PRODUCT REVIEW
Cheaper alternatives
What can the product work for?
Evens skin tone
What does the product description say?
alpha-arbutin
0.5% -
0.75%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
Might help reduce hyperpigmentation when used regularly over a long period of time. Is more effective than beta-arbutin
glycyrrhiza glabra root extract
0.2% -
0.4%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness:
LOW
A plant extract that can help lighten the skin and calm down inflammation. Might be helpful in neutralizing free radicals
tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate
1.1% -
1.4%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Insufficient!
Being a lipid soluble form of vitamin C, it is more stable than ascorbic acid, but still degrades quickly and needs to be stabilized in a formulation with another ingredient. It is claimed to penetrate skin better than pure vitamin C and have the the similar benefits, but solid studies of its effectiveness are lacking. Is likely to require a higher concentration in a product than pure vitamin C to be effective. It might be able to help reduce pore clogging.
Moisturizing
What does the product description say?
ascophyllum nodosum extract
1.4% -
1.7%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
Brown seaweed extract. Can help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and might have some antioxidant effect
imperata cylindrica root extract
0.55% -
0.85%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
A plat extract that might help neutralize free radicals in skin and attract water to its upper layer
squalane
0.75% -
1.1%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
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.
Show more
Anti-oxidation
imperata cylindrica root extract
0.55% -
0.85%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness:
MEDIUM
A plat extract that might help neutralize free radicals in skin and attract water to its upper layer
salix alba bark extract
7% -
8.5%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness:
LOW
A plant extract that can help neutralize free radicals in skin. It contains a compound salicin that can theoretically be converted into salicylic acid that, in turn, helps reduce inflammation in skin, but the evidence of effectiveness in skin is lacking and the extract is usually not used in a concentration that would enable an exfoliating effect
ascophyllum nodosum extract
1.4% -
1.7%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness:
LOW
Brown seaweed extract. Can help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and might have some antioxidant effect
Show more
Anti-aging
What does the product description say?
hyaluronic acid
3.7% -
4.6%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness:
LOW
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin. Naturally present in skin. Typically has large molecule size unless advertised otherwise on the product label. Helps support skin's barrier function and may help to reduce inflammation
tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate
1.1% -
1.4%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Insufficient!
Being a lipid soluble form of vitamin C, it is more stable than ascorbic acid, but still degrades quickly and needs to be stabilized in a formulation with another ingredient. It is claimed to penetrate skin better than pure vitamin C and have the the similar benefits, but solid studies of its effectiveness are lacking. Is likely to require a higher concentration in a product than pure vitamin C to be effective. It might be able to help reduce pore clogging.
Exfoliation
What does the product description say?
salix alba bark extract
7% -
8.5%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness:
LOW
A plant extract that can help neutralize free radicals in skin. It contains a compound salicin that can theoretically be converted into salicylic acid that, in turn, helps reduce inflammation in skin, but the evidence of effectiveness in skin is lacking and the extract is usually not used in a concentration that would enable an exfoliating effect
Honesty check
How honest is this product?
Promise | Can it deliver? |
---|---|
Evens skin tone | |
Moisturizing | |
Anti-aging | |
Exfoliation |
Total Promises Fulfilled score:
56/100.
Buy now
We receive a small commission for purchases made through these links at no cost for you. Thank you for your support! Learn more
CA Retailers
AU Retailers
Can it cause trouble?
- Overall product irritation risk
- Acne & comedogenic risk ingredients: 1
Potential irritants
salix alba bark extract
7% -
8.5%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Anti-inflammatory,
Anti-oxidation,
Anti-blemish,
Exfoliation
A plant extract that can help neutralize free radicals in skin. It contains a compound salicin that can theoretically be converted into salicylic acid that, in turn, helps reduce inflammation in skin, but the evidence of effectiveness in skin is lacking and the extract is usually not used in a concentration that would enable an exfoliating effect
rosa damascena extract
2.3% -
2.8%
Irritation risk:
Oil of a very fragrant pink rose used as fragrance in cosmetics. Extensive research has shown it has mixed benefits. In the pro column, inhaling this flower’s scent seems to have relaxing properties and the plant’s petals contain skin-soothing and antioxidant compounds that can benefit skin. On the flipside, the numerous chemicals that create this rose’s distinctive fragrance pose a risk of causing skin aggravation.
