Works for
MoisturizingPanthenol, Glycerin + 11 moreWorks well
“Our formulas use HyalurosetTM Complex, our botanical alternative to hyaluronic acid that delivers immediate and lasting moisture to plump, smooth and nourish the skin without overwhelming sensitive complexions.”
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, aloe barbadensis leaf juice.
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: helianthus annuus seed oil, pentylene glycol.
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: panthenol
ExfoliationTartaric acidNot delivered
This product might help exfoliate the skin with tartaric acid, but This ingredient is not the most effective.
Anti-agingAloe barbadensis leaf juice, Tocopherol + 1 moreNot delivered
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 tartaric acid might be able to help neutralize free radicals in skin and help it fight off some of the sun damage.
Anti-blemishNiacinamide ~0.3–0.55%, below the ~1% it needsUnder-dosed
Effective ingredients missing or their concentration is too low.
Evens skin toneNiacinamide ~0.3–0.55%, below the ~1% it needsUnder-dosed
“This lightweight serum helps visibly fade the appearance of dark spots and uneven tone, revealing a clearer, more radiant-looking complexion.”
Effective ingredients missing or their concentration is too low
Anti-oxidationSide benefit · Tartaric acid, Vaccinium myrtillus fruit extract + 3 moreMay help
This product contains antioxidants (tartaric acid) 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.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy3 strong irritants: Carica papaya fruit extract, Citrus limon 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~45–55%
Propanediol~4.3–5.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin
More about PropanediolAloe barbadensis leaf juice~3.9–4.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Traditionally used to treat sunburns, dermatitis and inflammation, but evidence for its effectiveness is lacking. The extract can contain humectants that help attract water into the skin
More about Aloe barbadensis leaf juiceLactobacillus/pumpkin fruit ferment filtrate~3.1–3.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Glycerin~2.4–3%
- 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 GlycerinVaccinium myrtillus fruit extract~1.9–2.3%
- 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 extractHelianthus annuus seed oil~1.7–2.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A great emollient due to its high linoleic acid content. One of the most effective plant oils in helping skin hydration and repairing skin barrier function
More about Helianthus annuus seed oilCarica papaya fruit extract~1.4–1.7%
- Irritation risk
- High
Citrus limon fruit extract~1.1–1.4%
- Irritation risk
- High
Used as a fragrance. Can be irritating and cause photosensitivity
More about Citrus limon fruit extractCitrus aurantium dulcis fruit extract~0.95–1.15%
- 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 extractAcer saccharum extract~0.7–1.05%
- 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 extractSaccharum officinarum extract~0.6–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Sugar extract that helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Saccharum officinarum extractPsidium guajava fruit extract~0.55–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- High
A fruit extract that might have some anti-oxidant effect
More about Psidium guajava fruit extractHedychium coronarium root extract~0.5–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Cassia angustifolia seed polysaccharide~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin. Is sometimes referred to as "natural" hyaluronic acid (even though hyaluronic acid is not unnatural and is present in human skin)
More about Cassia angustifolia seed polysaccharideSaxifraga sarmentosa extract~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Plankton extract~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
Can help attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Plankton extractLeuconostoc/radish root ferment filtrate~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A preservative that comes from radishes fermented by a bacteria. New research suggests that the preservation properties in the ingredient come from an ammonium salt that is not present naturally in radish root but used in its cultivation. Is problematic because the exact amount of the preservative agents is difficult to determine
More about Leuconostoc/radish root ferment filtrateXanthan gum~0.4–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumTocopherol~0.35–0.65%
- 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 TocopherolTocopheryl acetate~0.35–0.6%
- 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 acetateCitric acid~0.3–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
More about Citric acidLecithin~0.35–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used mostly for creating emulsions - helping oil and water mix together. Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about LecithinNiacinamide~0.3–0.55%
- 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 NiacinamidePolyglyceryl-4 caprate~0.3–0.6%
Polyglyceryl-6 ricinoleate~0.3–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Polyglyceryl-6 ricinoleatePolyglyceryl-6 caprylate~0.3–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Polyglyceryl-6 caprylatePolyglyceryl-3 cocoate~0.3–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Polyglyceryl-3 cocoateTartaric acid~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An AHA (alpha-hydroxy acid). It oxidizes quickly which makes it less effective in skincare formulations. It can support skin's barrier and moisture levels
More about Tartaric acidPanthenol~0.3–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help improve skin barrier function
More about PanthenolSodium polyacryloyldimethyl taurate~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Sodium polyacryloyldimethyl taurateSodium metabisulfite~0.1–0.2%
Sodium sulfite~0.1–0.2%
Potassium sorbate~0.25–0.45%
Sodium benzoate~0.2–0.35%
Sodium phytate~0.2–0.35%
P-anisic acid~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- High
Helps preserve products. Can mask unpleasant smell. Could be irritating
More about P-anisic acidHydroxyethylcellulose~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to thicken product formulations and create gel-like textures
More about HydroxyethylcellulosePhenoxyethanol~0.15–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolEthylhexylglycerin~0.1–0.25%
Pentylene glycol~0.15–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product texture
More about Pentylene glycolButylene glycol~0.1–0.15%
- 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 glycolIngredient list view
Water, Propanediol, Aloe barbadensis leaf juice, Lactobacillus/pumpkin fruit ferment filtrate, Glycerin, Vaccinium myrtillus fruit extract, Helianthus annuus seed oil, Carica papaya fruit extract, Citrus limon fruit extract, Citrus aurantium dulcis fruit extract, Acer saccharum extract, Saccharum officinarum extract, Psidium guajava fruit extract, Hedychium coronarium root extract, Cassia angustifolia seed polysaccharide, Saxifraga sarmentosa extract, Plankton extract, Leuconostoc/radish root ferment filtrate, Xanthan gum, Tocopherol, Tocopheryl acetate, Citric acid, Lecithin, Niacinamide, Polyglyceryl-4 caprate, Polyglyceryl-6 ricinoleate, Polyglyceryl-6 caprylate, Polyglyceryl-3 cocoate, Tartaric acid, Panthenol, Sodium polyacryloyldimethyl taurate, Sodium metabisulfite, Sodium sulfite, Potassium sorbate, Sodium benzoate, Sodium phytate, P-anisic acid, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Pentylene glycol, Butylene 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.
| The outsetTotal Clarity SerumYOUR PRODUCT | ROVECTINCica Care Clearing Ampoule | Osea MalibuAnti-Aging Sea Serum | SimpleBooster Serum 3% Hyaluronic Acid & Vitamin B | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 91% | 91% | 91% |
| Price | $68.00 | $17.14−$50.86 | $88.00+$20.00 | $6.71−$61.29 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 4 of 8 | 4 of 8 | 4 of 8 |
| Key difference | — | Madecassoside | 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid | Pantolactone |
| Irritancy | High | Medium | Medium | Low |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Luzern Laboratories Luzern WE3 Triple Action Serum Wrinkle CorrectorVeracity REGENERATING INFUSION
Product summary
"The outset - Total Clarity Serum" is effective for: Moisturizing
Ingredient callouts
- Humectants (panthenol 0.30% - 0.50% and glycerin 2.40% - 3.00%). 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 "The outset" is cruelty free and so is its parent company.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 26 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3Herbal Medicine: Biomolecular and Clinical Aspects. 2nd edition.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 4
- 5
- 6Effect of topically applied lipids on surfactant-irritated skinonlinelibrary.wiley.com
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