Kiehl's Clearly Corrective Brightening Smoothing Moisture Treatment
Works for
3 of 3 advertised claims delivered
Evens skin toneGlycolic acid, 3-o-ethyl ascorbic acid + 1 moreStrong evidence
“Designed to nourish your complexion, the treatment is enriched with a whole host of powerful ingredients like activated C. This is a stabilised form of vitamin C that targets pigmentation and promotes a more uniform look, working to diminish the appearance of dullness for a clearer illusion.”
This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: glycolic 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: 3-o-ethyl ascorbic acid.
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.
ExfoliationGlycolic acid, Salicylic acidStrong evidence
“Thanks to white birch extract overall tone will be improved while glycolic acid gently exfoliates, buffing away at dead skin to refresh your complexion.”
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: glycolic acid.
MoisturizingDimethicone, Glycerin + 4 moreGood evidence
“Clearly Corrective Brightening Smoothing Moisture Treatment”
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: dimethicone.
Anti-agingNot advertised by the brand · Glycolic acid, Adenosine + 2 moreStrong evidence
This product can help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness because it contains adenosine, glycolic acid.
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.
Anti-oxidationNot advertised by the brand · 3-o-ethyl ascorbic acid, Adenosine + 3 moreModerate evidence
This product contains antioxidants (3-o-ethyl ascorbic acid) 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.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy7 strong irritants: Alcohol denat., Lavandula angustifolia oil + 5 more — patch-test recommendedHigh 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%
Dimethicone~4.7–7%
- 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 DimethiconePropylene glycol~3.4–5%
- 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 glycolGlycerin~2.7–4%
- 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 GlycerinAlcohol denat.~2.1–3.1%
- Irritation risk
- High
Produces temporary toning effect. Can help dissolve other ingredients or preserve products
More about Alcohol denat.Hydroxypropyl tetrahydropyrantriol~1.7–2.5%
- Irritation risk
- High
A sugar-derived compound that helps to attract water to the upper layer of the skin and might be able to stimulate synthesis of skin's own moisturizing factors, but solid research is lacking. It could be irritating
More about Hydroxypropyl tetrahydropyrantriolButylene glycol~1.4–2.1%
- 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 glycolDimethicone/peg-10/15 crosspolymer~1.3–1.9%
3-o-ethyl ascorbic acid~1–1.5%
- Irritation risk
- High
A vitamin C derivative that is more stable but less potent than pure form of vitamin C. Can help neutralize free radicals and help 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 3-o-ethyl ascorbic acidPaeonia suffruticosa root extract~0.6–1.35%
Potassium hydroxide~0.45–1.05%
Lavandula angustifolia oil~0.3–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- High
An essential oil. Potential allergen and can be irritating. It has some anti-bacterial properties
More about Lavandula angustifolia oilGlycolic acid~0.15–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- High
An alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) that helps to remove the dead skin cells on the surface of the skin reveling a more even, smoother complexation. It is also able to stimulate collagen production with long-term use. Could help to reduce pore congestion. It can be irritating to the skin. Apply sunscreen daily if using products with glycolic acid
More about Glycolic acidSodium citrate~0.15–0.55%
- 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 citrateSilica~0.35–0.75%
Adenosine~0.15–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Might help improve cell turnover and reduce inflammation in skin. One study shows that the ingredients might be able to help reduce dynamic wrinkles (for example, in the corners of the eyes or on the forehead)
More about AdenosineMagnesium sulfate~0.15–0.6%
Disodium edta~0.15–0.55%
Dipropylene glycol~0.1–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to dissolve other ingredients in a formulation. Slows down the rate of product drying
More about Dipropylene glycolCitric acid~0.1–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
More about Citric acidCitrus aurantium tachibana peel extract~0.1–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- High
Tocopherol~0.1–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Pure form of vitamin E. Can help moisturise and protect the skin from free radicals. Often used to help stabilise other ingredients or the formula itself
More about TocopherolTocopheryl acetate~0.1–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
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 acetateSalicylic acid~0.05–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- High
Used for skin exfoliation. It has an anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial effect, helps to unclog pores, prevent blemishes and speed up healing of the existing ones. Sometimes referred to as a BHA (beta-hydroxy acid)
More about Salicylic acidPhenoxyethanol~0.1–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolLinalool~0.05–0.25%
Geraniol~0.05–0.2%
Limonene~0.05–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- High
A common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heat
More about LimoneneCitral~0.05–0.1%
Ingredient list view
Water, Dimethicone, Propylene glycol, Glycerin, Alcohol denat., Hydroxypropyl tetrahydropyrantriol, Butylene glycol, Dimethicone/peg-10/15 crosspolymer, 3-o-ethyl ascorbic acid, Paeonia suffruticosa root extract, Potassium hydroxide, Lavandula angustifolia oil, Glycolic acid, Sodium citrate, Silica, Adenosine, Magnesium sulfate, Disodium edta, Dipropylene glycol, Citric acid, Citrus aurantium tachibana peel extract, Tocopherol, Tocopheryl acetate, Salicylic acid, Phenoxyethanol, Linalool, Geraniol, Limonene, Citral
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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.
| Kiehl'sClearly Corrective Brightening Smoothing Moisture TreatmentYOUR PRODUCT | Dr Dennis GrossVitamin C Lactic Dewy Deep Cream | VichyNeovadiol Pre-Menopause Liftiny Lipid-Repleneishing Day Cream Normal to Combination Skin + Redensifying Protocole Free | PhilosophyHope in a Jar Smooth-Glow Multi-Tasking Moisturiser | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 56% | 52% | 51% |
| Price | $55.53 | $67.88+$12.35 | $38.93−$16.60 | $47.46−$8.07 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 5 of 6 | 5 of 6 | 4 of 6 |
| Key difference | — | Niacinamide | Niacinamide | Faex |
| Irritancy | High | High | High | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | Contains drying alcohol | Contains drying alcohol | Contains drying alcohol | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 22 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Dimethicone Copolyoljournals.sagepub.com
- 3Surfactants and experimental irritant contact dermatitisncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 4Propylene Glycolpubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 5Skin-sensitizing and irritant properties of propylene glycolonlinelibrary.wiley.com
- 6
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