Show more
Comodogenic ingredients
cetearyl alcohol
0.3% -
0.55%
Irritation risk: Comedogenicity: Medium
Works for:
Cleansing,
Moisturizing
A non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture
Similar products & dupes
iS Clinical - White Lightening Complex | Sanitas Skincare - Retinol Peeling Cream | Obagi - C-Rx C-Exfoliating Day Lotion with Vitamin C | Urban Skin Rx - Brighter Days Dark Spot 8% AHA Polish | innisfree - Bija Trouble Lotion | Proactiv - + 3-Step System, 30 Day Introductory Size | Bioderma - Sebium Global Intensive Purifying Cream For Acne-Prone Skin | ZO Skin Health - Exfoliation Accelerator | Perricone MD - Acne Relief Calming Treatment & Hydrator | Make P:rem - Peel Me Radiance Peeling Sleeping Pack | SkinMedica - LYTERA 2.0 Advanced Pigment Correcting System | |
Price | |||||||||||
WIMJ similarity score |
27%
|
27%
|
25%
|
25%
|
25%
|
25%
|
24%
|
23%
|
19%
|
19%
| |
Key ingredients | Common:
Other:
| Common:
Other:
| Common:
Other:
| Common:
Other: | Common:
Other: | Common:
Other:
| Common:
Other:
| Common:
Other:
| Common:
Other:
| Common:
Other:
| |
Irritancy | IRRITANCY
MEDIUM
| IRRITANCY
HIGH
| IRRITANCY
MEDIUM
| IRRITANCY
HIGH
| IRRITANCY
MEDIUM
| IRRITANCY
MEDIUM
| IRRITANCY
MEDIUM
| IRRITANCY
MEDIUM
| IRRITANCY
MEDIUM
| IRRITANCY
HIGH
| IRRITANCY
HIGH
|
Potential Irritants |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
All ingredients |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ingredients & concentrations
All ingredients
Key Actives
hyaluronic acid
3.7% -
4.6%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Moisturizing,
Anti-inflammatory,
Anti-aging
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin. Naturally present in skin. Typically has large molecule size unless advertised otherwise on the product label. Helps support skin's barrier function and may help to reduce inflammation
tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate
1.1% -
1.4%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Anti-aging,
Evens skin tone,
Anti-oxidation
Being a lipid soluble form of vitamin C, it is more stable than ascorbic acid, but still degrades quickly and needs to be stabilized in a formulation with another ingredient. It is claimed to penetrate skin better than pure vitamin C and have the the similar benefits, but solid studies of its effectiveness are lacking. Is likely to require a higher concentration in a product than pure vitamin C to be effective. It might be able to help reduce pore clogging.
Show more
Potential irritants
salix alba bark extract
7% -
8.5%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Anti-inflammatory,
Anti-oxidation,
Anti-blemish,
Exfoliation
A plant extract that can help neutralize free radicals in skin. It contains a compound salicin that can theoretically be converted into salicylic acid that, in turn, helps reduce inflammation in skin, but the evidence of effectiveness in skin is lacking and the extract is usually not used in a concentration that would enable an exfoliating effect
rosa damascena extract
2.3% -
2.8%
Irritation risk:
Oil of a very fragrant pink rose used as fragrance in cosmetics. Extensive research has shown it has mixed benefits. In the pro column, inhaling this flower’s scent seems to have relaxing properties and the plant’s petals contain skin-soothing and antioxidant compounds that can benefit skin. On the flipside, the numerous chemicals that create this rose’s distinctive fragrance pose a risk of causing skin aggravation.
Show more
Comodogenic ingredients
cetearyl alcohol
0.3% -
0.55%
Irritation risk: Comedogenicity: Medium
Works for:
Cleansing,
Moisturizing
A non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture
All ingredients
salix alba bark extract
7% -
8.5%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Anti-inflammatory,
Anti-oxidation,
Anti-blemish,
Exfoliation
A plant extract that can help neutralize free radicals in skin. It contains a compound salicin that can theoretically be converted into salicylic acid that, in turn, helps reduce inflammation in skin, but the evidence of effectiveness in skin is lacking and the extract is usually not used in a concentration that would enable an exfoliating effect
hyaluronic acid
3.7% -
4.6%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Moisturizing,
Anti-inflammatory,
Anti-aging
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin. Naturally present in skin. Typically has large molecule size unless advertised otherwise on the product label. Helps support skin's barrier function and may help to reduce inflammation
Show more
Ingredient list view
Water, Salix alba bark extract, Hyaluronic acid, Saccharum officinarum extract, Rosa damascena extract, Decane, Vaccinium myrtillus fruit/leaf extract, Ascophyllum nodosum extract, Tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate, Glycerin, Squalane, Imperata cylindrica root extract, Glyceryl stearate, Alpha-arbutin, Peg-100 stearate, Peg-8/smdi copolymer, Triethanolamine, Polyporus umbellatus extract, Stearyl alcohol, Cetearyl alcohol, Glycyrrhiza glabra root extract, Dimethicone, 1,2-hexanediol, Caprylyl glycol, Hydrogenated lecithin, Citrus aurantium dulcis oil, Xanthan gum, Disodium edta
Sources
- Efficacy and Safety of White Willow Bark (Salix alba) Extract
- An evaluation of the effect of a topical product containing salicin on the visible signs of human skin aging
- Efficacy of a New Topical Nano-hyaluronic Acid in Humans
- Physiochemical properties and application of hyaluronic acid: a systematic review
- Double-blind, half-face study comparing topical vitamin C and vehicle for rejuvenation of photodamage
- Application of tetra-isopalmitoyl ascorbic acid in cosmetic formulations: Stability studies and in vivo efficacy
- Glycerol and the skin: holistic approach to its origin and functions
- Allergic contact dermatitis from grasses
- Dimethicone as a protective ingredient in topical medications
- Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Dimethicone Copolyol
- The influence of alkane chain length on the skin irritation potential of 1,2-alkanediols
- Safety Assessment of Citrus-Derived Peel Oils as Used in Cosmetics
- Oxidized citrus oil (R-limonene): A frequent skin sensitizer in Europe