Works for
1 of 1 advertised claim delivered
Evens skin toneLactic acid, Azelaic acid + 3 moreStrong evidence
“This exceptional combination of Hydroquinone, Phenylethyl Resorcinol, and Kojic, Azelaic and Lactic Acids, helps to exfoliate, lighten and inhibit hyperpigmentation and age spots.”
This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: azelaic acid, glutathione, kojic acid, lactic acid
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: phenylethyl resorcinol.
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 · Kojic acid, Glutathione + 1 moreStrong evidence
This product contains antioxidants (azelaic acid, glutathione, kojic acid) that can help neutralize free radicals in skin. By doing so, they can lessen the damage the skin gets from the UV light (sun).
ExfoliationNot advertised by the brand · Lactic acid, Azelaic acidStrong evidence
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: lactic acid.
Anti-blemishNot advertised by the brand · Azelaic acidStrong evidence
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.
Anti-agingNot advertised by the brand · Lactic acidModerate evidence
This product contains lactic acid. This ingredient might be able to help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness, but there is not enough evidence that it actually works.
MoisturizingNot advertised by the brand · Lactic acid, Glutathione + 1 moreGood evidence
This product contains good ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. These ingredients are called "humectants": lactic acid, 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).
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy3 strong irritants: Hamamelis virginiana water, Sd alcohol 40-b + 1 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~40–60%
Hamamelis virginiana water~5.9–8.8%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that can help calm down inflammation in skin. Can, however, itself be irritating
More about Hamamelis virginiana waterSd alcohol 40-b~3.7–5.6%
- Irritation risk
- High
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 Sd alcohol 40-bButylene glycol~2.7–4%
- 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 glycolLactic acid~2–2.9%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An exfoliating and moisturizing alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA). Typically causes less irritation than other AHAs, for example, glycolic acid. At high concentrations (about 15%), lactic acid can help reduce lines and wrinkles. Recent studies show that lactic acid can support the "good" bacteria living on skin's surface (healthy skin microbiome)
More about Lactic acidAzelaic acid~1.4–2.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
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 acidAlcohol~1–1.5%
- Irritation risk
- High
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 AlcoholKojic acid~0.6–1.35%
- Irritation risk
- High
Helps to reduce hyperpigmentation and neutralize free radicals. Can be irritating
More about Kojic acidHydroxyethylcellulose~0.4–1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to thicken product formulations and create gel-like textures
More about HydroxyethylcellulosePhenylethyl resorcinol~0.15–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- High
Might help reduce hyperpigmentation in skin and help neutralize free radicals
More about Phenylethyl resorcinolBht~0.1–0.4%
Glutathione~0.05–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A peptide that can help neutralize free radicals in skin and reduce melanin production resulting in skin lightening effect and reduction in hyperpigmentation. It can also help attract moisture to the upper layer of the skin
More about GlutathioneSilybum marianum fruit extract~0.05–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Ingredient list view
Water, Hamamelis virginiana water, Sd alcohol 40-b, Butylene glycol, Lactic acid, Azelaic acid, Alcohol, Kojic acid, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Phenylethyl resorcinol, Bht, Glutathione, Silybum marianum fruit extract
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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.
| PCA SKINPigment GelYOUR PRODUCT | Matte BeautyHydroquinone Cream USP, 6% Skin Bleaching Cream | Nurse JamieClear 2 Lightweight Moisturizer | NEX SkincareMoisturiser | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 82% | 77% | 75% |
| Price | $89.66 | — | $30.36−$59.30 | — |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 1 of 5 | 3 of 5 | 3 of 5 |
| Key difference | — | Hydroquinone | Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate | Niacinamide |
| Irritancy | High | Medium | Medium | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | Contains drying alcohol | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 7 studies and safety reviews.
- 1Epidermal and dermal effects of topical lactic acidncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 2Dual Effects of Alpha-Hydroxy Acids on the Skinpdfs.semanticscholar.org
- 3TOPICAL TREATMENT OF MELASMAncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 4
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