Clinique Even Better Clinical Dark Spot Clearing Serum ingredients, decoded
What Clinique Even Better Clinical Dark Spot Clearing Serum is mostly made of, which ingredients do the work and what to watch for — based on the ingredient list the brand publishes.
Brightening serum that visibly reduces dark spots, post-acne marks and dullness for a more even-looking skin tone.
What it targets
Based on which ingredients are in it, how high up the list they are, and whether they are key actives.
Key ingredients
Vitamin B3. Helps even out tone, supports the barrier and reduces the look of oiliness.
Ingredient guide →A more stable vitamin C derivative; gentler but generally less potent than pure ascorbic acid.
Ingredient guide →The salt form of hyaluronic acid; the version most products actually use.
Ingredient guide →Barrier lipid that works together with ceramides and fatty acids.
Ingredient guide →BHA. Oil-soluble, so it exfoliates inside pores; used for blackheads and acne.
Ingredient guide →Resorcinol derivative (UP302) used to even out dark spots.
Worth knowing
Nothing in particular stood out.
What most of it is made of
- WaterBase
- DimethiconeSilicone
- IsododecaneEmollient
- Yeast ExtractFerment
- Butylene GlycolHumectant
1% line: from Phenoxyethanol (#48) onward, ingredients are probably at 1% or less. Phenoxyethanol is limited to 1% in the EU, and ingredients at 1% or less may be listed in any order. Products made only for other markets can use more.
Full ingredient list, decoded (48)
| 1 | Water정제수The base of most creams and toners; dissolves the water-loving ingredients. | Base |
| 2 | Dimethicone다이메티콘Silicone that smooths, adds slip and forms a breathable protective film. | Silicone |
| 3 | Isododecane아이소도데케인Very light, fast-evaporating emollient used in long-wear makeup. | Emollient |
| 4 | Yeast Extract효모추출물Ferment ingredient made with yeast or bacteria; used for conditioning. | Ferment |
| 5 | Butylene Glycol부틸렌글라이콜Light humectant and solvent that helps other ingredients spread and absorb. | Humectant |
| 6 | Polysilicone-11폴리실리콘-11Silicone that gives a smooth, silky finish. | Silicone |
| 7 | Niacinamide나이아신아마이드Vitamin B3. Helps even out tone, supports the barrier and reduces the look of oiliness.Ingredient guide → | Active ingredient |
| 8 | Ascorbyl Glucoside아스코빌글루코사이드A more stable vitamin C derivative; gentler but generally less potent than pure ascorbic acid.Ingredient guide → | Active ingredient |
| 9 | Peg-10 Dimethicone피이지-10다이메티콘Silicone that gives a smooth, silky finish. | Silicone |
| 10 | Peg-6피이지-6Emulsifier or solubiliser that keeps oil and water mixed. | Emulsifier |
| 11 | Acetyl Glucosamine아세틸글루코사민Humectant that helps skin hold on to water. | Humectant |
| 12 | Glycerin글리세린A classic humectant that draws water into the outer skin layer. Well tolerated by almost everyone. | Humectant |
| 13 | Sodium Hyaluronate소듐하이알루로네이트The salt form of hyaluronic acid; the version most products actually use.Ingredient guide → | Humectant |
| 14 | Squalane스쿠알란Stable, skin-like oil that softens without feeling heavy. | Emollient |
| 15 | Cholesterol콜레스테롤Barrier lipid that works together with ceramides and fatty acids.Ingredient guide → | |
| 16 | Helianthus Annuus Seed Extract해바라기씨추출물Plant extract, usually present in small amounts for conditioning. | Plant extract |
| 17 | Trametes Versicolor Extract구름버섯추출물Plant extract, usually present in small amounts for conditioning. | Plant extract |
| 18 | Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract스페인감초뿌리추출물Licorice root: soothing and mildly brightening. | Plant extract |
| 19 | Hordeum Vulgare Extract보리추출물Plant extract, usually present in small amounts for conditioning. | Plant extract |
