Works for:
based on ingredients and %- Moisturizing
- Evens skin tone
- Anti-oxidation
Doesn't work for:
based on ingredients and %- Anti-aging
Can it cause trouble?
- Irritation risk: high
- Comedogenic risk ingredients: 2
Key actives
Product Summary
"NARS - Optimal Brightening Concentrate" could be helpful for: Moisturizing and Evens skin tone, but its actives are not the most effective or are not well-studied.
Ingredient callouts
- Humectants (algae extract 0.30% - 0.55%, yeast extract 0.25% - 0.45% and glycerin 3.40% - 4.10%). These ingredients help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improve the skin hydration.
Price
The product retails for 54.00£ in the United Kingdom and for 74.00$ in the United States.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Anti-oxidation
This product contains antioxidants (3-o-ethyl ascorbic acid) 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.
A vitamin C derivative that is more stable but less potent than pure form of vitamin C. Can help neutralize free radicals and help reduce hyperpigmentation, but the required concentration is likely to be much higher than for the pure form of vitamin C, limiting the ingredient's effectiveness in products
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
Evens skin tone
What does the product description say?
Dark spots begin to fade from view and skin appears youthful, prismatic and illuminated.
Source: SpaceNK US
The following ingredient (ingredients) in this product might be helpful, but there is no evidence to confirm that it actually works: 3-o-ethyl ascorbic acid.
A vitamin C derivative that is more stable but less potent than pure form of vitamin C. Can help neutralize free radicals and help reduce hyperpigmentation, but the required concentration is likely to be much higher than for the pure form of vitamin C, limiting the ingredient's effectiveness in products
Moisturizing
What does the product description say?
Perfect for use twice a day before using the Nars Luminous Moisture Cream.
Source: SpaceNK EU
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, 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: dimethicone, peg-10 dimethicone.
A silicone that helps to reduce water loss from the surface of the skin. Can temporarily "fill in" lines and wrinkles, absorb oil, and create a nice product finish
A silicone that works to soften the upper layer of the skin and reduce its water loss
A moisturizing ingredient that works as a humectant to attract water to the upper layer of the skin.
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant
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
Can help attract water to the upper layer of the skin
Used to improve the product consistency and soften the upper layer of the skin
Used to create a nice product texture and help delivery of other ingredients. Might be somewhat helpful in attracting water to the upper layer of the skin
Helps to dissolve other ingredients and attract water to the upper layer of the skin
Polysaccharide derived from seaweed. Used to create a thicker product consistency and might help attract water to the upper layer of the skin
Helps dissolve other ingredients and attract water to the upper layer of the skin
Might have some moisturizing and anti-inflammatory properties. Can be added to products to create a nice smell.
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
Anti-aging
What does the product description say?
Dark spots begin to fade from view and skin appears youthful, prismatic and illuminated.
Source: SpaceNK US
This product does not contain ingredients that are able to reduce fine lines and wrinkles or help with skin elasticity, but it can improve the look of the skin temporarily through moisturization. Well-moisturized skin might also be able to repair the sun damage better.This ingredient - 3-o-ethyl ascorbic acid - could be helpful for preventing or repairing signs of aging in theory, but there is no evidence that it actually works.
This ingredient 3-o-ethyl ascorbic acid might be able to help neutralize free radicals in skin and help it fight off some of the sun damage.
A vitamin C derivative that is more stable but less potent than pure form of vitamin C. Can help neutralize free radicals and help reduce hyperpigmentation, but the required concentration is likely to be much higher than for the pure form of vitamin C, limiting the ingredient's effectiveness in products
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
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
How honest is this product?
| Promise | Can it deliver? |
|---|---|
| Moisturizing | |
| Evens skin tone | |
| Anti-aging |
Total Promises Fulfilled score: 66/100.
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Potential irritants
Comedogenic ingredients
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| Product | Similarity | Price | Irritancy |
|---|---|---|---|
 NARS Optimal Brightening Concentrate | Current | $54.00 | |
Elizabeth Grant Hydra-Moist Vitamin C5 Concentrate Serum | 61% | - | |
No7 Lift & Luminate Triple Action Serum | 61% | $15.99 | |
 James Read Glow20 Serum | 59% | $27.50 | |
 Olay Super Serum 5 Serum Benefits In One | 59% | $34.99 | |
Cetaphil Healthy Radiance Brightening-C Serum | 58% | - |
Key Actives
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
A vitamin C derivative that is more stable but less potent than pure form of vitamin C. Can help neutralize free radicals and help reduce hyperpigmentation, but the required concentration is likely to be much higher than for the pure form of vitamin C, limiting the ingredient's effectiveness in products
A silicone that helps to reduce water loss from the surface of the skin. Can temporarily "fill in" lines and wrinkles, absorb oil, and create a nice product finish
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
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant
A silicone that works to soften the upper layer of the skin and reduce its water loss
A moisturizing ingredient that works as a humectant to attract water to the upper layer of the skin.
