Works for
2 of 2 advertised claims delivered
Anti-blemishSalicylic acidStrong evidence
“Acneo Repair Lotion”
This product can help reduce breakouts and clogged pores because it contains the following ingredient: salicylic acid. This ingredient is used for treating acne and can have a noticeable effect.
MoisturizingHyaluronic acid, Diglycerin + 5 moreGood evidence
“The Sekkisei brightening skin care series uses a Japanese herbal extract that gently moisturizes and protects skin while brightening the complexion.”
This product contains good ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. These ingredients are called "humectants": diglycerin, dipotassium glycyrrhizate.
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).
ExfoliationNot advertised by the brand · Salicylic acid, Lactic acidStrong evidence
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-oxidationNot advertised by the brand · Ascorbyl glucosideModerate evidence
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 glucoside, Hyaluronic acid + 1 moreModerate evidence
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.
Evens skin toneNot advertised by the brand · Ascorbyl glucoside, Dipotassium glycyrrhizate + 2 moreModerate evidence
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: ascorbyl glucoside, dipotassium glycyrrhizate.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy1 strong irritant: AlcoholMedium risk
ComedogenicClean of flagged comedogenic ingredientsNone flagged
User reviews
Be the first — your take helps the next person decide.
Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Ascorbyl glucoside~23–34%
- 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 glucosideSalicylic acid~1.25–2.5%
- 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 acidDipotassium glycyrrhizate~4.1–6.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A salt derived from licorice. Works as an emollient to soften the upper layer of the skin and can help calm down inflammation. Might be helpful for skin lightening
More about Dipotassium glycyrrhizateWater~3.2–4.8%
Butylene glycol~2.3–3.4%
- 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 glycolAlcohol~1.5–2.3%
- Irritation risk
- High
Can be drying and contribute to skin irritation. Used in formulars to dissolve other ingredients, create a thinner product consistency or for its antibacterial properties
More about AlcoholDipropylene glycol~0.95–1.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to dissolve other ingredients in a formulation. Slows down the rate of product drying
More about Dipropylene glycolGlycerin~0.95–1.45%
- 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 GlycerinMethacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine~0.55–1.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Butyl methacrylate~0.45–1.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Hyaluronic acid~0.4–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- 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
More about Hyaluronic acidAgar~0.3–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Polysaccharide derived from seaweed. Used to create a thicker product consistency and might help attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about AgarPolyethylene~0.45–1.05%
Hydrogenated castor oil isostearate~0.15–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Edta~0.15–0.6%
Xanthan gum~0.15–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumDiglycerin~0.1–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about DiglycerinDisodium phosphate~0.1–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps adjust the product pH and stabilize the formulation
More about Disodium phosphateHydrogen~0.05–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Potassium phosphate~0.05–0.2%
Sodium hydroxide~0.05–0.15%
Lactic acid~0.01–0.1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An exfoliating and moisturizing alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA). Typically causes less irritation than other AHAs, for example, glycolic acid. At high concentrations (about 15%), lactic acid can help reduce lines and wrinkles. Recent studies show that lactic acid can support the "good" bacteria living on skin's surface (healthy skin microbiome)
More about Lactic acidPhenoxyethanol~0.05–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolCaramel~0.01–0.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Ingredient list view
Ascorbyl glucoside, Salicylic acid, Dipotassium glycyrrhizate, Water, Butylene glycol, Alcohol, Dipropylene glycol, Glycerin, Methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine, Butyl methacrylate, Unknown, Hyaluronic acid, Unknown, Agar, Polyethylene, Hydrogenated castor oil isostearate, Edta, Xanthan gum, Diglycerin, Disodium phosphate, Unknown, Hydrogen, Potassium phosphate, Sodium hydroxide, Lactic acid, Phenoxyethanol, Caramel
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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.
| KoseAcneo Repair LotionYOUR PRODUCT | RohtoMelano CC Moisturizing Cream | BiodermaSebium Mattifying Lotion | Cetaphilgentle clear mattifying acne moisturizer | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 86% | 86% | 83% |
| Price | $40.14 | $16.74−$23.40 | — | $10.95−$29.19 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 4 of 6 | 2 of 6 | 2 of 6 |
| Key difference | — | Oatmeal Extract | Mannitol | Bisabolol |
| Irritancy | Medium | Low | Low | Medium |
| 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 13 studies and safety reviews.
- 1The Roles of Vitamin C in Skin Healthncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 2
- 3Salicylic acid as a peeling agent: a comprehensive reviewncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 4Beta Hydroxy Acidsfda.gov
- 5A review of toxicity from topical salicylic acid preparationssciencedirect.com
- 6
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