D'Alba White Truffle Serum Toner Versus MediCube PDRN Pink Glutathione Serum Mist

D'Alba White Truffle Serum Toner Versus MediCube PDRN Pink Glutathione Serum Mist

This brightening toner is formulated around Niacinamide and Adenosine to brighten dull-looking skin.

This anti-aging serum is formulated around Sodium DNA and Glutathione to soften the look of wrinkles and brighten dull-looking skin.

What's inside

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

Water

Dipropylene Glycol

Glycereth-26

1,2-Hexanediol

Niacinamide

Glycerin

Methyl Gluceth-20

Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate

Cetearyl Alcohol

Betaine

Tromethamine

Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer

Ethylhexylglycerin

Adenosine

Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract

Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract

Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract

Sodium Hyaluronate

Panthenol

Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid

Glutathione

Collagen Extract

Butylene Glycol

Curcuma Longa Root Extract

Corallina Officinalis Extract

Theobroma Cacao Extract

Dextrin

Saccharomyces Ferment Filtrate

Polyquaternium-51

Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract

Tuber Magnatum Extract

Linum Usitatissimum Seed Extract

Nymphaea Alba Flower Extract

Malus Domestica Fruit Extract

Backhousia Citriodora Leaf Oil

Hydrolyzed Soy Protein

Hydrolyzed Rice Protein

Hydrolyzed Potato Protein

Hydrolyzed Pea Protein

Hydrolyzed Lupine Protein

Hydrolyzed Oat Protein

Hydrolyzed Corn Protein

Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein

Hydrolyzed Sweet Almond Protein

Hydrolyzed Barley Protein

Centella Asiatica Extract

Persea Gratissima Oil

Olea Europaea Fruit Oil

Oenothera Biennis Oil

Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil

Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein

Hydrolyzed Jojoba Protein

Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Oil

Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil

Glycoproteins

Glycine Soja Oil

Ceramide NP

Camellia Japonica Seed Oil

Ascorbic Acid

Mannose

Glucuronic Acid

Glucose

Tocopherol

Parfum

Limonene

Hexyl Cinnamal

Linalool

Water, Dipropylene Glycol, Glycereth-26, 1,2-Hexanediol, Niacinamide, Glycerin, Methyl Gluceth-20, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Betaine, Tromethamine, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Panthenol, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Glutathione, Collagen Extract, Butylene Glycol, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Theobroma Cacao Extract, Dextrin, Saccharomyces Ferment Filtrate, Polyquaternium-51, Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract, Tuber Magnatum Extract, Linum Usitatissimum Seed Extract, Nymphaea Alba Flower Extract, Malus Domestica Fruit Extract, Backhousia Citriodora Leaf Oil, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Hydrolyzed Potato Protein, Hydrolyzed Pea Protein, Hydrolyzed Lupine Protein, Hydrolyzed Oat Protein, Hydrolyzed Corn Protein, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Hydrolyzed Sweet Almond Protein, Hydrolyzed Barley Protein, Centella Asiatica Extract, Persea Gratissima Oil, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Oenothera Biennis Oil, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein, Hydrolyzed Jojoba Protein, Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Glycoproteins, Glycine Soja Oil, Ceramide NP, Camellia Japonica Seed Oil, Ascorbic Acid, Mannose, Glucuronic Acid, Glucose, Tocopherol, Parfum, Limonene, Hexyl Cinnamal, Linalool

Collagen Water

C13-15 Alkane

Ricinus Communis Seed Oil

Sodium Chloride

Sorbitol

Hydroxyethyl Urea

Eclipta Prostrata Extract

Sodium DNA

Paeonia Lactiflora Root Extract

Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil

Candida Bombicola/Glucose/Methyl Rapeseedate Ferment

Rosa Damascena Flower Water

Biotin

Hexapeptide-2

Biotinoyl Tripeptide-1

Acetyl Hexapeptide-8

Tripeptide-1

Tripeptide-3

Myristoyl Pentapeptide-17

Hexapeptide-9

Water, Collagen Water, Dipropylene Glycol, C13-15 Alkane, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Glycereth-26, 1,2-Hexanediol, Niacinamide, Sodium Chloride, Sorbitol, Hydroxyethyl Urea, Butylene Glycol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Parfum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Eclipta Prostrata Extract, Adenosine, Sodium DNA, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Glutathione, Paeonia Lactiflora Root Extract, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Candida Bombicola/Glucose/Methyl Rapeseedate Ferment, Rosa Damascena Flower Water, Biotin, Hexapeptide-2, Biotinoyl Tripeptide-1, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Tripeptide-1, Tripeptide-3, Myristoyl Pentapeptide-17, Hexapeptide-9

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Alternatives

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.

It is a:

Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin

Emollient, helping to soften skin

Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas

Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservatives

Adenosine is a purine nucleoside that your body already makes in every cell. In skincare, it acts mainly as a skin conditioning and anti-aging agent.

