The Research
We haven't run our own clinical trials — we're a young brand, and we'd rather tell you that plainly. Our formulations are built on the published research behind each ingredient. Here's how those ingredients work, in plain English.
A note from us
You'll notice we don't quote percentages like "−87% pigmentation" on this page. That's deliberate. Numbers like those belong to specific, published studies on specific ingredients — not to us. What we can say honestly is which actives we've chosen, at which doses, and what the research on those ingredients broadly shows.
Helps interrupt excess pigment production
Kojic acid is a naturally-derived active that works by dampening tyrosinase — the enzyme your skin uses to make melanin. When tyrosinase is calmer, less new pigment is deposited, which is why kojic acid is one of the most-studied ingredients for dark spots and post-acne marks. Published research on kojic acid at around 1% consistently points to a gradual, visible improvement in tone when used daily over several weeks.
Supports an even, resilient barrier
Niacinamide (vitamin B3) is one of the best-tolerated actives in dermatology. Published research shows it can help balance uneven tone, refine the look of pores and support the skin barrier — useful alongside a pigment-focused active like kojic acid, because a healthy barrier tends to react less and heal more evenly.
Antioxidant support and radiance
Vitamin C is a well-researched antioxidant that helps neutralise free radicals from UV and pollution, supports collagen and can gradually contribute to a brighter, more even appearance. In a pigmentation routine it plays a supporting role: protecting the work your other actives are doing during the day.
The single biggest lever for pigmentation
Every credible piece of research on pigmentation lands in the same place: without daily broad-spectrum SPF, dark spots come back or deepen. UV — including on cloudy days and through windows — is the main driver of new discoloration. Sunscreen isn't optional in this routine; it's the ingredient that lets everything else hold.
Pigmentation is a slow process, both on the way in and on the way out. Most published research on brightening actives measures results over 8 to 12 weeks of daily use — because that's roughly how long it takes for skin to cycle new, more evenly-toned cells to the surface. If you take one thing from this page: use your routine every day, wear SPF every morning, and give it a proper season before judging it.