Shop innisfree Green Tea Enzyme Vitamin C Serum for Dark Spot Fading 30ml
Serum
innisfree

Green Tea Enzyme Vitamin C Serum for Dark Spot Fading 30ml

~$28· 30ml
Dark spotsRadianceRednessUneven texture

Evidence behind the ingredients

Real citations from our research database — one per tracked active in this product. Click any ingredient name to read its full evidence dossier.

Vitamin CStrong evidence14 citations

Brightens dull skin and helps fade dark spots. Also defends against everyday UV and pollution damage when worn under sunscreen.

Pullar JM et al., The roles of vitamin C in skin health, Nutrients 2017;9(8):866 — concluded topical efficacy "poorly understood"; supports dietary vitamin C

2017Mechanism onlyPMID:28805671View source ↗

Lee JH et al., Effects of VitabridC12 on Skin Inflammation, Annals of Dermatology 2017

2017Mechanism onlyPMID:28966510View source ↗

MFDS Approved Functional Cosmetic Active — Ascorbic Acid and derivatives (whitening). Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, Cosmetic Functional Active Ingredient List — L-ascorbic acid and stabilized derivatives (Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate) are approved whitening actives in the Korean Functional Cosmetics Codex; authorized concentrations documented in Jeon JS et al., International Journal of Cosmetic Science 2016;38(3):286-93 (PMID:26564311)

2016Regulatory approvalMFDS:AscorbicAcid-WhiteningView source ↗
Lactobacillus FermentAnecdotal evidence4 citations

A "postbiotic" (dead probiotic bits) that talks to your skin microbiome without adding live bugs. Patches up a leaky barrier and is friendly even on very reactive skin.

Algieri F, Pimazzoni S et al. (Italy), Postbiotic derived from Lacticaseibacillus paracasei CNCM I-5220 as a novel approach to improve ageing-induced skin damage, Scientific Reports 2026 — 6-week topical postbiotic application reduced roughness and increased hydration, elasticity, and echogenicity vs placebo; boosted hyaluronic acid in keratinocytes and pro-collagen in fibroblasts

2026Positive — efficacyPMID:42168426View source ↗

Flores Rodriguez JC et al. (Mexico/Colombia/Costa Rica), Postbiotics in Dermatology: A Literature Review of Emerging Topical Therapies for Acne, Rosacea, and Eczema, Cureus 2026;18(3) — review of 16 studies: postbiotics improved SCORAD and barrier function in atopic dermatitis; reduced inflammatory acne lesions 50-70% and suppressed sebum 42-72%

2026Meta-analysis — positivePMID:42005241View source ↗

Effects of a lotion containing probiotic ferment lysate as the main functional ingredient on enhancing skin barrier: a randomized, self-control study, Scientific Reports 2023

2023Positive — efficacyPMID:37803101View source ↗
PHAModerate evidence7 citations

The mildest exfoliating acid. Refines texture and hydrates at the same time, and it's sensitive-skin friendly.

Peng Y et al., Comparison of Efficacy and Willingness to a 5% Gluconolactone-Based Topical Serum and Intense Pulsed Light in Mild Erythema of Rosacea: A Paired Control Study, Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology 2025;24(3):e70025 — 5% gluconolactone serum improved erythema and moisturization over 30 days

2025Positive — efficacyPMID:40111222View source ↗

Gentili G et al., Efficacy and Safety of a New Peeling Formulated with a Pool of PHAs for the Treatment of All Skin Types, Even Sensitive, Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology 2023

2023Positive — efficacyPMID:35796684View source ↗

Kantikosum K et al., The efficacy of glycolic acid, salicylic acid, gluconolactone, and licochalcone A combined with 0.1% adapalene vs adapalene monotherapy in mild-to-moderate acne vulgaris, Clinical Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology 2019;12:151-161 — gluconolactone cosmeceutical added benefit on top of adapalene without hindering treatment

2019Positive — efficacyPMID:30858720View source ↗
4 more citations view all on the PHA page ↗
+3 more ingredients
MadecassosideModerate evidence6 citations

A purified compound from the cica (centella) plant, laser-focused on calming inflammation and speeding up how fast skin heals.

