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HOW WE DETERMINE SCORES LEARN MORE ABOUT EWG VERIFIED®
Product score: 03

Data Availability:

Limited

Glow Recipe Guava Vitamin C Dark Spot Serum

Glow Recipe Guava Vitamin C Dark Spot Serum

WHERE TO BUY

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CATEGORY

Skin Fading/Lightener

BRAND

Glow Recipe

DATA LAST UPDATED

June 2023

Ingredient concerns

See how this product scores for common concerns.

  • LOW
    Cancer
  • HIGH
    Allergies & Immunotoxicity
  • LOW
    Developmental and Reproductive Toxicity
  • HIGH
    Use Restrictions

Ingredient scores

Ingredients are scored based on their formulation and concentration in this product. Click on an ingredient for more information.

Ingredient score: 01
WATER
Data Availability: Robust
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FUNCTION(S) solvent
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Ingredient score: 02
PROPANEDIOL
Data Availability: Fair
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FUNCTION(S) solvent, viscosity controlling, viscosity decreasing agent
CONCERNS • Cancer (low)
• Developmental/reproductive toxicity (low)
• Enhanced skin absorption
• Endocrine disruption (low)
• Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs) (high)
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Ingredient score: 01
C9-12 ALKANE
Data Availability: None
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FUNCTION(S) solvent
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Ingredient score: 01
PSIDIUM GUAJAVA (GUAVA) FRUIT EXTRACT
Data Availability: Fair
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FUNCTION(S) astringent, skin conditioning, skin-conditioning agent - miscellaneous
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Ingredient score: 01
TETRAHEXYLDECYL ASCORBATE
Data Availability: Limited
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FUNCTION(S) antioxidant, skin conditioning, skin-conditioning agent - miscellaneous
CONCERNS • Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs) (low)
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Ingredient score: 01
TRANEXAMIC ACID
Data Availability: Limited
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FUNCTION(S) astringent, skin conditioning, cosmetic astringent, skin-conditioning agent - miscellaneous
CONCERNS • Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs) (low)
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Ingredient score: 01
SODIUM POLYACRYLOYLDIMETHYL TAURATE
Data Availability: Limited
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FUNCTION(S) emulsion stabilising, viscosity controlling, emulsion stabilizer, viscosity increasing agent - aqueous
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Ingredient score: 01
ETHYL ASCORBIC ACID
Data Availability: Limited
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FUNCTION(S) skin conditioning, skin-conditioning agent - miscellaneous
CONCERNS • Allergies/immunotoxicity (moderate)
• Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs) (low)
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Ingredient score: 01
ASCORBYL GLUCOSIDE
Data Availability: Limited
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FUNCTION(S) antioxidant
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Ingredient score: 01
MAGNESIUM ASCORBYL PHOSPHATE
Data Availability: Limited
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FUNCTION(S) antioxidant
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Ingredient score: 01
SODIUM ASCORBYL PHOSPHATE
Data Availability: None
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FUNCTION(S) antioxidant
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Ingredient score: 01
PSIDIUM GUAJAVA OIL
Data Availability: Limited
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Ingredient score: 01
TOCOPHEROL
Data Availability: Fair
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FUNCTION(S) skin conditioning, antioxidant, fragrance ingredient, skin-conditioning agent - miscellaneous;skin-conditioning agent - occlusive
CONCERNS • Cancer (low)
• Developmental/reproductive toxicity (low)
• Allergies/immunotoxicity (low)
• Endocrine disruption (low)
• Contamination concerns (HYDROQUINONE)
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Ingredient score: 02
TOCOPHERYL ACETATE
Data Availability: Limited
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FUNCTION(S) antioxidant, skin conditioning, skin-conditioning agent - miscellaneous
CONCERNS • Cancer (low)
• Developmental/reproductive toxicity (low)
• Allergies/immunotoxicity (moderate)
• Contamination concerns (HYDROQUINONE)
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Ingredient score: 01
SODIUM HYALURONATE
Data Availability: Fair
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FUNCTION(S) humectant, skin conditioning, skin-conditioning agent - miscellaneous
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Ingredient score: 01
FERULIC ACID
Data Availability: Fair
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FUNCTION(S) antimicrobial, antioxidant, preservative, ultraviolet light absorber
CONCERNS • Use restrictions (moderate)
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Ingredient score: 01
TREMELLA FUCIFORMIS SPOROCARP EXTRACT
Data Availability: None
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FUNCTION(S) antioxidant, hair conditioning, humectant, skin conditioning
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Ingredient score: 01
PYRUS MALUS (APPLE) FRUIT EXTRACT
Data Availability: Fair
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FUNCTION(S) skin conditioning, proprietary, skin-conditioning agent - miscellaneous
CONCERNS • Allergies/immunotoxicity (low)
• Use restrictions (low)
• Non-reproductive organ system toxicity (low)
• Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs) (low)
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Ingredient score: 01
MUSA SAPIENTUM (PLANTAIN) FRUIT EXTRACT
Data Availability: Limited
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FUNCTION(S) skin conditioning, skin-conditioning agent - miscellaneous
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Ingredient score: 01
PRUNUS ARMENIACA (APRICOT) KERNEL EXTRACT
Data Availability: Fair
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FUNCTION(S) skin conditioning, not reported
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Ingredient score: 01
PYRUS COMMUNIS (PEAR) FRUIT EXTRACT
Data Availability: Fair
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FUNCTION(S) skin conditioning, skin protecting, skin-conditioning agent - miscellaneous
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Ingredient score: 01
RUBUS IDAEUS (RASPBERRY) FRUIT EXTRACT
Data Availability: Limited
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FUNCTION(S) skin conditioning, skin-conditioning agent - miscellaneous
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Ingredient score: 01
AZADIRACHTA INDICA FLOWER EXTRACT
Data Availability: Fair
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FUNCTION(S) skin conditioning, not reported
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Ingredient score: 01
AZADIRACHTA INDICA LEAF EXTRACT
Data Availability: Fair
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CONCERNS • Cancer (low)
• Developmental/reproductive toxicity (low)
• Endocrine disruption (low)
• Ecotoxicology (low)
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Ingredient score: 01
CORALLINA OFFICINALIS EXTRACT
Data Availability: Limited
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FUNCTION(S) skin conditioning, not reported
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Ingredient score: 01
COCCINIA INDICA FRUIT EXTRACT
