PRODUCT REVIEW
Medik8 White Balance Original Serum
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What can the product work for?
Evens skin tone
What does the product description say?
alpha-arbutin
3.8% -
5.7%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
Might help reduce hyperpigmentation when used regularly over a long period of time. Is more effective than beta-arbutin
acetyl glucosamine
2.7% -
4.1%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
An effective moisturizing ingredient that also has been shown to be effective in evening out the skin tone and reducing hyperpigmentation. It can help somewhat reduce wrinkles in skin
undecylenoyl phenylalanine
1% -
1.5%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
An amino-acid based compound that is effective in reducing hyperpigmentation. It can help lighten sun spots and support more even skin tone.
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Anti-aging
acetyl glucosamine
2.7% -
4.1%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
An effective moisturizing ingredient that also has been shown to be effective in evening out the skin tone and reducing hyperpigmentation. It can help somewhat reduce wrinkles in skin
lactic acid
4.5% -
6.8%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness:
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)
niacinamide
0.45% -
1.1%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Insufficient!
Is proven to be effective in reducing blemishes, evening out skin tone and helping to improve lines and wrinkles. It helps the skin to repair sun damage, calm down inflammation and keep maintain good levels of moisture.
The concentration of about 2% is effective for supporting the skin barrier and evening out the skin tone. Concentration of 4-6% is better for helping with acne and balancing the sebum production
Exfoliation
lactic acid
4.5% -
6.8%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
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)
acetyl glucosamine
2.7% -
4.1%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness:
MEDIUM
An effective moisturizing ingredient that also has been shown to be effective in evening out the skin tone and reducing hyperpigmentation. It can help somewhat reduce wrinkles in skin
Moisturizing
sodium hyaluronate
0.35% -
0.85%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
acetyl glucosamine
2.7% -
4.1%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
An effective moisturizing ingredient that also has been shown to be effective in evening out the skin tone and reducing hyperpigmentation. It can help somewhat reduce wrinkles in skin
lactic acid
4.5% -
6.8%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
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)
Show more
Anti-oxidation
kojic acid
1.4% -
2.1%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
Helps to reduce hyperpigmentation and neutralize free radicals. Can be irritating
Honesty check
How honest is this product?
Promise | Can it deliver? |
---|---|
Evens skin tone |
Total Promises Fulfilled score:
100/100.
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Can it cause trouble?
- Overall product irritation risk
- Acne & comedogenic risk ingredients: 0
Potential irritants
alcohol denat.
1.7% -
2.6%
Irritation risk:
Produces temporary toning effect. Can help dissolve other ingredients or preserve products
kojic acid
1.4% -
2.1%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Evens skin tone,
Anti-oxidation
Helps to reduce hyperpigmentation and neutralize free radicals. Can be irritating
Show more
Comodogenic ingredients
No comodogenic ingredients detected
User reviews (0)
Similar products & dupes
Medik8 - White Balance Original Serum | Beauty of Joseon - Glow Deep Serum Sponsored | Urban Skin Rx - HydraFirm + Brightening Serum | Regimen Lab - Level Serum | Dope Skin Co - Glow Serum | skinmade - Niacinamide + Allantoin serum | Naturium - Alpha Arbutin Serum 2% | Perricone MD - High Potency Hyaluronic Intensive Hydrating Serum | Physicians Formula - Skin Booster Brightening Vitamin Shot | SOUL APOTHECARY - Alpha Arbutin PLUS Serum | The Garden Of Wisdom - Alpha Arbutin 2% and Kojic Acid 1% Serum | PillowtalkDerm - Major Fade Hyper Serum | |
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WIMJ similarity score |
71%
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81%
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80%
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76%
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76%
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75%
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75%
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74%
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73%
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Key ingredients |
| Common: Other: | Common:
Other: | Common:
Other: | Common:
Other:
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Other:
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Other: | Common:
Other:
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Other: | Common:
Other: |
Irritancy | IRRITANCY
HIGH
| IRRITANCY
LOW
| IRRITANCY
LOW
| IRRITANCY
LOW
| IRRITANCY
HIGH
| IRRITANCY
LOW
| IRRITANCY
MEDIUM
| IRRITANCY
MEDIUM
| IRRITANCY
MEDIUM
| IRRITANCY
LOW
| IRRITANCY
LOW
| IRRITANCY
LOW
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Potential Irritants |
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All ingredients |
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Ingredients & concentrations
All ingredients
Key Actives
niacinamide
0.45% -
1.1%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Evens skin tone,
Moisturizing,
Anti-aging,
Anti-blemish,
Reduces irritation,
Antibacterial,
Anti-inflammatory,
Reduces redness
Is proven to be effective in reducing blemishes, evening out skin tone and helping to improve lines and wrinkles. It helps the skin to repair sun damage, calm down inflammation and keep maintain good levels of moisture.
