Works for
Evens skin toneAscorbic acid, Glycolic acid + 1 moreWorks well
“Brighter-Looking Tone: Brightens the appearance of dullness, discoloration, dark spots, and post-blemish marks”
This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: ascorbic acid.
In addition, this product contains glycolic acid, salicylic acid. This ingredient (ingredients) might help reduce hyperpigmentation, but the effect, if any, is likely to be small.
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-agingAscorbic acid, Glycolic acid + 1 moreWorks well
“Pore + Texture Refinement: Refines the look of pores, fine lines, uneven texture, and imperfections”
This product can help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness because it contains ascorbic acid, glycolic acid.
These ingredients in the product can also be helpful, even though there is less evidence for their effectiveness: vitis vinifera seed extract.
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.
ExfoliationGlycolic acid, Salicylic acid + 1 moreWorks well
“Overnight resurfacing serum that exfoliates, brightens, and smooths while you sleep.”
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: glycolic acid, salicylic acid.
Anti-blemishSide benefit the brand mentions · Salicylic acid, Glycolic acid + 1 moreWorks well
“It exfoliates dead skin cells to unclog pores and reduce fine lines and wrinkles, while vitamin C encourages collagen production, protects with antioxidants and reduces the appearance of hyperpigmentation.”
This product can help reduce breakouts and clogged pores because it contains the following ingredient: salicylic acid. This ingredient is used for treating acne and can have a noticeable effect.
The following ingredient (ingredients) in this product might be helpful, but there is no evidence to confirm that it actually works: glycolic acid
Anti-oxidationSide benefit · Ascorbic acid, Vitis vinifera seed extract + 1 moreWorks well
This product contains antioxidants (ascorbic acid, vitis vinifera seed extract) that can help neutralize free radicals in skin. By doing so, they can lessen the damage the skin gets from the UV light (sun).
MoisturizingSide benefit the brand mentions · Arginine, Glycerin + 4 moreWorks
“This anti-aging serum features a rich blend of nourishing and anti-aging ingredients that promote a smoother texture and more radiant tone.”
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:
arginine, glycerin.
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: arginine, aloe barbadensis leaf extract.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy2 strong irritants: Hamamelis virginiana extract, Alcohol denat.Medium risk
ComedogenicClean of flagged comedogenic ingredientsNone flagged
User reviews
Be the first — your take helps the next person decide.
Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~40–60%
Butylene glycol~5.6–8.4%
- 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 glycolAscorbic acid~4–6%
- 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 acidGlycolic acid~2.8–4.2%
- Irritation risk
- 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
More about Glycolic acidSalicylic acid~1–1.45%
- Irritation risk
- High
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)
More about Salicylic acidAloe barbadensis leaf extract~1.8–2.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Traditionally used to treat sunburns, dermatitis and inflammation, but evidence for its effectiveness is lacking. The extract can contain humectants that help attract water into the skin
More about Aloe barbadensis leaf extractArginine~1.4–2.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An amino acid that is naturally present in skin and helps keep it hydrated. When used together with AHAs, it can reduce their irritating effect on the skin
More about ArginineVitis vinifera seed extract~1.1–1.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A plant extract that contains resveratrol and other anti-oxidant compounds that can help neutralize free radicals, reduce inflammation in skin and even out its tone. Can be also used to stabilize the product formulation
More about Vitis vinifera seed extractEchinacea purpurea extract~0.85–1.3%
- Irritation risk
- High
Plant extract that might have some anti-oxidant properties. Can be irritating
More about Echinacea purpurea extractHamamelis virginiana extract~0.55–1.25%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that can help calm down inflammation in skin. Can, however, itself be irritating
More about Hamamelis virginiana extractGlycerin~0.45–1.1%
- 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 GlycerinSodium hyaluronate~0.35–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
More about Sodium hyaluronateAllantoin~0.1–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps calm down inflammation in skin and can help reduce itching. Helps to repair the skin barrier and keep skin hydrated
More about AllantoinHydroxyethylcellulose~0.15–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to thicken product formulations and create gel-like textures
More about HydroxyethylcelluloseAlcohol denat.~0.1–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- High
Produces temporary toning effect. Can help dissolve other ingredients or preserve products
More about Alcohol denat.Phenoxyethanol~0.05–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolEthylhexylglycerin~0.05–0.15%
Sodium hydroxide~0.05–0.15%
Ingredient list view
Water, Butylene glycol, Ascorbic acid, Glycolic acid, Salicylic acid, Aloe barbadensis leaf extract, Arginine, Vitis vinifera seed extract, Echinacea purpurea extract, Hamamelis virginiana extract, Glycerin, Sodium hyaluronate, Allantoin, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Alcohol denat., Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium hydroxide
Compare prices
Retailers ranked by price — lowest first.
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.
| DermelectSelf-Esteem Beauty Sleep SerumYOUR PRODUCT | pureclinicaTriple Strength Vitamin C, E & Ferulic Acid Serum | CliniqueFresh Pressed Daily Booster with Pure Vitamin C 10% | La Roche-PosayPure Vitamin C Face Serum | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 89% | 80% | 79% |
| Price | $49.00 | $29.99−$19.01 | $44.00−$5.00 | $44.99−$4.01 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 5 of 8 | 4 of 8 | 3 of 8 |
| Key difference | — | Retinol | Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 | Acetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester |
| Irritancy | Medium | Medium | Medium | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | Contains drying alcohol | — | — | Contains drying alcohol |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: SkinCeuticals Silymarin CF Vitamin C Salicylic Acid Antioxidant SerumNuFace Lifter Vitamin C and Hyaluronic Acid Serum S3
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 18 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2Glycolic acid peel therapy – a current reviewncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 3
- 4Salicylic acid as a peeling agent: a comprehensive reviewncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 5Beta Hydroxy Acidsfda.gov
- 6A review of toxicity from topical salicylic acid preparationssciencedirect.com
Affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.