Murad Rapid Age Spot and Pigment Lightening Serum

Murad Rapid Age Spot and Pigment Lightening Serum
4.5
/ 10
Moisturizing
8.8 Humectancy icon Humectancy
0.2 Occlusivity icon Occlusivity
1.3Anti-wrinkle icon/ 10
Anti-wrinkle
Rich
in Antioxidants
$$$$

Review

Results you may expect from using Murad Rapid Age Spot and Pigment Lightening Serum:

Based on the ingredient analysis by CreamScan, these are the key benefits you can expect from using Murad Rapid Age Spot and Pigment Lightening Serum:

  • Moderate moisturizing. It has a moisturizing rating of 4.5 out of 10.
  • Little anti-wrinkle effect: Murad Rapid Age Spot and Pigment Lightening Serum has an anti-wrinkle rating of 1.3 out of 10, so you may expect a positive, although insignificant, effect on wrinkles.
  • Antioxidant protection.

How moisturizing is it?

Quite moisturizing: Murad Rapid Age Spot and Pigment Lightening Serum has a moisturizing rating of 4.5 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 very high humectancy of 8.8 out of 10, primarily due to the high content of Butylene Glycol (est. ≈3.0%).

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

Anti-wrinkle efficacy

According to CreamScan analysis, Murad Rapid Age Spot and Pigment Lightening Serum has a minimal anti-wrinkle rating of 1.3 out of 10.

It contains 2 active ingredients with proven anti-wrinkle efficacy:
    • Glycolic Acid (est. ≈4.0%),
       highly effective in peelings, yet with below-average anti-wrinkle efficacy when used in leave-on skincare products.
    • Ascorbic Acid (est. ≈0.3%),
       or Vitamin C, a popular anti-wrinkle ingredient, yet with average efficacy confirmed by only one study.
 
Among others, Murad Rapid Age Spot and Pigment Lightening Serum also contains Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, an ingredient marketed as effective in reducing wrinkles. However, the studies supporting the anti-wrinkle claims of Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate provide insufficient evidence of its efficacy according to CreamScan Research Evaluation Standards. Therefore, this ingredient does not contribute to the anti-wrinkle rating.
 
Please refer to the Ratings section below for details of the anti-wrinkle rating calculation.
 

Antioxidant benefits

We estimate that Murad Rapid Age Spot and Pigment Lightening Serum is rich (> 3%) in antioxidants, specifically 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
70
6
4
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
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
8.8
3
1.5
1.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
Benchmark
10
All occlusives
0.3
0.3
Benchmark
20
Moisturizing rating
4.5
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark Raiting
Humectancy All humectants 8.8 10
8.8
3
1.5
1.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
Occlusivity All occlusives 0.3 20
0.2
0.3
Moisturizing rating
4.5
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark Humectancy
3
1.5
1.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
All humectants 8.8 10
8.8
All humectants
8.8
3
1.5
1.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
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
1.5 /10 5 4 1.2
2.5 /10 5 0.3 0.1
n/a
- 0.3 -
Total
1.3
Glycolic Acid
1.2
Ingredient anti-wrinkle power
1.5 /10
when present at, %
5
in this formula, est. %
4
Ascorbic Acid
0.1
Ingredient anti-wrinkle power
2.5 /10
when present at, %
5
in this formula, est. %
0.3
Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate
-
Ingredient anti-wrinkle power
n/a
when present at, %
-
in this formula, est. %
0.3
Anti-wrinkle rating
1.3
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark
Rich in Antioxidants
2
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
All antioxidants 4.4 3 Rich in antioxidants
All antioxidants
4.4
Hydroquinone
2
Ascorbic Acid
0.3
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
0.3
Propyl Gallate
0.3
Tocopherol
0.3
Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate
0.3
Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Extract
0.3
Sodium Metabisulfite
0.3
Sodium Sulfite
0.3
Benchmark
3
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark
Rich in Soothing
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
All soothing 1.2 5 No
All soothing
1.2
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
Benchmark
5

Ingredients explained

Water
Est. %70
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. %6
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. %4
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.
Hydroquinone
Est. %2
Function
Origin
Description is coming soon
Glycerin
Est. %1.5
Function
Origin