Liu L et al., Madecassoside Attenuated UVB Irradiation-Induced Skin Ferroptosis by Targeting POR, Phytomedicine 2026

2026Mechanism onlyPMID:41421280View source ↗

Bandopadhyay S et al., Therapeutic properties and pharmacological activities of asiaticoside and madecassoside: A review, Journal of Cellular and Molecular Medicine 2023;27(5):593-608 — comprehensive review of wound-healing, anti-inflammatory and regenerative activity

2023Meta-analysis — positivePMID:36756687View source ↗

Park KS, Pharmacological Effects of Centella asiatica on Skin Diseases: Evidence and Possible Mechanisms, Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine 2021;2021:5462633 — KR-authored review of triterpenes including madecassoside

2021Meta-analysis — positivePMID:34845411View source ↗
Licorice RootModerate evidence8 citations

A gentle Asian-skincare brightener derived from licorice root. Fades dark spots and calms redness, and it's a pregnancy-safe alternative to stronger fade ingredients.

Glabridin Inhibits Melanogenesis and Melanin Transfer via Wnt/beta-Catenin Pathway and Rho Family GTPase-Mediated Dendritic Formation Suppression, Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2026;19(3) — glabridin (the licorice-root active) suppressed melanin synthesis and keratinocyte melanin transfer in vitro via Wnt/beta-Catenin and Rho-GTPase dendrite suppression

2026Mechanism onlyPMID:41901315View source ↗

Liu Y et al., Glycyrrhiza glabra extract as a skin-whitening agent: Identification of active components and CRTC1/MITF pathway-inhibition mechanism, Journal of Ethnopharmacology 2025;349:119948 — identifies glabridin as the principal active and maps skin-whitening mechanism via CREB/CRTC1/MITF suppression

2025Mechanism onlyPMID:40350048View source ↗

Wang JY et al., Preparation of compound liquorice microemulsion gel and its pharmacodynamics evaluation, Zhongguo Zhong Yao Za Zhi (China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica) 2020;45(21):5193-5199 — compound licorice (Glycyrrhiza) microemulsion gel significantly reduced ear swelling and inflammatory infiltration in chronic eczema mouse model

2020Positive — efficacyPMID:33350235View source ↗
Tranexamic AcidStrong evidence8 citations

Fades stubborn dark patches like melasma and deep marks left behind by acne or hormonal shifts. The one to reach for when other brighteners haven't worked.

Liang Y et al., Comparative efficacy and safety of tranexamic acid for melasma by different administration methods: A systematic review and network meta-analysis, Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology 2024 — oral TXA + topical agents most effective delivery route

2024Meta-analysis — positivePMID:38059683View source ↗

Tranexamic Acid Ameliorates Skin Hyperpigmentation by Downregulating Endothelin-1 Expression in Dermal Microvascular Endothelial Cells, Annals of Dermatology 2024;36(3):151-162 — mechanism study showing oral TXA suppresses endothelin-1 in vascular endothelial cells

2024Mechanism onlyPMID:38816976View source ↗

Calacattawi R, Alshahrani M, Aleid M et al., Tranexamic acid as a therapeutic option for melasma management: a meta-analysis and systematic review of randomized controlled trials, Journal of Dermatological Treatment 2024;35(1):2361106 — pooled RCT evidence that tranexamic acid significantly reduces melasma severity via plasmin-inhibition of UV-triggered melanogenesis

2024Meta-analysis — positivePMID:38843906View source ↗

Sources: PubMed · KCI · J-Stage · CNKI · Wanfang · SFD · MFDS · Cochrane · SCCS · CIR. Every entry points to a specific document. See methodology for what each outcome label means.

Layering conflicts

Ingredients in this product that can react with common actives. Avoid stacking unless noted.

  • Benzoyl peroxide breaks down vitamin C, making both less effective. Use one in the morning and the other at night.

  • Vitamin C and retinol work best at different pH levels. Use vitamin C in the morning and retinol at night.

  • Sensitive skin may flush.

Similar comparisons

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