Clarins

Clarins Bright Plus Serum

Name: Clarins - Bright Plus Serum
Brand: Clarins

Efficacy75/100IrritancyMedium

See all ingredients

Works for

Moisturizing

Glycerin, Sodium hyaluronate + 3 more

Works

What the product description says

“This Clarins Bright Plus Serum is an advanced brightening serum that fights against dull skin, dehydration and toxin accumulation caused by pollution.”

Source: Feelunique

This product contains good ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. These ingredients are called "humectants": glycerin, sodium hyaluronate.

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).

GlycerinKey active· HumectantEffect: HighOne of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant~4.2–6.3%

Sodium hyaluronateKey active· HumectantEffect: HighOne of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin~0.3–0.75%

Pentylene glycol· EmollientEffect: LowUsed to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product texture~2.1–3.1%

Butylene glycol· HumectantEffect: LowUsed to create a nice product texture and help delivery of other ingredients. Might be somewhat helpful in attracting water to the upper layer of the skin~1.7–2.5%

BiotinEffect: LowMight have some moisturising properties. Is not effective when applied topically beyond some moisturizing effect~0.35–0.85%

Evens skin tone

Ascorbyl glucoside, Pancratium maritimum extract

May help

What the product description says

“Clarins innovation and natural plant-based expertise Clarins' Laboratories discovered pollution is responsible for disrupting the skin's ability to breathe properly, as a result, skin dullness and dark spots can appear.”

Source: Ulta

The following ingredient (ingredients) in this product might be helpful, but there is no evidence to confirm that it actually works: ascorbyl glucoside, pancratium maritimum extract.

Ascorbyl glucosideKey activeEffect: MediumA vitamin C derivative that is more stable but less potent than pure form of vitamin C. Has a potential to boost collagen production, nutralise free radicals and 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~3.8–5.6%

Pancratium maritimum extractKey activeEffect: MediumA plant extract that might help neutralize free radicals in skin. It might help reduce hyperpigmentation~0.05–0.25%

Anti-aging

Side benefit · Ascorbyl glucoside

May help

This product contains ascorbyl glucoside. There is some human evidence that this ingredient helps reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles and improve skin elasticity and firmness, though it is smaller or less consistent than the evidence for the best anti-aging ingredients.

Anti-oxidation

Side benefit · Ascorbyl glucoside, Sambucus nigra flower extract + 3 more

May help

This product contains antioxidants (ascorbyl glucoside) 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.

Sambucus nigra flower extractEffect: LowA plant extract that might help neutralize free radicals in skin~0.2–0.75%

Alchemilla vulgaris extractEffect: LowA plant extract that has astringent properties. In other words, it might be able to interact with keratin in the uppermost layer of the skin to reduce swelling and create a temporal tightening effect. It can be irritating~0.1–0.45%

Pancratium maritimum extractEffect: LowA plant extract that might help neutralize free radicals in skin. It might help reduce hyperpigmentation~0.05–0.25%

Malpighia emarginata seed extractUnder-dosedCan help neutralize free radicals in skin but is typically not used in a high enough concentration~0.1–0.35%

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy

2 strong irritants: Parfum, Polianthes tuberosa polysaccharide

Medium risk

We flagged 12 ingredients with irritancy potential. Severity depends on your sensitivity threshold; the table lists the worst offenders first.

IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount

ParfumAn aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredientsHigh~0.35–0.8%est.

Sambucus nigra flower extractA plant extract that might help neutralize free radicals in skinHigh~0.2–0.75%est.

Polianthes tuberosa polysaccharide—High~0.15–0.65%est.

Alchemilla vulgaris extractA plant extract that has astringent properties. In other words, it might be able to interact with keratin in the uppermost layer of the skin to reduce swelling and create a temporal tightening effect. It can be irritatingHigh~0.1–0.45%est.

Malpighia emarginata seed extractCan help neutralize free radicals in skin but is typically not used in a high enough concentrationHigh~0.1–0.35%est.

Pancratium maritimum extractA plant extract that might help neutralize free radicals in skin. It might help reduce hyperpigmentationHigh~0.05–0.25%est.

Ascorbyl glucosideA vitamin C derivative that is more stable but less potent than pure form of vitamin C. Has a potential to boost collagen production, nutralise free radicals and 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 productsMedium~3.8–5.6%est.

Pentylene glycolUsed to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product textureMedium~2.1–3.1%est.

Sodium citrateHelps to control the skin's pH level. Maintains the skin's natural film of amino-lactic acids and oils. Helps to preserve productsMedium~0.85–1.25%est.

EthylhexylglycerinA preservativeMedium~0.45–1%est.

Citric acidCan work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pHMedium~0.2–0.75%est.

Potassium sorbateA preservativeMedium~0.05–0.25%est.

Comedogenic

Clean of flagged comedogenic ingredients

None flagged

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Ingredients

Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.

