The more I use medical-grade products the more I fall in love with them. They are effective yet affordable and little goes a long way. My interest in fancy pre-ordered products from foreign countries is almost gone. I’ve used quite a few products from medical stores but couldn’t find anything above 2% Niacinamide but then one day skincare god was good to me and I stumbled upon this Melaglow Rich Cream. I talked to my dermatologist about it. She told me to go for it and I bought it without a second thought. After 3 months of constant usage, I can finally say I have a well-thought-out opinion on this depigmentation cream. Read on to learn more about this product.
What is Melaglow Rich Cream?
Melaglow Rich Cream is a depigmentation and glow-restoring cream for pigmented skin. It works within the deep layers of the skin to improve skin’s texture & look.
Melaglow Rich Cream Uses:
- Exfoliates the skin by removing dead skin cells.
- Lightens dark spots and hyperpigmentation left by acne marks.
- Refines skin texture and smoothens the skin.
- Improves uneven skin tone.
- Reduces age spots and melasma.
Melaglow Rich Cream Ingredients:
Actives: Niacinamide 4%, Arbutin 2%, Licorice Extract 0.12%, pTeroWhite 90% – 0.12%
Other Actives: Kojic Acid Dipalmitate, Soy Isoflavones 40% WS, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Glycolic Acid.
Ingredient Analysis:
Niacinamide:
With 4% Niacinamide, it helps with the appearance of enlarged pores visibly reducing them. Its brightening properties lighten and brighten uneven skin tone. In addition, it supports skin barrier function and softens and smoothens the skin.
Arbutin:
Excellent for post-inflammatory acne marks, it lightens dark marks left by pimples. Arbutin is a tyrosinase inhibitor that inhibits melanin production thus lightening the skin. It also helps with melasma. The Melaglow rich cream contains 2% Arbutin which is suitable for sensitive skin types too.
Licorice Extract:
Glycyrrhetinic acid in Licorice Root reduces pigmentation and improves skin tone. It also alleviates skin sensitivities and helps with sun damage. Licorice extract-based skincare products are widely used in Indian and Chinese Medicine due to their rich anti-oxidant properties.
PteroWhite® 90%
This is a proprietary natural ingredient derived from pterostilbene. Research shows that Pterostilbene has anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant activity that’s great for the skin. It also aids in reducing pigmentation and brightens the skin
Kojic Acid Dipalmitate
This is a mild form of Kojic Acid that has anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, anti-oxidant and anti-aging benefits. Products with Kojic Acid help with aging spots and dark spots while also improving skin’s complexion.
Soy Isoflavones 40% WS
A 2023 study suggests Soy Protein Containing Isoflavones Improves Facial Signs of Photoaging and Skin Hydration.
Ascorbyl Glucoside
Ascorbyl Glucoside is a form of Vitamin C derived from L-Ascrobic Acid. This is the gentlest form of Vitamin C – less potent and does not sensitize the skin yet it’s effective in boosting skin’s natural glow.
Glycolic Acid
Glycolic Acid is an AHA-based chemical exfoliator that promotes skin renewal on the surface level. It helps with improving the skin texture and gives a smoother-looking skin.
Price: 415 INR for 20 gms.
Melaglow Rich Cream Review:
Packaging:
Melaglow Rich Cream comes in a yellow and white tube that looks like a medicine. There is nothing extraordinary about that and honestly, I like it that way. It takes very little space in my skincare kit which is also good for traveling.
Texture:
Melaglow Rich Cream is a very rich dense cream as the name suggests. It spreads easily on damp skin and gets absorbed within seconds. After absorbing you won’t see the product on the face which is great. I have very dry skin and I use this right after my cleanser so I can feel a little dryness on my cheeks after using this. My sister who has oily skin doesn’t feel a thing. So maybe it depends on skin-to-skin.
Fragrance:
It does have a mild floral fragrance that goes away after absorbing into the skin. But I generally prefer my skincare products to be fragrance-free.
My Experience:
The cream has a spectacular ingredient list when it comes to fading PIH (dark marks left behind after a pimple subsides). Licorice to Niacinamide, Kojic acid, and even soy, everything is scientifically proven to work. I have some hyperpigmentation on the cheeks due to bad skincare choices and frequent breakouts. And this cream worked in just 8-9 uses.
I saw the PIH fading and a good glow on the skin. I don’t use it every day twice like it suggests as it is a very strong product. Particularly it has Glycolic Acid which is a chemical exfoliator and we all know we can’t use AHA every day and with all the actives like Arbutin and Kojic Acid, my skin cannot tolerate so much and will become very photosensitive. So keep that in mind.
I use this every other day and it works well without damaging my skin barrier. I moisturize a little extra using a good moisturizer when using this just to be safe. My skin honestly hasn’t looked better after using this cream. And yes I love this much more than my The Ordinary Arbutin Serum.
Melaglow Cream Side Effects:
This is a potent product with many active ingredients that can be harsh on the skin.
Some side effects include,
- Skin sensitivity
- Damaged skin barrier
- Redness and Inflammations.
- Dryness and peeling.
- Acne breakouts.
I haven’t experienced any side effects, except for some dryness.
This is not a Schedule H Drug like Aziderm which requires a prescription and is easily available over the counter. But still one should keep in mind that this is a potent medical-grade product. So it should be used ONLY after consulting your dermatologist or physician. Pregnant and Breastfeeding Women should stay away from this cream considering the number of actives it contains.
Is Melaglow a steriod?
No, Melaglow is steriod free. However, it has been speculated that it contains steroids (which are potentially harmful if not used under the guidance of a medicinal practitioner), but there are no reports that support that it contains Steroids.
Pros:
- Works on hyperpigmentation.
- Affordable.
- Available in most medical stores.
- Absorbs fast.
- Great ingredient list.
Cons:
- Can be a little drying.
- Can damage moisture barrier.
- Skin can be photosensitive.
Rating: 4.5/5
Would I recommend it? Yes, I’d recommend it. It worked so well and gave me amazing results that I consider this as one of the Best Cream For Pigmentation and HyperPigmentation.
Have you tried this product? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.
Parama Sarkar is an enthusiastic skincare aficionado with a pen mightier than a wrinkle cream! She has been writing beauty content for TheBeautyInsideout for more than 5 years. She has a keen interest in Korean Beauty and loves experimenting and sharing her beauty experiences with us.
