Two Poles Brightening Serum Review

Two Poles Brightening Serum
3.0
/ 10
Moisturizing
3.9 Humectancy icon Humectancy
2.0 Occlusivity icon Occlusivity
Rich Skin Soothing icon
in Skin Soothers
Review

Does Two Poles Brightening Serum Work?

 
According to CreamScan AI's analysis of the ingredient list, here’s what Two Poles Brightening Serum has to offer:
 
  • Light moisturizing. It has a moisturizing rating of 3.0 out of 10.
  • Soothing: Two Poles Brightening Serum contains a high concentration of soothing ingredients, which may help to reduce irritation and calm the skin.

Key Benefits of Two Poles Brightening Serum

 
These are the key benefits you can expect from using Two Poles Brightening Serum:
 

Basic Moisturizer for Combination and Oily Skin

According to CreamScan analysis, Two Poles Brightening Serum is lightly moisturizing, with a moisturizing rating of 3.0 out of 10.

Is it more humectant or occlusive? Rather humectant. It has a low occlusivity of 2.0 out of 10 and a moderate humectancy of 3.9 out of 10, primarily due to the high content of Pentylene Glycol (est. ≈3.0%).

This product, when used alone as a moisturizer, provides moderate hydration in a relatively lightweight, non-greasy formula. This could work for people with oily skin who need a basic level of hydration.

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

Skin Soothing and Calming Potential

Based on the ingredient list analysis, Two Poles Brightening Serum is rich (> 5%) in soothing ingredients, particularly Azelaic Acid (est. ≈6.0%).

When applied to the skin, compounds of soothing ingredients, such as triglycerides, phospholipids, fatty acids, phenolic compounds, and antioxidants, work together to soothe the skin through various mechanisms: reducing inflammation, promoting wound healing, repairing the skin barrier, and providing antimicrobial and antioxidant activities.

Please note that this is not a complete list of benefits. We are in the process of enhancing our AI model to incorporate anti-pigmentation, exfoliation and anti-acne ratings.

Things to Be Aware Of: Two Poles Brightening Serum

 
CreamScan AI identified a few things to consider before adding Two Poles Brightening Serum to your skincare routine:
 

Questionable anti-wrinkle efficacy

If one of your main reasons for choosing Two Poles Brightening Serum is its potential anti-aging effects, please note that, according to CreamScan analysis, it currently has a zero anti-wrinkle rating.

It contains Acetyl Glucosamine, an ingredient often marketed as effective in reducing wrinkles. However, the studies supporting the anti-wrinkle claims of Acetyl Glucosamine provide insufficient evidence of its efficacy according to CreamScan Research Evaluation Standards.

While this does not categorically exclude the possibility that Acetyl Glucosamine may reduce wrinkles, its efficacy is not supported by convincing, vehicle-controlled, double-blind clinical studies - at least none that were accessible to the CreamScan team at the time of publication.

Therefore, this ingredient does not generate 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, can deliver some anti-wrinkle effects through its moisturizing action.

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

Pros & Cons of Two Poles Brightening Serum

 
Here’s an overview of the pros and cons of Two Poles Brightening Serum to help you decide if it’s the right choice for your skincare routine:
 

Pros:

  • Basic moisturizing that can work for combination and oily skin
  • Lightweight texture
  • Potentially soothing, as it contains a high concentration of soothing ingredients, specifically Azelaic Acid

Cons: 

  • Questionable anti-wrinkle efficacy

Ingredients

Est. % Ingredient Origin Functions
75
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
Est. %
Water
Function:
Origin:
Azelaic Acid
Function:
Origin:
Dimethicone
Function:
Origin:
Pentylene Glycol
Function:
Origin:
Coco-Caprylate
Function:
Origin:
Tranexamic Acid
Function:
Origin:
Arbutin
Function:
Origin:
Sodium Hydroxide
Function:
Origin:
Polysorbate 20
Function:
Origin:
Acetyl Glucosamine
Function:
Origin:
Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract
Function:
Origin:
Glycerin
Function:
Origin:
Biosaccharide Gum-5
Function:
Origin:
Chondrus Crispus Powder
Function:
Origin:
Sodium Phytate
Function:
Origin:
Sodium Levulinate
Function:
Origin:
Glyceryl Caprylate
Function:
Origin:
Sodium Anisate
Function:
Origin:
Potassium Sorbate
Function:
Origin:
Sodium Benzoate
Function:
Origin:
Fragrance
Function:
Origin:

