Works for
Evens skin toneNiacinamide, Lactic acid + 3 moreWorks well
“Spot Check’s formula combines ingredients like niacinamide, phytic and lactic acid, and botanical extracts that work together to visibly brighten and even skin tone.”
This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: glycolic acid, lactic acid, niacinamide, tranexamic acid
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-agingNiacinamide, Lactic acid + 2 moreWorks well
“Aging skin, uneven skin tone and texture, sun and age spots, hyperpigmentation, fine lines and wrinkles, and dull or dehydrated skin.”
This product can help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness because it contains glycolic acid, niacinamide.
These ingredients in the product can also be helpful, even though there is less evidence for their effectiveness: lactic 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.
MoisturizingNiacinamide, Lactic acid + 4 moreWorks well
“Unlike most other spot correctors, Spot Check was designed to be hydrating and gentle on all skin types.”
This product contains good ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. These ingredients are called "humectants": betaine, lactic acid.
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
ExfoliationSide benefit · Lactic acid, Glycolic acidWorks well
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, lactic acid.
Anti-blemishSide benefit · Niacinamide, Glycolic acidWorks well
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.
The following ingredient (ingredients) in this product might be helpful, but there is no evidence to confirm that it actually works: glycolic acid
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy6 flagged ingredientsLow risk
ComedogenicClean of flagged comedogenic ingredientsNone flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~40–60%
Niacinamide~6–9%
- 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 NiacinamidePropanediol~3.8–5.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin
More about PropanediolLactic acid~2.7–4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An exfoliating and moisturizing alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA). Typically causes less irritation than other AHAs, for example, glycolic acid. At high concentrations (about 15%), lactic acid can help reduce lines and wrinkles. Recent studies show that lactic acid can support the "good" bacteria living on skin's surface (healthy skin microbiome)
More about Lactic acidTranexamic acid~2–3%
- 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 acidBetaine~1.5–2.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improves the product texture
More about BetainePotassium hydroxide~1.2–1.7%
Sodium hyaluronate~0.85–1.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
More about Sodium hyaluronateLentinus edodes mycelium extract~0.5–1.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Phytic acid~0.4–1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA), but is mostly used to stabilize product formulations in cosmetics
More about Phytic acidGlycolic acid~0.2–0.7%
- 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 acid3-o-ethyl ascorbic acid~0.1–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- High
A vitamin C derivative that is more stable but less potent than pure form of vitamin C. Can help neutralize free radicals and help reduce hyperpigmentation, but the required concentration is likely to be much higher than for the pure form of vitamin C, limiting the ingredient's effectiveness in products
More about 3-o-ethyl ascorbic acidPolyglutamic acid~0.1–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin.
More about Polyglutamic acidPhenoxyethanol~0.1–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolEthylhexylglycerin~0.05–0.2%
Ingredient list view
Water, Niacinamide, Propanediol, Lactic acid, Tranexamic acid, Betaine, Potassium hydroxide, Sodium hyaluronate, Lentinus edodes mycelium extract, Phytic acid, Glycolic acid, 3-o-ethyl ascorbic acid, Polyglutamic acid, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin
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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.
| Tru AlchemySpot CheckYOUR PRODUCT | Fenty SkinWatch Ya Tone 5% Niacinamide Dark Spot Serum with Vitamin C | GleaminSuperactive Serum | pharma oilSunshine Serum 10% Vitamin C | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 76% | 75% | 75% |
| Price | $35.00 | $44.95+$9.95 | $49.00+$14.00 | — |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 3 of 8 | 4 of 8 | 3 of 8 |
| Key difference | — | Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract | Bakuchiol | Panthenol |
| Irritancy | Low | Low | Low | Low |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Schaf Revitalizing SerumVasanti Skin Rescue 5% Niacinimide
Product summary
"Tru Alchemy - Spot Check" is effective for: Moisturizing, Evens skin tone, Anti-aging, Anti-blemish and Exfoliation
Ingredient callouts
- A good concentration of Niacinamide (3.60% - 5.50%). 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.
- This product contains acids (glycolic acid 0.85% - 1.30% and lactic acid 2.10% - 3.10%). 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). Lactic acid is particularly good in attracting water to the upper layer of the skin and improving the skin barrier.
- Humectants (polyglutamic acid 0.10% - 0.45%, sodium hyaluronate 0.35% - 0.75%, betaine 1.50% - 2.30% and lactic acid 2.10% - 3.10%). These ingredients help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improve the skin hydration.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 18 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3Epidermal and dermal effects of topical lactic acidncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 4Dual Effects of Alpha-Hydroxy Acids on the Skinpdfs.semanticscholar.org
- 5Effect of tranexamic acid on melasma: a clinical trial with histological evaluationonlinelibrary.wiley.com
- 6Tranexamic acid accelerates skin barrier recovery and upregulates occludin in damaged skinonlinelibrary.wiley.com
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