Versus

Louis Widmer Pigmanorm Creme 5 %/ 0,1%/ 1 % Versus Louis Widmer Pigmanorm® Creme

Prescription
Prescription
Swiss Brand Switzerland
Swiss Brand Switzerland

Updated on January 22, 2024

Overview

What they are

These products are both cruelty-free prescription. They have a total of 6 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain retinoid and Vitamin C

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, anti aging, brightening skin, reducing pores, scar healing, dark spots and better texture

Free From

They both do not contain any silicones

What's Inside

They both contain fragrances

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

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and see relevant ingredients

About this product

About this product

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

found in both products

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

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

Skin Conditioning

Tretinoin is the best retinoid due to its proven skin benefits. It only available with a prescription in many countries.

All retinoids goes through a conversion line until it can become effective. The final step of conversion is retinoic acid; retinoic acid IS Tretinoin.

This is why tretinoin is so effective; it gets to work immediately on the skin.

Research on tretinoin has found it to be incredibly effective for reducing the signs of aging. It helps improve damage from the sun, even the skin tone, and smooth out wrinkles. It is also an effective acne treatment by reducing and balancing out sebum production in pores.

Tretinoin, like other forms of Vitamin A, increases the turnover cycle of skin cells. This helps the skin create newer and healthier skin cells faster.

It can cause irritation, redness, and dry skin because it is considered a "strong" ingredient. Those with sensitive skin should consult a professional about using tretinoin.

Using retinoids will increase sun-sensitivity in the first few weeks of use. Though studies show retinoids increase your skin's natural SPF with continuous use, it is best to always wear sunscreen and sun-protection.

Read about a form of retinoid you can purchase at the store, retinol.

Learn more about Tretinoin
Stabilising

Hydroquinone is used to treat hyperpigmentation, acne scars, and age spots.

It works by decreasing the melanocytes in your skin. Melanocytes are cells that create melanin (the color pigment in skin).

Be sure to use this ingredient as prescribed by your doctor. Wearing sunscreen is also a must (you should be wearing sunscreen anyway!).

Most hydroquinone prescriptions are not to be used for longer than 3 months. Long term usage can cause ochronosis, or a condition in which the skin darkens more than before.

This ingredient is banned in the EU for being skin sensitizer. In the US, this ingredient is not allowed for over-the-counter sale.

However, it is still possible to get hydroquinone in the EU, US, Canada, Australia, and Japan from a doctor's prescription.

There is no known research backing this ingredient to be carcinogenic in humans.

Check out the European alternative to hydroquinone here.

Gentle reminder that all skin tones are beautiful!

Learn more about Hydroquinone
Perfuming, Skin Conditioning

Paraffin is a solid created from petroleum. The term 'paraffin' can also refer to either petroleum jelly or mineral oil.

It has natural occlusive properties which can worsen oily skin. Due to its petrolatum base, this ingredient is not fungal-acne safe.

Antioxidant, Buffering, Masking

Ascorbic Acid is is pure Vitamin C. This form makes up the largest amount of vitamin C found naturally in our skin.

Not only is vitamin C great for your overall health and immune system, it also has plenty of benefits on your skin.

Vitamin C is best used for brightening skin. It improves dark spots, acne scars, and hyperpigmentation. This is because it blocks the process of skin darkening when exposed to UV.

Remember: Vitamin C should not replace sunscreen!

Your skin uses vitamin C to build collagen. Collagen is one key component in having a strong skin barrier and plump skin. Vitamin C also plays a role in regulating collagen, thus making it effective in improving wrinkles and fine lines.

Ascorbic acid shows potent antioxidant activity. As an antioxidant, it helps fight free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells. These antioxidants also protect skin against UV damage.

The best formulations include Vitamin E and/or ferulic acid. These two ingredients help stabilize and provide a boost in the benefits of ascorbic acid. This is because ascorbic acid becomes unstable when exposed to UV and air. In fact, you can tell your ascorbic acid has oxidized when it turns an orange-yellow color.

Ascorbic acid is generally compatible with other ingredients. However, using ascorbic acid with other active ingredients might cause irritation. Two ingredients: copper ions and benzoyl peroxide, will inactivate ascorbic acid completely.

Read more about other types of Vitamin C:

Foods rich with vitamin C include oranges, strawberries, broccoli, bell peppers, and more. When consuming Vitamin C, your skin receives a portion of the nutrients.

Learn more about Ascorbic Acid
Skin Conditioning, Solvent

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. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!

Learn more about Water
Emollient, Masking

Isopropyl Myristate is an emollient, thickening agent, and texture enhancer. It is created from isopropyl alcohol and myristic acid.

It is used to help other ingredients be better absorbed. It is also an emollient and may help soften and hydrate the skin.

The comedogenic rating of this ingredient depends on the concentration. Lower amounts results in a lower rating.

Isopropyl Myristate may not be fungal acne safe. It can potentially worsen acne prone skin.

Learn more about Isopropyl Myristate

When to use

1 Routine
0% use in am
100% use in pm
100% use every day
6 Routines
0% use in am
100% use in pm
83% use every day

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Louis Widmer Pigmanorm Creme 5 %/ 0,1%/ 1 % 12 ingredients

5.0 /5
from 1 rating

Louis Widmer Pigmanorm® Creme 27 ingredients

5.0 /5
from 1 rating
Drying (1) Irritating (1) No Scent (1)
Lapaki's avatar

Lapaki

8 months ago
Review

Louis Widmer’s Pigmanorm has been a game-changer in my skincare routine - I don’t want to gatekeep it. After damaging my skin due to irresponsible retinol use, I spent a lot on brightening products with only mediocre results. However, pairing Pigmanorm with microdermabrasion treatments from October 2023 to April 2024 has reversed so much sun damage. Parts of my melasma and hyperpigmentation have Show more

#drying
#irritating
#no scent
#works well