Institut Esthederm

Institut Esthederm Esthe-White System Targeted Dark Spots Concentrate

Name: Institut Esthederm - Esthe-White System Targeted Dark Spots Concentrate
Brand: Institut Esthederm

Efficacy100/100IrritancyMedium

See all ingredients

Works for

Evens skin tone

Acetyl glucosamine, Ascorbyl glucoside + 1 more

Works well

What the product description says

“Esthe-White System Targeted Dark Spots Concentrate”

From product name

This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: acetyl glucosamine

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: ascorbyl glucoside, 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.

Acetyl glucosamineKey activeEffect: HighAn effective moisturizing ingredient that also has been shown to be effective in evening out the skin tone and reducing hyperpigmentation. It can help somewhat reduce wrinkles in skin~7.6–9.2%

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~4.5–5.5%

Glycyrrhiza glabra root extractEffect: LowA plant extract that can help lighten the skin and calm down inflammation. Might be helpful in neutralizing free radicals~0.2–0.35%

Anti-oxidation

Side benefit · Ascorbyl glucoside, Creatine + 5 more

Works well

This product contains antioxidants (carnosine, superoxide dismutase) 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 - ascorbyl glucoside, creatine also can have an antioxidant effect, but there is less evidence to confirm their effectiveness in skin.

CreatineKey activeEffect: MediumCan support skin's ability to neutralize free radicals and produce collagen, though further research is needed to confirm effectiveness~0.45–0.7%

CarnosineKey activeEffect: HighA type of peptide. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin. It can help neutralize free radicals in skin combatting the sun damage~0.15–0.3%

Superoxide dismutaseKey activeEffect: HighAn antioxidant enzyme that is naturally present in skin. It can help support skin barrier function and reduce inflammation in skin. It is used in topical medications for inflammatory skin conditions including atopic dermatitis (eczema) and psoriasis. There are three types of natural Superoxide Dismutase in human skin. The compound used in topical treatments and cosmetics are mimics of typically one of these natural variants~0.1–0.2%

Glycyrrhiza glabra root extractEffect: LowA plant extract that can help lighten the skin and calm down inflammation. Might be helpful in neutralizing free radicals~0.2–0.35%

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.~0.4–0.65%

Laminaria digitata extractEffect: Low, below effective doseSeaweed extract that helps the skin to attract water and make it more smooth for touch. Also shows promise of anti-aging properties, but good research is lacking at the moment~0.15–0.25%

Moisturizing

Side benefit · Acetyl glucosamine, Peg-12 dimethicone + 7 more

Works well

This product contains good ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. These ingredients are called "humectants": carnosine, saccharide isomerate.

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: acetyl glucosamine

Acetyl glucosamineHero· HumectantEffect: HighAn effective moisturizing ingredient that also has been shown to be effective in evening out the skin tone and reducing hyperpigmentation. It can help somewhat reduce wrinkles in skin~7.6–9.2%

Peg-12 dimethiconeKey activeEffect: MediumHelps soften the upper layer of the skin and create a nice product texture~1.9–2.4%

Saccharide isomerateKey active· HumectantEffect: HighHelps attract water to the upper layer of the skin~0.2–0.4%

CarnosineKey active· HumectantEffect: HighA type of peptide. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin. It can help neutralize free radicals in skin combatting the sun damage~0.15–0.3%

Pentylene glycol· EmollientEffect: LowUsed to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product texture~1.2–1.5%

Caprylyl glycol· Humectant, EmollientEffect: LowHelps preserve products and creates a nice product texture~0.55–0.85%

Propylene glycol· HumectantEffect: LowHelps oil and water mix together and can enhance the penetration of other ingredients into the skin. It can be irritating~0.25–0.5%

Laminaria digitata extractUnder-dosedSeaweed extract that helps the skin to attract water and make it more smooth for touch. Also shows promise of anti-aging properties, but good research is lacking at the moment~0.15–0.25%

Anti-aging

Side benefit · Acetyl glucosamine, Ascorbyl glucoside + 3 more

Works well

This product can help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness because it contains acetyl glucosamine.

