PRODUCT REVIEW
Ultraceuticals Even Skintone Smoothing Serum Mild
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What can the product work for?
Evens skin tone
What does the product description say?
lactic acid
3.1% -
3.8%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
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)
niacinamide
2.3% -
2.8%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
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
salicylic acid
0.95% -
1.2%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness:
LOW
Used for skin exfoliation. It has an anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial effect, helps to unclog pores, prevent blemishes and speed up healing of the existing ones. Sometimes referred to as a BHA (beta-hydroxy acid)
Exfoliation
What does the product description say?
lactic acid
3.1% -
3.8%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
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)
salicylic acid
0.95% -
1.2%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
Used for skin exfoliation. It has an anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial effect, helps to unclog pores, prevent blemishes and speed up healing of the existing ones. Sometimes referred to as a BHA (beta-hydroxy acid)
salix alba bark extract
0.75% -
1.15%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness:
LOW
A plant extract that can help neutralize free radicals in skin. It contains a compound salicin that can theoretically be converted into salicylic acid that, in turn, helps reduce inflammation in skin, but the evidence of effectiveness in skin is lacking and the extract is usually not used in a concentration that would enable an exfoliating effect
Moisturizing
What does the product description say?
glycerin
0.65% -
1%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant
lactic acid
3.1% -
3.8%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
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)
niacinamide
2.3% -
2.8%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
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
Show more
Anti-blemish
niacinamide
2.3% -
2.8%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
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
salicylic acid
0.95% -
1.2%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
Used for skin exfoliation. It has an anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial effect, helps to unclog pores, prevent blemishes and speed up healing of the existing ones. Sometimes referred to as a BHA (beta-hydroxy acid)
salix alba bark extract
0.75% -
1.15%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness:
LOW
A plant extract that can help neutralize free radicals in skin. It contains a compound salicin that can theoretically be converted into salicylic acid that, in turn, helps reduce inflammation in skin, but the evidence of effectiveness in skin is lacking and the extract is usually not used in a concentration that would enable an exfoliating effect
Anti-aging
niacinamide
2.3% -
2.8%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
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
lactic acid
3.1% -
3.8%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness:
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)
Honesty check
How honest is this product?
Promise | Can it deliver? |
---|---|
Exfoliation | |
Moisturizing | |
Evens skin tone |
Total Promises Fulfilled score:
100/100.
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Can it cause trouble?
- Overall product irritation risk
- Acne & comedogenic risk ingredients: 0
Potential irritants
alcohol denat.
7.9% -
9.7%
Irritation risk:
Produces temporary toning effect. Can help dissolve other ingredients or preserve products
salicylic acid
0.95% -
1.2%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Anti-blemish,
Exfoliation,
Anti-inflammatory,
Antibacterial,
Evens skin tone
Used for skin exfoliation. It has an anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial effect, helps to unclog pores, prevent blemishes and speed up healing of the existing ones. Sometimes referred to as a BHA (beta-hydroxy acid)
Show more
Comodogenic ingredients
No comodogenic ingredients detected
User reviews (0)
Similar products & dupes
Ultraceuticals - Even Skintone Smoothing Serum Mild | La Roche-Posay - Effaclar Ultra Concentrated Serum Sponsored | Renee Rouleau - Pore + Wrinkle Perfecting Serum | Consonant - Maximum Glycolic Meta Serum | CeraVe - Salicylic Acid Acne Control Gel, Acne Treatment for Face | Tula - Clear It Up Acne Clearing + Tone Correcting Gel | Purest Solutions - Intensive Pore Tightening & Lightening Serum Niacinamide %5 + Zinc Pca %1 | Glossier - Solution | Pacifica - Glow Baby Brightening Peel Pads | REVOLUTION SKINCARE - Dark Spot Corrector Serum | Horace - Sérum Acide Salicylique 2 % + Niacinamide 3 % | Emma S - Treatment Niacinamide Formula | |
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WIMJ similarity score |
81%
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95%
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94%
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93%
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92%
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92%
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90%
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89%
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88%
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88%
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87%
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Key ingredients |
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Irritancy | IRRITANCY
MEDIUM
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MEDIUM
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MEDIUM
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MEDIUM
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LOW
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LOW
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MEDIUM
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MEDIUM
| IRRITANCY
MEDIUM
| IRRITANCY
LOW
| IRRITANCY
LOW
| IRRITANCY
LOW
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Ingredients & concentrations
All ingredients
Key Actives
niacinamide
2.3% -
2.8%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Anti-aging,
Evens skin tone,
Moisturizing,
Anti-blemish,
Reduces irritation,
Antibacterial,
Anti-inflammatory,
Reduces redness
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
niacinamide
0.3% -
0.55%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Anti-blemish,
Evens skin tone,
Moisturizing,
Anti-aging,
Reduces irritation,
Reduces redness,
Anti-inflammatory,
Antibacterial
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
Show more
Potential irritants
alcohol denat.
7.9% -
9.7%
Irritation risk:
Produces temporary toning effect. Can help dissolve other ingredients or preserve products
salicylic acid
0.95% -
1.2%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Anti-blemish,
Exfoliation,
Anti-inflammatory,
Antibacterial,
Evens skin tone
Used for skin exfoliation. It has an anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial effect, helps to unclog pores, prevent blemishes and speed up healing of the existing ones. Sometimes referred to as a BHA (beta-hydroxy acid)
Show more
Comodogenic ingredients
We couldn't find any comodogenic ingredients in this product
All ingredients
alcohol denat.
7.9% -
9.7%
Irritation risk:
Produces temporary toning effect. Can help dissolve other ingredients or preserve products
citric acid
4.4% -
5.3%
Irritation risk:
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
Show more
Ingredient list view
Water, Alcohol denat., Citric acid, Lactic acid, Niacinamide, Ethoxydiglycol, Sodium hydroxide, Salicylic acid, Salix alba bark extract, Cucumis sativus fruit extract, Glycerin, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Caprylyl glycol, Water, Alcohol denat., Citric acid, Lactic acid, Niacinamide, Ethoxydiglycol, Sodium hydroxide, Salicylic acid, Salix alba bark extract, Cucumis sativus fruit extract, Glycerin, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Caprylyl glycol, Potassium sorbate, Caprylhydroxamic acid, Propanediol
Sources
- Epidermal and dermal effects of topical lactic acid
- Dual Effects of Alpha-Hydroxy Acids on the Skin
- Niacinamide - mechanisms of action and its topical use in dermatology
- Gehring, W. (2004). Nicotinic acid/niacinamide and the skin. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 3(2), 88–93. doi:10.1111/j.1473-2130.2004.00115.x
- Salicylic acid as a peeling agent: a comprehensive review
- Beta Hydroxy Acids
- A review of toxicity from topical salicylic acid preparations
- Glycolic Acid Peels Versus Salicylic–Mandelic Acid Peels in Active Acne Vulgaris and Post‐Acne Scarring and Hyperpigmentation: A Comparative Study
- Efficacy and Safety of White Willow Bark (Salix alba) Extract
- An evaluation of the effect of a topical product containing salicin on the visible signs of human skin aging