Works for
Evens skin toneAzelaic acid, Niacinamide + 4 moreWorks well
“day-use formula that visibly reduces dark spots by up to 85%*”
This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: azelaic acid, bakuchiol, niacinamide
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: arbutin, dipotassium glycyrrhizate, hexylresorcinol.
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-blemishAzelaic acid, Niacinamide + 1 moreWorks well
“reduces dark spots”
This product can help reduce breakouts and clogged pores because it contains the following ingredient: azelaic acid, niacinamide. These ingredients is used for treating acne and can have a noticeable effect.
In addition, this product contains bakuchiol. It can help in reducing blemishes, even though it is less effective.
MoisturizingNiacinamide, Glycerin + 5 moreWorks well
“flawless Brightly Pro Serum”
This product contains good ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. These ingredients are called "humectants": dipotassium glycyrrhizate, glycerin.
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).
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: niacinamide
Anti-oxidationSide benefit · Azelaic acid, Arbutin + 3 moreWorks well
This product contains antioxidants (azelaic acid, bakuchiol) that can help neutralize free radicals in skin. By doing so, they can lessen the damage the skin gets from the UV light (sun).
The following ingredients - arbutin, hexylresorcinol also can have an antioxidant effect, but there is less evidence to confirm their effectiveness in skin.
Anti-agingSide benefit · Niacinamide, BakuchiolWorks well
This product can help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness because it contains bakuchiol, niacinamide.
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.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy11 flagged ingredientsLow risk
Comedogenic1 ingredient rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale1 flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~40–60%
Azelaic acid~5.9–8.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Is produced by a yeast that lives on normal human skin. It is used in medicine as a topical treatment for mild to moderate acne. It has a mild exfoliating effect. It can also help reduce hyperpigmentation, helps calm down inflammation and can help neutralize free radicals
More about Azelaic acidNiacinamide~4–5.9%
- 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 NiacinamideDicaprylyl carbonate~2.9–4.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps products spread more easily and works as an emollient to soften skin
More about Dicaprylyl carbonateEthoxydiglycol~2–3%
Glycerin~1.8–2.7%
- 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 GlycerinDipotassium glycyrrhizate~1.5–2.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A salt derived from licorice. Works as an emollient to soften the upper layer of the skin and can help calm down inflammation. Might be helpful for skin lightening
More about Dipotassium glycyrrhizateDimethyl isosorbide~1.3–1.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to dissolve other ingredients in a product and can enhance their ability to penetrate the skin
More about Dimethyl isosorbideArbutin~1.1–1.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
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
More about ArbutinCetearyl olivate~0.85–1.25%
Polyacrylate crosspolymer-6~0.5–1.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Cetearyl alcohol~0.5–1.15%
- 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 alcoholBakuchiol~0.4–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant extract that is, though different in chemical structure, acts similar to retinoids. First studies show that it can help reduce fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin tone, reduce clogged pores and blemishes, and reduce inflammation. There is no conclusive evidence that bakuchiol is as effective as retinol however. The study that directly compared retinol with bakuchiol used bakuchiol applied twice daily compared to once per day for the retinol. According to this study, bakuchiol is less irritating than retinol. Bakuchiol is extracted from seeds of Babchi plant. Other parts of the plant contain coumarins that could cause allergic and irritant reactions. These compounds should be removed in the extraction process when bakuchiol is produced, but it is a good idea to be cautious and stay away from products that include the Babchi plant extracts other than purified bakuchiol to avoid irritation
More about BakuchiolTapioca starch~0.35–0.85%
Hexylresorcinol~0.3–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Might be helpful in reducing hyperpigmentation and neutralizing free radicals in skin
More about HexylresorcinolBenzyl alcohol~0.15–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- High
A preservative. Can be used to mask unpleasant smell. Can be irritating
More about Benzyl alcoholSorbitan olivate~0.15–0.65%
Phenoxyethanol~0.15–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolBht~0.1–0.4%
Sodium stearate~0.4–0.9%
Dehydroacetic acid~0.1–0.3%
Tetrasodium edta~0.05–0.25%
Silybum marianum extract~0.05–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- High
Might be able to help neutralize free radical, calm down inflammation in skin, and even skin tone
More about Silybum marianum extractPolymethylsilsesquioxane~0.05–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A silicone that improves product texture and helps dissolve other ingredients. Can form a non-greasy film on the skin to prevent moisture loss
More about PolymethylsilsesquioxaneIngredient list view
Water, Azelaic acid, Niacinamide, Dicaprylyl carbonate, Ethoxydiglycol, Glycerin, Dipotassium glycyrrhizate, Unknown, Dimethyl isosorbide, Arbutin, Unknown, Cetearyl olivate, Polyacrylate crosspolymer-6, Cetearyl alcohol, Unknown, Bakuchiol, Tapioca starch, Hexylresorcinol, Benzyl alcohol, Sorbitan olivate, Phenoxyethanol, Bht, Sodium stearate, Dehydroacetic acid, Tetrasodium edta, Silybum marianum extract, Polymethylsilsesquioxane
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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.
| Dr Sam'sFlawless Brightly Pro SerumYOUR PRODUCT | GalenicumDermaHypemium Double Serum | Plum10% Azelaic Acid & Cica Face Serum | Covey SkinSleep Tight Bakuchiol Serum | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 77% | 67% | 65% |
| Price | — | $31.34 | — | — |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 5 of 8 | 3 of 8 | 4 of 8 |
| Key difference | — | Salicylic Acid | Allantoin | N-Prolyl Palmitoyl Tripeptide-56 Acetate |
| Irritancy | Low | Medium | Low | Low |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Purified Post-Breakout SerumAvène RetrinAL Advanced Correcting Serum
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 12 studies and safety reviews.
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