These ingredients in the product can also be helpful, even though there is less evidence for their effectiveness: ascorbyl glucoside, carnosine, creatine.

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.

CreatineKey activeEffect: MediumCan support skin's ability to neutralize free radicals and produce collagen, though further research is needed to confirm effectiveness~0.45–0.7%

CarnosineKey activeEffect: MediumA type of peptide. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin. It can help neutralize free radicals in skin combatting the sun damage~0.15–0.3%

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy

1 strong irritant: Parfum

Medium risk

We flagged 11 ingredients with irritancy potential. Severity depends on your sensitivity threshold; the table lists the worst offenders first.

IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount

ParfumAn aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredientsHigh~0.3–0.6%est.

Propylene glycolHelps oil and water mix together and can enhance the penetration of other ingredients into the skin. It can be irritatingHigh~0.25–0.5%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~4.5–5.5%est.

Ppg-26-buteth-26Helps oil and water mix togetherMedium~3.2–3.9%est.

Citric acidCan work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pHMedium~2.3–2.9%est.

Peg-40 hydrogenated castor oilHelps oil and water mix togetherMedium~1.4–1.7%est.

Pentylene glycolUsed to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product textureMedium~1.2–1.5%est.

Caprylyl glycolHelps preserve products and creates a nice product textureMedium~0.55–0.85%est.

Disodium edtaStabilizes the product formulationMedium~0.45–0.65%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~0.4–0.65%est.

Glycyrrhiza glabra root extractA plant extract that can help lighten the skin and calm down inflammation. Might be helpful in neutralizing free radicalsMedium~0.2–0.35%est.

Comedogenic

1 ingredient rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale

1 flagged

These ingredients have a comedogenic rating of 2 or more on a 0–5 scale; the table shows each one's rating. In leave-on products they can clog pores in acne-prone skin.

IngredientFunctionRatingEst. amount

Laminaria digitata extractSeaweed extract that helps the skin to attract water and make it more smooth for touch. Also shows promise of anti-aging properties, but good research is lacking at the moment3/5~0.15–0.25%est.

Alternatives

The closest match we found

Paula's choice 10% Niacinamide Booster

Closest match58% match

$49.47

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Ingredients

Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.

Water~45–55%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Plain old water

More about Water

Acetyl glucosamine~7.6–9.2%

Hero · Moisturizing

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

Anti-agingEvens skin toneMoisturizingExfoliation

An effective moisturizing ingredient that also has been shown to be effective in evening out the skin tone and reducing hyperpigmentation. It can help somewhat reduce wrinkles in skin

More about Acetyl glucosamine

Ascorbyl glucoside~4.5–5.5%

Key activeIrritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

Works for

Evens skin toneAnti-agingAnti-oxidation

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

Ppg-26-buteth-26~3.2–3.9%

Irritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

Helps oil and water mix together

More about Ppg-26-buteth-26

Citric acid~2.3–2.9%

Irritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

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

More about Citric acid

Peg-12 dimethicone~1.9–2.4%

Key active

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

Moisturizing

Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and create a nice product texture

More about Peg-12 dimethicone

Sodium hydroxide~1.6–2%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Used to adjust the product's pH

More about Sodium hydroxide

Peg-40 hydrogenated castor oil~1.4–1.7%

Irritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

Works for

Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix together

More about Peg-40 hydrogenated castor oil

Pentylene glycol~1.2–1.5%

Irritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

Works for

Moisturizing

Used to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product texture

More about Pentylene glycol

Xanthan gum~0.9–1.1%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

Cleansing

Used to create a thicker product consistency

More about Xanthan gum

Hexanediol~0.65–0.95%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Helps dissolve other ingredients

More about Hexanediol

Caprylyl glycol~0.55–0.85%

Irritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

Works for

Moisturizing

Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture

More about Caprylyl glycol

Creatine~0.45–0.7%

Key active

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

Anti-oxidationAnti-aging

Can support skin's ability to neutralize free radicals and produce collagen, though further research is needed to confirm effectiveness

