PRODUCT REVIEW

Dermalogica Brighten and Defend

Works for:

based on ingredients and %

Exfoliation
Evens skin tone
Moisturizing
Anti-aging

Can it cause trouble?

Key actives

Camellia sinensis leaf extract 0.25% - 0.45%Glucosamine hcl 0.25% - 0.45%

See all ingredients

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Product summary

Based on the ingredient list, "Dermalogica - Brighten and Defend" can work well for skin moisturization. To work well, any moisturizer needs to include a combination of water-binding and emollient ingredients. Dermalogica - Brighten and Defend ticks this box. Urea, algae extract, galactoarabinan, glucosamine hcl and glycerin in this product (humectants) attract water molecules to the upper layer of the skin (the water comes from the outside air or from the deeper layers of the skin if the air is dry). Algae extract, salvia hispanica seed extract, dimethicone, helianthus annuus seed oil and squalane 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

This moistruizer also contains peptides (arginine/lysine polypeptide 0.25% - 0.40%, palmitoyl tripeptide-5 0.25% - 0.40% and palmitoyl tripeptide-5 1.40% - 1.70%). Peptides is a very big group of ingredients. They all consist of a different combination of amino-acids. Our skin produces peptides naturally. Some of them work as natural anti-biotics, promote wound-healing and production of collagen. The scientists are still studying how effective the topical application of peptides is, but it is very likely that peptides in skincare are helpful. They might be able to support skin barrier restoration and even have an anti-aging benefit. At the very least, they certainly help attract water to the skin and support the hydration in this way.

Irritation risk

There are quite a few common irritants in this product, including ingredients without particular skin benefits. We would not recommend it for sensitive skin. We assess the overall irritancy of this moisturizer 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.

About the brand

According to Cruelty-Free Kitty "Dermalogica" is cruelty free, but its parent company is not.

Price

The product retails for 27.00£ in the United Kingdom.

For a detailed price comparison: click here.

What can the product work for?

Evens skin tone

What does the product description say?

Formulated with a skin brightening complex of aspergillus, grapefruit and liquorice that help to balance uneven skin pigmentation, Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant also uses a super smoothing blend of green tea, ginkgo and colloidal oatmeal that helps calm skin, leaving it extraordinarily clear and refreshed.

Source: Lookfantastic

This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: lactic acid

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: glucosamine hcl, glycine soja protein.

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.

lactic acid 2.2% - 2.7%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH

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)

glucosamine hcl 0.25% - 0.45%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Effectiveness: MEDIUM

Might be able to stimulate production of skin's natural moisturizing compounds such as hyaluronic acid. Could be helpful for evening the skin tone.

glycine soja protein 0.25% - 0.5%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Effectiveness: LOW

A plant extract that helps to attract water to the upper layer of the skin and soften it. It might be helpful in neutralizing free radicals. It might be somewhat helpful for evening out the skin tone. It might be able to support elastin production but solid research is lacking

Exfoliation

What does the product description say?

Instantly leave skin noticeably smoother and brighter with Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant, a unique rice-based enzyme powder that microfoliates dulling debris.

Source: Lookfantastic

This product can help exfoliate the skin. In other words, it helps break down the bonds between dead cells on the surface of the skin and speed up the skin turnover. Skin often appears softer and brighter after exfoliation, but overdoing it can result in disrupted skin barrier. The following ingredient is doing the exfoliating job in this product: lactic acid.

lactic acid 2.2% - 2.7%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH

urea 0.25% - 0.45%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Effectiveness: MEDIUM

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

Anti-aging

This product contains arginine/lysine polypeptide, lactic acid, palmitoyl tripeptide-5. These ingredients might be able to help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness, but there is not enough evidence that it actually works.

arginine/lysine polypeptide 0.25% - 0.4%

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

palmitoyl tripeptide-5 1.4% - 1.7%

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

lactic acid 2.2% - 2.7%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Effectiveness: MEDIUM

Moisturizing

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: algae extract, galactoarabinan.

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: arginine/lysine polypeptide, palmitoyl tripeptide-5, urea

urea 0.25% - 0.45%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH

sodium hyaluronate 0.65% - 0.95%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH

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

sodium pca 1.5% - 1.9%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH

Naturally present in skin and helps to attract water to its upper layer

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Can it cause trouble?

