Mela-Set Dark Spot Toning Creamy Essence

Dongkook Pharmaceutical

Where to buy Possibly in stock

About this product

The Dongkook Pharmaceutical Mela-Set Dark Spot Toning Creamy Essence is a serums, essence, ampoule. Our analysis of its 51 ingredients (46 low-risk) rates it Excellent (100/100). Based on its ingredients, it looks well-suited to oily / acne-prone and sensitive skin.

Vegan-friendly Reef-safe

Summarised from our ingredient analysis — not brand marketing copy.

At a glance

Type
Serums, Essence, Ampoules
Ingredients
51
Low-risk
46
Fragrance
Fragrance-free
Origin
South Korea
Data updated
Jun 2026

The evidence

Quick Product Notes

Paraben-Free Sulfate-Free Alcohol-Free Silicone-Free EU Allergen-Free Fungal Acne (Malassezia) Safe

Notable Effects & Ingredients

No Notable Effects & Ingredients

Ingredients Related to Skin Types

Good   Bad — tap a skin type to see which ingredients · estimated from ingredient functions
Dry Skin 10/12
Good for dry skin
Glyceryl Stearate Dicaprylyl Carbonate Betaine Cetearyl Alcohol Cetyl Ethylhexanoate Ectoin Butylene Glycol Glycerin Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate Dimethicone
Caution for dry skin
Sorbitan Sesquioleate Sorbitan Olivate Sorbitan Isostearate Glycerin Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate Hydrogenated Lecithin Polysorbate 20 Polysorbate 60 PEG-100 Stearate Tranexamic Acid
Oily/Acne-Prone Skin 3/0
Good for oily/acne-prone skin
Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate Tranexamic Acid
Sensitive Skin 8/5
Good for sensitive skin
Arbutin Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate Eriobotrya Japonica Leaf Extract Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate Asiaticoside Alpha-Arbutin Glycerin Dimethicone
Caution for sensitive skin
Asiaticoside Butylene Glycol Glycerin Tromethamine Thiamine HCl

