4 of 5 advertised claims delivered
“Vitamin C (Ascorbyl Glucoside): Help brighten skin tone and minimize fine lines as it defends against free radical damage.”
This product can help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness because it contains glycolic 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.
“Glycolic Acid: Improves the skin’s appearance and texture by accelerating the exfoliation process of the upper layer of the epidermis.”
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.
“boscia Revitalizing Black Charcoal Hydration Gel minimizes the appearance of pores, refines skin texture, and brightens skin with an ultra-cool, ultra-light gel moisturizer formulated with Black Charcoal and Vitamin C.”
This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: glycolic 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.
“boscia Revitalizing Black Charcoal Hydration Gel minimizes the appearance of pores, refines skin texture, and brightens skin with an ultra-cool, ultra-light gel moisturizer formulated with Black Charcoal and Vitamin C.”
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, lactobacillus ferment.
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, dimethiconol.
“Pomegranate Enzyme: A superior antioxidant that provides excellent free radical protection, while exfoliation properties reduce blackheads and even texture.”
This product contains ingredients (glycolic acid) that could help reduce blemishes and clogged pores in theory, but there is not enough evidence that they actually work.
This product contains antioxidants (epilobium angustifolium flower/leaf/stem extract) that might be able to help neutralize free radicals in skin to lessen the damage it gets from the UV light (sun). There is not enough evidence to confirm their effectiveness in skin though.


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Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
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 GlycerinA silicone that helps to reduce water loss from the surface of the skin. Can temporarily "fill in" lines and wrinkles, absorb oil, and create a nice product finish
More about DimethiconeUsed 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 glycolForms a protective film on the surface of the skin to prevent moisture loss. Gives a velvety feel to products while reducing tackiness
More about Isononyl isononanoateAn enzyme-based exfoliant
More about Lactobacillus/punica granatum fruit ferment extractA fermentation product created by bacteria Lactobacillus. The fermented product has anti-bacterial properties and might be helpful in calming down inflammation, but studies are lacking. Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin. Can be used as a preservative
More about Lactobacillus fermentA silicone that helps improve the product texture and spreadability. Can absorb oil creating a short-term mattifying effect on the skin
More about CyclopentasiloxaneIncreases thickness of a product. Texture enhancer for oil-in-water emulsions
More about Ammonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/vp copolymerA silicone that works to soften the upper layer of the skin and reduce its water loss
More about Peg-10 dimethiconeHelps create a thicker or gel-like product texture. It is not a surfactant but can be used in gentle cleansing formulations
More about CarbomerHelps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolUsed to create a gel-like product texture, as well as to stabilize emulsions
More about Sodium polyacrylateA silicone that makes products more spreadable and keeps skin smooth. Helps to add gloss to skin and may visually fill in fine lines/wrinkles for short time
More about DimethiconolAn 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 acidA 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 glycyrrhizateA 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 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 acetateOne of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
More about Sodium hyaluronateA preservative that comes from radishes fermented by a bacteria. New research suggests that the preservation properties in the ingredient come from an ammonium salt that is not present naturally in radish root but used in its cultivation. Is problematic because the exact amount of the preservative agents is difficult to determine
More about Leuconostoc/radish root ferment filtratePlant oil that helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Simmondsia chinensis seed extractAn essential oil. Can be irritating. Can become an allergen with oxidation
More about Pelargonium graveolens flower oilA vitamin C derivative that is more stable but less potent than pure form of vitamin C. Has a potential to boost collagen production, nutralise free radicals and 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 Ascorbyl glucosideA plant extract that might contain antioxidants
More about Epilobium angustifolium flower/leaf/stem extractA plant extract that might have some anti-oxidant properties. It might be irritating
More about Cynara scolymus leaf extractUsed to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumWorks as a UV filter when used in high concentrations. It is photostable and is effective mostly against the UVB light, with some protection in the UVA range. In small concentrations, used for its ability to improve the color of cosmetic products. Is usually well tolerated by the skin
More about Titanium dioxideCreates an illusion of smoother and more radiant skin tone. Adds shimmer to the skin by reflecting light
More about MicaAn umbrella term for the following three colorants: CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499. They might be able to offer some protection against visible light, but the degree of the protection is not clear
More about Iron oxidesWater, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Butylene glycol, Glycereth-26, Isononyl isononanoate, Lactobacillus/punica granatum fruit ferment extract, Lactobacillus ferment, Cyclopentasiloxane, Menthyl lactate, Ammonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/vp copolymer, Peg-10 dimethicone, Carbomer, Caprylyl glycol, 1,2-hexanediol, Sodium polyacrylate, Potassium hydroxide, Dimethiconol, Glycolic acid, Dipotassium glycyrrhizate, Glycyrrhiza glabra root extract, Tocopheryl acetate, Charcoal powder, Sodium hyaluronate, Leuconostoc/radish root ferment filtrate, Simmondsia chinensis seed extract, Pelargonium graveolens flower oil, Ascorbyl glucoside, Epilobium angustifolium flower/leaf/stem extract, Ceteth-25, Silica, Oleth-10, Citrus paradisi seed extract, Cynara scolymus leaf extract, Xanthan gum, Titanium dioxide, Mica, Iron oxides
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.
| Etude HouseRevitalizing Black Charcoal Hydration GelYOUR PRODUCT | CliniqueiD™: Moisturizer + Concentrate for Pores & Uneven Texture | LOUMBalance & Prime Gel Moisturiser | Jack BlackOvernight Repair Moisturizer | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 56% | 56% | 55% |
| Price | — | $50.00 | $40.98 | $72.07 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 6 of 14 | 3 of 14 | 4 of 14 |
| Key difference | — | Lactic Acid | Salicylic Acid | Lactic Acid |
| Irritancy | High | Medium | Medium | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 20 studies and safety reviews.
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