PRODUCT REVIEW
Charlotte Tilbury Charlotte's 4 Magic + Science Steps to Resurface, Hydrate + Glow
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Product summary
What can the product work for?
Anti-aging
What does the product description say?
Step three is Charlotte’s Magic Serum Crystal Elixir, a hydrating serum fortified with golden vitamin C that works to leave the skin brighter and younger-looking.
glycolic acid
0.15% -
0.3%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: 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
acetyl tetrapeptide-9
0.1% -
0.2%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness:
MEDIUM
A type of peptide. Peptides are excellent moisturizers and might be able support collagen production reducing fine lines and wrinkles
acetyl tetrapeptide-11
0.1% -
0.2%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness:
MEDIUM
A type of peptide. Peptides are excellent moisturizers and might be able support collagen production reducing fine lines and wrinkles
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Exfoliation
What does the product description say?
Start with the Super Radiance Resurfacing Facial, a cleanser with a glycolic acid blend to refine pores, resurface the skin and encourage a smooth, youthful look.Follow this with the Glow Toner to help achieve a radiant look.
glycolic acid
0.15% -
0.3%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: 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
lactic acid
0.1% -
0.2%
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)
salicylic acid
0.15% -
0.3%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Insufficient!
Used 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)
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Moisturizing
What does the product description say?
Charlotte's 4 Magic + Science Steps to Resurface, Hydrate + Glow
polyglutamic acid
0.1% -
0.2%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin.
triheptanoin
0.1% -
0.2%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
A synthetic triglyceride. Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
sodium hyaluronate
0.1% -
0.2%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
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Evens skin tone
glycolic acid
0.15% -
0.3%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: 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
glutathione
0.1% -
0.2%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
A peptide that can help neutralize free radicals in skin and reduce melanin production resulting in skin lightening effect and reduction in hyperpigmentation. It can also help attract moisture to the upper layer of the skin
ascorbic acid
0.1% -
0.2%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Insufficient!
The 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
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Anti-oxidation
glutathione
0.1% -
0.2%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
A peptide that can help neutralize free radicals in skin and reduce melanin production resulting in skin lightening effect and reduction in hyperpigmentation. It can also help attract moisture to the upper layer of the skin
hydrolyzed opuntia ficus-indica flower extract
0.2% -
0.35%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness:
LOW
A plant extract. Can help attract water the upper layer of the skin and might have some anti-oxidant properties
trifolium pratense flower extract
0.1% -
0.2%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness:
LOW
Red clover flower extract. Can contain anti-oxidants but also potential irritant compounds
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Honesty check
How honest is this product?
| Promise | Can it deliver? |
|---|---|
| Anti-aging | |
| Exfoliation | |
| Moisturizing |
Total Promises Fulfilled score:
100/100.
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Can it cause trouble?
- Overall product irritation risk
- Acne & comedogenic risk ingredients: 7
Potential irritants
hydrolyzed viola tricolor extract
0.1% -
0.2%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Moisturizing
Might have some moisturizing and anti-inflammatory properties. Can be added to products to create a nice smell.
rosa damascena extract
0.1% -
0.2%
Irritation risk:
Oil of a very fragrant pink rose used as fragrance in cosmetics. Extensive research has shown it has mixed benefits. In the pro column, inhaling this flower’s scent seems to have relaxing properties and the plant’s petals contain skin-soothing and antioxidant compounds that can benefit skin. On the flipside, the numerous chemicals that create this rose’s distinctive fragrance pose a risk of causing skin aggravation.
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Comodogenic ingredients
glyceryl stearate se
3.6% -
4.5%
Irritation risk: Comedogenicity: Medium
Works for:
Cleansing,
Moisturizing
Used to stabilize the product formulations and works as an emollient
butyrospermum parkii butter
0.35% -
0.65%
Irritation risk: Comedogenicity: High
Works for:
Moisturizing,
Anti-oxidation,
Anti-aging
A great moisturising ingredient that softens the skin and reduces water loss from its upper layer. It also can be helpful in protecting skin from free radicals
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User reviews (0)
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Ingredients & concentrations
All ingredients
Key Actives
allantoin
0.1% -
0.15%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Moisturizing,
Anti-inflammatory,
Reduces irritation,
Reduces redness,
Anti-blemish,
Exfoliation
Helps calm down inflammation in skin and can help reduce itching. Helps to repair the skin barrier and keep skin hydrated
allantoin
0.15% -
0.25%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Moisturizing,
Anti-inflammatory,
Reduces redness,
Reduces irritation,
Anti-blemish,
Exfoliation
Helps calm down inflammation in skin and can help reduce itching. Helps to repair the skin barrier and keep skin hydrated
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Potential irritants
hydrolyzed viola tricolor extract
0.1% -
0.2%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Moisturizing
Might have some moisturizing and anti-inflammatory properties. Can be added to products to create a nice smell.
rosa damascena extract
0.1% -
0.2%
Irritation risk:
Oil of a very fragrant pink rose used as fragrance in cosmetics. Extensive research has shown it has mixed benefits. In the pro column, inhaling this flower’s scent seems to have relaxing properties and the plant’s petals contain skin-soothing and antioxidant compounds that can benefit skin. On the flipside, the numerous chemicals that create this rose’s distinctive fragrance pose a risk of causing skin aggravation.