Ingredients list

51 total
Lower hazard (1) Higher hazard (3)
All51 Skin Conditioning46 Emulsifying11 Surfactant10 Viscosity Controlling8 Emollient7 Hair Conditioning7 Antioxidant6 Solvent5
EWG CIR Ingredient Name & Cosmetic Functions Notes
1
Water
(Solvent)
1
B
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate
(Skin Conditioning, Emollient)
2
A
Glycerin
(Denaturant, Fragrance, Hair Conditioning, Humectant, Oral Care Agent, Oral Health Care Drug, Skin Protecting, Viscosity Decreasing Agent, Perfuming, Solvent)
Good for Dry Skin
Good for Dry Skin
Fungal Acne
Fungal Acne Trigger
1
Arbutin
(Antioxidant, Skin Conditioning)
Good for Dry Skin
Good for Dry Skin
1
A
Butylene Glycol
(Fragrance, Skin Conditioning, Solvent, Viscositydecreasing Agent, Humectant, Masking, Viscosity Controlling)
Good for Dry Skin
Good for Dry Skin
Tranexamic Acid
(Cosmetic Astringent, Skin Conditioning)
1
A
Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate
(Antioxidant)
1
Alpha-Arbutin
(Antioxidant, Skin Conditioning)
3
A
Dimethicone
(Antifoaming Agent, Skin Protecting, Emollient, Skin Conditioning)
Silicone
Silicone
1
A
Cetearyl Alcohol
(Emulsion Stabilising, Opacifying, Foam Boosting, Viscosity Increasingagent Aqueous, Viscosity Increasing Agent, Emollient, Emulsifying, Viscosity Controlling)
1
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
(Skin Conditioning, Emollient)
1
B
Betaine
(Hair Conditioning, Humectant, Antistatic Agent, Skin Conditioning, Viscosity Controlling)
1
Methyl Trimethicone
(Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning, Solvent)
1
A
Sorbitan Olivate
(Emulsifying, Surfactant)
Fungal Acne
Fungal Acne Trigger
3
B
Polysorbate 60
(Emulsifying, Surfactant)
Fungal Acne
Fungal Acne Trigger
2
Polyacrylate-13
(Film Forming)
3
A
PEG-100 Stearate
(Surfactant)
Fungal Acne
Fungal Acne Trigger
1
A
Glyceryl Stearate
(Emollient, Emulsifying)
Fungal Acne
Fungal Acne Trigger
1
A
Sorbitan Sesquioleate
(Emulsifying, Surfactant)
Fungal Acne
Fungal Acne Trigger
1
A
Carbomer
(Emulsion Stabilising, Viscosity Increasing Agent, Gel Forming, Viscosity Controlling)
2
A
Tromethamine
(Fragrance, Ph Adjuster, Buffering Agent, Masking)
1
A
Polyisobutene
(Binding Agent, Film Forming, Viscosity Increasing Agent, Binding, Viscosity Controlling)
1
A
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
(Viscosity Controlling)
2
A
Hydrogenated Lecithin
(Skin Conditioning, Emulsifying, Surfactant, Suspending Agent Nonsurfactant)
TOCOPHEROL
(Antioxidant, Fragrance, Skin Conditioning)
1
A
Panthenol
(Antistatic Agent, Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning)
Good for Dry Skin
Good for Dry Skin
1
Propanediol
(Solvent, Viscosity Decreasing Agent, Viscosity Controlling)
Sphingomonas Ferment Extract
(Skin Conditioning)
1
A
Ethylhexylglycerin
(Deodorant, Skin Conditioning)
3
B
Polysorbate 20
(Emulsifying, Surfactant)
Fungal Acne
Fungal Acne Trigger
1
A
Sorbitan Isostearate
(Emulsifying, Surfactant)
1
A
Disodium EDTA
(Chelating Agent, Viscosity Controlling)
1
A
Niacinamide
(Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning, Smoothing)
1
Ectoin
(Buffering Agent, Skin Conditioning, Emollient)
1
B
Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate
(Skin Conditioning, Emulsifying, Surfactant)
1
B
Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate
(Skin Conditioning, Emollient, Emulsifying, Surfactant)
1
Bakuchiol
(Cosmetic Biocide, Antimicrobial)
1
Madecassic Acid
(Skin Conditioning)
1
Eriobotrya Japonica Leaf Extract
(Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting, Tonic)
1
Asiaticoside
(Antioxidant, Skin Conditioning, Perfuming)
1
Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Extract
(Skin Conditioning)
1
Asiatic Acid
(Skin Conditioning, Stabilising)
Mentha Viridis Extract
(Fragrance, Oral Care)
1
B
Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate
(Skin Conditioning, Emulsifying, Surfactant)
1
A
Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
(Antioxidant)
1
Pyridoxine
(Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning, Antistatic Agent)
1
A
Biotin
(Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning, Antiseborrhoeic)
1
Cyanocobalamin
(Skin Conditioning)
Thiamine HCl
(Masking, Skin Conditioning)
1
Riboflavin
(Cosmetic Colorant, Skin Conditioning)
2
Beta-Carotene
(Skin Conditioning)
Good for Dry Skin
Good for Dry Skin

My Ingredient Notes

No personal ingredient notes yet. Save ingredients to your profile to get good/bad alerts here.

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Key ingredients

Antioxidants
Shields skin from free radical damage.
Vitamin C
Brightens, evens tone, and supports collagen.
Arbutin
Gently brightens and evens skin tone.
Vitamin E
Protects skin and soothes irritation.
Niacinamide
Strengthens, smooths, and brightens skin.
Tranexamic Acid
Helps fade dark spots and even skin tone.
Bakuchiol
Encourages gentle skin renewal and boosts firmness.
Ectoin
Protects against environmental stress and aging.

Benefits

Redness ReducingSoothes visible redness and calms irritation.
Scar HealingImproves the look of marks and scars.
Barrier RepairStrengthen and restore your skin's natural barrier.
HydratingBoosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Reduces IrritationEases discomfort and supports skin resilience.
BrighteningRestores radiance to dull, tired skin.
Anti-AgingSoftens lines and helps skin look youthful.
Dark SpotsFades dark spots for even skin tone.

