RAWQUEST Milk Thistle Brightening SPA First Essence
Works for
3 of 4 advertised claims delivered
MoisturizingNiacinamide, Hyaluronic acid + 8 moreStrong evidence
“Contains patented Herb Complex that delivers a refreshing feeling.”
This product contains good ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. These ingredients are called "humectants": glycerin, hyaluronic acid.
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. If the air is dry, humectants can speed up the moisture loss from the skin. This is why it is a good idea to use another product on top of this one to help "seal in" the moisture (look for ingredients like dimethicone, squalane, oils and butters).
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: niacinamide
Anti-blemishNiacinamide, Camellia sinensis leaf extractStrong evidence
“Does not clog pores and good for acne prone skin.”
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.
Evens skin toneNiacinamide, Camellia sinensis leaf extractStrong evidence
“Brand from South Korea RAWQUEST. Benefits A triple-functioned essence that improves skin tone, texture and glow.”
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.
ExfoliationNo ingredient credited for this claimNo evidence
“Minimizes skin waste and dead skin that make the skin smooth and bright.”
This product does not contain effective exfoliating ingredients. It might be able to deliver physical exfoliation, that is scrub off some of the dead cells on the surface of the skin. We do not recommend physical exfoliation, because it is not uniform (some bits of skin can get exfoliated too much while others not at all). It can also traumatize the skin and aggrevate acne and other skin conditions.
Anti-agingNot advertised by the brand · Niacinamide, Adenosine + 2 moreStrong evidence
This product can help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness because it contains adenosine, 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.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy3 strong irritants: Rosa damascena flower water, Mentha rotundifolia leaf extract + 1 more — patch-test recommendedHigh risk
ComedogenicClean of flagged comedogenic ingredientsNone flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Propanediol~23–34%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin
More about PropanediolGlycerin~3.6–5.3%
- 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 Glycerin1,2-hexanediol~1.9–2.8%
Niacinamide~3.5–5.3%
- 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 NiacinamideButylene glycol~2.5–3.8%
- 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 glycolGlycereth-26~2–3%
Silybum marianum seed extract81%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Xylitol~1.5–2.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and repair the skin barrier function
More about XylitolWater~1.3–2%
Ammonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/vp copolymer~1.1–1.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Increases thickness of a product. Texture enhancer for oil-in-water emulsions
More about Ammonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/vp copolymerGlycereth-25 pca isostearate~0.9–1.35%
Ethylhexylglycerin~0.55–1.25%
Adenosine~0.45–1.05%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Might help improve cell turnover and reduce inflammation in skin. One study shows that the ingredients might be able to help reduce dynamic wrinkles (for example, in the corners of the eyes or on the forehead)
More about AdenosineDisodium edta~0.4–0.95%
Dipotassium phosphate~0.35–0.85%
Acetyl glutamine~0.35–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Hyaluronic acid~0.35–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin. Naturally present in skin. Typically has large molecule size unless advertised otherwise on the product label. Helps support skin's barrier function and may help to reduce inflammation
More about Hyaluronic acidHydrolyzed hyaluronic acid~0.35–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin. A version of it is naturally present in skin
More about Hydrolyzed hyaluronic acidSodium hyaluronate~0.3–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
More about Sodium hyaluronateCamellia sinensis leaf extract~0.15–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Can contain potent anti-oxidant compounds (abbreviated ECG, GCG, EGC, and EGCG) that might help protect the skin from free radicals. Can help calm down inflammation and has some anti-bacterial properties. Unfortunately, these antioxidants are unstable and lose their effectiveness very quickly in products. The concentration of the antioxidant compounds in the extract also tends to be low to be effective in topical formulation
More about Camellia sinensis leaf extractPyrus communis fruit extract~0.15–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can have some moisturizing properties due to its sugar content
More about Pyrus communis fruit extractRosa damascena flower water~0.15–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- High
Used to add a nice rose smell to the product. Might help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and have some anti-oxidant effect. Can be irritating
More about Rosa damascena flower waterHedera helix leaf/stem extract~0.15–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Mentha rotundifolia leaf extract~0.1–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- High
Used as a fragrance and can be irritating
More about Mentha rotundifolia leaf extractFragaria chiloensis fruit extract~0.1–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Pimpinella anisum fruit extract~0.1–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that can have some anti-oxidant properties. Can be used as a fragrance and to help preserve product formulations. Can be irritating
More about Pimpinella anisum fruit extractVaccinium macrocarpon fruit extract~0.05–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- High
A berry extract. Might have some anti-oxidant properties
More about Vaccinium macrocarpon fruit extractThymus vulgaris extract~0.05–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- High
Cellulose gum~0.1–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create thicker product consistency and stabilize emulsions
More about Cellulose gumIngredient list view
Propanediol, Glycerin, 1,2-hexanediol, Niacinamide, Butylene glycol, Glycereth-26, Silybum marianum seed extract, Xylitol, Water, Ammonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/vp copolymer, Glycereth-25 pca isostearate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, Disodium edta, Dipotassium phosphate, Acetyl glutamine, Hyaluronic acid, Hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid, Sodium hyaluronate, Camellia sinensis leaf extract, Pyrus communis fruit extract, Rosa damascena flower water, Hedera helix leaf/stem extract, Mentha rotundifolia leaf extract, Fragaria chiloensis fruit extract, Pimpinella anisum fruit extract, Vaccinium macrocarpon fruit extract, Thymus vulgaris extract, Cellulose gum
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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.
| RAWQUESTMilk Thistle Brightening SPA First EssenceYOUR PRODUCT | MedicubeTriple Collagen Toner 4.0 Mini 12ml | ARZTINA-Cera Barrier Ampoule Toner | TIRTIRCollagen Core Glow Essence 120ml | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 96% | 95% | 95% |
| Price | $6.70 | $3.48−$3.22 | $6.92 | $29.14+$22.44 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 6 of 7 | 5 of 7 | 6 of 7 |
| Key difference | — | Hydrolyzed Collagen | Ceramide Np | Panthenol |
| Irritancy | High | Medium | Low | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
Product summary
"RAWQUEST - Milk Thistle Brightening SPA First Essence" is effective for: Moisturizing, Anti-blemish, Anti-aging and Evens skin tone
Ingredient callouts
- We particularly like that there is a good concentration of Niacinamide (3.50% - 5.30%) in this moisturizer. Niacinamide is a well-studied multi-tasking active. It is a great ingredient to have in a moisturizer. It is stable, and can work well in almost any hydrating formulation. There is solid evidence that Niacinamide can help support skin barrier, regulate oil production and reduce acne and clogged pores. It also helps to fight photodamage and help improve the skin tone, reducing pigmentation marks.
- Adenosine 0.45% - 1.05%. It is a chemical present inside our skin cells. A clinical trial confirmed that topical application of Adenosine in a low concentration can reduce dynamic wrinkles (these are the wrinkles that appear with age in a places where our mimic is the most active, for example, in the corners of the eyes or on the forehead).
Price
The product retails from 6.70$ up to 31.20$ in the United States.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 11 studies and safety reviews.
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