Works for
Evens skin tone3-o-ethyl ascorbic acid, Glycyrrhiza glabra root extract + 1 moreMay help
“- Brightens and lightens uneven skin tone”
The following ingredient (ingredients) in this product might be helpful, but there is no evidence to confirm that it actually works: 3-o-ethyl ascorbic acid, glycyrrhiza glabra root extract.
Anti-oxidationSide benefit · 3-o-ethyl ascorbic acid, Ubiquinone + 4 moreWorks well
This product contains antioxidants (ubiquinone) 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 - 3-o-ethyl ascorbic acid also can have an antioxidant effect, but there is less evidence to confirm their effectiveness in skin.
MoisturizingSide benefit · Oligopeptide-68, Glycerin + 4 moreWorks well
This product contains good ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. These ingredients are called "humectants": glycerin, mannitol.
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: oligopeptide-68
Anti-agingSide benefit the brand mentions · Oligopeptide-68, 3-o-ethyl ascorbic acid + 2 moreMay help
“A potent brightening, anti-pigmentation serum with powerful melanin inhibitors and skin lightening ingredients and powerful antioxidants.”
This product contains oligopeptide-68. This ingredient 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.
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%
Butylene glycol~4.9–7.4%
- 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 glycol3-o-ethyl ascorbic acid~3.4–5.1%
- Irritation risk
- High
A vitamin C derivative that is more stable but less potent than pure form of vitamin C. Can help neutralize free radicals and help reduce hyperpigmentation, but the required concentration is likely to be much higher than for the pure form of vitamin C, limiting the ingredient's effectiveness in products
More about 3-o-ethyl ascorbic acidTerminalia ferdinandiana fruit extract~2.4–3.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant extract that might have some anti-oxidant effect in skin, but evidence is lacking
More about Terminalia ferdinandiana fruit extractArctostaphylos uva ursi leaf extract~1.8–2.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Glycerin~1.5–2.3%
- 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 GlycerinGlycyrrhiza glabra root extract~0.9–1.3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant extract that can help lighten the skin and calm down inflammation. Might be helpful in neutralizing free radicals
More about Glycyrrhiza glabra root extractPunica granatum pericarp extract~1.1–1.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Xanthan gum~0.9–1.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumPhenoxyethanol~0.5–1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolCaprylyl glycol~0.45–1.05%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolMannitol~0.3–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about MannitolCellulose~0.35–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Can be used to help absorb oil as well as add volume and imporve texture of products.
More about CelluloseMagnesium ascorbyl phosphate~0.15–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A derivative of vitamin C that is more stable, but less bioavailable than the pure form of vitamin C. It does not penetrate the skin well, but has been shown to convert to pure vitamin C once in skin. It can be helpful in stimulating collagen production and lightening the skin tone, but the required concentration is likely to be very high
More about Magnesium ascorbyl phosphateDisodium edta~0.15–0.5%
Hydrogenated lecithin~0.15–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to retain moisture by creating a protective barrier on the skin. Rich in fatty acids. Improves product texture and helps with the penetration of other ingredients.
More about Hydrogenated lecithinOligopeptide-68~0.15–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of peptide. Peptides are excellent moisturizers and might be able support collagen production reducing fine lines and wrinkles
More about Oligopeptide-68Sodium oleate~0.4–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together and create a thicker product consistency
More about Sodium oleateHydroxypropyl methylcellulose~0.1–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to create a thicker product consistency and stabilize the formulation
More about Hydroxypropyl methylcelluloseBeetroot red~0.1–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Beta vulgaris root powder~0.05–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Citric acid~0.05–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
More about Citric acidCi 77489~0.05–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Maltodextrin~0.05–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to stabilize the product formulation and can help absorb oil
More about MaltodextrinTocopheryl acetate~0.01–0.1%
- 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 acetateUbiquinone~0.01–0.05%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Coenzyme Q10. It helps neutralize free radicals in skin, improves skin hydration and might be helpful agains fine lines and wrinkles. It can be an allergen
More about UbiquinoneCi 16035~0.01–0.05%
Ingredient list view
Water, Butylene glycol, 3-o-ethyl ascorbic acid, Terminalia ferdinandiana fruit extract, Arctostaphylos uva ursi leaf extract, Glycerin, Glycyrrhiza glabra root extract, Punica granatum pericarp extract, Xanthan gum, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl glycol, Mannitol, Cellulose, Magnesium ascorbyl phosphate, Disodium edta, Hydrogenated lecithin, Oligopeptide-68, Sodium oleate, Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, Beetroot red, Beta vulgaris root powder, Citric acid, Ci 77489, Maltodextrin, Tocopheryl acetate, Ubiquinone, Ci 16035
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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.
| esmiPomegranate Brightening SerumYOUR PRODUCT | Esmi Skin MineralsPomegranate Brightening Serum | BiopelleEmepelle Serum | SKKN by KimVitamin C8 Serum | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 70% | 45% | 45% |
| Price | — | — | $175.00 | — |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 5 of 5 | 2 of 5 | 2 of 5 |
| Key difference | — | — | Niacinamide | Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate |
| Irritancy | Low | Low | Low | Low |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Danne Montague-King DMK Super Serumendota spa Potent Brightening Serum
Product summary
"esmi - Pomegranate Brightening Serum" is effective for: Moisturizing
This product could be helpful for: Anti-aging and Evens skin tone, but its actives are not the most effective or are not well-studied.
Ingredient callouts
- Peptides (oligopeptide-68 0.15% - 0.50%). Peptides are a very big group of ingredients. They all consist of a different combination of aminoacids. Our skin produces Peptides naturally. Some of them work as natural antibiotics, 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 theynare helpful. Peptides 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.
- Humectants (mannitol 0.30% - 0.75% and glycerin 1.50% - 2.30%). These ingredients help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improve the skin hydration.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 5 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5Topical L-ascorbic acid: percutaneous absorption studiesncbi.nlm.nih.gov
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