Works for
3 of 3 advertised claims delivered
Evens skin tone5 ingredients credited for this claimStrong support
“Dr. Sobel's Micro-Radiance Complex helps to reduce the production of melanin by 30% to prevent dark spots from surfacing.”
This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: acetyl glucosamine, niacinamide, undecylenoyl phenylalanine
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 propionate.
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-aging5 ingredients credited for this claimStrong support
“This multi-tasking anti-aging formula also helps to diminishes fine lines & wrinkles and smooth the appearance of large pores.”
This product can help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness because it contains acetyl glucosamine, niacinamide.
These ingredients in the product can also be helpful, even though there is less evidence for their effectiveness: retinyl propionate.
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.
Moisturizing13 ingredients credited for this claimStrong support
“Discoloration Reversal Moisturizer”
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, butylene glycol.
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, dimethiconol.
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: acetyl glucosamine, niacinamide, panthenol
Anti-blemishNot advertised by the brand · 2 ingredients credited for this claimGood support
This product might be able to help reduce blemishes and clogged pores because it contains niacinamide.
The following ingredient (ingredients) in this product might be helpful, but there is no evidence to confirm that it actually works: retinyl propionate
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy2 strong irritants: Retinyl propionate, Iodopropynyl butylcarbamateMedium risk
Comedogenic2 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale2 flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~40–60%
Glycerin~4–6%
- 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 GlycerinIsopropyl lauroyl sarcosinate~3.5–5.2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and create a nice product consistency
More about Isopropyl lauroyl sarcosinateNiacinamide~2.6–3.8%
- 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 NiacinamideAcetyl glucosamine~2–3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An effective moisturizing ingredient that also has been shown to be effective in evening out the skin tone and reducing hyperpigmentation. It can help somewhat reduce wrinkles in skin
More about Acetyl glucosaminePolyethylene~1.8–2.7%
Dimethicone~1.4–2.1%
- 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 DimethiconeSodium acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer~1.2–1.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Sodium acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymerPanthenol~0.95–1.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help improve skin barrier function
More about PanthenolUndecylenoyl phenylalanine~0.5–1.2%
- Irritation risk
- High
An amino-acid based compound that is effective in reducing hyperpigmentation. It can help lighten sun spots and support more even skin tone.
More about Undecylenoyl phenylalanineRetinyl propionate~0.35–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- High
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, even thought its potency is not as well established as in case of retinol or retinaldehyde
More about Retinyl propionateTocopheryl acetate~0.2–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A more stable but less bio-available form of vitamin E compared to Tocopherol. Might help moisturize and protect the skin from free radicals, but mostly used in low concentrations to stabilize other ingredients.
More about Tocopheryl acetateAscorbic acid~0.15–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- High
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
More about Ascorbic acidLitchi chinensis pericarp extract~0.1–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Prunus persica leaf extract~0.1–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- High
Might be helpful in supporting collagen and ellastin production but solid research is lacking. Could be irritating
More about Prunus persica leaf extractPyrus malus fruit extract~0.1–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can have some moisturizing properties due to its sugar content
More about Pyrus malus fruit extractRubus idaeus fruit extract~0.1–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A fruit extract that might have some anti-oxidant properties but evidence of effectiveness in skin is lacking
More about Rubus idaeus fruit extractDimethiconol~0.15–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A silicone that makes products more spreadable and keeps skin smooth. Helps to add gloss to skin and may visually fill in fine lines/wrinkles for short time
More about DimethiconolButylene glycol~0.1–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
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 glycolPropylene glycol~0.1–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- High
Helps oil and water mix together and can enhance the penetration of other ingredients into the skin. It can be irritating
More about Propylene glycolCetearyl glucoside~0.1–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps water and oil in the product mix well together and improves product texture
More about Cetearyl glucosideBehenyl alcohol~0.1–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Non-drying alcohol that helps water and oil mix together. Also serves as an emollient
More about Behenyl alcoholBenzyl alcohol~0.05–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- High
A preservative. Can be used to mask unpleasant smell. Can be irritating