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

Methyl Gluceth-10
Est. %1.3
Function
Origin
A synthetic, humectant moisturizing ingredient derived from glucose.
Dextran
Est. %1
Function
Origin
A naturally derived sucrose metabolite that thickens water and bulks emulsions.
Hexapeptide-2
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Description is coming soon
Rice Amino Acids
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Description is coming soon
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
A gelatinous juice from Aloe vera leaves that acts as a powerful humectant, emollient, and antioxidant. It contains enzymes, amino acids, vitamins, and minerals that soothe irritated skin and have wound-healing and anti-inflammatory properties.
Urea
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Urea can be found in urine, skin, and other tissues as a degradation product of proteins. In concentrations below 5%, urea is humectant moisturizing. At concentrations above 10% it is keratolytic, that helps to break away old, flaking, and cracked skin.
Yeast Amino Acids
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Yeast amino acids are both essential and non-essential amino acids derived from yeast proteins. Some of the amino acids found in yeast are histidine, lysine, and cysteine. This ingredient is a humectant that moisturizes skin by attracting water.
Trehalose
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
A sweet-tasting saccharide that can be found in various yeasts and fungi and that is manufactured from starch for cosmetic purposes. It is one of the most popular sugars in skincare and is mainly used for its humectant properties.
Inositol
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
A humectant moisturizing, sugar-like compound that is present in all the cells of the body, but especially the brain. It is manufactured from sugar beets or carob tree pods for skincare purposes.
Taurine
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Description is coming soon
Betaine
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
An ingredient derived from the sucrose in sugar beets. It has a negative chemical charge and a positive chemical charge on the same molecule. This allows betaine to be hygroscopic or humectant and thus provide moisturization by drawing water to the skin.
Zinc Gluconate
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
One of the most commonly used ingredients in anti-acne products. It is an organic salt of zinc that helps to combat microbial infections, soothes and heals inflamed pimples, and regulates hormones in the skin.
Ascorbic Acid
Est. %0.3
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.

Chitosan
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
A film-forming polysaccharide derived from the shells of shrimp, crabs, and other crustaceans. It is a very special ingredient that is used to form protective films on wounds in order to promote wound healing.
Propyl Gallate
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
A semi-synthetic antioxidant manufactured from plant-based gallic acid. It protects the oils in the formulation from degrading and going rancid.
Nonoxynol-10
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Description is coming soon
Lecithin
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
A humectant, emollient, and emulsifier best suited for water-in-oil emulsions. Lecithin can come from sunflowers, soy, and eggs. The downside to lecithin is that it causes an extra burden on the formula’s preservative because it is nutritious.
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.
Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
One of the best-researched derivatives of vitamin C. It is more resistant to light and air and retains all the properties of ascorbic acid – antioxidant, collagen-boosting, and anti-pigmentation, but with less irritation.
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
A licorice root derivative with powerful anti-inflammatory and soothing activities. It is often used as a flavoring agent in lip products.
Palmitoyl Hydroxypropyltrimonium Amylopectin/Glycerin Crosspolymer
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Description is coming soon
Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Extract
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
A potent antioxidant and emollient extract derived from grape seeds. It contains antioxidant flavonoids, tannins, proanthocyanidins, phytosterols, carotenoids, and vitamin E. It is often used in skincare products aimed at soothing and healing irritated skin.
Chitosan PCA
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Description is coming soon
Allantoin
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
A fluffy, white powder that acts as a humectant due to its water-loving chemistry and as an exfoliant that helps to remove dead skin cells. It has also been shown to be very soothing to irritated and inflamed skin.
Polyquaternium-10
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
A cellulose-based film former.
Sodium Metabisulfite
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
A preservative that is especially effective at preventing fungus and mold growth. It is normally combined with a strong bactericidal preservative in order to achieve broad-spectrum protection. Sodium metabisulfite is also used as an antioxidant.
Sodium Sulfite
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
An inorganic salt that defends against oxidation.
Sodium Hydroxide
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
An ingredient that is able to bring the pH of a product up, thereby making it less harsh on the skin.
PPG-26-Buteth-26
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
A water-loving surfactant, which means it can act as an emulsifier, solubilizer, and cleansing agent. As an emulsifier, it helps to create oil-in-water emulsions.
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
A castor oil-derived ingredient often used to incorporate small amounts of oil (such as a fragrance) into a water-based product. PEG-4 HCO is a gold-standard solubilizer and can be used in low amounts due to its ability to solubilize things so well.
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
A naturally-derived thickener that can form clear gel textures without the slimy feeling, unlike some other natural gel-formers.
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.
Limonene
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
One of the most used fragrances in skincare products. It is produced from the peels of citrus fruits and has a fresh, pleasant, citrusy smell. People who are sensitive to citrus should try to avoid it, or at least do a patch test before using it.
Linalool
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
A fragrant, volatile compound naturally present in many essential oils. It has a pleasant scent and is often used in skincare products as a fragrance. People with sensitive skin should try to avoid it, or at least do a patch test before using it.
Fragrance
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Under trade secret law, manufacturers have the right not to disclose what exactly went into the fragrance and use the unspecific word Fragrance or Parfum instead. Many fragrances are highly allergenic.