Data Availability: Limited
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FUNCTION(S) skin conditioning, not reported
CONCERNS • Biochemical or cellular level changes (low)
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Ingredient score: 01
HEXANOYL DIPEPTIDE 3 NORLEUCINE ACETATE
Data Availability: None
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Ingredient score: 01
POLYGLYCERYL-10 DIOLEATE
Data Availability: Limited
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FUNCTION(S) emulsifying, skin-conditioning agent - emollient, surfactant - emulsifying agent
CONCERNS • Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs) (low)
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Ingredient score: 01
GLYCERIN
Data Availability: Fair
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FUNCTION(S) denaturant, humectant, perfuming, solvent, fragrance ingredient, hair conditioning agent, oral care agent;oral health care drug, skin-conditioning agent - humectant, skin protectant, viscosity decreasing agent
CONCERNS • Use restrictions (moderate)
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Ingredient score: 01
1,2-HEXANEDIOL
Data Availability: Limited
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FUNCTION(S) solvent
CONCERNS • Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs) (low)
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Ingredient score: 01
CAPRYLIC/ CAPRIC TRIGLYCERIDE
Data Availability: Limited
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FUNCTION(S) fragrance ingredient, skin-conditioning agent - occlusive
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Ingredient score: 01
CAPRYLYL GLYCOL
Data Availability: Limited
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FUNCTION(S) emollient, hair conditioning, humectant, skin conditioning, hair conditioning agent, skin-conditioning agent - emollient
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Ingredient score: 01
HYDROXYACETOPHENONE
Data Availability: Fair
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CONCERNS • Allergies/immunotoxicity (low)
• Non-reproductive organ system toxicity (low)
• Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs) (low)
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Ingredient score: 01
SODIUM STEAROYL GLUTAMATE
Data Availability: Limited
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FUNCTION(S) cleansing, emulsifying, hair conditioning, skin conditioning, hair conditioning agent, skin-conditioning agent - miscellaneous, surfactant - cleansingagent
CONCERNS • Use restrictions (low)
• Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs) (low)
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Ingredient score: 01
COCO-CAPRYLATE/ CAPRATE
Data Availability: Limited
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FUNCTION(S) emollient, skin conditioning, skin-conditioning agent - emollient
CONCERNS • Enhanced skin absorption
• Use restrictions (low)
• Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs) (low)
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Ingredient score: 01
BETAINE
Data Availability: Limited
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FUNCTION(S) antistatic, hair conditioning, humectant, skin conditioning, viscosity controlling, hair conditioning agent, skin-conditioning agent - humectant
CONCERNS • Multiple, additive exposure sources (low)
• Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs) (low)
• Contamination concerns (DIOXINS, Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs), POLYCHLORINATED BIPHENYLS, and LEAD)
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Ingredient score: 02
LECITHIN
Data Availability: Good
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FUNCTION(S) antistatic, emollient, emulsifying, skin conditioning, skin-conditioning agent - miscellaneous, surfactant - emulsifying agent
CONCERNS • Allergies/immunotoxicity (moderate)
• Enhanced skin absorption
• Use restrictions (low)
• Multiple, additive exposure sources (low)
• Contamination concerns (NITROSAMINES)
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Ingredient score: 01
POLYGLYCERYL-10 DIPALMITATE
Data Availability: Limited
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FUNCTION(S) emollient, emulsifying, skin-conditioning agent - emollient, surfactant - emulsifying agent
CONCERNS • Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs) (low)
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Ingredient score: 01
SODIUM CITRATE
Data Availability: Limited
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FUNCTION(S) buffering, chelating, masking, ph adjuster
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Ingredient score: 01
SODIUM PHYTATE
Data Availability: Limited
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FUNCTION(S) chelating, oral care, chelating agent, oral care agent
CONCERNS • Cancer (low)
• Developmental/reproductive toxicity (low)
• Non-reproductive organ system toxicity (low)
• Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs) (low)
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Ingredient score: 02
POTASSIUM SORBATE
Data Availability: Limited
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FUNCTION(S) preservative, fragrance ingredient
CONCERNS • Allergies/immunotoxicity (moderate)
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Ingredient score: 02
DECYL GLUCOSIDE
Data Availability: Fair
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FUNCTION(S) cleansing, emulsion stabilising, surfactant, surfactant - cleansing agent
CONCERNS • Allergies/immunotoxicity (moderate)
• Use restrictions (low)
• Non-reproductive organ system toxicity (low)
• Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs) (low)
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Ingredient score: 01
LAURYL GLUCOSIDE
Data Availability: Fair
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FUNCTION(S) cleansing, surfactant, surfactant - cleansing agent
CONCERNS • Allergies/immunotoxicity (low)
• Use restrictions (low)
• Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs) (low)
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Ingredient score: 02
ETHYLHEXYLGLYCERIN
Data Availability: Limited
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FUNCTION(S) skin conditioning, deodorant agent, skin-conditioning agent - miscellaneous
CONCERNS • Allergies/immunotoxicity (low)
• Non-reproductive organ system toxicity (moderate)
• Ecotoxicology (low)
• Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs) (high)
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Ingredient score: 01
CITRIC ACID
Data Availability: Good
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FUNCTION(S) buffering, chelating, masking, chelating agent, fragrance ingredient, ph adjuster
CONCERNS • Use restrictions (moderate)
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Ingredient score: 01
XANTHAN GUM
Data Availability: Fair
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FUNCTION(S) binding, emulsifying, emulsion stabilising, gel forming, skin conditioning, surfactant, viscosity controlling, binder, emulsion stabilizer, skin-conditioning agent - miscellaneous, surfactant -emulsifying agent, viscosity increasing agent - aqueous
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Ingredient score: 02
PHENOXYETHANOL
Data Availability: Good
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FUNCTION(S) preservative, fragrance ingredient
CONCERNS • Allergies/immunotoxicity (low)
• Use restrictions (moderate)
• Non-reproductive organ system toxicity (moderate)
• Ecotoxicology (low)
• Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs) (high)
• Occupational hazards (high)
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Ingredients from packaging:

