Works for
Evens skin toneKojic acid, Arbutin + 5 moreWorks well
“Brilliant Tone is Gly Med’s strongest tyrosinase inhibitor, formulated to target the most stubborn hyperpigmentation, such as melasma, photodamage, dark spots, and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.”
This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: kojic 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: arbutin, 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.
Anti-oxidationSide benefit · Kojic acid, Arbutin + 3 moreWorks well
This product contains antioxidants (kojic 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).
The following ingredients - arbutin also can have an antioxidant effect, but there is less evidence to confirm their effectiveness in skin.
MoisturizingSide benefit · Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Glycerin + 5 moreWorks
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, butylene glycol.
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, pentylene glycol.
Anti-agingSide benefit · Aloe barbadensis leaf juice, Magnesium ascorbyl phosphate + 3 moreMay help
This product contains kojic acid. This ingredient help neutralize free radicals in skin. By doing so, they might be able to prevent early signs of aging (like fine lines and wrinkles), at least to some extent. These ingredients will not be able to "reverse" signs of aging.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy1 strong irritant: Citrus unshiu peel extractMedium risk
ComedogenicClean of flagged comedogenic ingredientsNone flagged
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~40–60%
Butylene glycol~5.9–8.8%
- 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 glycolPolysorbate 20~3.4–5.1%
Caprylic/capric triglyceride~2.9–4.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A 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 triglycerideGlycerin~2.2–3.2%
- 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 GlycerinCitrus unshiu peel extract~1.7–2.5%
- Irritation risk
- High
Pentylene glycol~1.5–2.2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product texture
More about Pentylene glycolKojic acid~1.2–1.8%
- Irritation risk
- High
Helps to reduce hyperpigmentation and neutralize free radicals. Can be irritating
More about Kojic acidArbutin~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 ArbutinNiacinamide~0.8–1.25%
- 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 NiacinamideHydroxyethylcellulose~0.5–1.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to thicken product formulations and create gel-like textures
More about HydroxyethylcelluloseDiacetyl boldine~0.4–1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Propanediol~0.4–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin
More about PropanediolAloe barbadensis leaf juice~0.35–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Traditionally used to treat sunburns, dermatitis and inflammation, but evidence for its effectiveness is lacking. The extract can contain humectants that help attract water into the skin
More about Aloe barbadensis leaf juiceLactic acid~0.2–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
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 acidAscorbic acid~0.15–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- High
The most well-researched antioxidant that works in skin. Helps neutralize free radicals supporting collagen production, helping to even out the skin tone and preventing early signs of aging
More about Ascorbic acidRumex occidentalis extract~0.15–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Glycyrrhiza glabra root extract~0.1–0.45%
- 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 extractArctostaphylos uva-ursi leaf extract~0.1–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Magnesium ascorbyl phosphate~0.1–0.35%
- 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 phosphatePhenoxyethanol~0.05–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolEthylhexylglycerin~0.05–0.2%
Sodium hydroxide~0.05–0.15%
Ingredient list view
Water, Butylene glycol, Polysorbate 20, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Glycerin, Citrus unshiu peel extract, Pentylene glycol, Kojic acid, Arbutin, Niacinamide, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Diacetyl boldine, Propanediol, Aloe barbadensis leaf juice, Lactic acid, Ascorbic acid, Rumex occidentalis extract, Glycyrrhiza glabra root extract, Arctostaphylos uva-ursi leaf extract, Magnesium ascorbyl phosphate, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium hydroxide
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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.
| GlyMed PlusBrilliant ToneYOUR PRODUCT | PillowtalkDermMajor Fade Hyper Serum | Dr. IdrissMajor Fade Hyper Serum | NINE LESSB-Boost Kojic Acid Glow Toner Pad 180ml (80 pads) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 92% | 92% | 92% |
| Price | $102.00 | — | $67.33−$34.67 | $21.03−$80.97 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 4 of 5 | 4 of 5 | 4 of 5 |
| Key difference | — | Alpha-Arbutin | Alpha-Arbutin | Ferulic Acid |
| Irritancy | Medium | Low | Low | Low |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Topicals Faded Brightening + Clearing SerumSkingredients Skin Good Fats
Product summary
"GlyMed Plus - Brilliant Tone" is effective for: Evens skin tone
This product could be helpful for: Moisturizing and Anti-aging, but its actives are not the most effective or are not well-studied.
Ingredient callouts
- This product also contains Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid). It can be an effective active for anti-aging and evening out the skin tone, but in this product it is used for stabilizing other ingredients in the formulation. In this concentration (0.15% - 0.60%) it cannot have a noticeable benefit for the skin.
- Humectants (glycerin 2.20% - 3.20%). These ingredients help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improve the skin hydration.
Price
The product retails for 102.00$ in the United States.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 10 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2TOPICAL TREATMENT OF MELASMAncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 3
- 4Arbutin - Commentatymdedge.com
- 5
- 6
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