User reviews (0)

Ingredients & concentrations

All ingredients

Key Actives

camellia sinensis leaf extract 0.25% - 0.45%

Irritation risk:

Works for: Anti-oxidation, Antibacterial, Anti-aging, Anti-blemish, Evens skin tone, Moisturizing

Can contain potent anti-oxidant compounds (abbreviated ECG, GCG, EGC, and EGCG) that might help protect the skin from free radicals. Can help calm down inflammation and has some anti-bacterial properties. Unfortunately, these antioxidants are unstable and lose their effectiveness very quickly in products. The concentration of the antioxidant compounds in the extract also tends to be low to be effective in topical formulation

glucosamine hcl 0.25% - 0.45%

Irritation risk:

Works for: Moisturizing, Antibacterial, Evens skin tone, Anti-oxidation, Anti-aging

Might be able to stimulate production of skin's natural moisturizing compounds such as hyaluronic acid. Could be helpful for evening the skin tone.

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Potential irritants

citrus grandis peel oil 0.25% - 0.5%

Irritation risk:

A plant oil with high content of volatile compounds that, especially when exposed to air, can cause allergic reactions and irritate the skin

limonene 0.2% - 0.35%

Irritation risk:

A common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heat

Comodogenic ingredients

carrageenan 0.25% - 0.45%

Irritation risk: Comedogenicity: High

Helps thicken the product formula and create a nice product formulation

algae extract 0.3% - 0.55%

Irritation risk: Comedogenicity: High

Works for: Moisturizing, Anti-aging

Plant extract that helps the skin to attract water and make it more smooth for touch. Also shows promise of anti-aging properties, but research is not extensive yet

All ingredients

unknown 0% - 0%

Irritation risk:

The ingredient is not recognized

water 45% - 55%

Irritation risk:

Plain old water

glycerin 4.4% - 5.4%

Irritation risk:

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

Ingredient list view

Unknown, Water, Glycerin, Butylene glycol, Ethoxydiglycol, Lactic acid, Salvia hispanica seed extract, Sodium pca, Palmitoyl tripeptide-5, Sophora japonica flower extract, Ascorbyl methylsilanol pectinate, Sodium hyaluronate, Tocopherol, Dipotassium glycyrrhizate, Aminopropyl ascorbyl phosphate, Trehalose, Polyacrylate-13, Propanediol, Citrus grandis peel oil, Helianthus annuus seed oil, Polyisobutene, Methylpropanediol, Carrageenan, Pentylene glycol, Glyceryl polyacrylate, Caprylyl glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tetrasodium glutamate diacetate, Xanthan gum, Polysorbate 20, Limonene, Sodium hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, Water, Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate, Butylene glycol, Carthamus tinctorius oleosomes, C12-15 alkyl benzoate, Cyclopentasiloxane, Glycerin, Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane, Dimethicone, Dimethyl capramide, Palmitoyl tripeptide-5, Aniba rosaeodora wood oil, Rose flower oil, Pelargonium graveolens flower oil, Helianthus annuus seed oil, Eugenia caryophyllus flower oil, Citrus limon peel oil, Saccharomyces cerevisiae extract, Citrus limon peel extract, Camellia sinensis leaf extract, Algae extract, Dipotassium glycyrrhizate, Lecithin, Glucosamine hcl, Arginine/lysine polypeptide, Tocopheryl acetate, Squalane, Sodium hyaluronate, Polysilicone-11, Glycine soja protein, 1,2-hexanediol, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Cetearyl alcohol, Stearic acid, Ceteareth-20, Sodium polyacrylate, Hydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer, Sodium acrylates copolymer, Decyl glucoside, Polysorbate 80, Urea, Galactoarabinan, Glyceryl polyacrylate, Polysorbate 60, Aminomethyl propanol, Disodium edta, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Linalool, Eugenol, Limonene, Geraniol, Citronellol, Ci 77891

