Rodan + Fields REVERSE Intensive Brightening Toner
Works for
Evens skin toneLactic acid, Hexylresorcinol + 3 moreWorks well
“What it is: A brightening toner that visibly smooths skin texture + minimizes the look of dark spots for luminous, healthy-looking skin.”
This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: lactic acid, salicylic acid
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: hexylresorcinol.
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.
MoisturizingPanthenol, Lactic acid + 8 moreWorks well
“Lactic and salicylic acid encourages surface cell turnover to visibly brighten while hyaluronic acid hydrates thirsty skin.”
This product contains good ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. These ingredients are called "humectants": glycerin, lactic 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: panthenol
ExfoliationSide benefit · Lactic acid, Salicylic acidWorks well
This product can help exfoliate the skin. In other words, it helps break down the bonds between dead cells on the surface of the skin and speed up the skin turnover. Skin often appears softer and brighter after exfoliation, but overdoing it can result in disrupted skin barrier. The following ingredient is doing the exfoliating job in this product: lactic acid, salicylic acid.
Anti-blemishSide benefit · Salicylic acid, NiacinamideWorks well
This product can help reduce breakouts and clogged pores because it contains the following ingredient: salicylic acid. This ingredient is used for treating acne and can have a noticeable effect.
Anti-agingSide benefit · Lactic acid, NiacinamideMay help
This product contains lactic acid. This ingredient might be able to help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness, but there is not enough evidence that it actually works.
Anti-oxidationSide benefit · HexylresorcinolMay help
This product contains antioxidants (hexylresorcinol) 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?
Irritancy5 strong irritants: Hamamelis virginiana water, Parfum + 3 more — patch-test recommendedHigh risk
ComedogenicClean of flagged comedogenic ingredientsNone 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%
Hamamelis virginiana water~4.6–6.9%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that can help calm down inflammation in skin. Can, however, itself be irritating
More about Hamamelis virginiana waterButylene glycol~3.5–5.3%
- 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 glycolLactic acid~2.6–4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An exfoliating and moisturizing alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA). Typically causes less irritation than other AHAs, for example, glycolic acid. At high concentrations (about 15%), lactic acid can help reduce lines and wrinkles. Recent studies show that lactic acid can support the "good" bacteria living on skin's surface (healthy skin microbiome)
More about Lactic acidPentylene glycol~2.1–3.1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product texture
More about Pentylene glycolPolysorbate 20~1.6–2.5%
Ethoxydiglycol~1.3–2%
Bis-peg-12 dimethicone~1.2–1.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of silicone. Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Bis-peg-12 dimethiconeTrideceth-9~0.95–1.45%
Glycerin~0.85–1.3%
- 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 GlycerinPhenoxyethanol~0.5–1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolPeg-5 isononanoate~0.4–0.95%
Sodium hydroxide~0.35–0.8%
Hexylresorcinol~0.3–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Might be helpful in reducing hyperpigmentation and neutralizing free radicals in skin
More about HexylresorcinolPanthenol~0.2–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help improve skin barrier function
More about PanthenolSalicylic acid~0.2–0.75%
- 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 acidDipotassium glycyrrhizate~0.2–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A salt derived from licorice. Works as an emollient to soften the upper layer of the skin and can help calm down inflammation. Might be helpful for skin lightening
More about Dipotassium glycyrrhizateDextrin~0.2–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A sugar that is used to stabilize the product formulation. Can help attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about DextrinPolydextrose~0.15–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Amylopectin~0.15–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Parfum~0.15–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumNiacinamide~0.15–0.55%
- 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 NiacinamideEthylhexylglycerin~0.1–0.45%
Disodium edta~0.1–0.45%
Polyacrylate crosspolymer-6~0.1–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Sodium hyaluronate~0.1–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
More about Sodium hyaluronateLimonene~0.1–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- High
A common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heat
More about LimoneneCitrus aurantium peel oil~0.1–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Hexamethylindanopyran~0.1–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Linalool~0.05–0.25%
Acetyl cedrene~0.05–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Linalyl acetate~0.05–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Pinene~0.05–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Tetramethyl acetyloctahydronaphthalenes~0.01–0.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Citral~0.01–0.05%
Ingredient list view
Water, Hamamelis virginiana water, Butylene glycol, Lactic acid, Pentylene glycol, Polysorbate 20, Ethoxydiglycol, Bis-peg-12 dimethicone, Trideceth-9, Glycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Peg-5 isononanoate, Sodium hydroxide, Hexylresorcinol, Panthenol, Salicylic acid, Dipotassium glycyrrhizate, Dextrin, Polydextrose, Amylopectin, Parfum, Niacinamide, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium edta, Polyacrylate crosspolymer-6, Sodium hyaluronate, Limonene, Citrus aurantium peel oil, Hexamethylindanopyran, Linalool, Acetyl cedrene, Linalyl acetate, Pinene, Tetramethyl acetyloctahydronaphthalenes, Citral
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.
| Rodan + FieldsREVERSE Intensive Brightening TonerYOUR PRODUCT | MD Complete by Dr. Brian ZelicksonVitamin C Exfoliating Treatment | Dope Skin CoAHA/BHA Exfoliating Tonic | Be MinimalistPolyhydroxy Acid 03% Toner | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 88% | 88% | 86% |
| Price | $50.00 | — | $33.00−$17.00 | $7.94−$42.06 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 6 of 8 | 5 of 8 | 5 of 8 |
| Key difference | — | Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate | Glycolic Acid | Anhydroxylitol |
| Irritancy | High | High | Medium | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | — | Contains drying alcohol | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Glossier Solutionskintific AHA BHA PHA Exfoliating Pads
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 15 studies and safety reviews.
- 1Epidermal and dermal effects of topical lactic acidncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 2Dual Effects of Alpha-Hydroxy Acids on the Skinpdfs.semanticscholar.org
- 3
- 4Skin moisturizing effects of panthenol-based formulationspdfs.semanticscholar.org
- 5
- 6Salicylic acid as a peeling agent: a comprehensive reviewncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.