Water~40–60%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Plain old water

More about Water

Glycerin~4.2–6.3%

Key active

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

Moisturizing

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 Glycerin

Ascorbyl glucoside~3.8–5.6%

Key activeIrritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

Works for

Anti-oxidationAnti-agingEvens skin tone

A vitamin C derivative that is more stable but less potent than pure form of vitamin C. Has a potential to boost collagen production, nutralise free radicals and 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 Ascorbyl glucoside

Boron nitride~2.7–4.1%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Helps to absord oil and evenly disperse other ingredients (for example, pigment) in product formulation

More about Boron nitride

Pentylene glycol~2.1–3.1%

Irritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

Works for

Moisturizing

Used to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product texture

More about Pentylene glycol

Butylene glycol~1.7–2.5%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

Moisturizing

Used to create a nice product texture and help delivery of other ingredients. Might be somewhat helpful in attracting water to the upper layer of the skin

More about Butylene glycol

Cellulose~1.5–2.2%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

Mattifying

Can be used to help absorb oil as well as add volume and imporve texture of products.

More about Cellulose

Tromethamine~1.3–1.9%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Helps adjust pH in products

More about Tromethamine

Sodium polyacrylate~1.1–1.7%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

Mattifying

Used to create a gel-like product texture, as well as to stabilize emulsions

More about Sodium polyacrylate

Sodium citrate~0.85–1.25%

Irritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

Helps to control the skin's pH level. Maintains the skin's natural film of amino-lactic acids and oils. Helps to preserve products

More about Sodium citrate

Xanthan gum~0.5–1.2%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

Cleansing

Used to create a thicker product consistency

More about Xanthan gum

Ethylhexylglycerin~0.45–1%

Irritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

A preservative

More about Ethylhexylglycerin

Biotin~0.35–0.85%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

Moisturizing

Might have some moisturising properties. Is not effective when applied topically beyond some moisturizing effect

More about Biotin

Parfum~0.35–0.8%

Irritant · high

Irritation risk: High

An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients

More about Parfum

Sodium hyaluronate~0.3–0.75%

Key active

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

Moisturizing

One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin

More about Sodium hyaluronate

Sambucus nigra flower extract~0.2–0.75%

Irritant · high

Irritation risk: High

Works for

Anti-inflammatoryAnti-oxidation

A plant extract that might help neutralize free radicals in skin

More about Sambucus nigra flower extract

Citric acid~0.2–0.75%

Irritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

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

More about Citric acid

Polianthes tuberosa polysaccharide~0.15–0.65%

Irritant · high

Irritation risk: High

More about Polianthes tuberosa polysaccharide

Malpighia emarginata fruit extract~0.15–0.55%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

More about Malpighia emarginata fruit extract

Xylitol~0.1–0.45%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and repair the skin barrier function

More about Xylitol

Alchemilla vulgaris extract~0.1–0.45%

Irritant · high

Irritation risk: High

Works for

Anti-oxidation

A plant extract that has astringent properties. In other words, it might be able to interact with keratin in the uppermost layer of the skin to reduce swelling and create a temporal tightening effect. It can be irritating

More about Alchemilla vulgaris extract

Malpighia emarginata seed extract~0.1–0.35%

Under-dosedIrritant · high

Irritation risk: High

Works for

Anti-oxidation

Can help neutralize free radicals in skin but is typically not used in a high enough concentration

More about Malpighia emarginata seed extract

Sodium benzoate~0.05–0.25%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

A preservative

More about Sodium benzoate

Pancratium maritimum extract~0.05–0.25%

Key activeIrritant · high

Irritation risk: High

Works for

Evens skin toneAnti-oxidation

A plant extract that might help neutralize free radicals in skin. It might help reduce hyperpigmentation

More about Pancratium maritimum extract

Potassium sorbate~0.05–0.25%

Irritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

A preservative

More about Potassium sorbate

Rhodomyrtus tomentosa fruit extract~0.05–0.15%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

More about Rhodomyrtus tomentosa fruit extract

Engelhardtia chrysolepis leaf extract~0.05–0.1%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

More about Engelhardtia chrysolepis leaf extract

Ingredient list view

Water, Glycerin, Ascorbyl glucoside, Boron nitride, Pentylene glycol, Butylene glycol, Cellulose, Tromethamine, Sodium polyacrylate, Sodium citrate, Xanthan gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Biotin, Parfum, Sodium hyaluronate, Sambucus nigra flower extract, Citric acid, Polianthes tuberosa polysaccharide, Malpighia emarginata fruit extract, Xylitol, Alchemilla vulgaris extract, Malpighia emarginata seed extract, Sodium benzoate, Pancratium maritimum extract, Potassium sorbate, Rhodomyrtus tomentosa fruit extract, Engelhardtia chrysolepis leaf extract

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Amazon USPrice as of 11/14 09:08 GMT

$89.00

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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
	ClarinsBright Plus SerumYOUR PRODUCT	Birkenstock Natural Skin CareVitamin C Serum	PayotHarmonie Serum	cocokindvitamin c glow serum
Match	—	45%	44%	43%
Price	$89.00	—	—	$15.39−$73.61
Shared key ingredients	—	3 of 6	3 of 6	3 of 6
Key difference	—	—	Niacinamide	Azelaic Acid
Irritancy	Medium	Low	Low	Low
Drying alcohol	—	—	—	—
	View product	Shop	Shop	Shop

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Product summary

"Clarins - Bright Plus Serum" could be helpful for: Moisturizing, Anti-aging and Evens skin tone, but its actives are not the most effective or are not well-studied.

Ingredient callouts

Humectants (sodium hyaluronate 0.30% - 0.75% and glycerin 4.20% - 6.30%). These ingredients help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improve the skin hydration.