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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Clinique Even Better Clinical™ Dark Spot Corrector & Optimizer versus Clinique Pep-Start Daily UV Protector Broad Spectrum SPF 50 .

Published on February 23, 2022

Overview

Cool Features

They both contain exfoliants

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for fighting acne

Free From

They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, oils, parabens or sulfates

What's Inside

They both contain silicones

We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that need an update? Let us know.

Serum American Brand United States
Sunscreen American Brand United States

Serum

Serums are highly concentrated with ingredients to provide skin with benefits. They should be used after cleansing and before moisturizing.

Sunscreen

Sunscreens help absorb or reflect UV radiation and protect skin against skin damage. Sunscreens may come in the form of lotion, gel, foam, spray, or solid-stick.

Price

Shop

Buy Even Better Clinical™ Dark Spot Corrector & Optimizer

Starts at $38.99
Shop

Buy Pep-Start Daily UV Protector Broad Spectrum SPF 50

Starts at $25.00

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and view relevant ingredients.
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free
spf rating
50

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Notable Ingredients

BHA
Vitamin C
Vitamin E
Exfoliators
Hyaluronic Acid

Benefits

Hydrating (4)
Good For Oily Skin
Redness Reducing (4)
Reduces Irritation (2)
Skin Texture
Reduces Large Pores (2)
Anti-Aging (2)
Dark Spots (2)
Scar Healing (3)
Acne Fighting (2)
Brightening (4)

Concerns

Drying
May Worsen Oily Skin (2)
Irritating
Rosacea
Eczema

Notable Ingredients

Mineral UV Filter (2)
Exfoliators

Benefits

Acne Fighting

Concerns

May Worsen Oily Skin
Acne Trigger
Rosacea
Eczema
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Ingredients Compared

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

WaterDimethiconeButylene GlycolIsododecaneCyclopentasiloxanePolysilicone-11Ascorbyl GlucosideTromethaminePentylene GlycolCurcuma Longa Root ExtractMorus Bombycis Root ExtractCucumis Sativus Fruit ExtractBetula Alba Bark ExtractScutellaria Baicalensis Root ExtractTrametes Versicolor ExtractNarcissus Tazetta Bulb ExtractTriticum Vulgare Germ ExtractMorus Nigra Root ExtractMolasses ExtractCitrus Grandis Peel Extract Hordeum Vulgare ExtractSalicylic AcidOryza Sativa Bran ExtractAlgae ExtractCaffeineGentiana Lutea Root ExtractVitis Vinifera Fruit ExtractSaccharomyces Lysate ExtractCamellia Sinensis Leaf ExtractYeast ExtractHydrolyzed Rice Bran ExtractHydrolyzed Prunus DomesticaSorbitolCholesterolPhospholipidsDipotassium GlycyrrhizateDi-C12-18 Alkyl Dimonium ChlorideSqualanePeg-10 DimethiconePeg-6GlycerinSucrosePolysorbate 20Tocopheryl AcetateIsohexadecaneAcetyl GlucosaminePropylene Glycol DicaprateArginineHelianthus Annuus SeedcakeSodium RnaCaprylyl GlycolDimethoxytolyl PropylresorcinolGlycyrrhetinic AcidSodium HyaluronatePolysorbate 80Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp CopolymerAcrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate CopolymerCarbomerPotassium SorbateSodium HydroxideSodium SulfiteSodium MetabisulfiteHexylene GlycolDisodium EDTAPhenoxyethanolCI 19140CI 15985

Ingredients Side-by-side

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

Learn more about what what Com. / Irr. ratings are

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Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

1
What it does: Emollient, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Dimethicone is a silicone used for making products smooth and silky. It also has the added benefit of sealing in hydration. The amount of dimethicone found in beauty products is considered safe and non-comedogenic, meaning it won't clog pores.

Dimethicone has been found increase absorption in skin, boosting the benefits of other ingredients. While there is concern for the safety of dimethicone, the levels used in skincare are safe for use.

Clinique Even Better Clinical™ Dark Spot Corrector & Optimizer contains this as ingredient number 2.

Clinique Pep-Start Daily UV Protector Broad Spectrum SPF 50 contains this as ingredient number 3.

2
What it does: Humectant, Masking, Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Mixed

Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:

  • It is a solvent, meaning that it helps to dissolve other ingredients. This also enhances the absorption of the product into one's skin.
  • It is a humectant, which means that it helps attract moisture into the skin.
  • It helps improve product application.

Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient. It is unlikely to irritate skin, and works well with pretty much all other ingredients.

Clinique Even Better Clinical™ Dark Spot Corrector & Optimizer contains this as ingredient number 3.

Clinique Pep-Start Daily UV Protector Broad Spectrum SPF 50 contains this as ingredient number 11.

3
What it does: Emollient, Humectant, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Liked

Caprylyl Glycol is a humectant and emollient, meaning it attracts and preserves moisture.

It is a common ingredient in many products, especially those designed to hydrate skin. The primary benefits are retaining moisture, skin softening, and promoting a healthy skin barrier.

Though Caprylyl Glycol is an alcohol derived from fatty acids, it is not the kind that can dry out skin.

This ingredient is also used as a preservative to extend the life of products. It has slight antimicrobial properties.

Learn more about Caprylyl Glycol

Clinique Even Better Clinical™ Dark Spot Corrector & Optimizer contains this as ingredient number 51.

Clinique Pep-Start Daily UV Protector Broad Spectrum SPF 50 contains this as ingredient number 19.

4
What it does: Preservative
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Phenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent germ and microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.

It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.

Clinique Even Better Clinical™ Dark Spot Corrector & Optimizer contains this as ingredient number 65.

Clinique Pep-Start Daily UV Protector Broad Spectrum SPF 50 contains this as ingredient number 27.

Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.

36% are loved or liked
15% have mixed ratings
24% are disliked or very disliked
25% have no rating yet
10% are loved or liked
14% have mixed ratings
41% are disliked or very disliked
34% have no rating yet

Usage

Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.

When to use

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Alternatives

Our Dupe Finder has found 15 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Clinique Even Better Clinical™ Dark Spot Corrector & Optimizer.

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Our Dupe Finder has found 34 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Clinique Pep-Start Daily UV Protector Broad Spectrum SPF 50.

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