SUNDAY RILEY Tidal Brightening Enzyme Water Cream
Works for
2 of 4 advertised claims delivered
Evens skin toneAlpha-arbutinStrong evidence
“Papaya enzymes smooth and exfoliate while alpha-arbutin isibly brightens the appearance of hyperpigmentation and dark spots.”
This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: alpha-arbutin
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.
MoisturizingHydrolyzed jojoba esters, Sodium hyaluronate crosspolymer + 14 moreGood evidence
“The quest for the ultimate, all-skin-types moisturizer was born.”
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:
glycerin, sodium hyaluronate.
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: caprylic/capric triglyceride, isododecane.
ExfoliationPapain, AllantoinLimited evidence
“Papaya enzymes smooth and exfoliate while alpha-arbutin isibly brightens the appearance of hyperpigmentation and dark spots.”
This product might help exfoliate the skin with papain, but This ingredient is not the most effective.
Anti-agingTocopherolWeak evidence
“I formulated Tidal to be a brightening treatment, infused into a water cream for a cutting-edge answer to both alternative signs of aging, including hyperpigmentation.”
Effective ingredients missing or their concentration is too low.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy2 strong irritants: Ocimum sanctum leaf extract, Ocimum basilicum flower/leaf extractMedium risk
Comedogenic2 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale2 flagged
![Best of You[th] Brightening Moisturizer](/_ipx/q_80&f_webp&fit_inside&s_160x160/https://image-delivery.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/full/b8176924bd6c6074fb172cbc57a5445d.jpeg)
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~45–55%
Caprylic/capric triglyceride~5.9–7.2%
- 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 triglycerideMoringa oil/hydrogenated moringa oil esters~4.4–5.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Glycerin~3.1–3.8%
- 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 GlycerinPropanediol~2.4–2.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin
More about PropanediolHydrolyzed jojoba esters~2–2.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Hydrolyzed jojoba estersIsododecane~1.7–2.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that helps soften the skin and can decrease moisture loss. Helps create a nice product texture
More about IsododecaneSodium acrylates copolymer~1.4–1.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Sodium acrylates copolymerPhenoxyethanol~0.5–1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolAlpha-arbutin~0.95–1.15%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Might help reduce hyperpigmentation when used regularly over a long period of time. Is more effective than beta-arbutin
More about Alpha-arbutinCucumis sativus extract~0.7–1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Pentylene glycol~0.65–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product texture
More about Pentylene glycolAdipic acid/neopentyl glycol crosspolymer~0.6–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps optically blurr skin imperfections such as fine lines and pores
More about Adipic acid/neopentyl glycol crosspolymerLauryl dimethicone~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Hydrogenated polyisobutene~0.5–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to improve the product consistency and soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Hydrogenated polyisobuteneAllantoin~0.4–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps calm down inflammation in skin and can help reduce itching. Helps to repair the skin barrier and keep skin hydrated
More about AllantoinStrelitzia nicolai seed aril extract~0.4–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Tamarindus indica seed gum~0.35–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps to attract water to the upper layer of the skin and create a nice product finish on the skin
More about Tamarindus indica seed gumAesculus hippocastanum seed extract~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- High
Plant extract. Might have some anti-oxidant properties. Can be irritating
More about Aesculus hippocastanum seed extractSodium hyaluronate crosspolymer~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
More about Sodium hyaluronate crosspolymerSodium hyaluronate~0.3–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
More about Sodium hyaluronatePapain~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- High
An enzyme extracted from papaya fruit. Can have an exfoliating effect on the skin. Can be irritating
More about PapainCarbomer~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps create a thicker or gel-like product texture. It is not a surfactant but can be used in gentle cleansing formulations
More about Carbomer1,2-hexanediol~0.25–0.45%
Algin~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
Used to thicken product formulation. Can help attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about AlginCaprylyl glycol~0.3–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolLecithin~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used mostly for creating emulsions - helping oil and water mix together. Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about LecithinMelia azadirachta leaf extract~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that has anti-bacterial properties. Can be used to preserve the product. Can be irritating
