Peter Thomas Roth Potent-C Niacinamide Discoloration Treatment
Works for
Evens skin toneNiacinamide, Tranexamic acid + 4 moreWorks well
“Intensive brightening treatment helps improve the look of discoloration, dark spots and post-acne marks.”
This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: alpha-arbutin, kojic acid, niacinamide, tranexamic 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: resveratrol.
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-agingSide benefit the brand mentions · Niacinamide, Resveratrol + 2 moreWorks well
“Peter Thomas Roth's Potent-C Niacinamide Discoloration Treatment is an intensive brightening treatment with Vitamin C and Niacinamide that helps reduce the look of discoloration, dark spots and post-acne marks.”
This product can help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness because it contains niacinamide.
These ingredients in the product can also be helpful, even though there is less evidence for their effectiveness: resveratrol.
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-oxidationNot advertised by the brand · Kojic acid, Resveratrol + 4 moreWorks well
This product contains antioxidants (kojic acid, resveratrol) that can help neutralize free radicals in skin. By doing so, they can lessen the damage the skin gets from the UV light (sun).
MoisturizingNot advertised by the brand · Niacinamide, Tranexamic acid + 13 moreWorks well
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, caprylyl glycol.
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: caprylic/capric triglyceride, dimethicone.
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: niacinamide
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?
Irritancy17 flagged ingredientsMedium risk
Comedogenic2 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale2 flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~45–55%
Niacinamide~5.5–6.7%
- 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 NiacinamideDimethyl isosorbide~4.5–5.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to dissolve other ingredients in a product and can enhance their ability to penetrate the skin
More about Dimethyl isosorbideIsononyl isononanoate~3.3–4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Forms a protective film on the surface of the skin to prevent moisture loss. Gives a velvety feel to products while reducing tackiness
More about Isononyl isononanoateTranexamic acid~2.3–2.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
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
More about Tranexamic acidDimethicone~2–2.4%
- 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 DimethiconeCaprylic/capric triglyceride~1.6–2%
- 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 triglycerideAlpha-arbutin~1.4–1.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Might help reduce hyperpigmentation when used regularly over a long period of time. Is more effective than beta-arbutin
More about Alpha-arbutinCetyl alcohol~1.2–1.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A non-drying alcohol that works to soften the skin and stabilize product formulations helping oil and water mix together
More about Cetyl alcoholGlyceryl stearate~0.95–1.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that softens the skin and forms a protective layer on its surface. Helps water and oil mix together
More about Glyceryl stearatePentylene glycol~0.7–1.05%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product texture
More about Pentylene glycolPropanediol~0.55–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin
More about PropanediolC9-12 alkane~0.5–0.75%
Citric acid~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
More about Citric acidGlyceryl stearate se~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
Used to stabilize the product formulations and works as an emollient
More about Glyceryl stearate seButyrospermum parkii butter~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
A great moisturising ingredient that softens the skin and reduces water loss from its upper layer. It also can be helpful in protecting skin from free radicals
More about Butyrospermum parkii butterTetrahexyldecyl ascorbate~0.4–0.6%
- 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 ascorbateKojic acid~0.3–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- High
Helps to reduce hyperpigmentation and neutralize free radicals. Can be irritating
More about Kojic acidResveratrol~0.3–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps neutralize free radicals in skin and might help reduce fine lines and wrinkles, as well as even out the skin tone
More about ResveratrolTocopheryl acetate~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A more stable but less bio-available form of vitamin E compared to Tocopherol. Might help moisturize and protect the skin from free radicals, but mostly used in low concentrations to stabilize other ingredients.
More about Tocopheryl acetateDiethylhexyl syringylidenemalonate~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to stabilize the product formulation
More about Diethylhexyl syringylidenemalonateHydrangea arborescens root extract~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- High
Plant extract that might help neutralize free radicals, but evidence of effectiveness in skin is lacking
More about Hydrangea arborescens root extractMorus alba root extract~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Scutellaria lateriflora extract~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Hydrolyzed vegetable protein~0.25–0.45%
Silica~0.35–0.6%
Sodium stearoyl glutamate~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Sodium stearoyl glutamateCoco-caprylate/caprate~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin without creating a greasy texture
More about Coco-caprylate/caprateDimethiconol~0.3–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A silicone that makes products more spreadable and keeps skin smooth. Helps to add gloss to skin and may visually fill in fine lines/wrinkles for short time
More about DimethiconolGlycerin~0.25–0.5%
- 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 GlycerinSodium phytate~0.25–0.45%
Potassium sorbate~0.25–0.45%
Sodium benzoate~0.2–0.4%
Caprylyl glycol~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolHexylene glycol~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps create a more spreadable product texture
More about Hexylene glycolPolysorbate 20~0.2–0.35%
Ceteth-20~0.25–0.45%
Steareth-20~0.2–0.35%
Polyacrylate crosspolymer-6~0.1–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Peg-75 stearate~0.15–0.25%
Titanium dioxide~0.15–0.25%
- 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 dioxidePhenoxyethanol~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolIngredient list view
Water, Niacinamide, Dimethyl isosorbide, Isononyl isononanoate, Tranexamic acid, Dimethicone, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Alpha-arbutin, Cetyl alcohol, Glyceryl stearate, Pentylene glycol, Propanediol, C9-12 alkane, Citric acid, Glyceryl stearate se, Butyrospermum parkii butter, Tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate, Kojic acid, Resveratrol, Tocopheryl acetate, Diethylhexyl syringylidenemalonate, Hydrangea arborescens root extract, Morus alba root extract, Scutellaria lateriflora extract, Hydrolyzed vegetable protein, Silica, Sodium stearoyl glutamate, Coco-caprylate/caprate, Dimethiconol, Glycerin, Sodium phytate, Potassium sorbate, Sodium benzoate, Caprylyl glycol, Hexylene glycol, Polysorbate 20, Ceteth-20, Steareth-20, Polyacrylate crosspolymer-6, Peg-75 stearate, Titanium dioxide, Phenoxyethanol
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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.
| Peter Thomas RothPotent-C Niacinamide Discoloration TreatmentYOUR PRODUCT | MedicubeTXA + Niacinamide Capsule Cream | BootsIngredients Multibiotic Moisturiser | skintificMSH Niacinamide Brightening Moisturizer | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 83% | 83% | 83% |
| Price | $65.00 | $19.64−$45.36 | — | $26.24−$38.76 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 5 of 11 | 5 of 11 | 4 of 11 |
| Key difference | — | 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid | Mineral Oil | Ceramide As |
| Irritancy | Medium | Medium | Low | Low |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: P.CALM Light Active CreamElsheSkin Radiant Glow Brightening Moisturiser
Product summary
"Peter Thomas Roth - Potent-C Niacinamide Discoloration Treatment" is effective for: Anti-aging, Evens skin tone, Moisturizing and Anti-blemish
Ingredient callouts
- A good concentration of Niacinamide (5.50% - 6.70%). Niacinamide is a well-studied multi-tasking active. It is stable, and can work well in almost any hydrating formulation. There is solid evidence that Niacinamide can help support skin barrier, regulate oil production and reduce acne and clogged pores. It also helps to fight photodamage and improve the skin tone, reducing pigmentation marks.
- Humectants (glycerin 0.30% - 0.50%). These ingredients help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improve the skin hydration.
Price
The product retails for 65.00$ in the United States.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 22 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4Effect of tranexamic acid on melasma: a clinical trial with histological evaluationonlinelibrary.wiley.com
- 5Tranexamic acid accelerates skin barrier recovery and upregulates occludin in damaged skinonlinelibrary.wiley.com
- 6
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