Garnier SkinActive Clearly Brighter Dark Spot Corrector

Garnier SkinActive Clearly Brighter Dark Spot Corrector

Efficacy83/100IrritancyHigh

Works for

Exfoliation
Capryloyl salicylic acid
Works well
What the product description says
“It promotes surface cell turnover to reveal more radiant, younger-looking skin with a reduced appearance of dark spots.”
Source: Ulta

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: capryloyl salicylic acid.

Capryloyl salicylic acidKey activeEffect: High~0.4–0.95%
Anti-aging
Ascorbyl glucoside
May help
What the product description says
“In 2 weeks, a visible "new skin" effect as the look of dark spots, age spots and discoloration is visibly reduced.”
Source: Ulta

This product contains ascorbyl glucoside. 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.

Ascorbyl glucosideKey activeEffect: MediumA 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~1.3–2%
Evens skin tone
Ascorbyl glucoside, Capryloyl salicylic acid + 1 more
May help
What the product description says
“SkinActive Clearly Brighter Dark Spot Corrector”
From product name

The following ingredient (ingredients) in this product might be helpful, but there is no evidence to confirm that it actually works: ascorbyl glucoside, capryloyl salicylic acid, phenylethyl resorcinol.

Ascorbyl glucosideKey activeEffect: MediumA 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~1.3–2%
Capryloyl salicylic acidKey activeEffect: Medium~0.4–0.95%
Phenylethyl resorcinolKey activeEffect: MediumMight help reduce hyperpigmentation in skin and help neutralize free radicals~0.15–0.5%
Moisturizing
Side benefit · Glycerin, Dimethicone + 3 more
Works

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.

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, hydrogenated polyisobutene.

GlycerinKey active· HumectantEffect: HighOne of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant~4.1–6.2%
DimethiconeKey active· Emollient, OcclusiveEffect: HighA 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~3.7–5.6%
Peg/ppg-18/18 dimethiconeKey activeEffect: HighA silicone that mixes with water creating nice light-weight product texture~0.15–0.55%
Octyldodecanol· EmollientEffect: LowAn emollient that helps to soften the skin and create a pleasant product texture and stabilize the formulation~2.7–4%
Hydrogenated polyisobutene· Emollient, OcclusiveEffect: LowUsed to improve the product consistency and soften the upper layer of the skin~2.1–3.2%
Anti-oxidation
Side benefit · Ascorbyl glucoside, Tocopheryl acetate
May help

This product contains antioxidants (ascorbyl glucoside) 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.

Ascorbyl glucosideKey activeEffect: MediumA 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~1.3–2%
Tocopheryl acetateEffect: Low, below effective doseA 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.~0.05–0.25%

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy
6 strong irritants: Benzyl salicylate, Citral + 4 more — patch-test recommended
High risk
We flagged 15 ingredients with irritancy potential. Severity depends on your sensitivity threshold; the table lists the worst offenders first.
IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount
Benzyl alcoholA preservative. Can be used to mask unpleasant smell. Can be irritatingHigh~0.5–1%est.
Benzyl salicylateA fragrance. Is a likely irritantHigh~0.5–1.1%est.
Capryloyl salicylic acid—High~0.4–0.95%est.
CitralA fragrance with a lemon scent. A likely irritantHigh~0.2–0.8%est.
GeraniolA fragrance. Can be irritatingHigh~0.15–0.65%est.
LimoneneA common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heatHigh~0.15–0.55%est.
LinaloolA fragrance. Can be irritatingHigh~0.15–0.55%est.
Phenylethyl resorcinolMight help reduce hyperpigmentation in skin and help neutralize free radicalsHigh~0.15–0.5%est.
ParfumAn aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredientsHigh~0.05–0.1%est.
Ascorbyl glucosideA 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 productsMedium~1.3–2%est.
Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymerMaintains the texture of skincare products. Allows the product to spread evenly. Helps oil and water mix togetherMedium~1.1–1.6%est.
Citric acidCan work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pHMedium~0.2–0.8%est.
Disodium edtaStabilizes the product formulationMedium~0.2–0.75%est.
Sodium citrateHelps to control the skin's pH level. Maintains the skin's natural film of amino-lactic acids and oils. Helps to preserve productsMedium~0.1–0.45%est.
Tocopheryl acetateA 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.Medium~0.05–0.25%est.
Comedogenic
Clean of flagged comedogenic ingredients
None flagged

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Ingredients

Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.

