PRODUCT REVIEW
Obagi Brightalive
Works for:
based on ingredients and %- Evens skin tone
- Anti-blemish
- Anti-aging
- Moisturizing
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Can it cause trouble?
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Product summary
What can the product work for?
Works for
Evens skin tone
What does the product description say?
A technologically advanced skin brightener clinically proven to increase luminosity, visibly improve skin clarity and fade the appearance of dark spots for a brighter, more even complexion. Non-hydroquinone and non-retinol.
acetyl glucosamine
0.4% -
0.65%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
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
niacinamide
3.1% -
3.7%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
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
tranexamic acid
0.45% -
0.7%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
An amino acid that is effective in reducing hyperpigmentation and evening out the skin tone. It can also help in skin barrier recovery. It is used to treat melasma, especially with injections and when taken orally
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Anti-blemish
niacinamide
3.1% -
3.7%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
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
beta-glucan
0.35% -
0.6%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness:
LOW
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin, calm down inflammation and irritation, restore the barrier function and support wound healing. It can be helpful in reducing fine lines and wrinkles
retinyl palmitate
0.2% -
0.35%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Insufficient!
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. However, in many cosmetic formulations, it is used in a concentration that is too low to have the full effect
Anti-aging
acetyl glucosamine
0.4% -
0.65%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
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
niacinamide
3.1% -
3.7%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
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
palmitoyl sh-tripeptide-5 norisoleucyl sh-nonapeptide-1
0.25% -
0.45%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness:
MEDIUM
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Moisturizing
tranexamic acid
0.45% -
0.7%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
An amino acid that is effective in reducing hyperpigmentation and evening out the skin tone. It can also help in skin barrier recovery. It is used to treat melasma, especially with injections and when taken orally
glycerin
4.9% -
5.9%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant
niacinamide
3.1% -
3.7%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
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
Show more
Honesty check
How honest is this product?
| Promise | Can it deliver? |
|---|---|
| Evens skin tone |
Total Promises Fulfilled score:
100/100.
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Can it cause trouble?
- Overall product irritation risk
- Acne & comedogenic risk ingredients: 2
Potential irritants
papain
0.3% -
0.55%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Exfoliation
An enzyme extracted from papaya fruit. Can have an exfoliating effect on the skin. Can be irritating
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Comodogenic ingredients
gossypium herbaceum seed oil
0.2% -
0.4%
Irritation risk: Comedogenicity: High
Works for:
Moisturizing
Cottonseed oil. It is used as an emollient and occlusive in products. It is rich palmitic, oleic acid, and linoleic fatty acids.
algin
0.15% -
0.3%
Irritation risk: Comedogenicity: High
Works for:
Moisturizing
Used to thicken product formulation. Can help attract water to the upper layer of the skin
Similar products & dupes
| Obagi - Brightalive |  Rohto Mentholatum - Hada Labo Gokujyun Aging Care Firming Cream Sponsored |  ZO Skin Health - Brightalive Skin Brightener |  e.l.f. Cosmetics - Blemish Breakthrough Blemish Calming Water Cream | Neutrogena - Stubborn Texture™ Niacinamide Face & Neck Serum | skinmade - Niacinamide + Allantoin serum |  Dr Naomi Skin - Over Achiever |  Regimen Lab - Level Serum |  Medik8 - Clarity Peptides |  CoverGirl - Makeup Primer 100 | Daughters of Malay - Post-Breakout Recovery Serum |  Awake Beauty - Glow Pill Super Serum | |
| Price | ||||||||||||
| WIMJ similarity score |
72%
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95%
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77%
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77%
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76%
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75%
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75%
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75%
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| Irritancy | IRRITANCY
MEDIUM
| IRRITANCY
LOW
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MEDIUM
| IRRITANCY
LOW
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LOW
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LOW
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MEDIUM
| IRRITANCY
LOW
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LOW
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LOW
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LOW
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LOW
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Ingredients & concentrations
All ingredients
Key Actives
niacinamide
3.1% -
3.7%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Evens skin tone,
Anti-blemish,
Moisturizing,
Anti-aging,
Reduces irritation,
Anti-inflammatory,
Antibacterial,
Reduces redness
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
beta-glucan
0.35% -
0.6%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Anti-inflammatory,
Moisturizing,
Reduces irritation,
Anti-aging,
Anti-oxidation,
Anti-blemish
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin, calm down inflammation and irritation, restore the barrier function and support wound healing. It can be helpful in reducing fine lines and wrinkles
Show more
Potential irritants
papain
0.3% -
0.55%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Exfoliation
An enzyme extracted from papaya fruit. Can have an exfoliating effect on the skin. Can be irritating
Show more
Comodogenic ingredients
gossypium herbaceum seed oil
0.2% -
0.4%
Irritation risk: Comedogenicity: High
Works for:
Moisturizing
Cottonseed oil. It is used as an emollient and occlusive in products. It is rich palmitic, oleic acid, and linoleic fatty acids.
