
Highlights
WHAT IS IT?
Brightening moisturizer with CL302 Brightening Complex™
FEATURES
Hydrates, helps visibly improve multiple dimensions of discoloration
BEST FOR
combination
CHECKS
Free of Fragrance, Parabens, Phthalates, Oil, Sodium lauryl sulfate, Sodium laureth sulfate, Drying alcohol, Synthetic colors
Who Is It For?
All Skin TypesWhat Does It Help With?
Dark Spots Hyperpigmentation Uneven Skin ToneBudget
Mid-range ($30-$75)How To Use
Which routine should it be used in?
Instructions:
Key Information
What Clinique Says
Product Description:
Lightweight moisturizer hydrates as it helps visibly improve multiple dimensions of discoloration. Dermatologist tested. Allergy tested. 100% fragrance free.
About the Brand:
Ingredients Overview
Ingredients List
Water\Aqua\Eau, Butylene Glycol, Octyldodecyl Myristate, Dimethicone, Di-C12-15 Alkyl Fumarate, Isopropyl Isostearate, Glyceryl Stearate, Diisostearyl Malate, Peg-100 Stearate, Peg-8, Glycerin, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Tribehenin, Cetyl Alcohol, Acetyl Glucosamine, Sodium Hyaluronate, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Sucrose, Caffeine, Tocopheryl Acetate, Cucumis Sativus (Cucumber) Fruit Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Saccharomyces Lysate Extract, Aspergillus Ferment, Algae Extract, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Extract, Hordeum Vulgare Extract\Extrait D'Orge, Yeast Extract\Faex\Extrait De Levure, Trametes Versicolor Extract, Salicylic Acid, Cholesterol, Propylene Glycol Dicaprate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Behenyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Glucoside, Xanthan Gum, Potassium Hydroxide, Sodium Hydroxide, Disodium Phosphate, Sodium Phosphate, Citric Acid, Dimethoxytolyl Propylresorcinol, Sorbitan Oleate, Polysilicone-11, Dicetyldimonium Chloride, Hexylene Glycol, Polysorbate 80, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Caprylyl Glycol, Acrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer, Isohexadecane, Phosphatidylcholine, Disodium Edta, Bht, Chlorphenesin, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate
Key Ingredients
CL302 Brightening Complex™, Hyaluronic acid, Gyokuro extract, Vitamin C, Salicylic acid
Ingredients Details
Ascorbyl Glucoside
Common Name(s): Aa2g,2-o-alpha-d-glucopyranosyl-l-ascorbic acid
CAS Number: 129499-78-1
DESCRIPTION
What It Does: Provides stable gradual-release vitamin c activity for brightening and antioxidant protection.
Why It's Used: Most formulation-stable vitamin c derivative — ascorbyl glucoside remains stable in aqueous formulations where pure ascorbic acid oxidises within days, providing sustained vitamin c delivery over weeks of shelf life.
How It Works: Alpha-glucoside bond resists oxidation until cleaved by skin alpha-glucosidase enzymes. releases free l-ascorbic acid in viable epidermis. released ascorbic acid inhibits tyrosinase, stimulates collagen synthesis, and provides antioxidant activity. glucose group provides enhanced water solubility vs ascorbic acid.
Typically Found In: Stable vitamin c serums,brightening products,anti-aging
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Primary Category: Active ingredient – stable vitamin c glucoside
Secondary Functions: Tyrosinase inhibitor,collagen cofactor
Application Areas:
Facial Skincare
Body Care
Hair Care
Beard Care
Color Cosmetics (Makeup)
Dietary/Oral Supplements
Typical Concentration Range: 1%–5%
SOURCING & ETHICS
Vegan Status: Yes – enzymatic synthesis from ascorbic acid and glucose
Halal Status: Yes
Source Notes: Synthetically produced vitamin c derivative.
SKIN COMPATIBILITY
Irritancy Rating: 1/5 – very low
Comedogenicity Rating: 0/5 – non-comedogenic
Sensitivity Concerns: Non-irritating; suitable for all skin types.
Safe for Sensitive Skin: Yes
SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY
Safety Profile: Excellent safety profile. ewg score: 1.
Works Well With: Tocopherol,ferulic acid,niacinamide,spf
Avoid Combining With: No significant incompatibilities
SCIENTIFIC NOTE
Ascorbyl glucoside's stability advantage (18+ months in aqueous formulation vs days for ascorbic acid) arises from the glucose group's steric protection of ascorbic acid's c2 enediol that is the primary oxidation site. glucosidase cleavage in skin removes this protection in situ, releasing active ascorbic acid only where enzymatic activity exists — providing both formulation stability and bioactivation where needed.
Last Verified: Cosing database,yamamoto et al. ascorbyl glucoside stability study
Primary Sources: 2026-03-12
Butylene Glycol
Common Name(s): 1,3-butanediol,bg,1,3-butylene glycol
CAS Number: 107-88-0
DESCRIPTION
What It Does: Provides humectant hydration and active ingredient solubilization with excellent skin feel.
Why It's Used: Preferred glycol humectant in premium and k-beauty formulations for superior skin feel vs propylene glycol with equivalent functionality.
How It Works: Two hydroxyl groups at 1,3-positions provide water binding and solvent activity. better tolerated than propylene glycol with minimal sensitization risk. 4-carbon backbone provides slightly greater hydrophobic character enabling dissolution of less polar actives vs pg.
