Kiehl's s Clearly Corrective Dark Spot Solution
Works for
ExfoliationSalicylic acidWorks well
“Activated C helps to diminish the intensity of dark spots and dullness, while buffered salicylic acid gently exfoliates to address congestion and improve texture.”
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: salicylic acid.
Anti-agingAdenosine, 3-o-ethyl ascorbic acid + 1 moreWorks well
“Look no further as the Kiehl’s Clearly Corrective Dark Spot Solution will promote youthful clarity and a more even complexion.”
This product can help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness because it contains adenosine.
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.
Evens skin tone3-o-ethyl ascorbic acid, Salicylic acidMay help
“Helps visibly brighten skin over time for a more even and radiant skin tone”
This product might be able to help reduce hyperpigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains salicylic acid. The effect, if any, is likely to be small. 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.
The following ingredient (ingredients) in this product might be helpful, but there is no evidence to confirm that it actually works: 3-o-ethyl ascorbic acid.
MoisturizingGlycerin, Peg/ppg/polybutylene glycol-8/5/3 glycerin + 5 moreWorks
“Visibly plumps for a luminous glow and more radiant looking skin”
This product contains good ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. These ingredients are called "humectants": glycerin, peg/ppg/polybutylene glycol-8/5/3 glycerin.
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).
Anti-oxidationSide benefit · 3-o-ethyl ascorbic acid, Adenosine + 3 moreMay help
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?
Irritancy4 strong irritants: Alcohol denat., Lavandula angustifolia oil + 2 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%
Propylene glycol~4.8–7.1%
- 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~3.3–4.9%
- 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.~2.7–4%
- Irritation risk
- High
Produces temporary toning effect. Can help dissolve other ingredients or preserve products
More about Alcohol denat.Peg/ppg/polybutylene glycol-8/5/3 glycerin~2–3.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps create a nice product texture and attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Peg/ppg/polybutylene glycol-8/5/3 glycerinHydroxypropyl 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 tetrahydropyrantriol3-o-ethyl ascorbic acid~1.4–2.1%
- 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 acidPpg-6-decyltetradeceth-30~1.3–1.9%
Phenoxyethanol~0.5–1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolSalicylic acid~0.5–1.2%
- 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 acidXanthan gum~0.5–1.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumHydroxyethylcellulose~0.45–1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to thicken product formulations and create gel-like textures
More about HydroxyethylcellulosePotassium hydroxide~0.4–0.9%
Citric acid~0.35–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
More about Citric acidSodium citrate~0.2–0.75%
- 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 citrateTocopheryl acetate~0.15–0.65%
- 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 acetateLavandula angustifolia oil~0.15–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- High
An essential oil. Potential allergen and can be irritating. It has some anti-bacterial properties
More about Lavandula angustifolia oilDisodium edta~0.1–0.4%
Adenosine~0.1–0.3%
- 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 AdenosineLinalool~0.05–0.2%
Butylene glycol~0.05–0.2%
- 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 glycolTocopherol~0.05–0.15%
- 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 TocopherolCitrus aurantium tachibana peel extract~0.01–0.1%
- Irritation risk
- High
Paeonia suffruticosa root extract~0.01–0.05%
Ingredient list view
Water, Propylene glycol, Glycerin, Alcohol denat., Peg/ppg/polybutylene glycol-8/5/3 glycerin, Hydroxypropyl tetrahydropyrantriol, 3-o-ethyl ascorbic acid, Ppg-6-decyltetradeceth-30, Phenoxyethanol, Salicylic acid, Xanthan gum, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Potassium hydroxide, Citric acid, Sodium citrate, Tocopheryl acetate, Lavandula angustifolia oil, Disodium edta, Adenosine, Linalool, Butylene glycol, Tocopherol, Citrus aurantium tachibana peel extract, Paeonia suffruticosa root extract
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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'ss Clearly Corrective Dark Spot SolutionYOUR PRODUCT | L'Oréal ParisGlycolic-Bright | It CosmeticsBye Bye Dark Spots Serum Concentrate | Dr Dennis GrossAdvanced Retinol + Ferulic Texture Renewal Serum Packette | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 92% | 90% | 88% |
| Price | $65.00 | $16.99−$48.01 | $33.54−$31.46 | $67.15+$2.15 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 4 of 5 | 4 of 5 | 3 of 5 |
| Key difference | — | Niacinamide | Niacinamide | Retinol |
| Irritancy | High | High | High | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | Contains drying alcohol | Contains drying alcohol | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: La Roche-Posay Pure Vitamin C Face SerumVichy Normaderm Probio-BHA Serum
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 15 studies and safety reviews.
- 1Surfactants and experimental irritant contact dermatitisncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 2Propylene Glycolpubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 3Skin-sensitizing and irritant properties of propylene glycolonlinelibrary.wiley.com
- 4
- 5
- 6
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