Ratings

All humectants
3.9
3
0.3
0.3
0.3
Benchmark
10
All occlusives
4.0
4.0
Benchmark
20
Moisturizing rating
3.0
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark Raiting
Humectancy All humectants 3.9 10
3.9
3
0.3
0.3
0.3
Occlusivity All occlusives 4.0 20
2.0
4.0
Moisturizing rating
3.0
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark Humectancy
3
0.3
0.3
0.3
All humectants 3.9 10
3.9
All humectants
3.9
3
0.3
0.3
0.3
Benchmark
10
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark Occlusivity
4
All occlusives 4.0 20
2.0
All occlusives
4.0
4.0
Benchmark
20
Ingredient
Ingredient anti-wrinkle power
when present at, %
in this formula est. %
Rating
n/a
- 0.3 -
Total
0
Acetyl Glucosamine
-
Ingredient anti-wrinkle power
n/a
when present at, %
-
in this formula, est. %
0.3
Anti-wrinkle rating
0
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark
Rich in Antioxidants
1.3
0.3
0.3
All antioxidants 1.9 3 No
All antioxidants
1.9
Arbutin
1.3
Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract
0.3
Chondrus Crispus Powder
0.3
Benchmark
3
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark
Rich in Soothing
6
0.3
All soothing 6.3 5 Rich in soothing
All soothing
6.3
6
0.3
Benchmark
5

Ingredients explained

Water
Est. %75
Function
Origin
WaterThe 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.
Azelaic Acid
Est. %6
Function
Origin
Azelaic AcidA 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.
Dimethicone
Est. %4
Function
Origin
DimethiconeThe most common silicone in skincare. It forms a silky, smooth film on the skin’s surface and can help to prevent water loss. It also aids in wound healing and can treat and soften scars. Dimethicone is considered to be very safe for use.
Pentylene Glycol
Est. %3
Function
Origin
Pentylene Glycol

A naturally or synthetically derived preservative that exhibits effective antifungal and antibacterial traits. It also acts as a booster for more traditional preservatives. Pentylene glycol can also serve as a moisturizing humectant and solvent.

Coco-Caprylate
Est. %2
Function
Origin
Coco-CaprylateA naturally-derived or synthetically produced oil with a very light feel. An alternative to silicones, this ingredient spreads quickly and doesn't leave a residue on skin.
Tranexamic Acid
Est. %1.5
Function
Origin
Tranexamic AcidA synthetic amino acid that is used as an astringent to stop the bleeding from small cuts. It also has proven anti-pigment and redness-reducing effects.
Arbutin
Est. %1.3
Function
Origin
ArbutinOne 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.
Sodium Hydroxide
Est. %1
Function
Origin
Sodium Hydroxide

An ingredient that is able to bring the pH of a product up, thereby making it less harsh on the skin.

Polysorbate 20
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Polysorbate 20A 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.
Acetyl Glucosamine
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Acetyl GlucosamineA body-natural amino-saccharide used in skincare as an anti-pigment ingredient. Some other benefits of acetyl glucosamine include decreased skin flakiness, improved wound healing, and even a slight reduction in facial wrinkles.
Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root ExtractAn 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.
Glycerin
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Glycerin

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

Biosaccharide Gum-5
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Biosaccharide Gum-5
Chondrus Crispus Powder
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Chondrus Crispus PowderAn antioxidant powder made from a dried marine algae called Irish moss. It contains a humectant moisturizing algal polysaccharide called carrageenan, and can also act as a multifunctional formula helper.
Sodium Phytate
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Sodium PhytateSodium phytate is a chelating agent that serves to remove heavy metal ions from water. Removing metal ions helps other ingredients, such as antioxidants and preservatives, to perform better and keep products from separating.
Sodium Levulinate
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Sodium LevulinateA sodium salt of levulinic acid that is used as an antimicrobial and preservative agent, inhibiting the growth of harmful bacteria in a product.
Glyceryl Caprylate
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Glyceryl CaprylateA waxy solid derived from vegetable oils that has emollient and emulsifying properties. It is also known to boost the efficacy of organic acid preservatives by destabilizing the microbe's cell membrane.
Sodium Anisate
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Sodium AnisateA natural preservative with a sweet scent.
Potassium Sorbate
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Potassium SorbateA preservative widely used in food and personal care products, available from natural sources or synthetically produced. Potassium sorbate works by inhibiting the growth of yeasts, molds, and some bacteria.
Sodium Benzoate
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Sodium BenzoateA preservative that usually works in combination with other preservatives. It has to be at low pH (<5.5) to be effective.
Fragrance
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
FragranceUnder 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.