Concerns

Contains silicone
Not fungal acne (malassezia) safe
May not suit dry skin

Ingredients explained

Water
Solvent
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 Solvent
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate
Skin conditioning, Emollient
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 CIR B Skin conditioningEmollient
Tranexamic Acid
Cosmetic astringent, Skin conditioning
Limited public safety data.Read moreShow less
EWG N/A Cosmetic astringentSkin conditioning
Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 CIR A Antioxidant
Alpha-Arbutin
Antioxidant, Skin conditioning
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 AntioxidantSkin conditioning
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emulsion stabilising, Opacifying
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 CIR A Emulsion stabilisingOpacifyingFoam boostingViscosity increasingagent - aqueousViscosity increasing agentEmollientEmulsifyingViscosity controlling
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
Skin conditioning, Emollient
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 Skin conditioningEmollient
Betaine
Hair conditioning, Humectant
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 CIR B Hair conditioningHumectantAntistatic agentSkin conditioningViscosity controlling
Methyl Trimethicone
Hair conditioning, Skin conditioning
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 Hair conditioningSkin conditioningSolvent
Polyacrylate-13
Film forming
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 2 Film forming
Carbomer
Emulsion stabilising, Viscosity increasing agent
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 CIR A Emulsion stabilisingViscosity increasing agentGel formingViscosity controlling
Tromethamine
Fragrance, Ph adjuster
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 2 CIR A FragrancePh adjusterBuffering agentMasking
Polyisobutene
Binding agent, Film forming
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 CIR A Binding agentFilm formingViscosity increasing agentBindingViscosity controlling
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Viscosity controlling
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 CIR A Viscosity controlling
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Skin conditioning, Emulsifying
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 2 CIR A Skin conditioningEmulsifyingSurfactantSuspending agent- nonsurfactant
+ 24 more — see the full ingredients list above
Glycerin
Denaturant, Fragrance
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 2 CIR A DenaturantFragranceHair conditioningHumectantOral care agentOral health care drugSkin protectingViscosity decreasing agentPerfumingSolvent Good for Dry SkinFungal-acne trigger
Arbutin
Antioxidant, Skin conditioning
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 AntioxidantSkin conditioning Good for Dry Skin
Butylene Glycol
Fragrance, Skin conditioning
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 CIR A FragranceSkin conditioningSolventViscositydecreasing agentHumectantMaskingViscosity controlling Good for Dry Skin
Dimethicone
Antifoaming agent, Skin protecting
Low-to-moderate hazard.Read moreShow less
EWG 3 CIR A Antifoaming agentSkin protectingEmollientSkin conditioning Silicone
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying, Surfactant
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 CIR A EmulsifyingSurfactant Fungal-acne trigger
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying, Surfactant
Low-to-moderate hazard.Read moreShow less
EWG 3 CIR B EmulsifyingSurfactant Fungal-acne trigger
PEG-100 Stearate
Surfactant
Low-to-moderate hazard.Read moreShow less
EWG 3 CIR A Surfactant Fungal-acne trigger
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient, Emulsifying
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 CIR A EmollientEmulsifying Fungal-acne trigger
Sorbitan Sesquioleate
Emulsifying, Surfactant
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 CIR A EmulsifyingSurfactant Fungal-acne trigger
Panthenol
Antistatic agent, Hair conditioning
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 CIR A Antistatic agentHair conditioningSkin conditioning Good for Dry Skin
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying, Surfactant
Low-to-moderate hazard.Read moreShow less
EWG 3 CIR B EmulsifyingSurfactant Fungal-acne trigger
Beta-Carotene
Skin conditioning
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 2 Skin conditioning Good for Dry Skin

How to use

How to use

  • 1 Where it fits: Apply after toner and before moisturiser — thinnest to thickest.
  • 2 Morning works well: Antioxidants like vitamin C pair well with daytime use under sunscreen.

General guidance from this product's category and active ingredients — always follow the directions on the package.

Trust & honesty

Effective levels — general guide

The concentrations these actives are typically effective at in research — not a measurement of this product.

Vitamin C (ascorbic) 5–20%

L-ascorbic acid is usually used at 5–20% (around 10–15% is common). Above ~20% adds little and tends to irritate more; it also needs a low pH to work.

Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate

Niacinamide 2–5% (up to 10%)

Most research uses 2–5%; some formulas go to 10%. Very high levels can cause flushing in sensitive skin.

Niacinamide

INCI lists don't disclose amounts, and we don't claim to know this product's levels — these are the ranges these ingredients are usually effective at, so you can tell a real formula from "fairy-dusting" a marketed active. How we estimate this.

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