Philosophy Clear Days Ahead Dark Spot Correcting Serum
Works for
Evens skin toneNiacinamide, Ascorbyl glucoside + 3 moreWorks well
“Clear Days Ahead Dark Spot Correcting Serum”
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-agingSide benefit · Niacinamide, Ascorbyl glucosideWorks well
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.
MoisturizingSide benefit · Niacinamide, Glycerin + 8 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, butylene 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: dimethicone, cyclopentasiloxane.
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: niacinamide
Anti-blemishSide benefit the brand mentions · Niacinamide, Salicylic acidWorks well
“Clear Days Ahead Dark Spot Correcting Serum”
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-oxidationSide benefit · Ascorbyl glucoside, Tartaric acid + 4 moreMay help
This product contains antioxidants (ascorbyl glucoside, tartaric acid) 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
Be the first — your take helps the next person decide.
Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~40–60%
Glycerin~3.9–5.8%
- 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 GlycerinAlcohol denat.~3.5–5.3%
- Irritation risk
- High
Produces temporary toning effect. Can help dissolve other ingredients or preserve products
More about Alcohol denat.Niacinamide~2.6–3.9%
- 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 NiacinamideAscorbyl glucoside~2.1–3.1%
- 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 glucosideCyclohexasiloxane~1.7–2.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A silicone that serves as an emollient. Helps create a nice non-greasy feels
More about CyclohexasiloxaneZeolite~1.4–2.1%
Bellis perennis flower extract~1.2–1.8%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract. Used as a fragrance. Can be irritating
More about Bellis perennis flower extractXanthan gum~0.95–1.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumStyrene/acrylates copolymer~0.8–1.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create an even product consistency. Can help boost efficiency of sunscreen filters
More about Styrene/acrylates copolymerPhenoxyethanol~0.45–1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolSodium hydroxide~0.35–0.85%
Dimethicone~0.35–0.85%
- 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 DimethiconeSodium polyacrylate~0.3–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a gel-like product texture, as well as to stabilize emulsions
More about Sodium polyacrylateBisabolol~0.15–0.65%
- 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~0.15–0.7%
Caprylyl glycol~0.2–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolCyclopentasiloxane~0.15–0.7%
- 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 CyclopentasiloxaneDisodium edta~0.15–0.55%
Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer~0.15–0.55%
- 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~0.1–0.4%
- 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 acidParfum~0.1–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumTrideceth-6~0.1–0.4%
Sargassum muticum extract~0.1–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Palmaria palmata extract~0.1–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
Red algae extract that helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Palmaria palmata extractTartaric acid~0.1–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An AHA (alpha-hydroxy acid). It oxidizes quickly which makes it less effective in skincare formulations. It can support skin's barrier and moisture levels
More about Tartaric acidSodium metabisulfite~0.1–0.2%
Sodium sulfite~0.1–0.2%
Peg/ppg-18/18 dimethicone~0.1–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A silicone that mixes with water creating nice light-weight product texture
More about Peg/ppg-18/18 dimethiconeSodium lauryl sulfate~0.4–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- High
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
A cleansing agent (SLS). It can be irritating
More about Sodium lauryl sulfateLinalool~0.05–0.2%
Limonene~0.05–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- High
A common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heat
More about LimoneneGlycyrrhiza uralensis root extract~0.05–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Licorice root extract. Might be helpful in reducing hyperpigmentation
More about Glycyrrhiza uralensis root extractPotassium sorbate~0.1–0.3%
Butylene glycol~0.05–0.3%
- 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 glycolSodium phosphate~0.05–0.3%
Carica papaya fruit extract~0.05–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- High
Psidium guajava fruit extract~0.05–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- High
A fruit extract that might have some anti-oxidant effect
More about Psidium guajava fruit extractGlycyrrhiza glabra rhizome/root extract~0.05–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Glycyrrhiza glabra root extract~0.05–0.3%
- 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~0.05–0.2%
Saxifraga sarmentosa extract~0.05–0.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Bht~0.01–0.05%
Ingredient list view
Water, Glycerin, Alcohol denat., Niacinamide, Ascorbyl glucoside, Cyclohexasiloxane, Zeolite, Bellis perennis flower extract, Xanthan gum, Styrene/acrylates copolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium hydroxide, Dimethicone, Sodium polyacrylate, Bisabolol, 1,2-hexanediol, Caprylyl glycol, Cyclopentasiloxane, Disodium edta, Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer, Salicylic acid, Parfum, Trideceth-6, Sargassum muticum extract, Palmaria palmata extract, Tartaric acid, Sodium metabisulfite, Sodium sulfite, Peg/ppg-18/18 dimethicone, Sodium lauryl sulfate, Linalool, Limonene, Glycyrrhiza uralensis root extract, Potassium sorbate, Butylene glycol, Sodium phosphate, Carica papaya fruit extract, Psidium guajava fruit extract, Glycyrrhiza glabra rhizome/root extract, Glycyrrhiza glabra root extract, Farnesol, Saxifraga sarmentosa extract, Bht
Compare prices
Retailers ranked by price — lowest first.
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.
| PhilosophyClear Days Ahead Dark Spot Correcting SerumYOUR PRODUCT | skintific2% SALICYLIC ACID ANTI ACNE SERUM | HoraceSérum Acide Salicylique 2 % + Niacinamide 3 % | Hey BudKojic Acid + Alpha Arbutin Pigmentation Treatment | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 91% | 90% | 88% |
| Price | — | — | — | — |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 4 of 11 | 4 of 11 | 3 of 11 |
| Key difference | — | Oligopeptide-1 | Saccharide Isomerate | Alpha-Arbutin |
| Irritancy | High | Medium | Low | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | Contains drying alcohol | — | — | Contains drying alcohol |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Radiant Glow Botanical Advanced Acne SerumAdaptology Time Warp Anti-Ageing Serum
Product summary
"Philosophy - Clear Days Ahead Dark Spot Correcting Serum" is effective for: Moisturizing, Anti-aging, Evens skin tone and Anti-blemish
This product could be helpful for: Anti-inflammatory, but its actives are not the most effective or are not well-studied.
Ingredient callouts
- A good concentration of Niacinamide (2.60% - 3.90%). 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 3.90% - 5.80%). These ingredients help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improve the skin hydration.
About the brand
According to Cruelty-Free Kitty "Philosophy" is cruelty free, but its parent company is not.
Price
The product retails for 40.00CA$ in Canada.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 20 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4The Roles of Vitamin C in Skin Healthncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 5
- 6
Affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.