Science: Murad Age Spot & Pigment Lightening Gel reviewed by NvWah

The active ingredient is 2% hydroquinone. This is an ingredient of heated-debate. Currently up to 2% hydroquinone may be sold OTC in the US. It is a popular ingredient for its melanin-inhibiting and skin-lightening properties. But some studies showed that hydroquinone may act as a carcinogen or cancer-causing chemical in animals, probably in humans too. Hydroquinone also has been linked with the skin abnormality called ochronosis in which the skin becomes dark and thick, especially in people of color. Dome-shaped yellowish spots and grayish-brown spots are observed in ochronosis among black women and men, even it's just been used for a short time. The use of hydroquinone has already been banned in Japan, the European Union, and Australia. FDA has proposed a ban of hydroquinone in OTC products.

Besides the second abundant ingredient is denatured alcohol which is extremely irritating and dry to skin, and even causes free radical damage. It's shaping up to be a seriously hazardous product.

Safety alert: Hazardous
review based on scientific information of the product ingredients.

1st ingredient		is water.
2nd ingredient		denatured alcohol together with ethyl alcohol, methanol, benzyl alcohol, isopropyl alcohol, and sd alcohol are not only extremely drying and irritating to skin, but also can generate free-radical damage. If listed as the first few ingredients which means the concentration is significantly high, it will be problematic for all skin types.
3rd ingredient		glycolic acid is also known as AHAs, alpha hydroxy acid. AHAs exfoliate the surface skin by breaking up cell-connecting materials. As a result fresh and smoother skin is revealed. AHAs, including glycolic and lactic acid, are widely used to treat aged skin by normalizing thickened skin and increasing skin water content. But the exfoliating properties may also irritate skin. Overdose of AHAs may make users more sensitive to UV radiation.
4th ingredient		butylene glycol is a humectant or humidifying and delivery ingredient used in cosmetics.

Alcohol	Fragrance	Preservative	Allergy	Price	Color Additive	Sun Protection	Suitable Skin Type

Yes	No	Yes	High	$60	No	No	None

Moisturizing		Glycerin, Rice oil, Lecithin, Chitosan PCA
Anti-oxidants		Chitosan ascorbate (vitamin C), Tocopherol (vitamin A), Magnesium ascorbyl phosphate (vitamin C), Grapeseed extract
Exfoliating		Glycolic acid
Soothing		Aloe, Dipotassium glycyrrhizinate, Allantoin

Hazards		Contains 2% hydroquinone that may cause serious skin illness and is banned by FDA.
Skin irritaion		Contains large amount of Denatured alcohol together with ethyl alcohol, methanol, benzyl alcohol, isopropyl alcohol, and sd alcohol are not only extremely drying and irritating to skin, but also can generate free-radical damage. If listed as the first few ingredients which means the concentration is significantly high, it will be problematic for all skin types.

Emollients		Methyl gluceth-20
Preservatives		Sodium metabisulfite, Sodium sulfite
pH adjusters		Sodium hydroxide
Emulsifiers		(oil/water mixers) Nonoxynol, Hydroxyethylcellulose
Film forming agents		Polyquaternium-10
Chelating agents		(metal-binding) Tetrasodium EDTA

Murad

Moisturizers

Murad Age Spot & Pigment Lightening Gel