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Glytone

Enhanced Brightening Complex.

Glytone Enhanced Brightening Complex

About this product

A creamy brightening serum with glycolic and azelaic acids, formulated to address hyperpigmentation, uneven tone, and sun damage while helping to smooth and hydrate mature skin.

Best for

Type

Key actives

AHAAzelaic acidVitamin E

Formula notes

Fragrance-freeNo drying alcohol

Full ingredients

Guru Score

88%

Approved

Early verdict · Few reviews so far
2Gurus
2Approved
0Mixed
0Skip

What the gurus are saying

The combination of glycolic and azelaic acid is what makes this stand out, and dermatologists praised it for tackling hyperpigmentation and melasma. The creamy formula hydrates while it exfoliates, and those with sun-damaged skin can start once daily and work up to twice daily. It's gentle enough to use during pregnancy and trying to conceive.
Synthesized from 2 expert reviews · most recent take September 2023

What the gurus are saying.

Every take we've logged from this product's reviews across YouTube. Click any row to watch the moment they said it.

All takes Approved takes Critical takes Mixed takes Hide sponsored
Approved
"For those with more mature skin so dryness fine line wrinkles uneven skin tone due to excessive sun exposure and sun damage, the Glytone Enhanced Brightening Complex contains glycolic and azelaic acid and has a creamy texture that's going to leave your skin feeling hydrated and nourished. The lower concentration of glycolic acid is going to help to hydrate the skin over time, help to smooth the skin, reduce dullness, and help to improve the appearance of fine lines. Together with the azelaic acid, it's going to help improve hyperpigmentation and overall add some brightening benefits and improve uneven skin tone. This product can be used twice daily and because of its formula and the texture, it can be layered together with your vitamin C serum at night as well as your retinol at night. [...] You want to take it slow, gradually maybe start off once a day and then see if you can work your way up to twice daily. This is a good one for more sun damaged skin."
Approved
"I really like my Glytone Enhanced Brightening Complex. This is a complex that has glycolic acid and [azelaic] acid. During my pregnancy I was able to use it pretty much every single night. But now that I still like to incorporate that, I only use it from time to time because I'm using a retinoid and I don't need it as often. On the night that I use my Glytone Enhanced Brightening Complex, I will skip my topical retinoid, and by alternating the nights that I use it, I don't experience any additional irritation but I get benefits of both products."
Top Pick: azelaic acid product for pregnancy-safe hyperpigmentation treatment
All 4 takes from Dr. Sam Ellis
Dermatologists Best Skincare Ingredients for Acne (Salicylic Acid, Sulfur, Benzoyl Peroxide, & More)
"Probably my favorite over-the-counter product that has azelaic acid in it is the Glytone Enhanced Brightening Complex. This has both azelaic acid and glycolic acid and it's primarily formulated to help brighten the skin and fight hyperpigmentation, but if you had acne and you're getting post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation as well, this is a really nice option. I know so many dermatologists, including myself, who use this."
Dermatologist’s Best Skincare Ingredients for Hyperpigmentation (Melasma, Dark Spots, & More)
"One of the best azelaic acid products is the Glytone Enhanced Brightening Complex. This has a combination of azelaic acid and glycolic acid. It is probably my most recommended product for people who are trying to conceive or who are pregnant or who are breastfeeding and are really worried about what's going to be in their skincare but really want something that is effective that's going to help with breakouts and pigmentation and skin texture. This serum just kind of like does it all. It's wonderful."
What is Skin Cycling? Dermatologist Tips to Add Retinoids & Exfoliants to Your Skincare Routine
"Another exfoliating product that I absolutely love is the Glytone Enhanced Brightening Complex. This has glycolic acid but also has azelaic acid and I think if you struggle with hyperpigmentation having something that has both glycolic acid and azelaic acid in it is awesome. This was the exfoliant I used the most during my pregnancy when I was really trying to combat hyperpigmentation or melasma. I wasn't going to reverse my melasma during pregnancy since pregnancy was driving that process but I wanted to optimize it as much as possible and this is the product that I did that with. The other thing I found is this particular exfoliating product was gentle enough that I could tolerate it every other night."
Dermatologist Debunks Retinoid Myths! Do They Exfoliate? Thin the Skin? Using While Breastfeeding?
"I really like my Glytone Enhanced Brightening Complex. This is a complex that has glycolic acid and [azelaic] acid. During my pregnancy I was able to use it pretty much every single night. But now that I still like to incorporate that, I only use it from time to time because I'm using a retinoid and I don't need it as often. On the night that I use my Glytone Enhanced Brightening Complex, I will skip my topical retinoid, and by alternating the nights that I use it, I don't experience any additional irritation but I get benefits of both products."

What the evidence says.

Independent of what the gurus think, this is what the published research supports about the main active ingredients here.

Alpha hydroxy acids

Alpha hydroxy acids loosen the bonds holding dead cells at the surface. The evidence supports smoother texture and more even tone over time, and they can leave skin more sensitive to sun.

Source: NIH, National Library of Medicine

Azelaic acid

Azelaic acid has clinical evidence for both acne and rosacea, and it is one of the gentler options for calming redness while also working on marks left behind.

Source: DermNet

Vitamin E

Vitamin E is an antioxidant, and it is often in a formula to keep the other ingredients stable rather than as the active itself. It pairs well with vitamin C, though on its own the evidence for visible change is limited.

Source: NIH, National Library of Medicine

Frequently asked.

What is Glytone Enhanced Brightening Complex?

A creamy brightening serum with glycolic and azelaic acids, formulated to address hyperpigmentation, uneven tone, and sun damage while helping to smooth and hydrate mature skin.

Is Glytone Enhanced Brightening Complex worth it?

Yes. All 2 gurus who reviewed it give it their stamp of approval, for a Guru Score of 88%.

What is Glytone Enhanced Brightening Complex's Guru Score?

Glytone Enhanced Brightening Complex holds a Guru Score of 88%. That is our read on how warmly the experts talk about it, based on the verdicts of 2 expert reviewers we have collected. At least one expert has named it a Top Pick in its category.

Who is Glytone Enhanced Brightening Complex best for?

Glytone Enhanced Brightening Complex is generally suited to mature skin.

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