More about Benzyl alcoholCetearyl alcohol~0.05–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
A non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture
More about Cetearyl alcoholCetyl alcohol~0.05–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A non-drying alcohol that works to soften the skin and stabilize product formulations helping oil and water mix together
More about Cetyl alcoholStearyl alcohol~0.05–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that helps soften the skin
More about Stearyl alcoholIsohexadecane~0.1–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Improves the texture of the product and helps soften the skin. Helps oil and water mix together and can be used as a cleansing agent
More about IsohexadecanePolysorbate 80~0.1–0.3%
Peg-100 stearate~0.1–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix togehter and creates a nice product texture
More about Peg-100 stearateSorbitan oleate~0.1–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Sorbitan oleatePolyhydroxystearic acid~0.05–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to create a thicker product consistency and stabilize the formulation
More about Polyhydroxystearic acidTriethoxycaprylylsilane~0.05–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of silicone that helps oil and water mix well together. Helps to disperse other ingredients, e.g. pigments, evenly in a formulation
More about TriethoxycaprylylsilaneIodopropynyl butylcarbamate~0.01–0.02%
Titanium dioxide~0.05–0.15%
- 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 dioxideDisodium edta~0.01–0.05%
Dm hydantoin~0.01–0.05%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Ingredient list view
Water, Glycerin, Isopropyl lauroyl sarcosinate, Niacinamide, Acetyl glucosamine, Polyethylene, Dimethicone, Sodium acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer, Panthenol, Undecylenoyl phenylalanine, Retinyl propionate, Tocopheryl acetate, Ascorbic acid, Litchi chinensis pericarp extract, Prunus persica leaf extract, Pyrus malus fruit extract, Rubus idaeus fruit extract, Dimethiconol, Butylene glycol, Propylene glycol, Cetearyl glucoside, Behenyl alcohol, Benzyl alcohol, Cetearyl alcohol, Cetyl alcohol, Stearyl alcohol, Isohexadecane, Polysorbate 80, Peg-100 stearate, Sorbitan oleate, Polyhydroxystearic acid, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Iodopropynyl butylcarbamate, Titanium dioxide, Disodium edta, Dm hydantoin
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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.
| DdfDiscoloration Reversal MoisturizerYOUR PRODUCT | OlayAnti-Aging Face Moisturizer Fragrance-Free | dermaGEEKNourishing Facial Night Cream | SK-IIR.N.A. POWER Anti-Aging Face Cream | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 89% | 88% | 85% |
| Price | $49.00 | $13.21−$35.79 | $19.94−$29.06 | $224.75+$175.75 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 5 of 8 | 5 of 8 | 5 of 8 |
| Key difference | — | Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate | Sodium Hyaluronate | Pitera |
| Irritancy | Medium | Low | Low | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
Product summary
"Ddf - Discoloration Reversal Moisturizer" is a well-rounded moisturizing product. As we expect from a proper moisturizer, the formula includes a combo of effective humectants and emollients. These are the two different types of ingredients that are essential for improving the skin hydration and supporting a healthy skin barrier. Humectants in this product (acetyl glucosamine, panthenol, glycerin and butylene glycol) help to increase the water content in the upper layer of the skin. (These ingredients do so by "capturing" water molecules from the outside air or from within the deeper layers of the skin). Dimethicone, dimethiconol, cetearyl alcohol, isopropyl lauroyl sarcosinate and isohexadecane in this product help decrease the water evoporation from the skin, so that it stays hydrated for longer. These ingredients also soften the skin and take away the feeling of tightness and dryness.
Ingredient callouts
- We love that this moisturizer contains a good concentration of niacinamide 2.60% - 3.80%. Niacinamide is a perfect active in a moistruizer because it helps calm down inflamation in skin and support the skin barrier. More than that, it is helpful for most common skin concerns: it helps regulat oil production, help reduce acne and clogged pores, improve skin tone and prevent pigmentation marks. It also helps fight photodamage.
- This product also contains vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid). It can be an effective active for anti-aging and evening out the skin tone, but in this moisturizer it is used for stabilizing other ingredients in the formulation. In this concentration (0.15% - 0.50%) it cannot have a noticeable benefit for the skin.
- This moisturizer includes a form of retinoids (vitamin A) - retinyl propionate 0.35% - 0.85%, but this type of vitamin A is not very effective. It could in theory help with fine lines and wrinkles, but the effect is most likely minimal.
- This formulation also includes panthenol (pro-vitamin B5) at about 0.95% - 1.40% concentration. In this concentration, panthenol works effectively to improve the skin barrier and reduce inflammation.
Irritation risk
There are some common irritants in this product, including ingredients that do not have benefits for the skin. We assess the overall irritancy of this moisturizer to be medium. 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.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 19 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5Glucosamine: an ingredient with skin and other benefitsncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 6
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