Skin Generics Brightening Anti Dark Spot Serum Arbutin 28% Active Complex

Skin Generics Brightening Anti Dark Spot Serum Arbutin 28% Active Complex

Efficacy50/100IrritancyMedium

Works for

Moisturizing
Saccharum officinarum extract, Algae extract + 1 more
Works
What the product description says
“For use on normal to dry skin 15% Ahas (Brightening) 5% Hawaiian Algae (Moisturising) 5% Daisy (Anti-spot) 3% Polyporus (Firming) 2% Arbutin (Anti-spot) Anti Dark Spot Serum with Arbutin.”
Source: Allbeauty

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.

Saccharum officinarum extractKey activeEffect: HighSugar extract that helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin~2.3–3.5%
Algae extractKey active· Humectant, EmollientEffect: HighPlant 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~0.5–1.15%
Butylene glycol· HumectantEffect: LowUsed 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~1.9–2.8%
Evens skin tone
Arbutin
May help
What the product description says
“Brightening Anti Dark Spot Serum Arbutin 28% Active Complex”
From product name

The following ingredient (ingredients) in this product might be helpful, but there is no evidence to confirm that it actually works: arbutin.

ArbutinKey activeEffect: MediumBeta-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~3–4.5%
Anti-aging
Algae extract
Not delivered
What the product description says
“For use on normal to dry skin 15% Ahas (Brightening) 5% Hawaiian Algae (Moisturising) 5% Daisy (Anti-spot) 3% Polyporus (Firming) 2% Arbutin (Anti-spot) Anti Dark Spot Serum with Arbutin.”
Source: Allbeauty

This product does not contain ingredients that are able to reduce fine lines and wrinkles or help with skin elasticity, but it can improve the look of the skin temporarily through moisturization. Well-moisturized skin might also be able to repair the sun damage better.

This ingredient arbutin might be able to help neutralize free radicals in skin and help it fight off some of the sun damage.

Algae extractEffect: LowPlant 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~0.5–1.15%
Exfoliation
No ingredient credited for this claim
Not delivered
What the product description says
“Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs) provide brightening effects due to cells renewal.”
Source: Allbeauty

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-oxidation
Side benefit · Arbutin, Vaccinium myrtillus fruit extract
May 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.

ArbutinKey activeEffect: MediumBeta-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~3–4.5%
Vaccinium myrtillus fruit extractEffect: LowA plant extract that might help neutralize free radicals in skin, but research on its efficacy in skin is lacking~3.6–5.5%

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy
2 strong irritants: Citrus aurantium dulcis fruit extract, Citrus limon fruit extract
Medium risk
We flagged 14 ingredients with irritancy potential. Severity depends on your sensitivity threshold; the table lists the worst offenders first.
IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount
Citrus aurantium dulcis fruit extractA plant extract that is used as a fragrance. Can be irritating and lead to photosensitivityHigh~1–1.5%est.
Citrus limon fruit extractUsed as a fragrance. Can be irritating and cause photosensitivityHigh~0.8–1.25%est.
Fomes officinalis extractA fungus extract that can help to create a temporary tightening feeling on the skinHigh~0.1–0.3%est.
Propylene glycolHelps oil and water mix together and can enhance the penetration of other ingredients into the skin. It can be irritatingHigh~0.05–0.25%est.
Vaccinium myrtillus fruit extractA plant extract that might help neutralize free radicals in skin, but research on its efficacy in skin is lackingMedium~3.6–5.5%est.
ArbutinBeta-arbutin. Can help to reduce hyperpigmentation and has an anti-oxidant effect when used in high enough concentration. Is less effective compared to alpha-arbutinMedium~3–4.5%est.
Acer saccharum extractA plant extract that contains small percentage of AHAs. Is unlikely to have any skin benefit due the small concentration of the active compoundsMedium~0.5–1.2%est.
Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymerMaintains the texture of skincare products. Allows the product to spread evenly. Helps oil and water mix togetherMedium~0.5–1.1%est.
Disodium edtaStabilizes the product formulationMedium~0.3–0.7%est.
EthylhexylglycerinA preservativeMedium~0.15–0.65%est.
ChlorphenesinA preservativeMedium~0.05–0.3%est.
Peg-40 hydrogenated castor oilHelps oil and water mix togetherMedium~0.05–0.2%est.
Potassium sorbateA preservativeMedium~0.05–0.15%est.
Sodium dehydroacetateA preservativeMedium~0.01–0.1%est.
Comedogenic
1 ingredient rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale
1 flagged
These ingredients have a comedogenic rating of 2 or more on a 0–5 scale; the table shows each one's rating. In leave-on products they can clog pores in acne-prone skin.
IngredientFunctionRatingEst. amount
Algae extractPlant 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 yet3/5~0.5–1.15%est.

