Proactiv Advanced Dark Spot Correcting Serum
Works for
Evens skin toneHydroquinoneWorks well
“Advanced Dark Spot Correcting Serum”
This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: hydroquinone.
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.
MoisturizingSide benefit · Hippophae rhamnoides oil, Caprylyl glycolWorks
This product can help soften the skin and reduce its moisture loss with emollients and occlusives: hippophae rhamnoides oil, caprylyl glycol.
Keep in mind that this product does not contain effective ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. This is why an additional product with humectants like glycerin or hyaluronic acid can be helpful (apply it before this product for the best results).
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy3 strong irritants: Hydroquinone, Alcohol denat. + 1 more — patch-test recommendedHigh risk
ComedogenicClean of flagged comedogenic ingredientsNone flagged
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Ingredients
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Hydroquinone2%
- Irritation risk
- High
A potent anti-pigmentation active. It can have serious side-effects though and ideally is used under supervision of a doctor. It should not be used over a long period of time (over a year).
More about HydroquinoneWater~40–60%
Alcohol denat.~11–16%
- Irritation risk
- High
Produces temporary toning effect. Can help dissolve other ingredients or preserve products
More about Alcohol denat.Peg-40 hydrogenated castor oil~3.9–5.9%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Peg-40 hydrogenated castor oilPolysorbate 20~3.3–5%
Hippophae rhamnoides oil~2.7–4.1%
- Irritation risk
- High
A good emollient. Contains various ingredients including vitamins and fatty acids that could work in the skin to neutralize free radicals and minimize moisture loss - if enough of these compounds is able to penetrate the skin in an active form.
More about Hippophae rhamnoides oilHydroxyethylcellulose~1.8–2.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to thicken product formulations and create gel-like textures
More about HydroxyethylcelluloseSodium metabisulfite~0.1–0.2%
Sodium sulfite~0.1–0.2%
Disodium edta~0.5–1%
Citric acid~0.35–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
More about Citric acid1,2-hexanediol~0.15–0.6%
Caprylyl glycol~0.15–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolParfum~0.05–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumIngredient list view
Hydroquinone, Water, Alcohol denat., Peg-40 hydrogenated castor oil, Polysorbate 20, Hippophae rhamnoides oil, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Sodium metabisulfite, Sodium sulfite, Disodium edta, Citric acid, 1,2-hexanediol, Caprylyl glycol, Parfum
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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.
| ProactivAdvanced Dark Spot Correcting SerumYOUR PRODUCT | Porcelain SkinWhitening Serum | ZO Skin HealthPigment Control Crème 4% HQ - RX | Meaningful BeautyDark Spot Correcting Treatment | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 58% | 55% | 51% |
| Price | — | — | — | $75.40 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 1 of 2 | 1 of 2 | 1 of 2 |
| Key difference | — | Glycolic Acid | Vitamin C | Glycolic Acid |
| Irritancy | High | Medium | Medium | High |
| Drying alcohol | Contains drying alcohol | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: TONYMOLY Inkey Library Ampoule - 6 TypesDifferin Dark Spot Correcting Serum
Product summary
"Proactiv - Advanced Dark Spot Correcting Serum" is effective for: Evens skin tone
This product could be helpful for: Moisturizing, but its actives are not the most effective or are not well-studied.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 3 studies and safety reviews.
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