More about Creatine

Disodium edta~0.45–0.65%

Irritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

Stabilizes the product formulation

More about Disodium edta

Parfum~0.3–0.6%

Irritant · high

Irritation risk: High

An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients

More about Parfum

Tocopheryl acetate~0.4–0.65%

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

Disodium phosphate~0.35–0.65%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Helps adjust the product pH and stabilize the formulation

More about Disodium phosphate

Propylene glycol~0.25–0.5%

Irritant · high

Irritation risk: High

Works for

Moisturizing

Helps oil and water mix together and can enhance the penetration of other ingredients into the skin. It can be irritating

More about Propylene glycol

Potassium phosphate~0.25–0.45%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Helps regulate the pH of the formulation

More about Potassium phosphate

Saccharide isomerate~0.2–0.4%

Key active

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

Moisturizing

Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin

More about Saccharide isomerate

Glycyrrhiza glabra root extract~0.2–0.35%

Irritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

Works for

Anti-inflammatoryReduces rednessEvens skin toneAnti-oxidationAntibacterial

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 extract

Carnosine~0.15–0.3%

Key active

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

MoisturizingAnti-oxidationAnti-aging

A type of peptide. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin. It can help neutralize free radicals in skin combatting the sun damage

More about Carnosine

Disodium adenosine triphosphate~0.15–0.3%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

More about Disodium adenosine triphosphate

Laminaria digitata extract~0.15–0.25%

Under-dosedComedogenic 3/5

Irritation risk: Low
Comedogenicity: 3/5

Works for

MoisturizingAnti-oxidationAnti-aging

Seaweed extract that helps the skin to attract water and make it more smooth for touch. Also shows promise of anti-aging properties, but good research is lacking at the moment

More about Laminaria digitata extract

Phenoxyethanol~0.15–0.25%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products

More about Phenoxyethanol

Superoxide dismutase~0.1–0.2%

Key active

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

Anti-oxidationMoisturizingAnti-inflammatory

An antioxidant enzyme that is naturally present in skin. It can help support skin barrier function and reduce inflammation in skin. It is used in topical medications for inflammatory skin conditions including atopic dermatitis (eczema) and psoriasis. There are three types of natural Superoxide Dismutase in human skin. The compound used in topical treatments and cosmetics are mimics of typically one of these natural variants

More about Superoxide dismutase

Tromethamine~0.05–0.1%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Helps adjust pH in products

More about Tromethamine

Ingredient list view

Water, Acetyl glucosamine, Ascorbyl glucoside, Ppg-26-buteth-26, Citric acid, Peg-12 dimethicone, Sodium hydroxide, Peg-40 hydrogenated castor oil, Pentylene glycol, Xanthan gum, Hexanediol, Caprylyl glycol, Creatine, Disodium edta, Parfum, Tocopheryl acetate, Disodium phosphate, Propylene glycol, Potassium phosphate, Saccharide isomerate, Glycyrrhiza glabra root extract, Carnosine, Disodium adenosine triphosphate, Laminaria digitata extract, Phenoxyethanol, Superoxide dismutase, Tromethamine

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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
	Institut EsthedermEsthe-White System Targeted Dark Spots ConcentrateYOUR PRODUCT	Paula's choice10% Niacinamide Booster	ExuvianceAge Reverse Total Correct + Sculpt Serum	SwisseVitamin C 5% Niacinamide 5% Brightening Day Cream
Match	—	58%	52%	52%
Price	—	$49.47	$89.00	$20.46
Shared key ingredients	—	3 of 6	2 of 6	2 of 6
Key difference	—	Niacinamide	Acetyl Tyrosinamide	Niacinamide
Irritancy	Medium	Low	Low	Low
Drying alcohol	—	—	—	—
	View product	Shop	Shop	Shop

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Product summary

"Institut Esthederm - Esthe-White System Targeted Dark Spots Concentrate" is effective for: Moisturizing, Evens skin tone and Anti-aging

Ingredient callouts

Humectants (carnosine 0.15% - 0.30%, saccharide isomerate 0.20% - 0.40% and acetyl glucosamine 7.60% - 9.20%). These ingredients help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improve the skin hydration.