Philosophy Brighten My Day Skin All-Over Skin Perfecting Brightening Hydrating Emulsion
Works for
2 of 2 advertised claims delivered
Moisturizing12 ingredients credited for this claimStrong support
“Brighten My Day Skin All-Over Skin Perfecting Brightening Hydrating Emulsion”
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:
algae extract, glycerin.
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, squalane.
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: niacinamide
Evens skin tone5 ingredients credited for this claimStrong support
“Designed to create the appearance of brighter, more radiant skin, the light-weight formula helps to reduce the appearance of uneven tone and dullness.”
This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: niacinamide
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, glycyrrhiza glabra root extract, glycyrrhiza uralensis root extract.
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-agingNot advertised by the brand · 3 ingredients credited for this claimStrong support
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: 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.
Anti-blemishNot advertised by the brand · 2 ingredients credited for this claimStrong support
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.
Anti-oxidationNot advertised by the brand · 3 ingredients credited for this claimModerate support
This product contains antioxidants (ascorbyl glucoside) that might be able to help neutralize free radicals in skin to lessen the damage it gets from the UV light (sun). There is not enough evidence to confirm their effectiveness in skin though.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy7 strong irritants: Alcohol denat., Bellis perennis flower extract + 5 more — patch-test recommendedHigh 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%
Glycerin~4.4–5.4%
- 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 GlycerinC12-15 alkyl benzoate~4.2–5.1%
- 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 benzoateIsopropyl myristate~3.1–3.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
An emollient that helps soften the skin. Could be comedogenic
More about Isopropyl myristateDimethicone~2.4–2.9%
- 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 DimethiconeMethyl methacrylate crosspolymer~1.9–2.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps thicken the product consistency
More about Methyl methacrylate crosspolymerNiacinamide~1.6–2%
- 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 NiacinamideAlcohol denat.~1.4–1.7%
- Irritation risk
- High
Produces temporary toning effect. Can help dissolve other ingredients or preserve products
More about Alcohol denat.Ascorbyl glucoside~1.2–1.5%
- 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 glucosideBellis perennis flower extract~0.9–1.1%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract. Used as a fragrance. Can be irritating
More about Bellis perennis flower extractCyclopentasiloxane~0.7–1.05%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A silicone that helps improve the product texture and spreadability. Can absorb oil creating a short-term mattifying effect on the skin
More about CyclopentasiloxanePhenoxyethanol~0.55–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolXanthan gum~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumCyclohexasiloxane~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A silicone that serves as an emollient. Helps create a nice non-greasy feels
More about CyclohexasiloxaneHydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A gelling agent that thickens the product consistency and leaves the skin with a velvety finish
More about Hydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymerSodium polyacrylate~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a gel-like product texture, as well as to stabilize emulsions
More about Sodium polyacrylateBisabolol~0.3–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An active component of chamomile plant that historically has been used to calm down irritated skin. A recent study shows that bisabolol indeed can have some anti-inflammatory effect on skin, even though conclusive data is lacking. Bisabolol has a sweet floral scent and can be added to products for its aromatic properties
More about Bisabolol1,2-hexanediol~0.3–0.6%
Boron nitride~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to absord oil and evenly disperse other ingredients (for example, pigment) in product formulation
More about Boron nitrideCaprylyl glycol~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolZeolite~0.3–0.55%
Squalane~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An oil naturally present in skin. Works as an emollient to soften the skin and form a protective layer on its surface without a greasy feeling.
