Works for:
based on ingredients and %- Moisturizing
- Evens skin tone
- Anti-oxidation
Doesn't work for:
based on ingredients and %- Sun protection
- Anti-blemish
Can it cause trouble?
- Irritation risk: high
- Comedogenic risk ingredients: 1
Key actives
Product Summary
We do not recommend "Crystal Clear - Skin Brightening Complex" because it does not provide good UVA protection. UVA sun rays don't burn the skin, but they still lead to photoaging and hyperpigmentation.
Because it includes good moisturizing ingredients, it can also work as a hydrating day cream.
Sunscreen filters
This sunscreen uses so-called "chemical", or organic UV filters (organic simply means that their molecules contain atoms of carbon). These filters typically give good sun protection and rarely leave a white cast, but they can be irritating for sensitive skin. The UV filters in this sunscreen are: octinoxate 6.40% - 7.80% and octisalate 2.00% - 2.50%.
Irritation risk
This sunscreen contains a bunch of common irritants, including ingredients that do not provide any known benefit for the skin. It might not be the best choice if your skin is sensitive. We assess the overall irritancy of this sunscreen to be high. For a detailed overview of all potential irritants: click here
You can see the detailed formula review with the breakdown of all actives in the product and the full ingredient list with estimated concentrations in the tables below.
Price
The product retails for 55.20$ in the United States, for 39.99£ in the United Kingdom and for 70.00CA$ in Canada.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Moisturizing
What does the product description say?
A plant-derived complex of Arbutin (derived from the Bearberry plant), Mulberry Root extract, Grape, Saxifraga Sermentosa and Scutellaria Baicalensis extract deliver powerful brightening and pigmentation removal properties, while a Marine Complex creates a bio-matrix film over skin to seal in moisture and ward off dehydration so skin can maintain its natural luminosity.
Source: Lookfantastic US
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:
glycerin, glyceryl acrylate/acrylic acid copolymer.
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, c12-15 alkyl benzoate.
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: urea
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
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and provide a longer-lasting hydration. Can create a thicker product consistency
Naturally present in skin (urea makes up about 7% of natural moisturizing factors in skin). Attracts water to the upper layer of the skin. Also has a positive effect on the skin barrier beyond the humectant action. Can enhance penetration of other ingredients. Is an exfoliating ingredient when used in high concentrations
Enhances the product texture and makes it more spreadable. Helps reduce water loss from the outer layer of skin. Extands the shelf life by preventing bacteria growth
An emollient that can also help water and oil mix together, as well as prevent bacteria growth in products
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
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
A plant extract that might contain a compound baicalin that could be helpful in neutralizing free radicals and reducing inflammation in skin. The baicalin concentration in skincare products is often too low for an effective action. Can be used for its fragrant properties
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improves the product texture
Used mostly for creating emulsions - helping oil and water mix together. Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
Anti-oxidation
This product contains antioxidants (arbutin) that might be able to help neutralize free radicals in skin to lessen the damage it gets from the UV light (sun). There is not enough evidence to confirm their effectiveness in skin though.
Beta-arbutin. Can help to reduce hyperpigmentation and has an anti-oxidant effect when used in high enough concentration. Is less effective compared to alpha-arbutin
A plant extract that might contain a compound baicalin that could be helpful in neutralizing free radicals and reducing inflammation in skin. The baicalin concentration in skincare products is often too low for an effective action. Can be used for its fragrant properties
Evens skin tone
What does the product description say?
A plant-derived complex of Arbutin (derived from the Bearberry plant), Mulberry Root extract, Grape, Saxifraga Sermentosa and Scutellaria Baicalensis extract deliver powerful brightening and pigmentation removal properties, while a Marine Complex creates a bio-matrix film over skin to seal in moisture and ward off dehydration so skin can maintain its natural luminosity.
Source: Lookfantastic US
The following ingredient (ingredients) in this product might be helpful, but there is no evidence to confirm that it actually works: arbutin.
The biggest effect for evening out skin tone in this product comes from sun protection. Sun damage is the main factor causing age spots, darkening of post-acne marks and other discolorations. This is why sun protection is the best strategy for maintaining an even skin tone. We, however, do not recommend using this product as a sunscreen because the protection it offers is not strong enough).
Beta-arbutin. Can help to reduce hyperpigmentation and has an anti-oxidant effect when used in high enough concentration. Is less effective compared to alpha-arbutin
Sun protection
This product does not offer good protection against UVA rays.
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
Octisalate. A UV filter. It offers some protection against the sun rays that cause sunburn (UVB), but does not 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
Anti-blemish
What does the product description say?
It also contains super anti-inflammatory agents to Calm and Soothe even the most Problematic skin making it great for the prevention of breakouts!
Source: Feelunique
Effective ingredients missing or their concentration is too low.
How honest is this product?
| Promise | Can it deliver? |
|---|---|
| Sun protection | |
| Moisturizing | |
| Evens skin tone | |
| Anti-blemish |
Total Promises Fulfilled score: 56/100.
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Potential irritants
Comedogenic ingredients
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| Product | Similarity | Price | Irritancy |
|---|---|---|---|
 Crystal Clear Skin Brightening Complex | Current | $39.99 | |
Uriage Eau Thermale Light Water Cream SPF20 | 58% | $12.55 | |
 Dermaquest Inc Essential Youth Protection SPF 30 | 58% | $57.00 | |
 Laura Mercier Flawless Skin Mega Moisture Creme SPF15 NormalDry Skin | 57% | $53.00 | |
Dermaquest Youth Protection SPF 30 | 57% | $41.40 | |
 Murad City Skin Age Defense Broad Spectrum SPF 15 | PA+++ Mineral Sunscreen | 56% | $90.00 |
Key Actives
Potential irritants
Comedogenic ingredients
All ingredients
Ingredient list view
Water, Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate, Glycerin, C12-15 alkyl benzoate, Diethylhexylcyclohexane, Polysorbate 60, Zea mays germ oil, Ethylhexyl salicylate, Sorbitan stearate, Unknown, Sclerotium gum, Phenoxyethanol, Saxifraga sarmentosa extract, Urea, Tetrasodium edta, Propylene glycol, Butylene glycol, Parfum, Morus bombycis extract, Scutellaria baicalensis root extract, Dimethicone, Alumina, Diazolidinyl urea, Citric acid, Glyceryl acrylate/acrylic acid copolymer, Sorbitol, Lecithin, Arbutin, Disodium edta, Bht, Iodopropynyl butylcarbamate, Xanthan gum, Caprylyl glycol, Glyceryl caprylate, Linalool, Limonene, Butylphenyl methylpropional, Geraniol, Benzyl alcohol
- Glycerol and the skin: holistic approach to its origin and functions
- Topical urea in skincare: A review
- Surfactants and experimental irritant contact dermatitis
- Propylene Glycol
- Skin-sensitizing and irritant properties of propylene glycol
- Scutellaria baicalensis, the golden herb from the garden of Chinese medicinal plants
- Flavonoids in Treating Psoriasis
- Improvement of skin barrier dysfunction by Scutellaria baicalensis GEOGI extracts through lactic acid fermentation
- Safety Assessment of Scutellaria baicalensis-Derived Ingredients as Used in Cosmetics
- Dimethicone as a protective ingredient in topical medications
- Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Dimethicone Copolyol
- Safety Assessment of Alumina and Aluminum Hydroxide as Used in Cosmetics
- Arbutin - Commentaty
- TOPICAL TREATMENT OF MELASMA
- Safety Assessment of Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate as Used in Cosmetics
- Annex I: Clinical evidence regarding sensitisation to individual fragrance chemicals and to natural extracts