Works for
Anti-agingNiacinamide, Retinyl propionateWorks well
“MELÉ Even Dark Spot Control Serum is a bi-phase serum that reduces the appearance of dark spots, targets signs of aging, and gently exfoliates to remove impurities.”
This product can help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness because it contains niacinamide.
These ingredients in the product can also be helpful, even though there is less evidence for their effectiveness: retinyl propionate.
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.
Evens skin toneNiacinamide, Retinyl propionate + 1 moreWorks well
“Even Dark Spot Control Serum”
This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: niacinamide
The following ingredient (ingredients) in this product might be helpful, but there is no evidence to confirm that it actually can help even out the skin tone: hexylresorcinol, retinyl propionate.
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.
ExfoliationRetinyl propionate, SEA SALTNot delivered
“MELÉ Even Dark Spot Control Serum is a bi-phase serum that reduces the appearance of dark spots, targets signs of aging, and gently exfoliates to remove impurities.”
This product does not contain effective exfoliating ingredients. It might be able to deliver physical exfoliation, that is scrub off some of the dead cells on the surface of the skin. We do not recommend physical exfoliation, because it is not uniform (some bits of skin can get exfoliated too much while others not at all). It can also traumatize the skin and aggrevate acne and other skin conditions.
MoisturizingSide benefit · Niacinamide, Glycerin + 2 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:
glycerin.
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: caprylic/capric triglyceride, isodecyl neopentanoate.
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: niacinamide
Anti-oxidationSide benefit · Hexylresorcinol, Tocopheryl acetateMay help
This product contains antioxidants (hexylresorcinol) 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-blemishSide benefit · Niacinamide, Retinyl propionateMay help
This product might be able to help reduce blemishes and clogged pores because it contains niacinamide.
The following ingredient (ingredients) in this product might be helpful, but there is no evidence to confirm that it actually works: retinyl propionate
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy5 strong irritants: Retinyl propionate, Parfum + 3 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%
Isodecyl neopentanoate~5.3–8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that helps soften the skin. It also forms a protective on its surface to reduce water loss.
More about Isodecyl neopentanoateGlycerin~3.6–5.3%
- 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 GlycerinCaprylic/capric triglyceride~2.9–4.3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A good mix of fatty acids that forms a protective layer on the skin. Improves the shelf life of products. Derived from coconut and glycerin
More about Caprylic/capric triglycerideNiacinamide~2.1–3.1%
- 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 NiacinamideCaprylyl/capryl glucoside~1.9–2.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together. Can be used as a cleansing agent
More about Caprylyl/capryl glucosideTocopheryl acetate~1.4–2.1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A more stable but less bio-available form of vitamin E compared to Tocopherol. Might help moisturize and protect the skin from free radicals, but mostly used in low concentrations to stabilize other ingredients.
More about Tocopheryl acetatePhenoxyethanol~0.5–1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolSodium chloride~1.1–1.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to stabilize mixtures of oil and water, and create thicker, gel-like product textures
More about Sodium chlorideHexylresorcinol~0.85–1.25%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Might be helpful in reducing hyperpigmentation and neutralizing free radicals in skin
More about HexylresorcinolRetinyl propionate~0.5–1.2%
- Irritation risk
- High
Three steps removed from the active form of vitamin A - retinoic acid. To have an effect in the skin, it first needs to be converted twice to become the retinoic acid. This means it is less potent than retinol, but could also be less irritating. Once converted to the retinoic acid in the skin, it helps against all signs of aging, improves skin cell turnover and helps fight blemishes and clogged pores, even thought its potency is not as well established as in case of retinol or retinaldehyde
More about Retinyl propionateCocamide mea~0.45–1.05%
Pentaerythrityl tetra-di-t-butyl hydroxyhydrocinnamate~0.4–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to increase stability of product formulations
More about Pentaerythrityl tetra-di-t-butyl hydroxyhydrocinnamateParfum~0.3–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumCoumarin~0.15–0.65%
Limonene~0.15–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- High
A common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heat
More about LimoneneLinalool~0.1–0.45%
Ci 19140~0.1–0.4%
Ci 42090~0.1–0.3%
Ci 17200~0.05–0.25%
Beta-carotene~0.05–0.2%
Ingredient list view
Water, Isodecyl neopentanoate, Glycerin, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Niacinamide, Caprylyl/capryl glucoside, Tocopheryl acetate, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium chloride, Hexylresorcinol, Retinyl propionate, Cocamide mea, Pentaerythrityl tetra-di-t-butyl hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Parfum, Coumarin, Limonene, Linalool, Ci 19140, Ci 42090, Ci 17200, Beta-carotene
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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.
| MELÉEven Dark Spot Control SerumYOUR PRODUCT | SheaMoistureEven & Radiant Dark Spot Correcting Serum | Paula's choiceResist Triple Active Total Repair Serum | Hourglass CosmeticsEquilibrium Resurfacing Retinoid Treatment | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 100% | 100% | 100% |
| Price | $9.99 | $13.98+$3.99 | $54.72+$44.73 | $104.60+$94.61 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 5 of 5 | 5 of 5 | 5 of 5 |
| Key difference | — | Glycine Soja Oil | Dilauryl Thiodipropionate | Dilauryl Thiodipropionate |
| Irritancy | High | Medium | Medium | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Jowaé Youth Concentrate Complexion CorrectingKate Somerville Kx Active Concentrates Vitamin B3 + Vitamin C Serum
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 7 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4Retinol and retinyl esters: biochemistry and physiologyncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 5
- 6
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