Philosophy Brighten My Day Skin Perfecting & Brightening Eye Cream
Works for
3 of 3 advertised claims delivered
Evens skin tone4 ingredients credited for this claimStrong support
“The brightening formula helps to even the skin tone and reduce the appearance of discolouration, unwanted darkness and redness to give a revitalised appearance.”
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 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.
Moisturizing15 ingredients credited for this claimStrong support
“The hydrating formula helps to reduce the visible signs of ageing and fatigue for a firmer, more radiant appearance. Suitable for all skin types.”
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
Anti-aging3 ingredients credited for this claimStrong support
“The hydrating formula helps to reduce the visible signs of ageing and fatigue for a firmer, more radiant appearance. Suitable for all skin types.”
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-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
Comedogenic4 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale4 flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~45–55%
Glycerin~4.8–5.9%
- 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 GlycerinIsononyl isononanoate~4.1–5%
- 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 isononanoateDimethicone~3.1–3.8%
- 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 DimethiconeC12-15 alkyl benzoate~2.3–2.9%
- 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 benzoateCyclohexasiloxane~1.9–2.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A silicone that serves as an emollient. Helps create a nice non-greasy feels
More about CyclohexasiloxaneNiacinamide~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 glucosideHydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer~0.95–1.15%
- 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 copolymerBellis perennis flower extract~0.65–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract. Used as a fragrance. Can be irritating
More about Bellis perennis flower extractCetearyl alcohol~0.65–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
A non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture
More about Cetearyl alcoholSqualane~0.55–0.8%
- 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 SqualaneSodium polyacrylate~0.5–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a gel-like product texture, as well as to stabilize emulsions
More about Sodium polyacrylateCetearyl olivate~0.4–0.65%
Glyceryl stearate~0.45–0.7%
- 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 stearatePhenoxyethanol~0.35–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolMacadamia ternifolia seed oil~0.35–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Plant oil from nuts that helps soften the upper layer of the skin. Contains a high concentration of oleic acid that can weaken skin's barrier function and increase water-loss while enhancing penetration of other ingredients
More about Macadamia ternifolia seed oilZeolite~0.3–0.55%
Peg-100 stearate~0.35–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix togehter and creates a nice product texture
More about Peg-100 stearateCeteareth-20~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
Helps oil and water mix together. Has some emollient properties
More about Ceteareth-20Sorbitan olivate~0.25–0.45%
Xanthan gum~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumBisabolol~0.15–0.3%
- 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~0.2–0.35%
Caprylyl glycol~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolHydrolyzed jojoba esters~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Hydrolyzed jojoba estersPolysorbate 60~0.2–0.4%
Cyclopentasiloxane~0.25–0.4%
- 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 CyclopentasiloxaneSalicylic acid~0.2–0.35%
- 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 acidDisodium edta~0.2–0.4%
Parfum~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumAlgae extract~0.25–0.5%
- 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 extractPalmaria palmata extract~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
Red algae extract that helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Palmaria palmata extractLinalool~0.15–0.3%
Glycyrrhiza uralensis root extract~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Licorice root extract. Might be helpful in reducing hyperpigmentation
More about Glycyrrhiza uralensis root extractPotassium sorbate~0.15–0.3%
Limonene~0.15–0.25%
- 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~0.15–0.3%
Glycyrrhiza glabra rhizome/root extract~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Farnesol~0.1–0.15%
Bht~0.1–0.15%
Ingredient list view
Water, Glycerin, Isononyl isononanoate, Dimethicone, C12-15 alkyl benzoate, Cyclohexasiloxane, Niacinamide, Alcohol denat., Ascorbyl glucoside, Hydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer, Bellis perennis flower extract, Cetearyl alcohol, Squalane, Sodium polyacrylate, Cetearyl olivate, Glyceryl stearate, Phenoxyethanol, Macadamia ternifolia seed oil, Zeolite, Peg-100 stearate, Ceteareth-20, Sorbitan olivate, Xanthan gum, Bisabolol, 1,2-hexanediol, Caprylyl glycol, Hydrolyzed jojoba esters, Polysorbate 60, Cyclopentasiloxane, Salicylic acid, Disodium edta, Parfum, Algae extract, Palmaria palmata extract, Linalool, Glycyrrhiza uralensis root extract, Potassium sorbate, Limonene, Hydroxyisohexyl 3-cyclohexene carboxaldehyde, Sodium phosphate, Glycyrrhiza glabra rhizome/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 Perfecting & Brightening Eye CreamYOUR PRODUCT | ColorescienceTotal Eye Firm Repair Cream | Colorescience UKTotal Eye Firm & Repair Cream | BIOAQUASOURCE TOTAL EYE REVITALIZER GEL | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 86% | 86% | 81% |
| Price | $33.00 | $89.10+$56.10 | $85.93+$52.93 | $60.81+$27.81 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 4 of 12 | 2 of 12 | 5 of 12 |
| Key difference | — | Retinol | Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5 | Alteromonas Ferment Extract |
| Irritancy | High | Medium | Medium | High |
| Drying alcohol | Contains drying alcohol | — | — | Contains drying alcohol |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
Product summary
"Philosophy - Brighten My Day Skin Perfecting & Brightening Eye Cream" has a good moisturizing formula. 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). Algae extract, dimethicone, squalane, c12-15 alkyl benzoate and cetearyl alcohol in this product help decrease the water evoporation from the skin, so that it stays hydrated for longer. These ingredients also soften the skin and take away the feeling of tightness and dryness.
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
There are quite a few common irritants in this product, including ingredients without particular skin benefits. We would not recommend it for sensitive skin. 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.
About the brand
According to Cruelty-Free Kitty "Philosophy" is cruelty free, but its parent company is not.
Price
The product retails for 46.20CA$ in Canada and for 33.00£ 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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