Works for
Evens skin toneLactic acid, Alpha-arbutin + 4 moreWorks well
“The brightening system is designed to target the 7 causes of hyperpigmentation such as dark spots, age spots, blotchiness, sun damage, uneven skin tone and melasma.”
This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: acetyl glucosamine, alpha-arbutin, kojic acid, lactic acid, niacinamide, undecylenoyl phenylalanine
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.
ExfoliationSide benefit · Lactic acid, Acetyl glucosamineWorks well
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-oxidationSide benefit · Kojic acidWorks well
This product contains antioxidants (kojic acid) that can help neutralize free radicals in skin. By doing so, they can lessen the damage the skin gets from the UV light (sun).
MoisturizingSide benefit · Acetyl glucosamine, Niacinamide + 3 moreWorks well
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:
lactic acid, sodium hyaluronate.
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: linoleic acid.
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: acetyl glucosamine, linoleic acid, niacinamide
Anti-agingSide benefit · Lactic acid, Acetyl glucosamine + 1 moreWorks well
This product can help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness because it contains acetyl glucosamine, niacinamide.
These ingredients in the product can also be helpful, even though there is less evidence for their effectiveness: lactic acid.
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.
Anti-blemishSide benefit · Niacinamide, Linoleic acidWorks well
This product can help reduce breakouts and clogged pores because it contains the following ingredient: niacinamide. This ingredient is used for treating acne and can have a noticeable effect.
The following ingredient (ingredients) in this product might be helpful, but there is no evidence to confirm that it actually works: linoleic acid
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy9 strong irritants: Alcohol denat., Cananga odorata leaf oil + 7 more — patch-test recommendedHigh risk
ComedogenicClean of flagged comedogenic ingredientsNone flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~40–60%
Lactic acid~4.5–6.8%
- 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 acidAlpha-arbutin~3.8–5.7%
- 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-arbutinAcetyl glucosamine~2.7–4.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
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
More about Acetyl glucosaminePolysorbate 20~2–3.1%
Alcohol denat.~1.7–2.6%
- Irritation risk
- High
Produces temporary toning effect. Can help dissolve other ingredients or preserve products
More about Alcohol denat.Kojic acid~1.4–2.1%
- Irritation risk
- High
Helps to reduce hyperpigmentation and neutralize free radicals. Can be irritating
More about Kojic acidPhenoxyethanol~0.5–1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolUndecylenoyl phenylalanine~1–1.5%
- Irritation risk
- High
An amino-acid based compound that is effective in reducing hyperpigmentation. It can help lighten sun spots and support more even skin tone.
More about Undecylenoyl phenylalanineLeucine~0.6–1.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Niacinamide~0.45–1.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
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
More about NiacinamideSodium hyaluronate~0.35–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
More about Sodium hyaluronateCananga odorata leaf oil~0.35–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- High
Sodium hydroxide~0.3–0.7%
Ethylhexylglycerin~0.2–0.75%
Linoleic acid~0.45–1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An excellent emollient. Helps soften the skin, restore its barrier function, and can help to calm down inflammation. It can be helpful to prevent blemishes and clogged pores
More about Linoleic acidPropyl gallate~0.15–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve product formulations and can mask the smell of other ingredients in a product
More about Propyl gallateDisodium edta~0.1–0.45%
Sodium metabisulfite~0.1–0.2%
Benzyl benzoate~0.05–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- High
Fragrance with sweet balsamic smell. Help to preserve products and dissolve other ingredients. Could trigger allergic reactions and be irritating
More about Benzyl benzoateFarnesol~0.05–0.2%
Geraniol~0.05–0.15%
Benzyl salicylate~0.05–0.2%
Cinnamomum camphora bark oil~0.05–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- High
Linalool~0.01–0.1%
Limonene~0.01–0.05%
- Irritation risk
- High
A common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heat
More about LimoneneIngredient 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
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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.
| Medik8White Balance Original SerumYOUR PRODUCT | Face Reality SkincareglowTone Corrective Serum | ManyoGlutathione 7 Dark Spot Serum | Urban Skin RxHydraFirm + Brightening Serum | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 85% | 81% | 81% |
| Price | — | $64.00 | $19.33 | — |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 5 of 8 | 5 of 8 | 4 of 8 |
| Key difference | — | Azelaic Acid | Panthenol | Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 |
| Irritancy | High | Medium | Medium | Low |
| Drying alcohol | Contains drying alcohol | Contains drying alcohol | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Queen Natural New York 7in1 White and Bright Super SerumDaughters of Malay Post-Breakout Recovery Serum
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 18 studies and safety reviews.
- 1Epidermal and dermal effects of topical lactic acidncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 2Dual Effects of Alpha-Hydroxy Acids on the Skinpdfs.semanticscholar.org
- 3
- 4Glucosamine: an ingredient with skin and other benefitsncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 5
- 6Incorporation of D-(^H)glucosamine into normal and psoriatic epidermal glycoconjugatesonlinelibrary.wiley.com
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