The concentration of about 2% is effective for supporting the skin barrier and evening out the skin tone. Concentration of 4-6% is better for helping with acne and balancing the sebum production
lactic acid
4.5% -
6.8%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Exfoliation,
Moisturizing,
Evens skin tone,
Anti-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)
Show more
Potential irritants
alcohol denat.
1.7% -
2.6%
Irritation risk:
Produces temporary toning effect. Can help dissolve other ingredients or preserve products
kojic acid
1.4% -
2.1%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Evens skin tone,
Anti-oxidation
Helps to reduce hyperpigmentation and neutralize free radicals. Can be irritating
Show more
Comodogenic ingredients
We couldn't find any comodogenic ingredients in this product
All ingredients
lactic acid
4.5% -
6.8%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Exfoliation,
Moisturizing,
Evens skin tone,
Anti-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)
alpha-arbutin
3.8% -
5.7%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Evens skin tone
Might help reduce hyperpigmentation when used regularly over a long period of time. Is more effective than beta-arbutin
Show more
Ingredient list view
Water, Lactic acid, Alpha-arbutin, Acetyl glucosamine, Polysorbate 20, Alcohol denat., Kojic acid, Phenoxyethanol, Undecylenoyl phenylalanine, Leucine, Niacinamide, Sodium hyaluronate, Cananga odorata leaf oil, Sodium hydroxide, Ethylhexylglycerin, Linoleic acid, Propyl gallate, Disodium edta, Sodium metabisulfite, Benzyl benzoate, Farnesol, Geraniol, Benzyl salicylate, Cinnamomum camphora bark oil, Linalool, Limonene
Sources
- Epidermal and dermal effects of topical lactic acid
- Dual Effects of Alpha-Hydroxy Acids on the Skin
- The effect of N-acetyl-glucosamine on stratum corneum desquamation and water content in human skin
- Glucosamine: an ingredient with skin and other benefits
- Genomic expression changes induced by topical N-acetyl glucosamine in skin equivalent cultures in vitro
- Incorporation of D-(^H)glucosamine into normal and psoriatic epidermal glycoconjugates
- Reduction in the appearance of facial hyperpigmentation by topical N-acetyl glucosamine
- TOPICAL TREATMENT OF MELASMA
- Postinflammatory hyperpigmentation: a review of the epidemiology, clinical features, and treatment options in skin of color.
- A randomized, double‐blind, vehicle‐controlled study of a preparation containing undecylenoyl phenylalanine 2% in the treatment of solar lentigines
- Niacinamide - mechanisms of action and its topical use in dermatology
- Gehring, W. (2004). Nicotinic acid/niacinamide and the skin. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 3(2), 88–93. doi:10.1111/j.1473-2130.2004.00115.x
- Hyaluronic acid: A key molecule in skin aging
- Hyaluronan (Hyaluronic Acid): a natural moisturizer for skin care
- The Permeability Barrier in Essential Fatty Acid Deficiency: Evidence for a Direct Role for Linoleic Acid in Barrier Function
- Digital image analysis of the effect of topically applied linoleic acid on acne microcomedones.
- Final report on the safety assessment of sodium sulfite, potassium sulfite, ammonium sulfite, sodium bisulfite, ammonium bisulfite, sodium metabisulfite and potassium metabisulfite