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Ingredients

Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.

Water~40–60%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Plain old water

More about Water
Propanediol~4.6–6.9%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin

More about Propanediol
Vaccinium myrtillus fruit extract~3.6–5.5%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Anti-oxidation

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 extract
Arbutin~3–4.5%
Key activeIrritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Evens skin toneAnti-oxidation

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 Arbutin
Saccharum officinarum extract~2.3–3.5%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

Sugar extract that helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin

More about Saccharum officinarum extract
Butylene glycol~1.9–2.8%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

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 glycol
Bellis perennis extract~1.5–2.3%
Formula
Phenoxyethanol~0.5–1%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products

More about Phenoxyethanol
Citrus aurantium dulcis fruit extract~1–1.5%
Irritant · high
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 extract
Citrus limon fruit extract~0.8–1.25%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

Used as a fragrance. Can be irritating and cause photosensitivity

More about Citrus limon fruit extract
Acer saccharum extract~0.5–1.2%
Irritant · medium
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 extract
Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer~0.5–1.1%
Irritant · medium
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 crosspolymer
Algae extract~0.5–1.15%
Key activeComedogenic 3/5
Irritation risk
Low
Comedogenicity
3/5
Works for
MoisturizingAnti-aging

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 extract
Cellulose gum~0.4–0.9%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Used to create thicker product consistency and stabilize emulsions

More about Cellulose gum
Disodium edta~0.3–0.7%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

Stabilizes the product formulation

More about Disodium edta
Ethylhexylglycerin~0.15–0.65%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

A preservative

More about Ethylhexylglycerin
Sodium hydroxide~0.15–0.55%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Used to adjust the product's pH

More about Sodium hydroxide
Chlorphenesin~0.05–0.3%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

A preservative

More about Chlorphenesin
Fomes officinalis extract~0.1–0.3%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

A fungus extract that can help to create a temporary tightening feeling on the skin

More about Fomes officinalis extract
Propylene glycol~0.05–0.25%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Moisturizing

Helps oil and water mix together and can enhance the penetration of other ingredients into the skin. It can be irritating

More about Propylene glycol
Peg-40 hydrogenated castor oil~0.05–0.2%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix together

More about Peg-40 hydrogenated castor oil
Potassium sorbate~0.05–0.15%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

A preservative

More about Potassium sorbate
Sodium dehydroacetate~0.01–0.1%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

A preservative

More about Sodium dehydroacetate
Ingredient list view

Water, Propanediol, Vaccinium myrtillus fruit extract, Arbutin, Saccharum officinarum extract, Butylene glycol, Bellis perennis 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.

Side-by-side comparison of this product against its closest alternatives
Skin GenericsBrightening Anti Dark Spot Serum Arbutin 28% Active ComplexYOUR PRODUCTGood MoleculesDaily Brightening SerumBeauty of JoseonGlow Deep Serum: Rice + ArbutinTHE LAB by blanc douxExper True Tension Serum
Match—36%35%35%
Price—$7.97$12.30—
Shared key ingredients—1 of 30 of 31 of 3
Key difference—GlycerinNiacinamideAdenosine
Irritancy Medium Low Low Low
Drying alcohol————
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Skin Generics Brightening Anti Dark Spot Serum Arbutin 28% Active Complex
Skin GenericsBrightening Anti Dark Spot Serum Arbutin 28% Active Complex

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