DCL Dermatologic Cosmetic Laboratories AHA Lightening Gel

DCL Dermatologic Cosmetic Laboratories AHA Lightening Gel
1.5
/ 10
Moisturizing
3.0 Humectancy icon Humectancy
0.0 Occlusivity icon Occlusivity
1.5Anti-wrinkle icon/ 10
Anti-wrinkle
Rich
in Antioxidants
$$$$

Review

Results you may expect from using DCL Dermatologic Cosmetic Laboratories AHA Lightening Gel:

Based on the ingredient analysis by CreamScan, these are the key benefits you can expect from using DCL Dermatologic Cosmetic Laboratories AHA Lightening Gel:

  • A bit of moisturizing. It has a moisturizing rating of 1.5 out of 10.
  • Little anti-wrinkle effect: DCL Dermatologic Cosmetic Laboratories AHA Lightening Gel has an anti-wrinkle rating of 1.5 out of 10, so you may expect a positive, although insignificant, effect on wrinkles.
  • Antioxidant protection.

How moisturizing is it?

Slightly moisturizing: DCL Dermatologic Cosmetic Laboratories AHA Lightening Gel has a moisturizing rating of 1.5 out of 10.

Is it more humectant or occlusive? Purely humectant. It has zero occlusivity (we didn't find any occlusive ingredients on the ingredient list) and a moderate humectancy of 3.0 out of 10, entirely due to the high content of Butylene Glycol (est. ≈3.0%).

Tip: Studies suggest that humectants alone do not moisturize the skin. We recommend applying a product with some occlusive ingredients after the use of this one.

Please refer to the Ratings section below for details of the moisturizing rating calculation.

Anti-wrinkle efficacy

According to CreamScan analysis, DCL Dermatologic Cosmetic Laboratories AHA Lightening Gel has a minimal anti-wrinkle rating of 1.5 out of 10. It contains one ingredient with proven anti-wrinkle efficacy: Glycolic Acid (est. ≈5.0%),
 highly effective in peelings, yet with below-average anti-wrinkle efficacy when used in leave-on skincare products.
 
Moisturizers, when used regularly, are proven to prevent wrinkle formation and even reduce existing wrinkles. Therefore, this product, like any other moisturizer, could deliver additional anti-wrinkle efficacy through its moisturizing action.
 

Please refer to the Ratings section below for details of the anti-wrinkle rating calculation.

Antioxidant benefits

We estimate that DCL Dermatologic Cosmetic Laboratories AHA Lightening Gel is rich (> 3%) in antioxidants, specifically Kojic Acid (est. ≈2.5%) and Hydroquinone (est. ≈2.0%).

A key benefit of antioxidants is their ability to reduce oxidative stress caused by free radicals and therefore prevent accelerated skin aging. Studies also show that antioxidants can protect against environmental damage such as UV radiation and pollution, and help reduce inflammation and skin redness.

Ingredients

Est. % Ingredient Origin Functions
75
7.5
5
3
2.5
2
1.5
1
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
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Ratings

All humectants
3.0
3
Benchmark
10
All occlusives
0.0
None
Benchmark
20
Moisturizing rating
1.5
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark Raiting
Humectancy All humectants 3 10
3.0
3
Occlusivity All occlusives 0.0 20
0.0
None
Moisturizing rating
1.5
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark Humectancy
3
All humectants 3 10
3
All humectants
3.0
3
Benchmark
10
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark Occlusivity
None
All occlusives 0.0 20
0.0
All occlusives
0.0
None
Benchmark
20
Ingredient
Ingredient anti-wrinkle power
when present at, %
in this formula est. %
Rating
1.5 /10 5 5 1.5
Total
1.5
Glycolic Acid
1.5
Ingredient anti-wrinkle power
1.5 /10
when present at, %
5
in this formula, est. %
5
Anti-wrinkle rating
1.5
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark
Rich in Antioxidants
2.5
2
1.5
0.3
0.3
All antioxidants 6.6 3 Rich in antioxidants
All antioxidants
6.6
Kojic Acid
2.5
Hydroquinone
2
Sodium Bisulfite
1.5
BHT
0.3
Sodium Sulfite
0.3
Benchmark
3
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark
Rich in Soothing
None
All soothing 0 5 No
All soothing
0
None
Benchmark
5

Ingredients explained

Water
Est. %75
Function
Origin
The most used ingredient in skincare. Its concentration defines the product texture: rich creams may have about 50% of water while a light jelly about 90%. Water doesn’t moisturize the skin by itself and is used in skincare as a solvent for other ingredients.
Alcohol Denat.
Est. %7.5
Function
Origin

Denatured alcohol is ethanol that contains additives that make it unsafe to consume. It is mainly used as a solvent and an antimicrobial agent. A major drawback to alcohol denat. is that it dries out the skin.

Glycolic Acid
Est. %5
Function
Origin

The second most used AHA (after lactic acid) known for its potent exfoliating and smoothing effects. It increases skin cell turnover, which is beneficial for treating acne. When used in peels, glycolic acid has confirmed anti-wrinkle efficacy, though it is less effective in leave-on products like creams and serums.

Butylene Glycol
Est. %3
Function
Origin
A clear, colorless liquid humectant that draws moisture to the skin. The humectancy of butylene glycol, owed to its two hydroxyl groups, is quite considerable, although not as powerful as glycerin, which contains three hydroxyl groups.
Kojic Acid
Est. %2.5
Function
Origin
A bioactive compound isolated from various fungi or fermented products. It is one of the most common and potent anti-pigment and brightening ingredients, and has been successfully tested on humans.
Hydroquinone
Est. %2
Function
Origin
Description is coming soon
Sodium Bisulfite
Est. %1.5
Function
Origin
An inorganic salt that kills bacteria and protects against oxidation.
Polyquaternium-10
Est. %1
Function
Origin
A cellulose-based film former.
BHT
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
An antioxidant ingredient that naturally occurs in green algae and some bacteria or fungi but, for commercial use, is created synthetically. BHT is also used occasionally as a fragrance, where it presents a sweet, camphor-like odor.
Sodium Sulfite
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
An inorganic salt that defends against oxidation.
Polysorbate 20
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
A viscous, amber-colored liquid that functions as a solubilizer to disperse small amounts of oil into a large water phase. Polysorbate 20 is frequently used to solubilize fragrance oils into water-based emulsions.
Disodium EDTA
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
A synthetic chelator that helps to maintain the look and smell of a product by 'locking up' troublesome metal ions.