PCA SKIN Pigment Bar

PCA SKIN Pigment Bar

Efficacy83/100IrritancyHigh

Works for

Cleansing
Sorbitan oleate, Glycine soja protein
Cleanses gently
What the product description says
“Suitable for daily use, the cleansing bar treats discolourations over large areas on the face and body.”
Source: Face the future

This product works by removing dirt and oil from the surface of the skin. It uses a combination of mild cleansing agents (glycine soja protein, sorbitan oleate) and should be able to cleanse the skin gently. Still keep in mind that any cleansing can disrupt the skin barrier, and most people do not need to cleanse their skin more than once per day.

Sorbitan oleateEffect: HighHelps oil and water mix together~1.1–1.7%
Glycine soja proteinEffect: HighA plant extract that helps to attract water to the upper layer of the skin and soften it. It might be helpful in neutralizing free radicals. It might be somewhat helpful for evening out the skin tone. It might be able to support elastin production but solid research is lacking~0.55–1.35%
Anti-blemish
Azelaic acid, Camellia sinensis leaf extract + 1 more
Works well
What the product description says
“Exfoliating kojic, azelaic and tannic acids control breakouts and diminish hyperpigmentation while cleansing the skin of dirt and debris.”
Source: Dermstore

This product can help reduce breakouts and clogged pores because it contains the following ingredient: azelaic acid. This ingredient is used for treating acne and can have a noticeable effect.

Azelaic acidHeroEffect: HighIs produced by a yeast that lives on normal human skin. It is used in medicine as a topical treatment for mild to moderate acne. It has a mild exfoliating effect. It can also help reduce hyperpigmentation, helps calm down inflammation and can help neutralize free radicals~0.35–0.8%
Camellia sinensis leaf extractEffect: LowCan contain potent anti-oxidant compounds (abbreviated ECG, GCG, EGC, and EGCG) that might help protect the skin from free radicals. Can help calm down inflammation and has some anti-bacterial properties. Unfortunately, these antioxidants are unstable and lose their effectiveness very quickly in products. The concentration of the antioxidant compounds in the extract also tends to be low to be effective in topical formulation~0.3–0.75%
NiacinamideUnder-dosedIs 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~0.15–0.5%
Exfoliation
Azelaic acid, Urea
Not delivered
What the product description says
“Exfoliating kojic, azelaic and tannic acids control breakouts and diminish hyperpigmentation while cleansing the skin of dirt and debris.”
Source: Dermstore

This product might help exfoliate the skin with azelaic acid, urea, but These ingredients is not the most effective.

Azelaic acidKey activeEffect: MediumIs produced by a yeast that lives on normal human skin. It is used in medicine as a topical treatment for mild to moderate acne. It has a mild exfoliating effect. It can also help reduce hyperpigmentation, helps calm down inflammation and can help neutralize free radicals~0.35–0.8%
UreaKey activeEffect: MediumNaturally present in skin (urea makes up about 7% of natural moisturizing factors in skin). Attracts water to the upper layer of the skin. Also has a positive effect on the skin barrier beyond the humectant action. Can enhance penetration of other ingredients. Is an exfoliating ingredient when used in high concentrations~0.1–0.35%

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy
4 strong irritants: Hamamelis virginiana water, Alcohol + 2 more — patch-test recommended
High risk
We flagged 8 ingredients with irritancy potential. Severity depends on your sensitivity threshold; the table lists the worst offenders first.
IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount
Hamamelis virginiana waterA plant extract that can help calm down inflammation in skin. Can, however, itself be irritatingHigh~1.6–2.3%est.
AlcoholCan be drying and contribute to skin irritation. Used in formulars to dissolve other ingredients, create a thinner product consistency or for its antibacterial propertiesHigh~0.45–1%est.
ParfumAn aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredientsHigh~0.4–0.9%est.
Kojic acidHelps to reduce hyperpigmentation and neutralize free radicals. Can be irritatingHigh~0.4–0.9%est.
Camphor—High~0.1–0.35%est.
Ricinus communis seed oilA plant oil that can help soften the skin. It might be helpful in calming down inflammation, but solid research is lacking. Is often used in lip products to create the needed product consistencyMedium~4.2–6.2%est.
Sorbitan oleateHelps oil and water mix togetherMedium~1.1–1.7%est.
Sodium lactateHelps attract water to the upper layer of the skin. Is often used to adjust the pH level of the productMedium~0.1–0.45%est.
Comedogenic
2 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale
2 flagged
These ingredients have a comedogenic rating of 2 or more on a 0–5 scale; the table shows each one's rating. In leave-on products they can clog pores in acne-prone skin.
IngredientFunctionRatingEst. amount
Cocos nucifera oilAn emollient. Found to be as effective as a moisturizer for dry skin as mineral oil. Could be comedogenic3/5~5.3–8%est.
Sorbitan oleateHelps oil and water mix together2/5~1.1–1.7%est.

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Ingredients

Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.

