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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Kiehl's Clearly Corrective™ Dark Spot Solution versus Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Recovery Complex II .

Published on January 09, 2022

Overview

What they are

These products are both fungal acne (malassezia) safe . They have a total of 5 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain Vitamin E

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for dry skin and brightening skin

Free From

They both do not contain any parabens, silicones or sulfates

What's Inside

They both contain fragrances and oils

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

Facial Treatment American Brand United States
Serum American Brand United States

Facial Treatment

Facial treatments are specially designed to treat a skin concern. Acne treatments and anti-aging products are common examples of facial treatments.

Serum

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

Price

Shop

Buy Clearly Corrective™ Dark Spot Solution

Starts at $90.00
Shop

Buy Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Recovery Complex II

Starts at $41.89

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

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Notable Ingredients

BHA
Vitamin C
Vitamin E (2)

Benefits

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

Concerns

Drying (2)
May Worsen Oily Skin
Irritating (3)
Rosacea (2)
Eczema (3)

Notable Ingredients

Vitamin E
Hyaluronic Acid
Peptides

Benefits

Hydrating (2)
Reduces Irritation
Brightening

Concerns

Irritating
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Ingredients Compared

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

Ingredients Side-by-side

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

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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: Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Loved

Water. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.

So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.

You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. Talk about multi-purpose! If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!

Learn more about Water

Kiehl's Clearly Corrective™ Dark Spot Solution contains this as ingredient number 1.

Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Recovery Complex II contains this as ingredient number 1.

2
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.

Kiehl's Clearly Corrective™ Dark Spot Solution contains this as ingredient number 9.

Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Recovery Complex II contains this as ingredient number 38.

3
What it does: Emulsifying, Emulsion Stabilising, Gel Forming, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Disliked

Xanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.

On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.

Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.

Learn more about Xanthan Gum

Kiehl's Clearly Corrective™ Dark Spot Solution contains this as ingredient number 11.

Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Recovery Complex II contains this as ingredient number 37.

4
What it does: Antioxidant, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Liked

Tocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.

One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.

Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.

Learn more about Tocopheryl Acetate

Kiehl's Clearly Corrective™ Dark Spot Solution contains this as ingredient number 16.

Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Recovery Complex II contains this as ingredient number 30.

5
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.

Kiehl's Clearly Corrective™ Dark Spot Solution contains this as ingredient number 21.

Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Recovery Complex II contains this as ingredient number 6.

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

33% are loved or liked
13% have mixed ratings
42% are disliked or very disliked
13% have no rating yet
35% are loved or liked
13% have mixed ratings
23% are disliked or very disliked
30% 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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Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Kiehl's Clearly Corrective™ Dark Spot Solution 24 ingredients

5.0 /5
from 1 rating
MSP's avatar

MSP

11 months ago · Combination Skin
Review

Works as said
I have dark skin and lots of PIH. It lightens them. You can see quicker results with new PIH spots. Holygrail in my routine

Alternatives

Our Dupe Finder has found 22 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Kiehl's Clearly Corrective™ Dark Spot Solution.

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Our Dupe Finder has found 3 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Recovery Complex II.

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