Works for
ExfoliationGlycolic acidWorks well
“A travel-size shot of vitamin C and glycolic acid, hyaluronic acid, and apple extract that brightens, exfoliates, and hydrates for younger-looking skin.”
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: glycolic acid.
Anti-agingAscorbic acid, Glycolic acid + 1 moreWorks well
“Fine Lines and Wrinkles, Dryness, and Oiliness Formulation.”
This product can help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness because it contains ascorbic acid, glycolic acid.
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.
Evens skin toneAscorbic acid, Glycolic acid + 1 moreWorks well
“93% said overall, their skin looks brighter, more even, and healthier .”
This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: ascorbic acid.
In addition, this product contains glycolic acid. This ingredient (ingredients) might help reduce hyperpigmentation, but the effect, if any, is likely to be small.
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.
MoisturizingPyrus malus fruit extract, Glycerin + 4 moreWorks
“Known to increase skin hydration after only 30 minutes.”
This product contains good ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. These ingredients are called "humectants": glycerin, sodium hyaluronate.
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).
Anti-oxidationSide benefit · Ascorbic acid, Pyrus malus fruit extract + 1 moreWorks well
This product contains antioxidants (ascorbic acid) that can help neutralize free radicals in skin. By doing so, they can lessen the damage the skin gets from the UV light (sun).
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy10 flagged ingredientsLow 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%
Ascorbic acid~6.8–10.2%
- Irritation risk
- High
The most well-researched antioxidant that works in skin. Helps neutralize free radicals supporting collagen production, helping to even out the skin tone and preventing early signs of aging
More about Ascorbic acidEthoxydiglycol~3.7–5.5%
Pyrus malus fruit extract~2.8–4.2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can have some moisturizing properties due to its sugar content
More about Pyrus malus fruit extractGlycerin~2.2–3.2%
- 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 GlycerinAminopropyl ascorbyl phosphate~1.7–2.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A more stable but less potent derivative of vitamin C. It can help neautralize free radicals and even out the skin tone if used in high enough concentration (required levels are likely to be much higher than for pure vitamin C, and solid studies are lacking at the moment)
More about Aminopropyl ascorbyl phosphateGlycolic acid~1.4–2.1%
- Irritation risk
- High
An alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) that helps to remove the dead skin cells on the surface of the skin reveling a more even, smoother complexation. It is also able to stimulate collagen production with long-term use. Could help to reduce pore congestion. It can be irritating to the skin. Apply sunscreen daily if using products with glycolic acid
More about Glycolic acidSodium hydroxide~1.1–1.6%
Phytic acid~0.85–1.3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA), but is mostly used to stabilize product formulations in cosmetics
More about Phytic acidPlankton extract~0.55–1.25%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
Can help attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Plankton extractSodium hyaluronate~0.45–1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
More about Sodium hyaluronateLecithin~0.4–1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used mostly for creating emulsions - helping oil and water mix together. Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about LecithinXanthan gum~0.15–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumPhenoxyethanol~0.15–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolCaprylyl glycol~0.1–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolEthylhexylglycerin~0.05–0.2%
Hexylene glycol~0.05–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps create a more spreadable product texture
More about Hexylene glycolIngredient list view
Water, Ascorbic acid, Ethoxydiglycol, Pyrus malus fruit extract, Glycerin, Aminopropyl ascorbyl phosphate, Glycolic acid, Sodium hydroxide, Phytic acid, Plankton extract, Sodium hyaluronate, Lecithin, Xanthan gum, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hexylene glycol
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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.
| TarteYouth or Dare Multi-Acid & C-SerumYOUR PRODUCT | NuFaceLifter Vitamin C and Hyaluronic Acid Serum S3 | Dr Dennis GrossVITAMIN C AND LACTIC 15% FIRM AND BRIGHT SERUM | Laboratoire ACMDuolys.Hyal Intensive Anti-Ageing Serum | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 94% | 90% | 83% |
| Price | — | — | $58.31 | $37.45 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 4 of 5 | 4 of 5 | 4 of 5 |
| Key difference | — | Dimethicone | Ferulic Acid | Panthenol |
| Irritancy | Low | Low | Low | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: DIME Hyper Glow SerumDrunk Elephant Look At That Acid
Product summary
"Tarte - Youth or Dare Multi-Acid & C-Serum" is effective for: Exfoliation, Anti-aging and Evens skin tone
This product could be helpful for: Moisturizing, but its actives are not the most effective or are not well-studied.
Ingredient callouts
- This product contains acids (glycolic acid 1.40% - 2.10%). Their concentration is low, and they will not have a strong exfoliating effect. Instead, they work to support the skin natural acid mantle and to attract water (as humectants).
- This product also contains Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) 6.80% - 10.20% It can be helpful in stimulating collagen production, neutralizing free radicals in skin and improving pigmentation marks. We recommend to use up this product quickly after opening: Ascorbic Acid degrades fast when it gets in contact with air and light. The moment the product turns orange, it is a sign that a significant share of the vitamin C in it is no longer effective.
- Humectants (sodium hyaluronate 0.45% - 1.00% and glycerin 2.20% - 3.20%). These ingredients help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improve the skin hydration.
About the brand
According to Cruelty-Free Kitty "Tarte" is cruelty free, but its parent company is not.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 9 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4Glycolic acid peel therapy – a current reviewncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 5
- 6Cosmetic and dermatologic use of alpha hydroxy acidsonlinelibrary.wiley.com
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