Eucerin Even Pigment Perfector Dual Serum Versus Nivea Luminous630 Anti Stretch Mark Body Oil-Seruml

What makes it stand out is how specific it is to human tyrosinase: it was discovered by screening more than 50,000 compounds against recombinant human tyrosinase rather than the mushroom version most older ingredients were tested on.

Thiamidol turned out to be superior to frequently used inhibitors of hyperpigmentation (kojic acid, arbutin, and even hydroquinone) in lab testing.

The clinical evidence is solid as well for a cosmetic ingredient; it matched or beat a 2% hyroquinone for mild-to-moderate melasma in a double-blind study, reduced visible age spots at concentrations as low as 0.1% within 4 weeks, and separate trials show it helps with post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (the marks left behind after acne).

This ingredient is generally well-tolerated since it doesn't rely on the quinone-forming mechanism that can irritate skin. Studies also report minimal and self-limiting side effects.

Typical usage concentration in finished products is 0.2% (the same amount most of the clinical trials used) and it shows activity as low as 0.1%.

Overall, this is a better-researched brightening active and is a great option if pigmentation is your concern.

Be sure to also check out Rucinol, another "hydroquinone alternative".

Typical usage concentrations range from 1-5%.

Human testing shows it's non-irritating and non-sensitizing, and the EU Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) has cleared it at very high levels (79% in leave-on products).

The one thing worth knowing about its comedogenic score of 3-4 is to keep it in perspective: these ratings come from old rabbit-ear tests using 100% of pure ingredient and doesn't reflect how it behaves at low levels in a finished product.

Because it is an ester of palmitic acid (C16), it falls into the range that the Malassezia yeast can feed on and is considered not fungal acne safe.

For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of “FRAGRANCE” or “PARFUM” according to EU and US regulations.

The term 'parfum' or 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term.

For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance by INCI standards.

One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.

Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.

Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.

The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.