POND'S Dark Spot Corrector Normal to Dry Skin
Works for
2 of 2 advertised claims delivered
MoisturizingNiacinamide, Paraffinum liquidum + 11 moreStrong evidence
“Ponds Clarant B3 Dark Spot Correcting Cream (Normal to Dry) is a face moisturizer that evens skin tone and visibly diminishes the appearance of dark spots and discoloration in 4 weeks.”
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:
glutamic acid, 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, isopropyl myristate.
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: niacinamide, paraffinum liquidum
Evens skin toneNiacinamideStrong evidence
“Ponds Clarant B3 Dark Spot Correcting Cream (Normal to Dry) is a face moisturizer that evens skin tone and visibly diminishes the appearance of dark spots and discoloration in 4 weeks.”
This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: niacinamide
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 · Niacinamide, Tocopherol + 1 moreStrong evidence
This product can help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness because it contains niacinamide.
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 · Niacinamide, Allantoin + 1 moreStrong evidence
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?
Irritancy6 strong irritants: Parfum, Alpha-isomethyl ionone + 4 more — patch-test recommendedHigh risk
Comedogenic1 ingredient rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale1 flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~45–55%
Stearic acid~7.2–8.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix together and works as an emollient
More about Stearic acidNiacinamide~4.5–5.5%
- 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 NiacinamideIsopropyl myristate~3.3–4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
An emollient that helps soften the skin. Could be comedogenic
More about Isopropyl myristateGlyceryl stearate~2.4–3%
- 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 stearateParaffinum liquidum~2–2.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Mineral oil. One of the most effective and well studied occlusive and emollient moisturizing ingredients. Helps reduce moisture loss in skin and repair skin barrier function
More about Paraffinum liquidumEthylhexyl methoxycinnamate~2.1–2.6%
- Irritation risk
- High
Octinoxate. When used in higher concentrations, works as a sunscreen protecting the skin from UVB rays. When used in lower concentration, helps to preserve the product formulation. Is shown to be harmful to coral reefs - consider avoiding bathing in coral reef areas when wearing a product with this ingredient. It can be irritating
More about Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamateGlycerin~1.6–1.9%
- 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 GlycerinTriethanolamine~1.2–1.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to adjust pH of the product and can help improve the product's smell
More about TriethanolamineCetyl alcohol~1.1–1.4%
- 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 alcoholDimethicone~0.9–1.15%
- 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 DimethiconeCarbomer~0.65–1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps create a thicker or gel-like product texture. It is not a surfactant but can be used in gentle cleansing formulations
More about CarbomerButyl methoxydibenzoylmethane~0.9–1.1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Avobenzone. An organic, or so-called "chemical" UV filter. Protects against both UVA and UVB rays. Needs to be combined with other filters in a formulation to be stable.
More about Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethanePhenoxyethanol~0.55–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolGlutamic acid~0.55–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An amino-acid that helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Glutamic acidMethylparaben~0.15–0.3%
Parfum~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumSodium pca~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Naturally present in skin and helps to attract water to its upper layer
More about Sodium pcaPropylparaben~0.2–0.4%
Hydroxystearic acid~0.55–0.8%
Tocopheryl acetate~0.45–0.65%
- 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 acetateSodium hydroxide~0.4–0.6%
Allantoin~0.3–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps calm down inflammation in skin and can help reduce itching. Helps to repair the skin barrier and keep skin hydrated
More about AllantoinDisodium edta~0.35–0.65%
Bht~0.35–0.65%
Palmitic acid~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that is naturally present in skin and helps soften it
More about Palmitic acidSodium ascorbyl phosphate~0.35–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A stable derivative of vitamin C. It is oil-soluble which means it is more likely to penetrate the skin compared to the pure form of vitamin C (which is water-soluble), but it is less bio-available and is way less effective in stimulating collagen and reducing wrinkles compared to the pure form of vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid) and its other derivatives (for example, magnesium ascorbyl phosphate). At the same time, this vitamin C derivative has been shown in studies to be effective in reducing acne, blemishes and clogged pores. It is less irritating then the pure form of vitamin C
More about Sodium ascorbyl phosphatePyridoxine hcl~0.35–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Might help neutralize free radicals in skin
More about Pyridoxine hclArachidic acid~0.5–0.75%
Aluminum hydroxide~0.4–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Is used to add opaque (non-transparent) appearance to formulations. Can be used to coat other ingredients for even dispersion. This is a different ingredient compared to the ones used in antipersperants (aluminium chloride and aluminium chlorohydrate)
More about Aluminum hydroxideZinc oxide~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A broad spectrum sunblock (protects from both UVA and UVB rays). Is suitable for most sensitive skins. In small concentrations, can be used as a colorant
More about Zinc oxideTocopherol~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Pure form of vitamin E. Can help moisturise and protect the skin from free radicals. Often used to help stabilise other ingredients or the formula itself
More about TocopherolAlpha-isomethyl ionone~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- High
A fragrance. Potential allergen and can be irritating
More about Alpha-isomethyl iononeCitronellol~0.25–0.4%
Citrus aurantium peel oil~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Dimethyl phenethyl acetate~0.15–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Geraniol~0.15–0.25%
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 LimoneneLinalool~0.1–0.2%
Linalyl acetate~0.1–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
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 dioxideIngredient list view
Water, Stearic acid, Niacinamide, Isopropyl myristate, Glyceryl stearate, Paraffinum liquidum, Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate, Glycerin, Triethanolamine, Cetyl alcohol, Dimethicone, Carbomer, Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane, Phenoxyethanol, Glutamic acid, Methylparaben, Parfum, Sodium pca, Propylparaben, Hydroxystearic acid, Tocopheryl acetate, Sodium hydroxide, Allantoin, Disodium edta, Bht, Palmitic acid, Sodium ascorbyl phosphate, Pyridoxine hcl, Arachidic acid, Unknown, Aluminum hydroxide, Zinc oxide, Tocopherol, Alpha-isomethyl ionone, Citronellol, Citrus aurantium peel oil, Dimethyl phenethyl acetate, Geraniol, Limonene, Linalool, Linalyl acetate, Titanium dioxide
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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.
| POND'SDark Spot Corrector Normal to Dry SkinYOUR PRODUCT | May Island7 Days Secret 4D Hyaluronic Cream | Secret KeySnow White Cream | Farm StaySnail Repair Cream | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 87% | 85% | 85% |
| Price | $13.99 | $16.30+$2.31 | $9.13−$4.86 | $12.69−$1.30 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 3 of 13 | 5 of 13 | 5 of 13 |
| Key difference | — | Adenosine | Beeswax | Adenosine |
| Irritancy | High | Medium | Medium | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 23 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3A review on the extensive skin benefits of mineral oilncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 4
- 5
- 6Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Dimethicone Copolyoljournals.sagepub.com
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