Ingredient intelligence
The ingredient library
What the research actually supports for each active — and the concentration it was studied at. A 20% prescription azelaic acid does not make a 10% cosmetic serum equally effective.
Alpha arbutin
★★★★★★ ingredient-level evidence.
Azelaic acid
★★★★Azelaic acid 20% (Rx) evidence does NOT transfer to 10% cosmetic formulations.
Bakuchiol
★★★★★★ — a trial exists; broad suitability claims are not established by the snippet (report's wording).
Mandelic acid
★★★★★★★★ ingredient-level evidence.
Niacinamide
★★★★★★★★ ingredient-level evidence.
Retinoids
★★★★Prescription/medical treatment — requires appropriate medical supervision.
Medical supervision
Sunscreen SPF30+ (tinted, iron oxides)
★★★★★★★★★★ ingredient-level evidence from fetched systematic reviews (J Dermatolog Treat 2021).
Topical tranexamic acid
★★★★★★★★ ingredient-level evidence.
Vitamin C
★★★★★★ ingredient-level evidence.