Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Clinical Grade IPL Dark Spot Correcting Serum

Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Clinical Grade IPL Dark Spot Correcting Serum
5.1
/ 10
Moisturizing
10.0 Humectancy icon Humectancy
0.2 Occlusivity icon Occlusivity
2.6Anti-wrinkle icon/ 10
Anti-wrinkle
Rich
in Antioxidants
$$$$

Review

Results you may expect from using Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Clinical Grade IPL Dark Spot Correcting Serum:

Based on the ingredient analysis by CreamScan, these are the key benefits you can expect from using Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Clinical Grade IPL Dark Spot Correcting Serum:

  • Moderate moisturizing. It has a moisturizing rating of 5.1 out of 10.
  • Some anti-wrinkle efficacy: Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Clinical Grade IPL Dark Spot Correcting Serum has an anti-wrinkle rating of 2.6 out of 10 so you may expect some, although limited, effect on wrinkles.
  • Antioxidant protection.

How moisturizing is it?

Quite moisturizing: Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Clinical Grade IPL Dark Spot Correcting Serum has a moisturizing rating of 5.1 out of 10.

Is it more humectant or occlusive? Significantly more humectant. It has a low occlusivity of 0.2 out of 10 and a maximum humectancy of 10 out of 10, primarily due to the high content of Ethoxydiglycol (est. ≈10.1%), Lactic Acid (est. ≈3.0%) and Glycerin (est. ≈2.0%).

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

Anti-wrinkle efficacy

According to CreamScan analysis, Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Clinical Grade IPL Dark Spot Correcting Serum has a slight anti-wrinkle rating of 2.6 out of 10.

It contains 2 active ingredients with proven anti-wrinkle efficacy:

  • Ascorbic Acid (est. ≈10.0%),
     or Vitamin C, a popular anti-wrinkle ingredient, yet with average efficacy confirmed by only one study.
  • Glycolic Acid (est. ≈0.3%),
     highly effective in peelings, yet with below-average anti-wrinkle efficacy when used in leave-on skincare products.
Among others, Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Clinical Grade IPL Dark Spot Correcting Serum also contains Soy Isoflavones, an ingredient marketed as effective in reducing wrinkles. However, the studies supporting the anti-wrinkle claims of Soy Isoflavones provide insufficient evidence of its efficacy according to CreamScan Research Evaluation Standards. Therefore, this ingredient does not contribute to the anti-wrinkle rating.
 
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 Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Clinical Grade IPL Dark Spot Correcting Serum is rich (> 3%) in antioxidants, specifically Ascorbic Acid (est. ≈10.0%).

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
65
10.1
10
3
2
1.5
1.3
1
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
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Ratings

All humectants
17.5
10.1
3
2
1.5
0.3
0.3
0.3
Benchmark
10
All occlusives
0.3
0.3
Benchmark
20
Moisturizing rating
5.1
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark Raiting
Humectancy All humectants 17.5 10
10.0
10.1
3
2
1.5
0.3
0.3
0.3
Occlusivity All occlusives 0.3 20
0.2
0.3
Moisturizing rating
5.1
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark Humectancy
10.1
3
2
1.5
0.3
0.3
0.3
All humectants 17.5 10
10
All humectants
17.5
10.1
3
2
1.5
0.3
0.3
0.3
Benchmark
10
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark Occlusivity
0.3
All occlusives 0.3 20
0.2
All occlusives
0.3
0.3
Benchmark
20
Ingredient
Ingredient anti-wrinkle power
when present at, %
in this formula est. %
Rating
2.5 /10 5 10 2.5
1.5 /10 5 0.3 0.1
n/a
- 0.3 -
Total
2.6
Ascorbic Acid
2.5
Ingredient anti-wrinkle power
2.5 /10
when present at, %
5
in this formula, est. %
10
Glycolic Acid
0.1
Ingredient anti-wrinkle power
1.5 /10
when present at, %
5
in this formula, est. %
0.3
Soy Isoflavones
-
Ingredient anti-wrinkle power
n/a
when present at, %
-
in this formula, est. %
0.3
Anti-wrinkle rating
2.6
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark
Rich in Antioxidants
10
1.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
All antioxidants 14 3 Rich in antioxidants
All antioxidants
14
Ascorbic Acid
10
Kojic Acid
1.3
Tocopherol
0.3
Ferulic Acid
0.3
Arbutin
0.3
Citrus Unshiu Peel Extract
0.3
Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract
0.3
Morus Alba Bark Extract
0.3
Sodium Hyaluronate
0.3
Quercetin
0.3
Soy Isoflavones
0.3
Benchmark
3
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark
Rich in Soothing
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
All soothing 1.8 5 No
All soothing
1.8
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
Benchmark
5

Ingredients explained

Water
Est. %65
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.
Ethoxydiglycol
Est. %10.1
Function
Origin
A type of alcohol with humectant moisturizing properties. It also acts as a solvent, since it mixes well with a variety of other compounds, including water and even some oils.
Ascorbic Acid
Est. %10
Function
Origin

Also known as vitamin C, this multi-benefit ingredient has proven anti-wrinkle, antioxidant, and anti-pigmentation efficacy. It degrades easily when exposed to air and light, so it requires proper packaging to maintain its stability.

