Matte Beauty

Matte Beauty Hydroquinone Cream USP, 6% Skin Bleaching Cream

Name: Matte Beauty - Hydroquinone Cream USP, 6% Skin Bleaching Cream
Brand: Matte Beauty

Efficacy87/100IrritancyMedium

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Works for

2 of 2 advertised claims delivered

Evens skin tone

2 ingredients credited for this claim

Strong support

What the product description says

“Lightens dark patches of skin Helps even out the color of your skin Help your skin look younger and dewier, with a glow HYDROQUINONE 8% , used to treat areas of dyschromia, such as in melasma, chloasma, solar lentigines, freckles, and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.”

Source: N/A

This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: hydroquinone.

In addition, this product contains lactic acid. This ingredient (ingredients) might help reduce hyperpigmentation, but 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.

HydroquinoneHeroEffect: HighA potent anti-pigmentation active. It can have serious side-effects though and ideally is used under supervision of a doctor. It should not be used over a long period of time (over a year).~6.5–9.7%

Lactic acidKey activeEffect: HighAn 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)~3.5–5.2%

Moisturizing

4 ingredients credited for this claim

Good support

What the product description says

“Hydroquinone Cream USP, 6% Skin Bleaching Cream”

From product name

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: algae extract, lactic 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: algae extract, helianthus annuus seed cera.

Algae extractKey active· Humectant, EmollientEffect: HighPlant extract that helps the skin to attract water and make it more smooth for touch. Also shows promise of anti-aging properties, but research is not extensive yet~2.5–3.8%

Helianthus annuus seed ceraKey active· EmollientEffect: HighHelps soften the upper layer of the skin~1.5–2.2%

Lactic acidKey active· HumectantEffect: HighAn 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)~3.5–5.2%

Cetearyl alcoholKey active· EmollientEffect: MediumA non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture~0.9–1.3%

Exfoliation

Not advertised by the brand · 1 ingredient credited for this claim

Strong support

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: lactic acid.

Anti-aging

Not advertised by the brand · 2 ingredients credited for this claim

Moderate support

This product contains lactic acid. 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.

Lactic acidKey activeEffect: MediumAn 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)~3.5–5.2%

Algae extractEffect: LowPlant extract that helps the skin to attract water and make it more smooth for touch. Also shows promise of anti-aging properties, but research is not extensive yet~2.5–3.8%

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy

1 strong irritant: Hydroquinone

Medium risk

We flagged 3 ingredients with irritancy potential. Severity depends on your sensitivity threshold; the table lists the worst offenders first.

IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount

HydroquinoneA potent anti-pigmentation active. It can have serious side-effects though and ideally is used under supervision of a doctor. It should not be used over a long period of time (over a year).High~6.5–9.7%est.

Lactic acidAn 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)Medium~3.5–5.2%est.

Citric acidCan work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pHMedium~0.45–1.05%est.

Comedogenic

2 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale

2 flagged

These ingredients have a comedogenic rating of 2 or more on a 0–5 scale; the table shows each one's rating. In leave-on products they can clog pores in acne-prone skin.

IngredientFunctionRatingEst. amount

Algae extractPlant extract that helps the skin to attract water and make it more smooth for touch. Also shows promise of anti-aging properties, but research is not extensive yet3/5~2.5–3.8%est.

Cetearyl alcoholA non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture2/5~0.9–1.3%est.

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Ingredients

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Water~40–60%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Plain old water

More about Water

Hydroquinone~6.5–9.7%

Hero · Evens skin toneIrritant · high

Irritation risk: High

Works for

Evens skin tone

A potent anti-pigmentation active. It can have serious side-effects though and ideally is used under supervision of a doctor. It should not be used over a long period of time (over a year).

More about Hydroquinone

Lactic acid~3.5–5.2%

Key activeIrritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

Works for

ExfoliationMoisturizingEvens skin toneAnti-aging

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 acid

Algae extract~2.5–3.8%

Key activeComedogenic 3/5

Irritation risk: Low
Comedogenicity: 3/5

Works for

MoisturizingAnti-aging

Plant extract that helps the skin to attract water and make it more smooth for touch. Also shows promise of anti-aging properties, but research is not extensive yet

More about Algae extract

Helianthus annuus seed cera~1.5–2.2%

Key active

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

Moisturizing

Helps soften the upper layer of the skin

More about Helianthus annuus seed cera

Citric acid~0.45–1.05%

Irritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH

More about Citric acid

Cetearyl alcohol~0.9–1.3%

Key activeComedogenic 2/5

Irritation risk: Low
Comedogenicity: 2/5

Works for

CleansingMoisturizing

A non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture

More about Cetearyl alcohol

Ingredient list view

Water, Hydroquinone, Lactic acid, Algae extract, Helianthus annuus seed cera, Citric acid, Cetearyl alcohol

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Product summary

Based on the ingredient list, "Matte Beauty - Hydroquinone Cream USP, 6% Skin Bleaching Cream" can work well for skin moisturization. The formulation is based on a combination of good humectants and emollients. Both are needed to increase the skin hydration level. Humectants in this product (algae extract) help to increase the water content in the upper layer of the skin. (These ingredients do so by "capturing" water molecules from the outside air or from within the deeper layers of the skin). Algae extract, helianthus annuus seed cera and cetearyl alcohol in this product help decrease the water evoporation from the skin, so that it stays hydrated for longer. These ingredients also soften the skin and take away the feeling of tightness and dryness.

Ingredient callouts

We love that this moisturizer contains a good concentration of niacinamide 2.70% - 4.00%. Niacinamide is a perfect active in a moistruizer because it helps calm down inflamation in skin and support the skin barrier. More than that, it is helpful for most common skin concerns: it helps regulat oil production, help reduce acne and clogged pores, improve skin tone and prevent pigmentation marks. It also helps fight photodamage.
This product contains acids (lactic acid 1.60% - 2.40%). Their concentration is low, and they will not have a strong exfoliating effect. Instead, they work to support the skin natural acid mantle and to attract water (as humectants). Lactic acid is particularly good in attracting water to the upper layer of the skin and improving the skin barrier.
Azelaic Acid (3.80% - 5.70%). This active can reduce hyperpigmentation. It also works helps against acne and clogged pores. Please note that Azelaic Acid is most effective against acne in concentrations between 10% and 20%.

Irritation risk

This moisturizer contains actives that can be irritating. We assess the overall irritancy of this moisturizer to be medium. For a detailed overview of all potential irritants: click here

You can see the detailed formula review with the breakdown of all actives in the product and the full ingredient list with estimated concentrations in the tables below.

Sources cited in this review

Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 2 studies and safety reviews.

1
Epidermal and dermal effects of topical lactic acidncbi.nlm.nih.gov
2
Dual Effects of Alpha-Hydroxy Acids on the Skinpdfs.semanticscholar.org

Matte BeautyHydroquinone Cream USP, 6% Skin Bleaching Cream

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