	Dermalogica - Brighten and Defend	Murad - Hydro-Dynamic Ultimate Moisture Moisturiser	NEOGEN X SUR.MEDIC - AGECURE ONE MINUTE WRINKLE PERFECTION	Environ - Focus Care Clarity+ Hydroxy Acid Sebu-Lac Lotion	Dermadoctor - KP Duty Dry, Rough, Bumpy Skin Therapy with 10% AHAs + PHAs	January Labs - Retexturizing Night Cream	endota spa - New Age Advanced Hydration Cream	Elizabeth Grant - Hydra Cell Active Ultimate Hydration Face Cream	Lab Series Skincare for Men - Lab Series Age Rescue+ Water Charged Gel Cream	Clinique - Moisture Surge™ Hydrating Lotion	AMELIORATE - Three Steps to Smooth Skin
Price
WIMJ similarity score		42%	39%	39%	38%	38%	38%	38%	38%	38%	37%
Key ingredients	arginine/lysine polypeptide aminopropyl ascorbyl phosphate +29 more	Common: urea palmitoyl tripeptide-5 +7 more Other: anhydroxylitol retinyl palmitate +11 more	Common: arginine/lysine polypeptide palmitoyl tripeptide-5 +8 more Other: madecassoside niacinamide +42 more	Common: lactic acid urea +1 more Other:	Common: lactic acid urea +4 more Other: lactobionic acid glycolic acid +12 more	Common: lactic acid palmitoyl tripeptide-5 +2 more Other: niacinamide panthenol +5 more	Common: urea caprylic/capric triglyceride +6 more Other: butyrospermum parkii butter fructose +4 more	Common: urea caprylic/capric triglyceride +7 more Other: panthenol palmitoyl pentapeptide-4 +9 more	Common: urea dimethicone +6 more Other: palmitoyl oligopeptide phytosphingosine +13 more	Common: urea glucosamine hcl +5 more Other: palmitoyl hexapeptide-12 acetyl glucosamine +7 more	Common: lactic acid lactic acid +10 more Other: petrolatum butyrospermum parkii butter +10 more
Irritancy	IRRITANCY HIGH	IRRITANCY MEDIUM	IRRITANCY HIGH	IRRITANCY MEDIUM	IRRITANCY MEDIUM	IRRITANCY MEDIUM	IRRITANCY MEDIUM	IRRITANCY MEDIUM	IRRITANCY MEDIUM	IRRITANCY MEDIUM	IRRITANCY HIGH
Potential Irritants	citronellol Has skin benefit? geraniol Has skin benefit? +35 more	retinyl palmitate Has skin benefit? taurine Has skin benefit? +10 more	parfum Has skin benefit? propylene glycol Has skin benefit? +62 more	limonene Has skin benefit? melaleuca alternifolia leaf oil Has skin benefit? +6 more	propylene glycol Has skin benefit? boswellia carterii oil Has skin benefit? +14 more	citrus aurantifolia oil Has skin benefit? tocopheryl acetate Has skin benefit? +8 more	disodium edta Has skin benefit? lactic acid Has skin benefit? +11 more	parfum Has skin benefit? propylene glycol Has skin benefit? +18 more	parfum Has skin benefit? betula alba bark extract Has skin benefit? +22 more	gelidiella acerosa extract Has skin benefit? chlorphenesin Has skin benefit? +14 more	geraniol Has skin benefit? pelargonium graveolens oil Has skin benefit? +53 more
All ingredients	unknown Has skin benefit? water Has skin benefit? +85 more	water Has skin benefit? c12-15 alkyl benzoate Has skin benefit? +45 more	water Has skin benefit? glycerin Has skin benefit? +179 more	water Has skin benefit? ammonium lactate Has skin benefit? +14 more	water Has skin benefit? c12-15 alkyl benzoate Has skin benefit? +44 more	water Has skin benefit? lactic acid Has skin benefit? +21 more	water Has skin benefit? caprylic/capric triglyceride Has skin benefit? +38 more	water Has skin benefit? glycerin Has skin benefit? +57 more	water Has skin benefit? dimethicone Has skin benefit? +70 more	water Has skin benefit? bis-peg-18 methyl ether dimethyl silane Has skin benefit? +41 more	water Has skin benefit? synthetic wax Has skin benefit? +117 more

PRODUCT REVIEW

Dermalogica Brighten and Defend

Works for:

Can it cause trouble?

Key actives

Cheaper alternatives

Product summary

Ingredient callouts

Irritation risk

About the brand

Price

What can the product work for?

Works for

Evens skin tone

What does the product description say?

Exfoliation

What does the product description say?

Anti-aging

Moisturizing

Honesty check

How honest is this product?

Buy now

UK Retailers

Can it cause trouble?

Potential irritants

Comodogenic ingredients

User reviews (0)

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Ingredients & concentrations

All ingredients

Key Actives

Potential irritants

Comodogenic ingredients

All ingredients

Ingredient list view

Sources