Lactic Acid
Est. %3
Function
Origin
The most popular AHA in skincare and less irritating than glycolic acid. It can be naturally found in sour milk. It is a humectant moisturizing, pH stabilizing, and gently exfoliating ingredient, able to soften dry, cracked, and peeling skin.
Glycerin
Est. %2
Function
Origin

The most popular moisturizing ingredient in the world. It is a powerful humectant – cheap yet very effective.

Propylene Glycol
Est. %1.5
Function
Origin
A clear, thick, odorless liquid of synthetic origin. Its main function is to stabilize cosmetic products exposed to varying temperatures. It is also a moderately strong humectant with similar properties to glycerin.
Kojic Acid
Est. %1.3
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.
Dimethyl Isosorbide
Est. %1
Function
Origin
A solvent for active ingredients that is claimed to help them better penetrate the outer layer of skin. It also helps to reduce the thickness of a product.
PVM/MA Decadiene Crosspolymer
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Description is coming soon
Tocopherol
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Simply another name for vitamin E. Tocopherol is a fantastic ingredient and especially beneficial for dry and inflamed skin. It has occlusive moisturizing, emollient, antioxidant, and photoprotective properties.
Mandelic Acid
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Derived from almonds, this ingredient is one of the gentlest AHAs and is used for its exfoliating and antimicrobial properties. It is particularly beneficial for acne but also helps to treat post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.
Ferulic Acid
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
A plant-based phenolic acid with powerful and scientifically proven antioxidant properties. It enhances the effects of vitamins C and E, as well as the UV protective effects of sunscreens.
Arbutin
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
One of the few potent anti-pigment compounds found naturally in bearberry or cranberry leaves. When applied to the skin, this ingredient converts into hydroquinone, with tyrosinase inhibiting effects.
Arctostaphylos Uva-Ursi Leaf Extract
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Description is coming soon
Citrus Unshiu Peel Extract
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
This extract derived from satsuma mandarins mainly contains a fragrant essential oil. It is rich in antioxidant flavonoids, organic acids, and limonoids – promising anti-pigment and anti-wrinkle compounds.
Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
An extract from the licorice root. It contains a well-researched anti-inflammatory compound called glycyrrhizin that can reduce inflammation. Licorice root extract is also used for its powerful antioxidant effects and ability to treat pigmentation.
Morus Alba Bark Extract
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
An extract derived from the bark of the white mulberry tree. It contains various astringent, antioxidant, and soothing phytochemicals (some of which can also show anti-pigment activity).
Azelaic Acid
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
A powerful dermatological ingredient that helps to treat acne and various pigmentation issues. It appears both in medicated creams and regular skincare. It reduces redness and inflammation but can be irritating in high concentrations.
Glycolic Acid
Est. %0.3
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.

Potassium Azeloyl Diglycinate
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
A modified version of azelaic acid. It reduces signs of redness, hyperpigmentation, and stinging and burning, and is better tolerated, more effective, and more easily incorporated into creams than azelaic acid.
Sodium Hyaluronate
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
A sodium salt of famous hyaluronic acid. A potent humectant that hydrates the skin, supports collagen function, and fills out small wrinkles. Sodium hyaluronate also offers soothing and antioxidant properties.
Quercetin
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Description is coming soon
Phospholipids
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
A large group of lipids that are an essential component of every single cell membrane in the body. They have excellent emollient properties. Phospholipids are also utilized in the manufacturing of ‘fancy’ formulations such as liposomes.
Soy Isoflavones
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Bioactive compounds isolated from soybeans. They act as phytoestrogens to support collagen production in aging skin.
Ergocalciferol
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Description is coming soon
Panthenol
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
A popular soothing and moisturizing derivative of vitamin B5. Panthenol is particularly beneficial for dry, flaking, burned, or damaged skin. It is used to alleviate the symptoms of a rash, dermatitis, eczema, chapped lips, and sunburn.
Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
A biotechnological fermentation ingredient that is created by feeding radish root to Leuconostoc kimchii. It allegedly contains organic acids and a mixture of peptides known as bacteriocins – which have antimicrobial activity.
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.
Polysorbate 80
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
A non-ionic surfactant, which means that it contains no chemical charges. It can be used as a mild cleansing agent in skin cleansing products but is more commonly used for its emulsifying abilities.
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.
Potassium Hydroxide
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
A very alkaline ingredient, meaning that it has a high pH. Potassium hydroxide is therefore useful in bringing a low pH in a cosmetic product up to a more neutral, skin-safe level.
Phenoxyethanol
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
The most frequently used preservative in skincare. It is a clear, oil-like liquid synthetic substance that protects products from harmful bacteria and yeast, whilst still leaving skin microflora unharmed. It is confirmed by research to be harmless.