More about Melia azadirachta leaf extractMelia azadirachta flower extract~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant extract that might be helpful to neutralize free radicals in skin
More about Melia azadirachta flower extractMimosa tenuiflora bark extract~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Coccinia indica fruit extract~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant extract that might have some anti-oxidant effect helping neutralize free radicals in skin
More about Coccinia indica fruit extractSolanum melongena fruit extract~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Eggplant fruit extract. Might have some anti-oxidant effect
More about Solanum melongena fruit extractAloe barbadensis flower extract~0.3–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that might have some anti-oxidant effect
More about Aloe barbadensis flower extractOcimum sanctum leaf extract~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that is rich in a fragrance compound eugenol that is a frequent allergen and can be irritating. It might also contain anti-oxidants to help neutralize free radicals
More about Ocimum sanctum leaf extractOcimum basilicum flower/leaf extract~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- High
Used as a fragrance. Canbe irritating
More about Ocimum basilicum flower/leaf extractCurcuma longa root extract~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that can contain an active compound curcumin, that may have some anti-inflammatory properties when applied to the skin, but solid research is lacking and the typical concentration used in skincare products is too low. Can be an irritant
More about Curcuma longa root extractCorallina officinalis extract~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
Red algae extract that helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and might contain antioxidants
More about Corallina officinalis extractEthylhexylglycerin~0.2–0.4%
Sodium benzoate~0.2–0.4%
Potassium sorbate~0.2–0.4%
Chlorphenesin~0.15–0.3%
Dicaprylyl carbonate~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps products spread more easily and works as an emollient to soften skin
More about Dicaprylyl carbonateTocopherol~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Pure form of vitamin E. Can help moisturise and protect the skin from free radicals. Often used to help stabilise other ingredients or the formula itself
More about TocopherolMalic acid~0.15–0.3%
Synthetic fluorphlogopite~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A mineral that is used as an optical filter (makes the skin looks nicer through light reflection) and to improve the texture of cosmetic products
More about Synthetic fluorphlogopiteTitanium dioxide~0.1–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Works as a UV filter when used in high concentrations. It is photostable and is effective mostly against the UVB light, with some protection in the UVA range. In small concentrations, used for its ability to improve the color of cosmetic products. Is usually well tolerated by the skin
More about Titanium dioxideTin oxide~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A colorant that can add a pearl-like appearance to the formulation
More about Tin oxideIngredient list view
Water, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Moringa oil/hydrogenated moringa oil esters, Glycerin, Propanediol, Hydrolyzed jojoba esters, Isododecane, Sodium acrylates copolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Alpha-arbutin, Cucumis sativus extract, Pentylene glycol, Adipic acid/neopentyl glycol crosspolymer, Lauryl dimethicone, Hydrogenated polyisobutene, Allantoin, Strelitzia nicolai seed aril extract, Tamarindus indica seed gum, Aesculus hippocastanum seed extract, Sodium hyaluronate crosspolymer, Sodium hyaluronate, Papain, Carbomer, 1,2-hexanediol, Algin, Caprylyl glycol, Lecithin, Melia azadirachta leaf extract, Melia azadirachta flower extract, Mimosa tenuiflora bark extract, Coccinia indica fruit extract, Solanum melongena fruit extract, Aloe barbadensis flower extract, Ocimum sanctum leaf extract, Ocimum basilicum flower/leaf extract, Curcuma longa root extract, Corallina officinalis extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium benzoate, Potassium sorbate, Chlorphenesin, Dicaprylyl carbonate, Tocopherol, Malic acid, Synthetic fluorphlogopite, Titanium dioxide, Tin oxide
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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.
| SUNDAY RILEYTidal Brightening Enzyme Water CreamYOUR PRODUCT | VasantiBest of You[th] Brightening Moisturizer | MedicubeTXA + Niacinamide Capsule Cream | mixsoonPremium Galactomyces Cream 50ml | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 61% | 60% | 60% |
| Price | $22.00 | — | $15.90−$6.10 | $49.12+$27.12 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 4 of 9 | 7 of 9 | 3 of 9 |
| Key difference | — | Niacinamide | Niacinamide | Niacinamide |
| Irritancy | Medium | Low | Medium | Low |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 16 studies and safety reviews.
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