Water~40–60%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Plain old water

More about Water
Glycerin~4.1–6.2%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

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 Glycerin
Dimethicone~3.7–5.6%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
MoisturizingMattifying

A 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 Dimethicone
Octyldodecanol~2.7–4%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

An emollient that helps to soften the skin and create a pleasant product texture and stabilize the formulation

More about Octyldodecanol
Hydrogenated polyisobutene~2.1–3.2%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

Used to improve the product consistency and soften the upper layer of the skin

More about Hydrogenated polyisobutene
Boron nitride~1.7–2.5%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Helps to absord oil and evenly disperse other ingredients (for example, pigment) in product formulation

More about Boron nitride
Silica~1.6–2.4%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Used to absorb oil and can temporarily mattify skin

More about Silica
Ascorbyl glucoside~1.3–2%
Key activeIrritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Anti-agingAnti-oxidationEvens skin tone

A 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 glucoside
Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer~1.1–1.6%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

Maintains the texture of skincare products. Allows the product to spread evenly. Helps oil and water mix together

More about Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer
Benzyl alcohol~0.5–1%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

A preservative. Can be used to mask unpleasant smell. Can be irritating

More about Benzyl alcohol
Benzyl salicylate~0.5–1.1%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

A fragrance. Is a likely irritant

More about Benzyl salicylate
Capryloyl salicylic acid~0.4–0.95%
Key activeIrritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
ExfoliationEvens skin toneAnti-blemish
More about Capryloyl salicylic acid
Carbomer~0.35–0.85%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Cleansing

Helps create a thicker or gel-like product texture. It is not a surfactant but can be used in gentle cleansing formulations

More about Carbomer
Ci 77891~0.4–0.9%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
More about Ci 77891
Titanium dioxide~0.4–0.95%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Sun protection

Works 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 dioxide
Citral~0.2–0.8%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

A fragrance with a lemon scent. A likely irritant

More about Citral
Citric acid~0.2–0.8%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH

More about Citric acid
Disodium edta~0.2–0.75%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

Stabilizes the product formulation

More about Disodium edta
Geraniol~0.15–0.65%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

A fragrance. Can be irritating

More about Geraniol
Limonene~0.15–0.55%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

A common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heat

More about Limonene
Linalool~0.15–0.55%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

A fragrance. Can be irritating

More about Linalool
Nymphaea alba flower extract~0.15–0.5%
Formula
Peg/ppg-18/18 dimethicone~0.15–0.55%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
MoisturizingCleansing

A silicone that mixes with water creating nice light-weight product texture

More about Peg/ppg-18/18 dimethicone
Phenoxyethanol~0.1–0.5%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products

More about Phenoxyethanol
Phenylethyl resorcinol~0.15–0.5%
Key activeIrritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Evens skin tone

Might help reduce hyperpigmentation in skin and help neutralize free radicals

More about Phenylethyl resorcinol
Sodium citrate~0.1–0.45%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

Helps to control the skin's pH level. Maintains the skin's natural film of amino-lactic acids and oils. Helps to preserve products

More about Sodium citrate
Sodium hydroxide~0.1–0.35%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Used to adjust the product's pH

More about Sodium hydroxide
Sodium palmitoyl proline~0.1–0.35%
Formula
Synthetic fluorphlogopite~0.1–0.35%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

A mineral that is used as an optical filter (makes the skin looks nicer through light reflection) and to improve the texture of cosmetic products

More about Synthetic fluorphlogopite
Tocopheryl acetate~0.05–0.25%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Anti-oxidation

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 acetate
Xanthan gum~0.05–0.2%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Cleansing

Used to create a thicker product consistency

More about Xanthan gum
Parfum~0.05–0.1%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients

More about Parfum
Ingredient list view

Water, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Octyldodecanol, Hydrogenated polyisobutene, Boron nitride, Silica, Ascorbyl glucoside, Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer, Benzyl alcohol, Benzyl salicylate, Capryloyl salicylic acid, Carbomer, Ci 77891, Titanium dioxide, Citral, Citric acid, Disodium edta, Geraniol, Limonene, Linalool, Nymphaea alba flower extract, Peg/ppg-18/18 dimethicone, Phenoxyethanol, Phenylethyl resorcinol, Sodium citrate, Sodium hydroxide, Sodium palmitoyl proline, Synthetic fluorphlogopite, Tocopheryl acetate, Xanthan gum, Parfum

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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.

Side-by-side comparison of this product against its closest alternatives
GarnierSkinActive Clearly Brighter Dark Spot CorrectorYOUR PRODUCTLa Roche-PosayPigmentclar SerumGarnier Green LabsPinea-C Brightening 3 in 1 serum cream with Vitamin C + PineappleYves Saint LaurentPure Shots Serum - Light Up
Match—58%56%56%
Price—$44.17—$78.97
Shared key ingredients—4 of 75 of 76 of 7
Key difference—NiacinamideHomosalateSodium Hyaluronate
Irritancy High Medium Medium High
Drying alcohol— Contains drying alcohol ——
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