Works as a UV filter when used in high concentrations. It is photostable and is effective mostly against the UVB light, with some protection in the UVA range. In small concentrations, used for its ability to improve the color of cosmetic products. Is usually well tolerated by the skin
Potential irritants
A vitamin C derivative that is more stable but less potent than pure form of vitamin C. Can help neutralize free radicals and help reduce hyperpigmentation, but the required concentration is likely to be much higher than for the pure form of vitamin C, limiting the ingredient's effectiveness in products
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
Might have some moisturizing and anti-inflammatory properties. Can be added to products to create a nice smell.
A common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heat
Helps to control the skin's pH level. Maintains the skin's natural film of amino-lactic acids and oils. Helps to preserve products
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
Polysaccharide derived from seaweed. Used to create a thicker product consistency and might help attract water to the upper layer of the skin
A moisturizing ingredient that works as a humectant to attract water to the upper layer of the skin.
Can help attract water to the upper layer of the skin
Comedogenic ingredients
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
Can help attract water to the upper layer of the skin
All ingredients
A silicone that helps to reduce water loss from the surface of the skin. Can temporarily "fill in" lines and wrinkles, absorb oil, and create a nice product finish
Used to create a nice product texture and help delivery of other ingredients. Might be somewhat helpful in attracting water to the upper layer of the skin
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant
A type of silicone that create a smooth product finish and can create an optical soft-focus effect on the skin. Helps to thicken the product consistency
Used to improve the product consistency and soften the upper layer of the skin
A silicone that works to soften the upper layer of the skin and reduce its water loss
Helps dissolve other ingredients and attract water to the upper layer of the skin
Helps to dissolve other ingredients and attract water to the upper layer of the skin
A vitamin C derivative that is more stable but less potent than pure form of vitamin C. Can help neutralize free radicals and help reduce hyperpigmentation, but the required concentration is likely to be much higher than for the pure form of vitamin C, limiting the ingredient's effectiveness in products
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
Helps to control the skin's pH level. Maintains the skin's natural film of amino-lactic acids and oils. Helps to preserve products
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
Used to stabilize product formulations and create a nice product texture
Might have some moisturizing and anti-inflammatory properties. Can be added to products to create a nice smell.
Dissolves other ingredients. It does not have additional skin benefits compared to plain water
Polysaccharide derived from seaweed. Used to create a thicker product consistency and might help attract water to the upper layer of the skin
A moisturizing ingredient that works as a humectant to attract water to the upper layer of the skin.
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
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
Can help attract water to the upper layer of the skin
The same compound that is used safely in dental implants and bone cements. In cosmetics, it is used to improve the consistency of products
A common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heat
Creates an illusion of smoother and more radiant skin tone. Adds shimmer to the skin by reflecting light
Works as a UV filter when used in high concentrations. It is photostable and is effective mostly against the UVB light, with some protection in the UVA range. In small concentrations, used for its ability to improve the color of cosmetic products. Is usually well tolerated by the skin
An umbrella term for the following three colorants: CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499. They might be able to offer some protection against visible light, but the degree of the protection is not clear
Ingredient list view
Water, Dimethicone, Butylene glycol, Glycerin, Vinyl dimethicone/methicone silsesquioxane crosspolymer, Hydrogenated polyisobutene, Peg-10 dimethicone, Peg-32, Peg-6, 3-o-ethyl ascorbic acid, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium citrate, Parfum, Citric acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Dimethicone/vinyl dimethicone crosspolymer, Unknown, Hydrolyzed viola tricolor extract, Maris aqua, Sea water, Potassium hydroxide, Agar, Saccharomyces cerevisiae extract, Polysilicone-2, Trisodium edta, Algae, Algae extract, Barium sulfate, Morinda citrifolia extract, Morinda citrifolia leaf extract, Unknown, Thymus serpyllum extract, Potassium sorbate, Tocopherol, Plankton extract, Alumina, Citral, Geranyl linalool, Limonene, Mica, Ci 77891, Titanium dioxide, Ci 77492, Iron oxides
- Dimethicone as a protective ingredient in topical medications
- Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Dimethicone Copolyol
- Glycerol and the skin: holistic approach to its origin and functions
- Final report of the cosmetic ingredient review expert panel on the safety assessment of Polyisobutene and Hydrogenated Polyisobutene as used in cosmetics
- Safety Evaluation of Polyethylene Glycol (PEG) Compounds for Cosmetic Use
- Antioxidant Ability and Stability Studies of 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, a Cosmetic Tyrosinase Inhibitor
- Final report on the safety assessment of EDTA, calcium disodium EDTA, diammonium EDTA, dipotassium EDTA, disodium EDTA, TEA-EDTA, tetrasodium EDTA, tripotassium EDTA, trisodium EDTA, HEDTA, and trisodium HEDTA
- Vitamin E in dermatology
- Vitamin E and Skin Health
- Safety Assessment of Alumina and Aluminum Hydroxide as Used in Cosmetics