algin
0.15% -
0.3%
Irritation risk: Comedogenicity: High
Works for:
Moisturizing
Used to thicken product formulation. Can help attract water to the upper layer of the skin
All ingredients
glycerin
4.9% -
5.9%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Moisturizing
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant
dimethicone
4.1% -
5%
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
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Ingredient list view
Water, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Niacinamide, Caprylyl methicone, C12-15 alkyl benzoate, Glyceryl stearate, Peg-100 stearate, Acrylamide/ammonium acrylate copolymer, Aminopropyl ascorbyl phosphate, Cetyl alcohol, Peg-12 dimethicone/ppg-20 crosspolymer, Tranexamic acid, Acetyl glucosamine, Dipotassium glycyrrhizate, Diglucosyl gallic acid, Beta-glucan, Papain, Lactic acid/glycolic acid copolymer, Palmitoyl sh-octapeptide-24 amide, Palmitoyl sh-tripeptide-5 norisoleucyl sh-nonapeptide-1, Elaeis guineensis oil, Gossypium herbaceum seed oil, Linum usitatissimum seed oil, Bidens pilosa extract, Tocopherol, Sodium bisulfite, Tocopheryl acetate, Ascorbic acid, Retinyl palmitate, Xanthan gum, Polyisobutene, Polymethyl methacrylate, Polyvinyl alcohol, Polysorbate 20, Disodium edta, 1,2-hexanediol, Carbomer, Algin, Sodium hydroxide, Parfum, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl glycol, Chlorphenesin, Pentylene glycol
Sources
- Glycerol and the skin: holistic approach to its origin and functions
- Dimethicone as a protective ingredient in topical medications
- Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Dimethicone Copolyol
- Niacinamide - mechanisms of action and its topical use in dermatology
- Gehring, W. (2004). Nicotinic acid/niacinamide and the skin. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 3(2), 88–93. doi:10.1111/j.1473-2130.2004.00115.x
- An exemplary claim substantiation for the firming / filling activity of a synthetic tripeptide
- Effect of tranexamic acid on melasma: a clinical trial with histological evaluation
- Tranexamic acid accelerates skin barrier recovery and upregulates occludin in damaged skin
- The amelioration effect of tranexamic acid in wrinkles induced by skin dryness
- Efficacy and possible mechanisms of topical tranexamic acid in melasma
- The effect of N-acetyl-glucosamine on stratum corneum desquamation and water content in human skin
- Glucosamine: an ingredient with skin and other benefits
- Genomic expression changes induced by topical N-acetyl glucosamine in skin equivalent cultures in vitro
- Incorporation of D-(^H)glucosamine into normal and psoriatic epidermal glycoconjugates
- Reduction in the appearance of facial hyperpigmentation by topical N-acetyl glucosamine
- Ameliorating effect of dipotassium glycyrrhizinate on an IL-4- and IL-13-induced atopic dermatitis-like skin-equivalent model
- Final report on the safety assessment of Glycyrrhetinic Acid, Potassium Glycyrrhetinate, Disodium Succinoyl Glycyrrhetinate, Glyceryl Glycyrrhetinate, Glycyrrhetinyl Stearate, Stearyl Glycyrrhetinate, Glycyrrhizic Acid, Ammonium Glycyrrhizate, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Disodium Glycyrrhizate, Trisodium Glycyrrhizate, Methyl Glycyrrhizate, and Potassium Glycyrrhizinate.
- β-Glucans: Multi-Functional Modulator of Wound Healing
- Anti-Wrinkle Therapy: Significant New Findings in the Non-Invasive Cosmetic Treatment of Skin Wrinkles with Beta-Glucan
- Skin Health Promotion Effects of Natural Beta-Glucan Derived from Cereals and Microorganisms: A Review
- Anticancer properties of low molecular weight oat beta-glucan – An in vitro study
- A critical review on production and industrial applications 2 of beta-glucans
- Improving skin function with CM-glucan, a biological response modifier from yeast
- Preparation, characterization, and biological properties of β-glucans
- Characterization of a new beta(1-3)-glucan branching activity of Aspergillus fumigatus
- Genetic Architecture of Palm Oil Fatty Acid Composition in Cultivated Oil Palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) Compared to Its Wild Relative E. oleifera (H.B.K) Cortés
- Nutrient composition of Nigerian palm kernel from the dura and tenera varieties of the oil palm (Elaeis guineensis)
- Vitamin E in dermatology
- Vitamin E and Skin Health
- Final report of the cosmetic ingredient review expert panel on the safety assessment of Polyisobutene and Hydrogenated Polyisobutene as used in cosmetics