More about SqualaneHydrolyzed jojoba esters~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Hydrolyzed jojoba estersAcrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Maintains the texture of skincare products. Allows the product to spread evenly. Helps oil and water mix together
More about Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymerSalicylic acid~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- High
Used for skin exfoliation. It has an anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial effect, helps to unclog pores, prevent blemishes and speed up healing of the existing ones. Sometimes referred to as a BHA (beta-hydroxy acid)
More about Salicylic acidSodium hydroxide~0.25–0.45%
Disodium edta~0.25–0.45%
Trideceth-6~0.25–0.45%
Parfum~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumPolysorbate 60~0.25–0.45%
Algae extract~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
Plant extract that helps the skin to attract water and make it more smooth for touch. Also shows promise of anti-aging properties, but research is not extensive yet
More about Algae extractPeg/ppg-18/18 dimethicone~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A silicone that mixes with water creating nice light-weight product texture
More about Peg/ppg-18/18 dimethiconeLinalool~0.2–0.35%
Glycyrrhiza uralensis root extract~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Licorice root extract. Might be helpful in reducing hyperpigmentation
More about Glycyrrhiza uralensis root extractPotassium sorbate~0.2–0.35%
Limonene~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- High
A common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heat
More about LimoneneHydroxyisohexyl 3-cyclohexene carboxaldehyde~0.15–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- High
A fragrance. Can be irritating
More about Hydroxyisohexyl 3-cyclohexene carboxaldehydeSodium phosphate~0.15–0.25%
Glycyrrhiza glabra rhizome/root extract~0.15–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Glycyrrhiza glabra root extract~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant extract that can help lighten the skin and calm down inflammation. Might be helpful in neutralizing free radicals
More about Glycyrrhiza glabra root extractFarnesol~0.1–0.15%
Bht~0.05–0.1%
Ingredient list view
Water, Glycerin, C12-15 alkyl benzoate, Isopropyl myristate, Dimethicone, Methyl methacrylate crosspolymer, Niacinamide, Alcohol denat., Ascorbyl glucoside, Bellis perennis flower extract, Cyclopentasiloxane, Phenoxyethanol, Xanthan gum, Cyclohexasiloxane, Hydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer, Sodium polyacrylate, Bisabolol, 1,2-hexanediol, Boron nitride, Caprylyl glycol, Zeolite, Squalane, Hydrolyzed jojoba esters, Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer, Salicylic acid, Sodium hydroxide, Disodium edta, Trideceth-6, Parfum, Polysorbate 60, Algae extract, Peg/ppg-18/18 dimethicone, Linalool, Glycyrrhiza uralensis root extract, Potassium sorbate, Limonene, Hydroxyisohexyl 3-cyclohexene carboxaldehyde, Sodium phosphate, Glycyrrhiza glabra rhizome/root extract, Glycyrrhiza glabra root extract, Farnesol, Bht
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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.
| PhilosophyBrighten My Day Skin All-Over Skin Perfecting Brightening Hydrating EmulsionYOUR PRODUCT | BiodermaHydrabio Gel-Creme | AtwaterOil Regulator Facial Moisturizer | TulaOil-Free Acne Moisturizer | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 88% | 84% | 84% |
| Price | $42.00 | $17.50−$24.50 | $35.00−$7.00 | $48.00+$6.00 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 7 of 14 | 6 of 14 | 5 of 14 |
| Key difference | — | Polymethylsilsesquioxane | Panthenol | Azelaic Acid |
| Irritancy | High | Medium | Medium | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | Contains drying alcohol | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
Product summary
"Philosophy - Brighten My Day Skin All-Over Skin Perfecting Brightening Hydrating Emulsion" is a well-rounded moisturizing product. The formulation is based on a combination of good humectants and emollients. Both are needed to increase the skin hydration level. Humectants in this product (algae extract, glycerin and caprylyl glycol) help to increase the water content in the upper layer of the skin. (These ingredients do so by "capturing" water molecules from the outside air or from within the deeper layers of the skin). Emollients in this formulation (algae extract, isopropyl myristate, dimethicone, squalane and c12-15 alkyl benzoate) help to reduce the moisture loss from the skin. They also soften the skin surface and relieve the feeling of dryness and tightness.
Ingredient callouts
- We love that this moisturizer contains a good concentration of niacinamide 1.60% - 2.00%. Niacinamide is a perfect active in a moistruizer because it helps calm down inflamation in skin and support the skin barrier. More than that, it is helpful for most common skin concerns: it helps regulat oil production, help reduce acne and clogged pores, improve skin tone and prevent pigmentation marks. It also helps fight photodamage.
Irritation risk
This moisturizer contains a bunch of common irritants, including ingredients that do not provide any known benefit for the skin. It might not be the best choice if your skin is sensitive. We assess the overall irritancy of this moisturizer to be high. For a detailed overview of all potential irritants: click here
You can see the detailed formula review with the breakdown of all actives in the product and the full ingredient list with estimated concentrations in the tables below.
Price
The product retails for 42.00$ in the United States, for 73.50CA$ in Canada and for 42.00£ in the United Kingdom.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 14 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Dimethicone Copolyoljournals.sagepub.com
- 4
- 5
- 6The Roles of Vitamin C in Skin Healthncbi.nlm.nih.gov
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