Water/Aqua/Eau, Propanediol, C9-12 Alkane, Psidium Guajava Fruit Extract, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Tranexamic Acid, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Psidium Guajava Seed Oil, Tocopherol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ferulic Acid, Tremella Fuciformis Sporocarp Extract, Pyrus Malus (Apple) Fruit Extract, Musa Sapientum (Banana) Fruit Extract, Prunus Armeniaca (Apricot) Kernel Extract, Pyrus Communis (Pear) Fruit Extract, Rubus Idaeus (Raspberry) Fruit Extract, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract, Hexanoyl Dipeptide-3 Norleucine Acetate, Polyglyceryl-10 Dioleate, Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Caprylyl Glycol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Betaine, Lecithin, Polyglyceryl-10 Dipalmitate, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Phytate, Potassium Sorbate, Decyl Glucoside, Lauryl Glucoside, Ethylhexylglycerin, Citric Acid, Xanthan Gum, Phenoxyethanol

Product's animal testing policies

Some cosmetics companies have taken People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals and Leaping Bunny animal-testing pledges. For consumers who are concerned about companies’ policies on animal testing, Skin Deep reports this information.


Leaping Bunny

Products bearing the Leaping Bunny mark are certified cruelty-free under the Humane Household Products Standard, managed in the U.S. and Canada by the Coalition for Consumer Information on Cosmetics, a coalition of eight national animal protection groups. Participating companies must open their processes to independent audits throughout the supply chain.

LEARN MORE ON LEAPINGBUNNY.ORG

Understanding scores

Cosmetics and personal care products are not required to be tested for safety before being allowed on the market. The Skin Deep® scoring system was designed to help the public understand whether a product is safe to use or whether it contains ingredients of concern.

Every product and ingredient in Skin Deep gets a two-part score – one for hazard and one for data availability. The safest products score well by both measures, with a low hazard rating and a fair or better data availability rating.


HOW WE DETERMINE SCORES

Hazard score

The Skin Deep ingredient hazard score, from 1 to 10, reflects known and suspected hazards linked to the ingredients. The EWG Verified® mark means a product meets EWG’s strictest criteria for transparency and health.

Score legend
WEIGHT-OF-EVIDENCE APPROACH

A product’s hazard score is not an average of the ingredients’ hazard scores. It is calculated using a weight-of-evidence approach that factors in all of the hazards or health impacts associated with the ingredients.

Data availability

The Skin Deep data availability rating reflects the number of scientific studies about the product or ingredient in the published scientific literature.

NONE LIMITED FAIR GOOD ROBUST
Low Availability
Moderate Availability
High Availability
NONE

Ingredients have not been assessed.

LIMITED-FAIR

There is only a modest volume of research.

GOOD-ROBUST

Ingredients have been studied extensively.

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