Institut Esthederm Intensive Vitamin C Brightening Face Cream
Works for
MoisturizingGlycerin, C10-18 triglycerides + 7 moreWorks
“Ultra pigmented for 24 hours of intense colour and hydration”
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, caprylyl 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: dimethicone, squalane.
Evens skin toneAscorbyl glucosideMay help
“Face cream that brightens dark spots and even out the skin tone.”
The following ingredient (ingredients) in this product might be helpful, but there is no evidence to confirm that it actually works: ascorbyl glucoside.
Anti-oxidationNot advertised by the brand · Ascorbyl glucosideMay 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.
Anti-agingNot advertised by the brand · Ascorbyl glucosideMay help
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.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy1 strong irritant: ParfumMedium risk
Comedogenic1 ingredient rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale1 flagged
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~40–60%
Propylene glycol dicaprylate/dicaprate~4.4–6.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Glycerin~3.4–5.1%
- 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 GlycerinOctyldodecanol~2.7–4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that helps to soften the skin and create a pleasant product texture and stabilize the formulation
More about OctyldodecanolPropanediol~2.1–3.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin
More about PropanediolAscorbyl glucoside~1.7–2.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
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 glucosideC10-18 triglycerides~1.4–2.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the skin and attract water to its upper layer. Helps create nice product texture
More about C10-18 triglyceridesCetearyl alcohol~1.3–1.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
A non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture
More about Cetearyl alcoholCetyl palmitate~1.1–1.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that helps soften the skin and is used to improve product texture and stability
More about Cetyl palmitateGlyceryl stearate~0.85–1.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that softens the skin and forms a protective layer on its surface. Helps water and oil mix together
More about Glyceryl stearatePeg-100 stearate~0.55–1.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix togehter and creates a nice product texture
More about Peg-100 stearate1,2-hexanediol~0.4–0.95%
Silica~0.6–1.35%
Polyacrylate crosspolymer-6~0.4–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Dimethicone~0.4–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
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 DimethiconeHydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer~0.35–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A gelling agent that thickens the product consistency and leaves the skin with a velvety finish
More about Hydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymerCetearyl glucoside~0.3–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps water and oil in the product mix well together and improves product texture
More about Cetearyl glucosideSqualane~0.2–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An oil naturally present in skin. Works as an emollient to soften the skin and form a protective layer on its surface without a greasy feeling.
More about SqualaneCaprylyl glycol~0.15–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolDimethicone/vinyl dimethicone crosspolymer~0.1–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to stabilize product formulations and create a nice product texture
More about Dimethicone/vinyl dimethicone crosspolymerSodium hydroxide~0.1–0.4%
Parfum~0.05–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumSodium citrate~0.05–0.3%
- 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 citrateDisodium phosphate~0.05–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps adjust the product pH and stabilize the formulation
More about Disodium phosphatePolysorbate 60~0.05–0.25%
Propylene glycol~0.05–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- High
Helps oil and water mix together and can enhance the penetration of other ingredients into the skin. It can be irritating
More about Propylene glycolPotassium phosphate~0.05–0.1%
Ingredient list view
Water, Propylene glycol dicaprylate/dicaprate, Glycerin, Octyldodecanol, Propanediol, Ascorbyl glucoside, C10-18 triglycerides, Cetearyl alcohol, Cetyl palmitate, Glyceryl stearate, Peg-100 stearate, 1,2-hexanediol, Silica, Polyacrylate crosspolymer-6, Dimethicone, Hydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer, Cetearyl glucoside, Squalane, Caprylyl glycol, Dimethicone/vinyl dimethicone crosspolymer, Sodium hydroxide, Parfum, Sodium citrate, Disodium phosphate, Polysorbate 60, Propylene glycol, Potassium phosphate
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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.
| Institut EsthedermIntensive Vitamin C Brightening Face CreamYOUR PRODUCT | ZeroidIntensive Cream | TakamiFace Cream | UltraceuticalsUltra Calming Moisturiser Cream | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 44% | 43% | 42% |
| Price | — | $18.99 | $57.20 | $76.39 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 3 of 4 | 4 of 4 | 3 of 4 |
| Key difference | — | Arginine | Creatine | Niacinamide |
| Irritancy | Medium | Low | Low | Low |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: UBUNA Refresh Water Hydration CreamTatcha The Indigo Cream Soothing Skin Protectant
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 9 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2The Roles of Vitamin C in Skin Healthncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Dimethicone Copolyoljournals.sagepub.com
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