could also be less irritating. Once converted to the retinoic acid in the skin, it helps against all signs of aging, improves skin cell turnover and helps fight blemishes and clogged pores. However, in many cosmetic formulations, it is used in a concentration that is too low to have the full effect~6.5–9.8%
Evens skin tone
Alpha-arbutin, Mandelic acid + 3 more
Works well
What the product description says
“It can reduce discolouration, speed up skin cell turnover and tighten pores in order to make the skin appear more even-toned.”
Source: Candour Beauty

This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: alpha-arbutin, kojic acid, lactic acid, mandelic 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: retinyl palmitate.

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.

Alpha-arbutinKey activeEffect: HighMight help reduce hyperpigmentation when used regularly over a long period of time. Is more effective than beta-arbutin12%
Mandelic acidKey activeEffect: HighHelps 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 acid10%
Lactic acidKey activeEffect: HighAn 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)10%
Kojic acidKey activeEffect: HighHelps to reduce hyperpigmentation and neutralize free radicals. Can be irritating10%
Retinyl palmitateKey activeEffect: MediumThree steps removed from the active form of vitamin A - retinoic acid. To have an effect in the skin, it first needs to be converted twice to become the retinoic acid. This means it is less potent than retinol, but could also be less irritating. Once converted to the retinoic acid in the skin, it helps against all signs of aging, improves skin cell turnover and helps fight blemishes and clogged pores. However, in many cosmetic formulations, it is used in a concentration that is too low to have the full effect~6.5–9.8%
Anti-oxidation
Not advertised by the brand · Kojic acid
Works well

This product contains antioxidants (kojic acid) that can help neutralize free radicals in skin. By doing so, they can lessen the damage the skin gets from the UV light (sun).

Kojic acidKey activeEffect: HighHelps to reduce hyperpigmentation and neutralize free radicals. Can be irritating10%
Anti-aging
Not advertised by the brand · Lactic acid, Retinyl palmitate
May help

This product contains lactic acid, retinyl palmitate. These ingredients might be able to help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness, but there is not enough evidence that it actually works.

Lactic acidKey activeEffect: MediumAn 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)10%
Retinyl palmitateKey activeEffect: MediumThree steps removed from the active form of vitamin A - retinoic acid. To have an effect in the skin, it first needs to be converted twice to become the retinoic acid. This means it is less potent than retinol, but could also be less irritating. Once converted to the retinoic acid in the skin, it helps against all signs of aging, improves skin cell turnover and helps fight blemishes and clogged pores. However, in many cosmetic formulations, it is used in a concentration that is too low to have the full effect~6.5–9.8%
Moisturizing
Not advertised by the brand · Lactic acid
Works

This product contains good ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. These ingredients are called "humectants": lactic 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).

Lactic acidKey active· HumectantEffect: HighAn 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)10%

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy
2 strong irritants: Retinyl palmitate, Lactic acid
Medium risk
We flagged 6 ingredients with irritancy potential. Severity depends on your sensitivity threshold; the table lists the worst offenders first.
IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount
Kojic acidHelps to reduce hyperpigmentation and neutralize free radicals. Can be irritatingHigh10%
Mandelic acidHelps 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 acidHigh10%
Retinyl palmitateThree steps removed from the active form of vitamin A - retinoic acid. To have an effect in the skin, it first needs to be converted twice to become the retinoic acid. This means it is less potent than retinol, but could also be less irritating. Once converted to the retinoic acid in the skin, it helps against all signs of aging, improves skin cell turnover and helps fight blemishes and clogged pores. However, in many cosmetic formulations, it is used in a concentration that is too low to have the full effectHigh~6.5–9.8%est.
Alpha-arbutinMight help reduce hyperpigmentation when used regularly over a long period of time. Is more effective than beta-arbutinMedium12%
Lactic acidAn 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)Medium10%
Citric acidCan work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pHMedium7%
Comedogenic
Clean of flagged comedogenic ingredients
None flagged
Alternatives
Cheaper, or higher on efficacy
Alpha Arbutin 02%
Be Minimalist Alpha Arbutin 02%
Cheaper58% match
$10.99
View all alternatives

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Ingredients

Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.

Alpha-arbutin12%
Key activeIrritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Evens skin tone

Might help reduce hyperpigmentation when used regularly over a long period of time. Is more effective than beta-arbutin

More about Alpha-arbutin
Lactic acid10%
Key activeIrritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
MoisturizingEvens skin toneExfoliationAnti-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)

More about Lactic acid
Kojic acid10%
Key activeIrritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Anti-oxidationEvens skin tone

Helps to reduce hyperpigmentation and neutralize free radicals. Can be irritating

More about Kojic acid
Mandelic acid10%
Key activeIrritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
ExfoliationEvens skin toneAnti-blemishAntibacterial

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 acid
Citric acid7%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH

More about Citric acid
Unspecified form of vitamin c~39–59%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
More about Unspecified form of vitamin c
Retinyl palmitate~6.5–9.8%
Key activeIrritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Evens skin toneAnti-blemishAnti-agingExfoliation

Three steps removed from the active form of vitamin A - retinoic acid. To have an effect in the skin, it first needs to be converted twice to become the retinoic acid. This means it is less potent than retinol, but could also be less irritating. Once converted to the retinoic acid in the skin, it helps against all signs of aging, improves skin cell turnover and helps fight blemishes and clogged pores. However, in many cosmetic formulations, it is used in a concentration that is too low to have the full effect

More about Retinyl palmitate
Ingredient list view

Alpha-arbutin, Lactic acid, Kojic acid, Mandelic acid, Citric acid, Unspecified form of vitamin c, Retinyl palmitate

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Amazon USPrice as of 11/4 18:09 GMT
$48.75
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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
Bea SkincareBrightening SerumYOUR PRODUCTPeace OutDark Spots SerumBe MinimalistAlpha Arbutin 02%Urban Skin RxHydraFirm + Brightening Serum
Match—65%58%58%
Price$48.75—$10.99−$37.76—
Shared key ingredients—4 of 52 of 52 of 5
Key difference—NiacinamideFerulic AcidNiacinamide
Irritancy Medium Low Low Low
Drying alcohol————
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Sources cited in this review

Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 6 studies and safety reviews.

  1. 1
    Epidermal and dermal effects of topical lactic acidncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  2. 2
    Dual Effects of Alpha-Hydroxy Acids on the Skinpdfs.semanticscholar.org
  3. 3
    TOPICAL TREATMENT OF MELASMAncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  4. 4
    Postinflammatory hyperpigmentation: a review of the epidemiology, clinical features, and treatment options in skin of color.europepmc.org
  5. 5
    Summary of mandelic acid for the improvement of skin conditionsnucelle.com
  6. 6
    Comparative Evaluation of Efficacy and Tolerability of Glycolic Acid, Salicylic Mandelic Acid, and Phytic Acid Combination Peels in Melasmajournals.lww.com
Bea Skincare Brightening Serum
Bea SkincareBrightening Serum
Buy on Amazon$48.75 · as of 11/4 18:09 GMT

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

Buy on Amazon$48.75 · as of 11/4 18:09 GMT

As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.