Typically Found In: Toners,essences,serums,k-beauty formulas
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Primary Category: Functional ingredient – glycol humectant
Secondary Functions: Tewl reduction,skin plumping
Application Areas:
Facial Skincare
Body Care
Hair Care
Beard Care
Color Cosmetics (Makeup)
Dietary/Oral Supplements
Typical Concentration Range: 1%–10%
SOURCING & ETHICS
Vegan Status: Yes – synthetic
Halal Status: Yes
Source Notes: Synthetic or naturally derived. excellent aqueous solubility.
SKIN COMPATIBILITY
Irritancy Rating: 1/5 – very low
Comedogenicity Rating: 0/5 – non-comedogenic
Sensitivity Concerns: Non-irritating; suitable for all skin types.
Safe for Sensitive Skin: Yes
SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY
Safety Profile: Excellent safety profile. ewg score: 1.
Works Well With: Ceramides,emollients,occlusives,glycerin,hyaluronic acid
Avoid Combining With: No significant incompatibilities
SCIENTIFIC NOTE
K-beauty's preference for butylene glycol over propylene glycol is driven by two factors: bg's superior skin feel (less tacky than pg's higher viscosity) and its lower sensitization potential (1,3-bg has better spatial distribution of hydroxyl groups that reduces protein interaction vs pg's 1,2-position oh groups).
Last Verified: Cosing database,cir safety assessment
Primary Sources: 2026-03-12
Di-c12-15 Alkyl Fumarate
Common Name(s): Emollient wm,c12-15 alkyl fumarate
CAS Number: N/a
DESCRIPTION
What It Does: Provides silky non-tacky emolliency with excellent silicone and uv filter compatibility.
Why It's Used: Silicone-compatible ester emollient for premium gel and anhydrous formulations where silicone-like aesthetics are desired from a non-silicone ingredient.
How It Works: Fumarate diester provides silicone-like skin feel from low surface tension. excellent compatibility with cyclomethicone, dimethicone, and cyclopentasiloxane for hybrid silicone-ester formulations. non-tacky from low molecular weight. compatible with uv filters reducing white cast.
Typically Found In: Gel formulations,silicone-ester hybrid products,sunscreens
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Primary Category: Functional ingredient – fumarate ester emollient
Secondary Functions: Barrier sealing,softening
Application Areas:
Facial Skincare
Body Care
Hair Care
Beard Care
Color Cosmetics (Makeup)
Dietary/Oral Supplements
Typical Concentration Range: 1%–20%
SOURCING & ETHICS
Vegan Status: Yes – synthetic
Halal Status: Yes
Source Notes: Plant-derived, synthetic or animal-derived. verify source.
SKIN COMPATIBILITY
Irritancy Rating: 1/5 – very low
Comedogenicity Rating: 1/5 – low; formulation-dependent
Sensitivity Concerns: Non-irritating.
Safe for Sensitive Skin: Yes
SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY
Safety Profile: Excellent safety profile. ewg score: 1.
Works Well With: Humectants,ceramides,actives as carrier
Avoid Combining With: No significant incompatibilities
SCIENTIFIC NOTE
Di-c12-15 alkyl fumarate's silicone-like skin feel despite being a hydrocarbon ester arises from the trans-fumarate geometry: the rigid trans double bond in the fumarate backbone provides a specific molecular shape that interacts with skin surface proteins and lipids to reduce friction in a way similar to pdms's siloxane chain flexibility, providing the characteristic silky application feel without silicone chemistry.
Last Verified: Cosing database,cir safety assessment
Primary Sources: 2026-03-12
Diisostearyl Malate
Common Name(s): Diisostearyl malate,cosmetic active,functional ingredient
CAS Number: N/a
DESCRIPTION
What It Does: Delivers characteristic cosmetic function at recommended use concentration.
Why It's Used: Selected for functional contribution and formulation compatibility supported by cosmetic science and regulatory safety data.
How It Works: Works through the mechanism of its molecular class — physicochemical or biological interaction with skin proteins, lipids, or receptors as documented in peer-reviewed cosmetic literature.
Typically Found In: Skin care formulations
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Primary Category: Active ingredient – cosmetic active
Secondary Functions: Skin conditioning
Application Areas:
Facial Skincare
Body Care
Hair Care
Beard Care
Color Cosmetics (Makeup)
Dietary/Oral Supplements
Typical Concentration Range: 0.1%–10%
SOURCING & ETHICS
Vegan Status: Conditional
Halal Status: Yes
Source Notes: Commercially produced for cosmetic use. verify vegan/halal status with supplier.
SKIN COMPATIBILITY
Irritancy Rating: 1/5 – very low
Comedogenicity Rating: 0/5 – non-comedogenic
Sensitivity Concerns: Well-tolerated by most skin types.
Safe for Sensitive Skin: Yes
SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY
Safety Profile: Good safety profile at recommended concentrations. ewg score: 1–2.
Works Well With: Standard skincare actives
Avoid Combining With: No known significant incompatibilities
SCIENTIFIC NOTE
Diisostearyl malate has an established safety and efficacy profile within the cosmetic regulatory framework at standard use concentrations.
Last Verified: Cosing database,diisostearyl malate technical literature
Primary Sources: 2026-03-12