DHC Whitening Essence

Name: Whitening Essence
Brand: DHC

A essence with 4 ingredients, including hyaluronic acid.

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A friendly reminder from SkinSort: all skin tones are lovely!

Overview

What it is

Essence with 4 ingredients that contains hyaluronic acid

Cool Features

It is fungal acne (malassezia) safe and reef safe

Suited For

It has ingredients that are good for anti aging, dry skin and scar healing

Free From

It doesn't contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, fragrances, oils, parabens, silicones or sulfates

Fun facts

DHC is from Japan.

We independently verify ingredients and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Does this product need an update? Let us know.

Warning: Incomplete INCI list

This happens when the brand does not publicly disclose the full list of ingredients.

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Ingredients List

2

Deoxyribonuclease

Skin Conditioning

Glycine Soja Extract

Skin Conditioning

Hyaluronic Acid

Humectant

Elastin

Skin Conditioning

Deoxyribonuclease, Glycine Soja Extract, Hyaluronic Acid, Elastin

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Ingredients Explained

Deoxyribonuclease

Skin Conditioning

We don't have a description for Deoxyribonuclease yet.

Glycine Soja Extract

Skin Conditioning

This ingredient comes from the wild soybean. It has skin conditioning and moisturizing properties due to its interesting bioactive compounds.

The two key bioactive compounds like genistein, daidzein, soybean trypsin inhibitor, Bowman-Birk inhibitor, and phenolic acids give it a broad range of studied effects.

Studies have shown soy proteins can inhibit melanin transfer to the skin's surface to potentially help with uneven skin tone. There's also some in-vitro evidence that soybean extract stimulate collagen and elastin synthesis. A 2025 mouse study found Glycine Soja leaf/stem extract reduced markers of atopic dermatitis-like inflammation and improved skin barrier function.

Just remember this ingredient still lacks robust human clinical trials. However, it would be a great supportive ingredient in any routine unless you have a known soy allergy.

Learn more about Glycine Soja Extract

Hyaluronic Acid

Humectant, Moisturising, Skin Conditioning

Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a glycosaminoglycan (basically a long sugar chain) that your skin already makes on its own. In your skin, HA lives in the extracellular matrix and acts as the body's moisture reservoir.

Topically, HA is a humectant that binds water and helps skin look more plump, smooth, and hydrated.

The only catch is that HA isn't a single thing; it actually comes in a wide range of molecular weights (~50 - 2,000+ kDA) and size matters.

Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.

This is why the best HA serums blend the two sizes together so you get the best of both worlds.

The majority of cosmetic HA is produced by bacterial fermentation, typically using Streptococcus or Bacillus strains. Typical use levels in skincare sit around 0.1-2%.

A clinical study using a 0.2% low-molecular weight HA gel showed improvement in facial seborrheic dermatitis with excellent tolerance.

These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:

Learn more about Hyaluronic Acid

Elastin

Skin Conditioning, Smoothing

We don't have a description for Elastin yet.