Glycerin~22–33%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
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

More about Glycerin
Cocos nucifera oil~5.3–8%
Comedogenic 3/5
Irritation risk
Low
Comedogenicity
3/5
Works for
Moisturizing

An emollient. Found to be as effective as a moisturizer for dry skin as mineral oil. Could be comedogenic

More about Cocos nucifera oil
Elaeis guineensis kernel oil~5.2–7.8%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

Helps soften the upper layer of the skin

More about Elaeis guineensis kernel oil
Ricinus communis seed oil~4.2–6.2%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
MoisturizingAnti-inflammatory

A plant oil that can help soften the skin. It might be helpful in calming down inflammation, but solid research is lacking. Is often used in lip products to create the needed product consistency

More about Ricinus communis seed oil
Water~2.8–4.2%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Plain old water

More about Water
Sodium hydroxide~2.1–3.2%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Used to adjust the product's pH

More about Sodium hydroxide
Hamamelis virginiana water~1.6–2.3%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Anti-inflammatory

A plant extract that can help calm down inflammation in skin. Can, however, itself be irritating

More about Hamamelis virginiana water
Carthamus tinctorius seed oil~1.4–2.2%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
MoisturizingAnti-oxidation

An emollient that helps soften the skin and might help calm down inflammation

More about Carthamus tinctorius seed oil
Sorbitan oleate~1.1–1.7%
Comedogenic 2/5Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Comedogenicity
2/5
Works for
Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix together

More about Sorbitan oleate
Sorbitol~0.85–1.25%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improves the product texture

More about Sorbitol
Glycine soja protein~0.55–1.35%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
CleansingMoisturizingEvens skin toneAnti-agingAnti-oxidation

A plant extract that helps to attract water to the upper layer of the skin and soften it. It might be helpful in neutralizing free radicals. It might be somewhat helpful for evening out the skin tone. It might be able to support elastin production but solid research is lacking

More about Glycine soja protein
Alcohol~0.45–1%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Antibacterial

Can be drying and contribute to skin irritation. Used in formulars to dissolve other ingredients, create a thinner product consistency or for its antibacterial properties

More about Alcohol
Parfum~0.4–0.9%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients

More about Parfum
Kojic acid~0.4–0.9%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Evens skin toneAnti-oxidation

Helps to reduce hyperpigmentation and neutralize free radicals. Can be irritating

More about Kojic acid
Azelaic acid~0.35–0.8%
Hero · Anti-blemish
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Anti-blemishAnti-oxidationEvens skin toneExfoliation

Is produced by a yeast that lives on normal human skin. It is used in medicine as a topical treatment for mild to moderate acne. It has a mild exfoliating effect. It can also help reduce hyperpigmentation, helps calm down inflammation and can help neutralize free radicals

More about Azelaic acid
Camellia sinensis leaf extract~0.3–0.75%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
AntibacterialAnti-oxidationAnti-agingAnti-blemishMoisturizingEvens skin tone

Can contain potent anti-oxidant compounds (abbreviated ECG, GCG, EGC, and EGCG) that might help protect the skin from free radicals. Can help calm down inflammation and has some anti-bacterial properties. Unfortunately, these antioxidants are unstable and lose their effectiveness very quickly in products. The concentration of the antioxidant compounds in the extract also tends to be low to be effective in topical formulation

More about Camellia sinensis leaf extract
Calcium ascorbate~0.2–0.75%
Formula
Glucosamine hcl~0.15–0.65%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
MoisturizingAntibacterialEvens skin toneAnti-oxidationAnti-aging

Might be able to stimulate production of skin's natural moisturizing compounds such as hyaluronic acid. Could be helpful for evening the skin tone.

More about Glucosamine hcl
Maltose~0.15–0.6%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
More about Maltose
Niacinamide~0.15–0.5%
Under-dosed
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Evens skin toneAnti-agingMoisturizingAnti-blemishReduces irritationAntibacterialAnti-inflammatoryReduces 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

More about Niacinamide
Sodium lactate~0.1–0.45%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Moisturizing

Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin. Is often used to adjust the pH level of the product

More about Sodium lactate
Tannic acid~0.1–0.4%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
More about Tannic acid
Camphor~0.1–0.35%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
More about Camphor
Urea~0.1–0.35%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
MoisturizingExfoliation

Naturally present in skin (urea makes up about 7% of natural moisturizing factors in skin). Attracts water to the upper layer of the skin. Also has a positive effect on the skin barrier beyond the humectant action. Can enhance penetration of other ingredients. Is an exfoliating ingredient when used in high concentrations

More about Urea
Ingredient list view

Glycerin, Cocos nucifera oil, Elaeis guineensis kernel oil, Ricinus communis seed oil, Water, Sodium hydroxide, Hamamelis virginiana water, Carthamus tinctorius seed oil, Sorbitan oleate, Sorbitol, Glycine soja protein, Alcohol, Parfum, Kojic acid, Azelaic acid, Camellia sinensis leaf extract, Calcium ascorbate, Glucosamine hcl, Maltose, Niacinamide, Sodium lactate, Tannic acid, Camphor, Urea

Compare prices

Retailers ranked by price — lowest first.

Bluemercury
$56.00
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Amazon USPrice as of 11/7 09:19 GMT
$64.00
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Dermstore3.3 oz
$64.00
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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.

Side-by-side comparison of this product against its closest alternatives
PCA SKINPigment BarYOUR PRODUCTFilorgaAge-Purify CleanFirst Aid BeautyBrighten + Glow Exfoliating Gel Cleanser with AHA and Jojoba PearlsTulaAcne Spot Treatment
Match—81%80%80%
Price$56.00$29.45−$26.55$27.90−$28.10$43.68−$12.32
Shared key ingredients—5 of 133 of 133 of 13
Key difference—Glycolic AcidLactic AcidCapryloyl Salicylic Acid
Irritancy High Medium Low Medium
Drying alcohol Contains drying alcohol ———
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Sources cited in this review

Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 13 studies and safety reviews.

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As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.