
“This milky, ultra-concentrated formula dramatically helps with the appearance of hyperpigmentation, dark spots, fine lines, and uneven texture.”
This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: lactic acid, lactobionic acid, mandelic 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: glycyrrhiza glabra root extract.
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.
“This milky, ultra-concentrated formula dramatically helps with the appearance of hyperpigmentation, dark spots, fine lines, and uneven texture.”
This product can help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness because it contains lactobionic acid.
These ingredients in the product can also be helpful, even though there is less evidence for their effectiveness: lactic acid.
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.
“This powerful yet gentle serum is formulated with dual exfoliating acids of 12% Lactic Acid (AHA), Mandelic Acid, and Gluconolactone (PHA) to exfoliate and improve clarity.”
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, lactobionic acid, mandelic acid.
This product contains antioxidants (lactobionic acid) that can help neutralize free radicals in skin. By doing so, they can lessen the damage the skin gets from the UV light (sun).
“milky, ultra-concentrated formula”
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, lactic acid.
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: caprylic/capric triglyceride, helianthus annuus seed oil.
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: lactobionic acid


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Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
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)
More about Lactic acidOne 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 GlycerinA good mix of fatty acids that forms a protective layer on the skin. Improves the shelf life of products. Derived from coconut and glycerin
More about Caprylic/capric triglycerideCan have some moisturizing properties due to its sugar content
More about Pyrus malus fruit extractHelps oil and water mix together
More about Polyglyceryl-3 stearateUsed to create a thicker product consistency
More about Sodium acrylates copolymerA preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolUsed to create gel-like formulas and stabilize emulsions
More about Sclerotium gumUsed to improve the product consistency and soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Hydrogenated polyisobuteneA polyhydroxy acid (PHA) that helps shed the dead cells from the skin surface revealing smoother skin. Is believed to be genter than AHAs. It helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can stimulate production of skin's own hyaluronic acid resulting in improved hydration levels. It has been shown to be helpful against acne and clogged pores if used consistently (e.g over a period of 12 weeks) in high enough concentration. It can help reduce fine lines and wrinkles and improve skin tone with long-term application. Can help neutralize free radicals
More about GluconolactoneHelps shed the upper layer of dead cells from the surface of the skin revealing smoother, brighter skin. It can help to reduce hyperpigmentation. It has anti-bacterial properties, and might help to reduce blemishes, as well as fine lines and wrinkles. It is considered to be gentler than glycolic acid
More about Mandelic acidAn active component of chamomile plant that historically has been used to calm down irritated skin. A recent study shows that bisabolol indeed can have some anti-inflammatory effect on skin, even though conclusive data is lacking. Bisabolol has a sweet floral scent and can be added to products for its aromatic properties
More about BisabololA 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 acetateHelp soften the upper layer of the skin and create a thicker product texture
More about Hydrogenated soy polyglyceridesA great emollient due to its high linoleic acid content. One of the most effective plant oils in helping skin hydration and repairing skin barrier function
More about Helianthus annuus seed oilEmollients that are naturaly present in skin. In addition, they help water and oil mix together in the product
More about PhospholipidsHelps water and oil mix together and softens the upper layer of the skin
More about Polyglyceryl-10 stearateHelps calm down inflammation in skin and can help reduce itching. Helps to repair the skin barrier and keep skin hydrated
More about AllantoinA plant extract that can help lighten the skin and calm down inflammation. Might be helpful in neutralizing free radicals
More about Glycyrrhiza glabra root extractA polyhydroxy acid (PHA) that helps shed dead cells from the surface of the skin revealing a smoother, more even skin. PHAs tend to be gentler on the skin compared to AHAs (for example, glycolic acid). It also has hydrating properties and helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin. It can help calm down inflammation in skin and support restoration of the barrier function. It has an anti-oxidant effect as well. It can help reduce fine line, wrinkles and improve skin elasticity
More about Lactobionic acidAttracts water into the upper layer of the skin
More about Sodium hyaluronate crosspolymerA moisturizing ingredient that works as a humectant to attract water to the upper layer of the skin.
More about Saccharomyces cerevisiae extractA 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 glycyrrhizateWater, Lactic acid, Neopentyl glycol dicaprylate/dicaprate, Glycerin, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Hydrogenated soybean oil, Pyrus malus fruit extract, Sodium hydroxide, Beheneth-5, Polyglyceryl-3 stearate, Sodium acrylates copolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Sclerotium gum, Hydrogenated polyisobutene, Gluconolactone, Mandelic acid, Bisabolol, Tocopheryl acetate, Hydrogenated soy polyglycerides, Helianthus annuus seed oil, Phospholipids, Polyglyceryl-10 stearate, Opuntia ficus-indica extract, Allantoin, Glycyrrhiza glabra root extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Lactobionic acid, Sodium hyaluronate crosspolymer, Disodium edta, Saccharomyces cerevisiae extract, Cymbopogon schoenanthus oil, Dipotassium glycyrrhizate, C15-23 alkane
Retailers ranked by price — lowest first.
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.
| DRMTLGYL.A. Refining SerumYOUR PRODUCT | CollistarAnti-Dark Spot Concentrate Glycolic Acid and Niacinamide | Bubble SkincareMoon Walk Gentle Exfoliating Serum | Deviant SkincareGentle Resurfacing Liquid | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 51% | 50% | 49% |
| Price | $62.00 | $42.83−$19.17 | $11.98−$50.02 | $52.00−$10.00 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 4 of 10 | 4 of 10 | 4 of 10 |
| Key difference | — | Niacinamide | Azelaic Acid | Salicylic Acid |
| Irritancy | Medium | Low | Low | Low |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Whind Kasbah Stars Radiance Renewing Night SerumNacomi Peeling serum with 10% complex of mandelic acid with PHA acids
"DRMTLGY - L. A. Refining Serum" is effective for: Exfoliation, Moisturizing, Evens skin tone and Anti-aging
The product retails for 62.00$ in the United States.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 30 studies and safety reviews.
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