Cetaphil Healthy Radiance Brightening-C Serum
Works for
Anti-agingNiacinamide, 3-o-ethyl ascorbic acid + 1 moreWorks well
“This potent serum effectively brightens dark spots and improves the appearance of skin evenness and fine lines.”
This product can help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness because it contains niacinamide.
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.
MoisturizingNiacinamide, Glycerin + 7 moreWorks well
“It boosts skin radiance, improves hydration, and illuminates your complexion, leaving skin looking well rested.”
This product can help improve hydration of the skin with the two types of ingredients.
The first type is called “humectants”:
these ingredients help attract water.
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. The following ingredients in this product do the job:
anhydroxylitol, glycerin.
This product also contains ingredients called “occlusives”. They help reduce the speed with which our skin loses moisture to the outside environment. These ingredients also help soften the upper layer of the skin, so it feels less tight and nicer to the touch. The following ingredients in this product do the job: dimethicone, helianthus annuus seed oil.
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: niacinamide
Evens skin toneNiacinamide, 3-o-ethyl ascorbic acid + 1 moreWorks well
“This potent serum effectively brightens dark spots and improves the appearance of skin evenness and fine lines.”
This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: niacinamide
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: 3-o-ethyl ascorbic acid, pancratium maritimum extract.
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-blemishSide benefit · NiacinamideWorks well
This product can help reduce breakouts and clogged pores because it contains the following ingredient: niacinamide. This ingredient is used for treating acne and can have a noticeable effect.
Anti-oxidationSide benefit · 3-o-ethyl ascorbic acid, Pancratium maritimum extract + 1 moreMay help
This product contains antioxidants (3-o-ethyl ascorbic acid) that can help neutralize free radicals in skin to lessen the damage it gets from the UV light (sun). There is some human evidence for this effect in skin, though it is smaller or less consistent than the evidence for the best antioxidants.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy5 flagged ingredientsLow 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%
Glycerin~4.1–6.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One 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 GlycerinNiacinamide~3.5–5.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Is 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 NiacinamideDimethicone~2.7–4%
- 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 DimethiconeAcetyl glycyl beta-alanine~2–3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
3-o-ethyl ascorbic acid~1.6–2.4%
- Irritation risk
- High
A vitamin C derivative that is more stable but less potent than pure form of vitamin C. Can help neutralize free radicals and help reduce hyperpigmentation, but the required concentration is likely to be much higher than for the pure form of vitamin C, limiting the ingredient's effectiveness in products
More about 3-o-ethyl ascorbic acidSodium polyacryloyldimethyl taurate~1.4–2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Sodium polyacryloyldimethyl tauratePhenoxyethanol~0.5–1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolUndecane~1–1.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps create a non-greasy finish on the skin
More about UndecaneXanthan gum~0.55–1.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumTridecane~0.45–1%
Xylitylglucoside~0.4–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and repair the skin barrier function
More about XylitylglucosideAnhydroxylitol~0.3–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and repair the skin barrir function
More about AnhydroxylitolCalcium aluminum borosilicate~0.2–0.8%
Xylitol~0.15–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and repair the skin barrier function
More about XylitolHydrolyzed hyaluronic acid~0.15–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin. A version of it is naturally present in skin
More about Hydrolyzed hyaluronic acidSodium hydroxide~0.15–0.55%
Pancratium maritimum extract~0.1–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that might help neutralize free radicals in skin. It might help reduce hyperpigmentation
More about Pancratium maritimum extractTitanium dioxide~0.15–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Works as a UV filter when used in high concentrations. It is photostable and is effective mostly against the UVB light, with some protection in the UVA range. In small concentrations, used for its ability to improve the color of cosmetic products. Is usually well tolerated by the skin
More about Titanium dioxideTin oxide~0.15–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A colorant that can add a pearl-like appearance to the formulation
More about Tin oxideTocopherol~0.05–0.25%
- 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 TocopherolHelianthus annuus seed oil~0.05–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A great emollient due to its high linoleic acid content. One of the most effective plant oils in helping skin hydration and repairing skin barrier function
More about Helianthus annuus seed oilIngredient list view
Water, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Dimethicone, Acetyl glycyl beta-alanine, 3-o-ethyl ascorbic acid, Sodium polyacryloyldimethyl taurate, Phenoxyethanol, Undecane, Xanthan gum, Tridecane, Xylitylglucoside, Anhydroxylitol, Calcium aluminum borosilicate, Xylitol, Hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid, Sodium hydroxide, Pancratium maritimum extract, Titanium dioxide, Tin oxide, Tocopherol, Helianthus annuus seed oil
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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.
| CetaphilHealthy Radiance Brightening-C SerumYOUR PRODUCT | RayAnti-aging serum | ADVANCED CLINICALS5% Niacinamide Serum | ISANAOvernight Moisture Serum | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 83% | 79% | 79% |
| Price | — | $13.21 | $13.99 | $7.99 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 5 of 10 | 5 of 10 | 4 of 10 |
| Key difference | — | Hyaluronic Acid | Vitamin C | — |
| Irritancy | Low | Low | Low | Low |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Lightinderm REDNESS CapsulesAMPLE:N Ceramide Shot Ampoule
Product summary
"Cetaphil - Healthy Radiance Brightening-C Serum" is effective for: Anti-aging, Moisturizing, Evens skin tone and Anti-blemish
Ingredient callouts
- A good concentration of Niacinamide (3.50% - 5.20%). Niacinamide is a well-studied multi-tasking active. It is stable, and can work well in almost any hydrating formulation. There is solid evidence that Niacinamide can help support skin barrier, regulate oil production and reduce acne and clogged pores. It also helps to fight photodamage and improve the skin tone, reducing pigmentation marks.
- Humectants (hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid 0.15% - 0.60%, anhydroxylitol 0.30% - 0.75%, xylitylglucoside 0.40% - 0.90% and glycerin 4.10% - 6.20%). These ingredients help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improve the skin hydration.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 17 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Dimethicone Copolyoljournals.sagepub.com
- 6
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