Show more
Comodogenic ingredients
glyceryl stearate se
3.6% -
4.5%
Irritation risk: Comedogenicity: Medium
Works for:
Cleansing,
Moisturizing
Used to stabilize the product formulations and works as an emollient
butyrospermum parkii butter
0.35% -
0.65%
Irritation risk: Comedogenicity: High
Works for:
Moisturizing,
Anti-oxidation,
Anti-aging
A great moisturising ingredient that softens the skin and reduces water loss from its upper layer. It also can be helpful in protecting skin from free radicals
Show more
All ingredients
homosalate
5.3% -
6.5%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Sun protection
A weak sunscreen that offers some protection against the sun rays that cause sunburn (UVB), but does not offer meaningful protection against protect against the most aging sun rays (UVA). It loses its effectiveness quickly when exposed to sunlight. It is an organic, or so called "chemical" sunscreen. When used in low concentrations, helps to stabilize the product formulation
glyceryl stearate se
3.6% -
4.5%
Irritation risk: Comedogenicity: Medium
Works for:
Cleansing,
Moisturizing
Used to stabilize the product formulations and works as an emollient
Show more
Ingredient list view
Water, Homosalate, Glyceryl stearate se, Ethylhexyl salicylate, Butylene glycol, Glycerin, Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane, Octocrylene, Cetyl alcohol, C12-15 alkyl benzoate, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, Phenoxyethanol, Butyrospermum parkii butter, Steareth-21, Avena sativa kernel extract, Carbomer, Dimethiconol, Potassium cetyl phosphate, Chlorphenesin, Caprylyl glycol, Xanthan gum, Hydrolyzed viola tricolor extract, Allantoin, Aloe barbadensis leaf juice, Disodium edta, Tocopheryl acetate, Camellia oleifera seed oil, Rosa canina fruit oil, Rosa damascena extract, Sodium hydroxide, Helianthus annuus seed oil, Michelia alba leaf oil, Sodium lactate, Coco-glucoside, Peg-8, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium hyaluronate, Tocopherol, Palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7, Palmitoyl tripeptide-1, Ascorbyl palmitate, Plumeria rubra flower extract, Ascorbic acid, Citric acid, Nicotiana sylvestris leaf cell culture, Linalool, Citronellol, Geraniol, Water, Niacinamide, Glycereth-26, Triheptanoin, Glycerin, Methyl gluceth-20, Silica, Camellia oleifera seed oil, Quartz powder, Amethyst powder, Ruby powder, Gold, Butyrospermum parkii oil, Phenoxyethanol, Dimethyl isosorbide, Polysorbate 20, Glyceryl stearate, Butylene glycol, Octyldodecyl oleate, Benzyl alcohol, Myrothamnus flabellifolia leaf extract, Peg-100 stearate, Octyldodecyl stearoyl stearate, Schisandra chinensis fruit extract, Carbomer, Sodium gluconate, Sodium hyaluronate, Chondrus crispus extract, Sodium hydroxide, Saussurea involucrata callus extract, Tocopheryl acetate, Aloe barbadensis leaf juice, Polyglutamic acid, Pentylene glycol, Sorbitol, Magnesium aspartate, Zinc gluconate, Rosa canina fruit extract, Polyhydroxystearic acid, Octyldodecanol, Sodium benzoate, Propanediol, Biosaccharide gum-4, Xanthan gum, Parfum, Plumeria alba flower extract, Plumeria rubra flower extract, Lithothamnion calcareum extract, Lactic acid, Potassium sorbate, Caprylyl glycol, Copper gluconate, Hydrated silica, 1,2-hexanediol, Citric acid, Solanum tuberosum pulp extract, Acetyl tetrapeptide-11, Acetyl tetrapeptide-9, Dehydroacetic acid, Ascorbic acid, Glutathione, Limonene, Geraniol, Citronellol, Linalool, Citral, Water, Propanediol, Niacinamide, Silica, Isopentyldiol, Phenoxyethanol, Glycerin, Benzyl alcohol, Dicaprylyl ether, Butyrospermum parkii butter, Carbomer, Parfum, Sodium hyaluronate, Trisodium ethylenediamine disuccinate, Hydrolyzed opuntia ficus-indica flower extract, Sodium hydroxide, Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer, Hydrogenated lecithin, Citrus aurantium bergamia peel oil, Trifolium pratense flower extract, Citrus limon peel oil, Phenethyl alcohol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Maltodextrin, Pentapeptide-48, Tocopherol, Limonene, Citronellol, Geraniol, Linalool, Citral, Eugenol, Water, Glycerin, Glycolic acid, Sodium hydroxide, Hydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer, Cetearyl alcohol, Glyceryl stearate, Peg-100 stearate, Persea gratissima oil, Salicylic acid, Camellia oleifera seed