Neutrogena Rapid Tone Repair Retinol + Vitamin C Dark Spot Corrector
Works for
Anti-agingRetinol, Ascorbyl glucosideWorks well
“With retinol & vitamin c, the daily serum brightens skin tone & smooths the look of fine lines & texture.”
This product can help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness because it contains retinol.
These ingredients in the product can also be helpful, even though there is less evidence for their effectiveness: ascorbyl glucoside.
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 toneRetinol, Ascorbyl glucosideWorks well
“This dark spot corrector face serum targets stubborn dark spots for more even skin tone.”
This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: retinol.
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: ascorbyl glucoside.
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.
Anti-oxidationNot advertised by the brand · Ascorbyl glucoside, Retinol + 1 moreWorks well
This product contains antioxidants (retinol) that can help neutralize free radicals in skin. By doing so, they can lessen the damage the skin gets from the UV light (sun).
The following ingredients - ascorbyl glucoside also can have an antioxidant effect, but there is less evidence to confirm their effectiveness in skin.
ExfoliationNot advertised by the brand · RetinolWorks 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: retinol.
Anti-blemishNot advertised by the brand · RetinolWorks well
This product can help reduce breakouts and clogged pores because it contains the following ingredient: retinol. This ingredient is used for treating acne and can have a noticeable effect.
MoisturizingNot advertised by the brand · Dimethicone, Dimethicone crosspolymer + 9 moreWorks
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, 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: dimethicone, c12-15 alkyl benzoate.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy3 strong irritants: Parfum, Hydrolyzed myrtus communis leaf extract + 1 more — patch-test recommendedHigh risk
ComedogenicClean of flagged comedogenic ingredientsNone flagged
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~40–60%
Dimethicone~5.1–7.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
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
More about DimethiconeDimethicone crosspolymer~3.5–5.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product texture. Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and might be able to prevent moisture loss from its surface
More about Dimethicone crosspolymerAluminum starch octenylsuccinate~2.7–4.1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to thicken the product's consistency
More about Aluminum starch octenylsuccinateAmmonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/vp copolymer~2.1–3.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Increases thickness of a product. Texture enhancer for oil-in-water emulsions
More about Ammonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/vp copolymerTrisiloxane~1.7–2.6%
Nylon-12~1.5–2.3%
Ascorbyl glucoside~1.3–2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A vitamin C derivative that is more stable but less potent than pure form of vitamin C. Has a potential to boost collagen production, nutralise free radicals and 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
More about Ascorbyl glucosideC12-15 alkyl benzoate~1.1–1.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Enhances the product texture and makes it more spreadable. Helps reduce water loss from the outer layer of skin. Extands the shelf life by preventing bacteria growth
More about C12-15 alkyl benzoateGlycerin~0.9–1.35%
- 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 GlycerinCaprylyl glycol~0.5–1.2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolPolyacrylamide~0.45–1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to improve product texture and help oil and water mix together
More about PolyacrylamideXanthan gum~0.35–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumParfum~0.2–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumC13-14 isoparaffin~0.2–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin, dissolve other ingredients and create a thicker product consistency
More about C13-14 isoparaffinSodium hyaluronate~0.15–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
More about Sodium hyaluronateSodium lactate~0.15–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin. Is often used to adjust the pH level of the product
More about Sodium lactateHydrolyzed myrtus communis leaf extract~0.15–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- High
Sodium hydroxide~0.15–0.55%
Bht~0.1–0.45%
Disodium edta~0.1–0.4%
Polysorbate 20~0.1–0.45%
Laureth-7~0.1–0.4%
Retinol~0.1–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- High
Two steps removed from the active form of vitamin A - retinoic acid. Once converted to the retinoic acid in the skin, retinol is proven to be effective against all signs of aging. It improves skin cell turnover, helps fight blemishes and clogged pores, can regulate excess oil production and even skin tone. It can, however, be quite irritating
More about RetinolSodium pca~0.1–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Naturally present in skin and helps to attract water to its upper layer
More about Sodium pcaSorbitol~0.05–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improves the product texture
More about SorbitolProline~0.1–0.3%
Hinokitiol~0.05–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Mica~0.05–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Creates an illusion of smoother and more radiant skin tone. Adds shimmer to the skin by reflecting light
More about MicaTitanium dioxide~0.05–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
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
More about Titanium dioxideIngredient list view
Water, Dimethicone, Dimethicone crosspolymer, Aluminum starch octenylsuccinate, Ammonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/vp copolymer, Trisiloxane, Nylon-12, Ascorbyl glucoside, C12-15 alkyl benzoate, Glycerin, Caprylyl glycol, Polyacrylamide, Xanthan gum, Parfum, C13-14 isoparaffin, Sodium hyaluronate, Sodium lactate, Hydrolyzed myrtus communis leaf extract, Sodium hydroxide, Bht, Disodium edta, Polysorbate 20, Laureth-7, Retinol, Sodium pca, Sorbitol, Proline, Hinokitiol, Mica, Titanium dioxide
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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.
| NeutrogenaRapid Tone Repair Retinol + Vitamin C Dark Spot CorrectorYOUR PRODUCT | UltraceuticalsUltra A Perfecting Serum | BlissYouth Got This Serum | PRCeretin Serum Age-Defying Concentrate | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 93% | 93% | 92% |
| Price | $24.99 | — | $32.00+$7.01 | — |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 5 of 7 | 5 of 7 | 5 of 7 |
| Key difference | — | Salicylic Acid | Anhydroxylitol | Ceramide Eop |
| Irritancy | High | Medium | Medium | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: The Purest Solutions Youth Radiant Renewal Retinol SerumNassifMD Dermaceuticals Nighttime Anti-Aging Therapy with Vitamin C & Retinol
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 13 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Dimethicone Copolyoljournals.sagepub.com
- 3The Roles of Vitamin C in Skin Healthncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 4
- 5
- 6Safety Assessment of Isoparaffins as Used in Cosmeticsjournals.sagepub.com
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