SkinMedica LYTERA 2.0 Pigment Correcting Serum
Works for
MoisturizingNiacinamide, Tetrapeptide-30 + 6 moreWorks well
“Niacinamide and Tetrapeptide-30 work in tandem to combat the development of new spots, while a Marine Extract Blend supports a healthy barrier function for enhanced protection from sun damage.”
This product contains good ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. These ingredients are called "humectants": glycerin, butylene glycol.
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, tetrapeptide-30
Evens skin toneNiacinamide, Phenylethyl resorcinol + 1 moreWorks well
“Enriched with Tranexamic Acid, Phenylethyl Resorcinol and a Marine Extract Blend, the potent serum helps to support skin’s melanin balance, encourage a healthy skin barrier and most importantly, visibly correct hyperpigmentation.”
This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: niacinamide, tranexamic 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: phenylethyl resorcinol.
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.
Anti-blemishNiacinamideWorks well
“Niacinamide and Tetrapeptide-30 work in tandem to combat the development of new spots, while a Marine Extract Blend supports a healthy barrier function for enhanced protection from sun damage.”
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.
Anti-agingSide benefit · Niacinamide, Tetrapeptide-30Works well
This product can help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness because it contains niacinamide.
These ingredients in the product can also be helpful, even though there is less evidence for their effectiveness: tetrapeptide-30.
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?
Irritancy9 flagged ingredientsLow risk
Comedogenic1 ingredient rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale1 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%
Butylene glycol~5.9–8.8%
- 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 glycolGlycerin~3.7–5.5%
- 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 GlycerinNiacinamide~2.8–4.1%
- 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 NiacinamidePolyacrylate-13~2.1–3.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency and stabilize the product formulation
More about Polyacrylate-13Phenylethyl resorcinol~1.6–2.4%
- Irritation risk
- High
Might help reduce hyperpigmentation in skin and help neutralize free radicals
More about Phenylethyl resorcinolTranexamic acid~1.4–2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An amino acid that is effective in reducing hyperpigmentation and evening out the skin tone. It can also help in skin barrier recovery. It is used to treat melasma, especially with injections and when taken orally
More about Tranexamic acidVitis vinifera flower cell extract~1.2–1.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Plankton extract~0.9–1.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
Can help attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Plankton extractTetrapeptide-30~0.55–1.35%
Artemisia capillaris flower extract~0.45–1.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Vibrio alginolyticus ferment filtrate~0.5–1.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Alteromonas ferment extract~0.35–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A marine extract that helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin. It is claimed to have anti-inflammatory properties but research is lacking
More about Alteromonas ferment extractTocopheryl acetate~0.3–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A more stable but less bio-available form of vitamin E compared to Tocopherol. Might help moisturize and protect the skin from free radicals, but mostly used in low concentrations to stabilize other ingredients.
More about Tocopheryl acetatePolyisobutene~0.2–0.75%
Polysorbate 20~0.15–0.65%
Caprylic/capric triglyceride~0.15–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A good mix of fatty acids that forms a protective layer on the skin. Improves the shelf life of products. Derived from coconut and glycerin
More about Caprylic/capric triglycerideHydroxyacetophenone~0.1–0.4%
Phytic acid~0.1–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA), but is mostly used to stabilize product formulations in cosmetics
More about Phytic acidDiethylhexyl syringylidenemalonate~0.05–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to stabilize the product formulation
More about Diethylhexyl syringylidenemalonateDisodium edta~0.05–0.15%
Ethylhexylglycerin~0.05–0.15%
Phenoxyethanol~0.05–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolIngredient list view
Water, Butylene glycol, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Polyacrylate-13, Phenylethyl resorcinol, Tranexamic acid, Vitis vinifera flower cell extract, Plankton extract, Tetrapeptide-30, Artemisia capillaris flower extract, Vibrio alginolyticus ferment filtrate, Alteromonas ferment extract, Tocopheryl acetate, Polyisobutene, Polysorbate 20, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Hydroxyacetophenone, Phytic acid, Diethylhexyl syringylidenemalonate, Disodium edta, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol
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.
| SkinMedicaLYTERA 2.0 Pigment Correcting SerumYOUR PRODUCT | SwisslinePeace Serum | Mary&MayRice Niacin 10% Triple Vitamin Serum | APRIL SKINTXA Niacinamide Toning Shot 99 Serum | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 78% | 78% | 77% |
| Price | — | $120.00 | $16.91 | $17.49 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 3 of 7 | 3 of 7 | 3 of 7 |
| Key difference | — | — | 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid | Alpha-Arbutin |
| Irritancy | Low | Low | Low | Low |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Viegano Licorice Root + Tranexamic Acid Vegan Brightening SerumSOUL APOTHECARY Alpha Arbutin PLUS Serum
Product summary
"SkinMedica - LYTERA 2.0 Pigment Correcting Serum" is effective for: Moisturizing, Evens skin tone, Anti-blemish and Anti-aging
Ingredient callouts
- A good concentration of Niacinamide (2.80% - 4.10%). Niacinamide is a well-studied multi-tasking active. It is stable, and can work well in almost any hydrating formulation. There is solid evidence that Niacinamide can help support skin barrier, regulate oil production and reduce acne and clogged pores. It also helps to fight photodamage and improve the skin tone, reducing pigmentation marks.
- Peptides (tetrapeptide-30 0.55% - 1.35%). Peptides are a very big group of ingredients. They all consist of a different combination of aminoacids. Our skin produces Peptides naturally. Some of them work as natural antibiotics, promote wound-healing and production of collagen. The scientists are still studying how effective the topical application of Peptides is, but it is very likely that theynare helpful. Peptides might be able to support skin barrier restoration and even have an anti-aging benefit. At the very least, they certainly help attract water to the skin and support the hydration in this way.
- Humectants (glycerin 3.70% - 5.50%). These ingredients help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improve the skin hydration.
Price
The product retails from 144.00$ up to 160.00$ in the United States, for 230.35A$ in Australia and for 149.00£ in the United Kingdom.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 10 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4Effect of tranexamic acid on melasma: a clinical trial with histological evaluationonlinelibrary.wiley.com
- 5Tranexamic acid accelerates skin barrier recovery and upregulates occludin in damaged skinonlinelibrary.wiley.com
- 6
Affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.