Skin Generics Anti Dark Spot Serum 28% Active Complex
Works for
Evens skin toneArbutinMay help
“Anti Dark Spot Serum 28% Active Complex”
The following ingredient (ingredients) in this product might be helpful, but there is no evidence to confirm that it actually works: arbutin.
Anti-oxidationNot advertised by the brand · Arbutin, Vaccinium myrtillus fruit extractMay help
This product contains antioxidants (arbutin) 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.
MoisturizingSide benefit the brand mentions · Saccharum officinarum extract, Algae extract + 2 moreWorks
“Hawaiian Algae acts like a film to avoid dehydration.”
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:
algae extract, 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: algae extract.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy3 strong irritants: Bellis perennis flower extract, Citrus aurantium dulcis fruit extract + 1 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~40–60%
Propanediol~4.6–6.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin
More about PropanediolVaccinium myrtillus fruit extract~3.6–5.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant extract that might help neutralize free radicals in skin, but research on its efficacy in skin is lacking
More about Vaccinium myrtillus fruit extractArbutin~3–4.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Beta-arbutin. Can help to reduce hyperpigmentation and has an anti-oxidant effect when used in high enough concentration. Is less effective compared to alpha-arbutin
More about ArbutinSaccharum officinarum extract~2.3–3.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Sugar extract that helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Saccharum officinarum extractButylene glycol~1.9–2.8%
- 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 glycolBellis perennis flower extract~1.5–2.3%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract. Used as a fragrance. Can be irritating
More about Bellis perennis flower extractPhenoxyethanol~0.5–1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolCitrus aurantium dulcis fruit extract~1–1.5%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that is used as a fragrance. Can be irritating and lead to photosensitivity
More about Citrus aurantium dulcis fruit extractCitrus limon fruit extract~0.8–1.25%
- Irritation risk
- High
Used as a fragrance. Can be irritating and cause photosensitivity
More about Citrus limon fruit extractAcer saccharum extract~0.5–1.2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant extract that contains small percentage of AHAs. Is unlikely to have any skin benefit due the small concentration of the active compounds
More about Acer saccharum extractAcrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer~0.5–1.1%
- 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 crosspolymerAlgae extract~0.5–1.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
Plant extract that helps the skin to attract water and make it more smooth for touch. Also shows promise of anti-aging properties, but research is not extensive yet
More about Algae extractCellulose gum~0.4–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create thicker product consistency and stabilize emulsions
More about Cellulose gumDisodium edta~0.3–0.7%
Ethylhexylglycerin~0.15–0.65%
Sodium hydroxide~0.15–0.55%
Chlorphenesin~0.05–0.3%
Fomes officinalis extract~0.1–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- High
A fungus extract that can help to create a temporary tightening feeling on the skin
More about Fomes officinalis extractPropylene glycol~0.05–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- High
Helps oil and water mix together and can enhance the penetration of other ingredients into the skin. It can be irritating
More about Propylene glycolPeg-40 hydrogenated castor oil~0.05–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Peg-40 hydrogenated castor oilPotassium sorbate~0.05–0.15%
Sodium dehydroacetate~0.01–0.1%
Ingredient list view
Water, Propanediol, Vaccinium myrtillus fruit extract, Arbutin, Saccharum officinarum extract, Butylene glycol, Bellis perennis flower extract, Phenoxyethanol, Citrus aurantium dulcis fruit extract, Citrus limon fruit extract, Acer saccharum extract, Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer, Algae extract, Cellulose gum, Disodium edta, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium hydroxide, Chlorphenesin, Fomes officinalis extract, Propylene glycol, Peg-40 hydrogenated castor oil, Potassium sorbate, Sodium dehydroacetate
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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.
| Skin GenericsAnti Dark Spot Serum 28% Active ComplexYOUR PRODUCT | Tom FordResearch Serum Concentrate | Make P:remPoncirus Trifoliata C Dark Spot Serum | Elizabeth GrantSuprême Cell Vitality Revitalizing Day Serum | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 38% | 37% | 37% |
| Price | — | $18.88 | $16.96 | $35.00 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 2 of 3 | 2 of 3 | 1 of 3 |
| Key difference | — | Lactic Acid | Niacinamide | Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4 |
| Irritancy | High | Medium | Medium | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Darphin Intral Rescue Super ConcentrateNoble Panacea The Vitamin C Booster
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 12 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2Herbal Medicine: Biomolecular and Clinical Aspects. 2nd edition.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 3Arbutin - Commentatymdedge.com
- 4TOPICAL TREATMENT OF MELASMAncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 5
- 6
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