| 20 | Oryza Sativa (Rice) Bran Extract흑미강추출물Plant extract, usually present in small amounts for conditioning. | Plant extract |
| 21 | Triticum Vulgare (Wheat) Germ Extract밀배아추출물Plant extract, usually present in small amounts for conditioning. | Plant extract |
| 22 | Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract오이열매추출물Cucumber extract; light, refreshing and soothing. | Plant extract |
| 23 | Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract녹차추출물Green tea extract: antioxidant and soothing. | Plant extract |
| 24 | Caffeine카페인Temporarily tightens and reduces puffiness, popular in eye creams. | Active ingredient |
| 25 | Salicylic Acid살리실릭애씨드BHA. Oil-soluble, so it exfoliates inside pores; used for blackheads and acne.Ingredient guide → | Exfoliant |
| 26 | Isohexadecane아이소헥사데칸Emollient that softens skin and helps the formula spread. | Emollient |
| 27 | Propylene Glycol Dicaprate프로필렌글라이콜다이카프레이트Emollient that softens skin and helps the formula spread. | Emollient |
| 28 | Glycyrrhetinic Acid글리시레티닉애씨드Licorice-derived soothing compound. | Soothing |
| 29 | Dimethoxytolyl Propylresorcinol다이메톡시톨릴프로필레조시놀Resorcinol derivative (UP302) used to even out dark spots. | Active ingredient |
| 30 | Caprylyl Glycol카프릴릴글라이콜Humectant with preservative-boosting action. | Preservative |
| 31 | Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine스테아라미도프로필다이메틸아민Emulsifier or solubiliser that keeps oil and water mixed. | Emulsifier |
| 32 | Phosphatidylcholine포스파티딜콜린Emulsifier or solubiliser that keeps oil and water mixed. | Emulsifier |
| 33 | Sorbitan Oleate솔비탄올리에이트Emulsifier or solubiliser that keeps oil and water mixed. | Emulsifier |
| 34 | Polysorbate 20폴리솔베이트20Emulsifier that keeps oil and water mixed. | Emulsifier |
| 35 | Polysorbate 80폴리솔베이트80Emulsifier that keeps oil and water mixed. | Emulsifier |
| 36 | Stearic Acid스테아릭애씨드Fatty acid used as thickener and co-emulsifier. | Emulsifier |
| 37 | Hexylene Glycol헥실렌글라이콜Solvent that helps other ingredients dissolve. | Solvent |
| 38 | Tromethamine트로메타민pH adjuster. | pH adjuster |
| 39 | Citric Acid시트릭애씨드pH adjuster; usually at low levels where it does not exfoliate. | pH adjuster |
| 40 | Acrylamide/sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer아크릴아마이드/소듐아크릴로일다이메틸타우레이트코폴리머Thickener, film-former or powder that sets the texture and finish. | Thickener / texture |
| 41 | Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP Copolymer암모늄아크릴로일다이메틸타우레이트/브이피코폴리머Thickener that gives a light gel-cream texture. | Thickener / texture |
| 42 | Tocopheryl Acetate토코페릴아세테이트Stable vitamin E ester. | Antioxidant |
| 43 | Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate마그네슘아스코빌포스페이트A more stable vitamin C derivative; gentler but generally less potent than pure ascorbic acid.Ingredient guide → | Active ingredient |
| 44 | BHT비에이치티Antioxidant that keeps oils in the formula from going rancid. | Antioxidant |
| 45 | Sodium Citrate소듐시트레이트pH buffer. | pH adjuster |
| 46 | Disodium EDTA다이소듐이디티에이Binds metal ions so the formula stays stable. | Chelating agent |
| 47 | Nylon-12나일론-12Thickener, film-former or powder that sets the texture and finish. | Thickener / texture |
| 1% line — probably 1% or less below this point | ||
| 48 | Phenoxyethanol페녹시에탄올The most common preservative. The EU caps it at 1%, so everything listed after it is at 1% or less. | Preservative |
Based on the ingredient list the brand publishes; formulas can change and differ by country. The order shows relative amounts, not exact percentages. General information, not medical advice.
Ingredient list as published on the brand’s official website. Formulas change and can differ by country, so check the list on your pack too. General information, not medical advice.