PRODUCT REVIEW
NARS Optimal Brightening Concentrate
Can it cause trouble?
Buy from Amazon CA CA$65.61
More options from: $74.00
Price as of 2/11/2023 7:33 GMT.
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What can the product work for?
Evens skin tone
What does the product description say?
Key Benefits Lightweight formula absorbs quickly into the skinLight Reflecting ComplexTM boosts overall skin radianceVitamin C and noni fruit extracts promote cell regenerationCombats uneven skin tone and dark spotsWorks to fight signs of ageing and skin dullnessPerfect for all skin types and dermatologist-tested MUK200009524
3-o-ethyl ascorbic acid
1% -
1.2%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness:
MEDIUM
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.
dimethicone
6% -
7.3%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
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
peg-10 dimethicone
1.9% -
2.3%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
A silicone that works to soften the upper layer of the skin and reduce its water loss
saccharomyces cerevisiae extract
0.25% -
0.45%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
A moisturizing ingredient that works as a humectant to attract water to the upper layer of the skin.
Show more
Anti-oxidation
3-o-ethyl ascorbic acid
1% -
1.2%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness:
MEDIUM
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
tocopherol
0.25% -
0.45%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Insufficient!
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?
Key Benefits Lightweight formula absorbs quickly into the skinLight Reflecting ComplexTM boosts overall skin radianceVitamin C and noni fruit extracts promote cell regenerationCombats uneven skin tone and dark spotsWorks to fight signs of ageing and skin dullnessPerfect for all skin types and dermatologist-tested MUK200009524
3-o-ethyl ascorbic acid
1% -
1.2%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness:
LOW
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
algae extract
0.3% -
0.55%
Irritation risk: Comedogenicity: High
Concentration: Effectiveness:
LOW
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
tocopherol
0.25% -
0.45%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Insufficient!
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
Honesty check
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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Can it cause trouble?
- Overall product irritation risk
- Acne & comedogenic risk ingredients: 2
Potential irritants
3-o-ethyl ascorbic acid
1% -
1.2%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Evens skin tone,
Anti-oxidation,
Anti-aging
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
parfum
0.5% -
0.75%
Irritation risk:
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
Show more
Comodogenic ingredients
algae extract
0.3% -
0.55%
Irritation risk: Comedogenicity: High
Works for:
Moisturizing,
Anti-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
plankton extract
0.25% -
0.45%
Irritation risk: Comedogenicity: High
Works for:
Moisturizing
Can help attract water to the upper layer of the skin
User reviews (0)
Similar products & dupes
| NARS - Optimal Brightening Concentrate |  MISSHA - Vita C Plus Spot Correcting Firming Ampoule Sponsored |  Elizabeth Grant - Hydra-Moist Vitamin C5 Concentrate Serum |  No7 - Lift & Luminate Triple Action Serum |  James Read - Glow20 Serum |  Pause Well-Aging - Complete Face Serum |  Algenist - Genius Ultimate Anti-Aging Vitamin C+ Serum by Algenist |  esmi - Pomegranate Brightening Serum |  BABOR - Daily Bright Serum |  Esmi Skin Minerals - Pomegranate Brightening Serum |  NassifMD Dermaceuticals - Nighttime Anti-Aging Therapy with Vitamin C & Retinol |  skinmade - Vitamin C E + Alpha Arbutin serum | |
| Price | ||||||||||||
| WIMJ similarity score |
50%
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61%
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61%
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59%
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58%
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| Key ingredients |
| Common:
Other:
| Common:
Other:
| Common:
Other: | Common:
Other:
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Other: | Common: Other:
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| Common: Other: | Common: Other:
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Other:
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| Irritancy | IRRITANCY
HIGH
| IRRITANCY
HIGH
| IRRITANCY
MEDIUM
| IRRITANCY
MEDIUM
| IRRITANCY
MEDIUM
| IRRITANCY
MEDIUM
| IRRITANCY
MEDIUM
| IRRITANCY
LOW
| IRRITANCY
MEDIUM
| IRRITANCY
LOW
| IRRITANCY
HIGH
| IRRITANCY
LOW
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Ingredients & concentrations
All ingredients
Key Actives
tocopherol
0.25% -
0.45%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Anti-oxidation,
Anti-inflammatory,
Anti-aging,
Moisturizing
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
3-o-ethyl ascorbic acid
1% -
1.2%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Evens skin tone,
Anti-oxidation,
Anti-aging
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
Show more
Potential irritants
3-o-ethyl ascorbic acid
1% -
1.2%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Evens skin tone,
Anti-oxidation,
Anti-aging
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
parfum
0.5% -
0.75%
Irritation risk:
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
Show more
Comodogenic ingredients
algae extract
0.3% -
0.55%
Irritation risk: Comedogenicity: High
Works for:
Moisturizing,
Anti-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
plankton extract
0.25% -
0.45%
Irritation risk: Comedogenicity: High
Works for:
Moisturizing
Can help attract water to the upper layer of the skin
All ingredients
dimethicone
6% -
7.3%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Moisturizing,
Mattifying
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
butylene glycol
4.7% -
5.7%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Moisturizing
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
Show more
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
Sources
- 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