Madara Cosmetics Kojic Alternative Pigment Serum
Works for
Evens skin toneAlpha-arbutin, Lactic acidWorks well
“targets hyperpigmentation to help you unlock a more even-looking and radiant skin”
This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: alpha-arbutin
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.
MoisturizingPolyglyceryl-6 stearate, Cetearyl alcohol + 13 moreWorks
“Kojic Alternative Pigment Serum”
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, hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid.
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: squalane, astrocaryum murumuru seed butter.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy3 strong irritants: Aroma, Limonene + 1 more — patch-test recommendedHigh risk
Comedogenic2 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale2 flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~40–60%
Glycerin1%
- 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 GlycerinDicaprylyl carbonate~5.1–7.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps products spread more easily and works as an emollient to soften skin
More about Dicaprylyl carbonatePentylene glycol~3.7–5.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product texture
More about Pentylene glycolPolyglyceryl-6 stearate~2.7–4.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Polyglyceryl-6 stearateCetearyl alcohol~2–3.1%
- 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 alcoholBidens pilosa extract~1.7–2.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Polyglyceryl-6 behenate~1.4–2.1%
Aroma~1.2–1.9%
Ascorbyl palmitate~1–1.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Being a lipid soluble form of vitamin C, it is more stable and can penetrate the skin better than L-Ascorbic acid. It is effective in protecting the skin from free radicals, as well as evening the skin tone, but is less effective in stimulating collagen production compared to L-Ascorbic acid.
More about Ascorbyl palmitateLactic acid~0.8–1.2%
- 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 acidHydrolyzed hyaluronic acid~0.5–1.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin. A version of it is naturally present in skin
More about Hydrolyzed hyaluronic acidSimmondsia chinensis seed oil~0.45–1.05%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Softens the upper layer of skin and helps restore the healthy skin barrier. Has shown to help calm down inflammation in skin. It is a stable oil, meaning that it retains its properties even when exposed to air.
More about Simmondsia chinensis seed oilSodium pca~0.35–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Naturally present in skin and helps to attract water to its upper layer
More about Sodium pcaAlpha-arbutin~0.3–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Might help reduce hyperpigmentation when used regularly over a long period of time. Is more effective than beta-arbutin
More about Alpha-arbutinAstrocaryum murumuru seed butter~0.35–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin. Could be comedogenic due to the myrisic acid content
More about Astrocaryum murumuru seed butterGossypium herbaceum seed oil~0.3–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
Cottonseed oil. It is used as an emollient and occlusive in products. It is rich palmitic, oleic acid, and linoleic fatty acids.
More about Gossypium herbaceum seed oilLinum usitatissimum seed oil~0.2–0.7%
Squalane~0.3–0.7%
- 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 SqualaneXanthan gum~0.15–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumTocopherol~0.15–0.55%
- 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 TocopherolSodium phytate~0.1–0.5%
Ci 774912%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A red colorant made of iron oxide. Typically is not irritating
More about Ci 77491Ci 774922%
Juniperus communis callus extract~0.1–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Sodium hyaluronate~0.1–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
More about Sodium hyaluronateLimonene3%
- Irritation risk
- High
A common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heat
More about LimoneneTerpineol3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Linalool3%
Vanillin1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Ingredient list view
Water, Glycerin, Dicaprylyl carbonate, Pentylene glycol, Polyglyceryl-6 stearate, Cetearyl alcohol, Bidens pilosa extract, Polyglyceryl-6 behenate, Aroma, Ascorbyl palmitate, Lactic acid, Hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid, Simmondsia chinensis seed oil, Sodium pca, Alpha-arbutin, Astrocaryum murumuru seed butter, Gossypium herbaceum seed oil, Linum usitatissimum seed oil, Squalane, Xanthan gum, Tocopherol, Sodium phytate, Ci 77491, Ci 77492, Juniperus communis callus extract, Sodium hyaluronate, Limonene, Terpineol, Linalool, Vanillin
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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.
| Madara CosmeticsKojic Alternative Pigment SerumYOUR PRODUCT | Peace OutDark Spots Serum | Be MinimalistAlpha Arbutin 02% Face Serum | Tofu MoritayaSkin Balance Adjustment Serum | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 57% | 54% | 51% |
| Price | — | — | — | $92.93 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 5 of 9 | 3 of 9 | 5 of 9 |
| Key difference | — | Niacinamide | Ferulic Acid | Ceramide Np |
| Irritancy | High | Low | Low | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | Contains drying alcohol |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: COSRX 5 PDRN Collagen Intense Vitalizing SerumMedicube Hyaluronic Multi Peptide Serum
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 10 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2Epidermal and dermal effects of topical lactic acidncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 3Dual Effects of Alpha-Hydroxy Acids on the Skinpdfs.semanticscholar.org
- 4Efficacy of a New Topical Nano-hyaluronic Acid in Humansncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 5Physiochemical properties and application of hyaluronic acid: a systematic reviewonlinelibrary.wiley.com
- 6
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