NEOSTRATA Enlighten Illuminating Serum for Uneven Skin Tone
Works for
MoisturizingAcetyl glucosamine, Niacinamide + 5 moreWorks well
“This daily triple action moisturizer is formulated to both diminish the appearance of dark spots and brighten overall skin tone while protecting skin against further discoloration and damage.”
This product contains good ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. These ingredients are called "humectants": acetyl glucosamine, butylene glycol.
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. If the air is dry, humectants can speed up the moisture loss from the skin. This is why it is a good idea to use another product on top of this one to help "seal in" the moisture (look for ingredients like dimethicone, squalane, oils and butters).
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: acetyl glucosamine, niacinamide
Evens skin toneAcetyl glucosamine, Niacinamide + 2 moreWorks well
“This daily triple action moisturizer is formulated to both diminish the appearance of dark spots and brighten overall skin tone while protecting skin against further discoloration and damage.”
This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: acetyl glucosamine, 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: glycyrrhiza glabra root extract.
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.
ExfoliationAcetyl glucosamineNot delivered
“Patented NeoGlucosamine® gently exfoliates and encourages cell turnover to break up pigment clusters and diminish the appearance of skin discoloration.”
This product might help exfoliate the skin with acetyl glucosamine, but This ingredient is not the most effective.
Anti-agingNot advertised by the brand · Acetyl glucosamine, Niacinamide + 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.
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-blemishNot advertised by the brand · NiacinamideWorks 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.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy13 strong irritants: Alcohol denat., Lavandula angustifolia flower/leaf/stem extract + 11 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~45–55%
Acetyl glucosamine~7.2–8.8%
- 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 glucosamineButylene glycol~4.1–5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
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
More about Butylene glycolAlcohol denat.~3.1–3.8%
- Irritation risk
- High
Produces temporary toning effect. Can help dissolve other ingredients or preserve products
More about Alcohol denat.Niacinamide~2.3–2.8%
- 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 NiacinamidePolysorbate 80~1.9–2.4%
Dimethicone peg-7 phosphate~1.7–2.1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Dimethicone peg-7 phosphateLavandula angustifolia flower/leaf/stem extract~1.4–1.7%
4-butylresorcinol~1.2–1.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Glycyrrhiza glabra root extract~0.7–1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant extract that can help lighten the skin and calm down inflammation. Might be helpful in neutralizing free radicals
More about Glycyrrhiza glabra root extractTetrahexyldecyl ascorbate~0.65–1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Being a lipid soluble form of vitamin C, it is more stable than ascorbic acid, but still degrades quickly and needs to be stabilized in a formulation with another ingredient. It is claimed to penetrate skin better than pure vitamin C and have the the similar benefits, but solid studies of its effectiveness are lacking. Is likely to require a higher concentration in a product than pure vitamin C to be effective. It might be able to help reduce pore clogging.
More about Tetrahexyldecyl ascorbatePrunus armeniaca fruit extract~0.55–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A fruit extract that might have some antioxidant properties and might help attract water to the skin, but evidence of effectiveness is lacking
More about Prunus armeniaca fruit extractCitrus aurantium dulcis fruit extract~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that is used as a fragrance. Can be irritating and lead to photosensitivity
More about Citrus aurantium dulcis fruit extractJasminum officinale flower/leaf extract~0.35–0.6%
Citrus aurantium dulcis peel extract~0.35–0.65%
Elettaria cardamomum seed extract~0.35–0.6%
Vanilla planifolia fruit extract~0.35–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract used as a fragrance. Can be irritating
More about Vanilla planifolia fruit extractPlumeria rubra flower extract~0.3–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- High
Used to add a nice smell to the product. Can be irritating
More about Plumeria rubra flower extractHedychium spicatum extract~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Hibiscus abelmoschus seed extract~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Gardenia taitensis flower extract~0.25–0.45%
Pyrus malus fruit extract~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can have some moisturizing properties due to its sugar content
More about Pyrus malus fruit extractEugenia caryophyllus flower extract~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that is used as a fragrance. Can be irritating
More about Eugenia caryophyllus flower extractCaprylic/capric triglyceride~0.3–0.55%
- 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 triglycerideHydroxyethylcellulose~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to thicken product formulations and create gel-like textures
More about HydroxyethylcelluloseCaprylyl glycol~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolSodium bisulfite~0.1–0.2%
Chlorphenesin~0.15–0.3%
Phenoxyethanol~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolLinalool~0.15–0.25%
Limonene~0.1–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- High
A common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heat
More about LimoneneHydroxycitronellal~0.1–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- High
A fragrance. A likely allergen and can be irritating
More about HydroxycitronellalBenzyl alcohol~0.1–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- High
A preservative. Can be used to mask unpleasant smell. Can be irritating
More about Benzyl alcoholCi 17200~0.05–0.15%
Ci 19140~0.05–0.1%
Ingredient list view
Water, Acetyl glucosamine, Butylene glycol, Alcohol denat., Niacinamide, Polysorbate 80, Dimethicone peg-7 phosphate, Lavandula angustifolia flower/leaf/stem extract, 4-butylresorcinol, Glycyrrhiza glabra root extract, Tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate, Prunus armeniaca fruit extract, Citrus aurantium dulcis fruit extract, Jasminum officinale flower/leaf extract, Citrus aurantium dulcis peel extract, Elettaria cardamomum seed extract, Vanilla planifolia fruit extract, Plumeria rubra flower extract, Hedychium spicatum extract, Hibiscus abelmoschus seed extract, Gardenia taitensis flower extract, Pyrus malus fruit extract, Eugenia caryophyllus flower extract, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Caprylyl glycol, Sodium bisulfite, Chlorphenesin, Phenoxyethanol, Linalool, Limonene, Hydroxycitronellal, Benzyl alcohol, Ci 17200, Ci 19140
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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.
| NEOSTRATAEnlighten Illuminating Serum for Uneven Skin ToneYOUR PRODUCT | ExuvianceProfessional Optilight Brightening Serum | Medik8Clarity Peptides | skintificSerúm borrador de manchas con SymWhite 377 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 91% | 88% | 88% |
| Price | — | $40.17 | $60.75 | — |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 4 of 4 | 3 of 4 | 3 of 4 |
| Key difference | — | — | Carnosine | Ceramide Np |
| Irritancy | High | High | Low | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | Contains drying alcohol | Contains drying alcohol | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
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Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 12 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2Glucosamine: an ingredient with skin and other benefitsncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 3
- 4Incorporation of D-(^H)glucosamine into normal and psoriatic epidermal glycoconjugatesonlinelibrary.wiley.com
- 5Reduction in the appearance of facial hyperpigmentation by topical N-acetyl glucosamineonlinelibrary.wiley.com
- 6
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