oil, Aloe barbadensis leaf juice, Agave tequilana leaf extract, Phenoxyethanol, Butylene glycol, Caprylyl glycol, Myrothamnus flabellifolia leaf extract, Polysorbate 60, Sorbitan isostearate, Sodium gluconate, Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer, Hydrolyzed opuntia ficus-indica flower extract, Allantoin, Sodium hyaluronate, 1,2-hexanediol, Polyglutamic acid, Tocopherol, Parfum, Maltodextrin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hydrolyzed gardenia florida extract, Helianthus annuus seed oil, Citric acid, Potassium sorbate, Sodium benzoate, Gardenia florida fruit extract, Limonene, Geraniol, Citronellol, Linalool
Sources
- Opinion on Homosalate - Scientific Committee on Consumer Products
- Glycerol and the skin: holistic approach to its origin and functions
- Dimethicone as a protective ingredient in topical medications
- Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Dimethicone Copolyol
- Profile of wound healing process induced by allantoin
- Effect of Olive and Sunflower Seed Oil on the Adult Skin Barrier: Implications for Neonatal Skin Care
- Topically Applied Sunflower Seed Oil Prevents Invasive Bacterial Infections in Preterm Infants in Egypt
- Effect of topically applied lipids on surfactant-irritated skin
- Impact of topical oils on the skin barrier: possible implications for neonatal health in developing countries
- In Vitro Assessment of Skin Irritation Potential of Surfactant-based Formulations by Using a 3-D Skin Reconstructed Tissue Model and Cytokine Response
- Allergen of the Year—Alkyl Glucoside
- Hyaluronic acid: A key molecule in skin aging
- Hyaluronan (Hyaluronic Acid): a natural moisturizer for skin care
- Vitamin E in dermatology
- Vitamin E and Skin Health
- Annex I: Clinical evidence regarding sensitisation to individual fragrance chemicals and to natural extracts
- Niacinamide - mechanisms of action and its topical use in dermatology
- Gehring, W. (2004). Nicotinic acid/niacinamide and the skin. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 3(2), 88–93. doi:10.1111/j.1473-2130.2004.00115.x
- Safety Assessment of Glycerin Ethoxylates as Used in Cosmetics
- Activity enhancement of ferulic acid with dimethyl isosorbride in cosmetic compositions
- γ‐Polyglutamic Acid Produced by Bacillus Subtilis (Natto): Structural Characteristics, Chemical Properties and Biological Functionalities
- Natural and edible biopolymer poly‐γ‐glutamic acid: synthesis, production, and applications
- Magnesium ions inhibit the antigen-presenting function of human epidermal Langerhans cells in vivo and in vitro. Involvement of ATPase, HLA-DR, B7 molecules, and cytokines
- Zinc salts in dermatology
- An overview of zinc and its importance in dermatology-Part II: The association of zinc with some dermatologic disorders
- Zinc, copper and manganese enhanced keratinocyte migration through a functional modulation of keratinocyte integrins
- Evaluation of the effects of topical zinc gluconate in wound healing
- A polyhydroxy acid skin care regimen provides antiaging effects comparable to an alpha-hydroxyacid regimen
- Applications of hydroxy acids: classification, mechanisms, and photoactivity
- Epidermal and dermal effects of topical lactic acid
- Dual Effects of Alpha-Hydroxy Acids on the Skin
- The influence of alkane chain length on the skin irritation potential of 1,2-alkanediols
- 4 Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Sodium Dehydroacetate and Dehydroacetic Acid
- Glutathione as a skin whitening agent: Facts, myths, evidence and controversies
- Glutathione for skin lightening: a regnant myth or evidence-based verity?
- Glutathione for skin lightening for dermatologists and cosmetologists
- Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Phenethyl Alcohol
- The Power of Royalactin
- RoyalEpigen P5
- Photoprotective and antiinflammatory effects of topical glycolic acid
- Glycolic acid peel therapy – a current review
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- Salicylic acid as a peeling agent: a comprehensive review
- Beta Hydroxy Acids
- A review of toxicity from topical salicylic acid preparations
- Glycolic Acid Peels Versus Salicylic–Mandelic Acid Peels in Active Acne Vulgaris and Post‐Acne Scarring and Hyperpigmentation: A Comparative Study
- Allergic contact dermatitis from gardenia fruit