The way it works is fairly well mapped out:

Your skin has cells called fibroblasts that build collagen (the stuff that keeps skin firm and smooth). Adenosine basically flips a switch on these cells that tells them to get to work making more collagen and other proteins. These cells slow down on their own as skin ages, so Adenosine helps give them a little nudge to keep going.

The clinical backing is pretty solid too.

A blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial of 126 women aged 45-65 tested a 0.1% cream twice daily and found real improvements in crow's feet and frown lines using a precise 3D skin-mapping technique; these changes showed up by week 3 and held at 2 months.

A later study using Adenosine-loaded dissolving microneedle patches reported gains in wrinkle depth, dermal density, elasticity, and hydration.

On concentrations, South Korea's Ministry of Food and Drug Safety has set 0.04% as the approved functional anti-wrinkle level. You'll typically see this ingredient used somewhere in the 0.04-0.1% range since it works at low doses.

This ingredient has been found safe for cosmetics with the data showing no irritation or sensitization.

Overall, this is a great ingredient for any anti-aging routine and has no photosensitizing effect, so it suits both AM and PM use.

Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:

Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.

Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.

Dipropylene Glycol is a synthetically created humectant, stabilizer, and solvent.

This ingredient helps:

Dipropylene glycol is technically an alcohol, but it belongs to the glycol family (often considered part of the ‘good’ alcohols). This means it is hydrating and gentle on skin unlike drying solvent alcohols like denatured alcohol.

As a masking agent, Dipropylene Glycol can be used to cover the smell of other ingredients. However, it does not have a scent.

Studies show Dipropylene Glycol is considered safe to use in skincare.

Ethylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:

The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.

Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.

Glutathione is a tiny protein-like molecule (a "tripeptide" build from 3 amino acids: glycine, cysteine, and glutamic acid) that your body already makes on its own.

Inside your body, it acts as one of the skin's main antioxidants that help fight against free radicals.

In skincare, it's best known as a brightening ingredient that slows down tyrosinase, the key enzyme that makes skin pigment. It also nudges the skin toward making a lighter type of pigment instead of a darker one.

This is why you'll see it in products aimed at dark spots and uneven tone.

A small number of real human trials have found a topical glutathione lotion:

The honest caveat is that the current evidence is still thin (few studies, small groups, short timelines). Glutathione also doesn't absorb into skin very easily so results tend to be modest and fade if you stop using it.

One thing worth clearing up:

The scary side effects you may have heard about come from glutathione injected intravenously, which has real safety concerns. Applying it topically is a completely different thing and has a clean track record.

Most human studies used it around 2% (as Glutathione or Glutathione Disulfide) and a 2% oxidized glutathione lotion and a 2% S-acyl glutathione cream are the concentrations with actual clinical data behind them.

There's no established "ideal" percentage yet but 1-2% is the evidence-backed range.

Allergy-wise, there is very low risk for this ingredient; it was well-tolerated across the topical trials. Only one participant had mild temporary redness that cleared up on its own and another study reported no adverse reactions at all.

One trial had ~10% of users drop out for irritation was using a combination cream that also had 10% azelaic acid so the irritation likely wasn't from the glutathione. There's no notable contact-allergy signal for topical glutathione in the literature but patch-testing before first use is still sensible for those with sensitive skin.

Glycereth-26 is a synthetic ingredient and polyethylene glycol ether of Glycerin. Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin and helps keep your skin moisturized.

It is a humectant and helps add texture to products. It can make your product thicker.

As a humectant, it helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This helps your skin stay hydrated.

Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil is a plant oil derived from the seeds of a sunflower.

It is rich in fatty acids, primarily linoleic acid and oleic acid. This gives it emollient and skin conditioning properties.

The reason this ingredient is so effective is because it forms a thin film on the skin that reduces transepidermal water loss (TEWL) while supplying linoleic acid to the stratum corneum to improve barrier strength.

The high linoleic acid content is particularly noteworthy for acne-prone skin.

Research suggests that acne-prone skin tends to be deficient in linoleic acid in sebum. Topical application may help replenish this to support a healthier follicular environment and less comedone-promoting sebum.

One randomized study found sunflower seed oil preserved skin barrier integrity in adult volunteers with and without atopic dermatitis (outperforming olive oil).

This ingredient is well-studied, gentle, and an effective emollient suitable for most skin types.

On fungal acne: This ingredient may not be Fungal acne (Malassezia folliculitis) safe. This is because it contains fatty acids with carbon chain lengths in the C11-C24 range.

This ingredient is also known as neem leaf extract. It contains natural compounds like nimbidin, quercetin, and other polyphenols that give it antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory activity.

Lab studies have shown neem leaf extract can inhibit acne-related bacteria and help calm skin. Animal studies on wound gels using 1-3% neem leaf extract found it sped up healing without causing irritation.

A wound-healing study testing gels with the extract at 1%, 2%, and 3% concentrations and found none of them irritated the skin.

Most commercial products also use it in a similar low range (typically under 5%).

Allergy-wise, there are some case reports on neem oil causing allergic contact dermatitis so people with plant/botanical sensitivities may want to patch test first.

Niacinamide is a multitasking form of vitamin B3 that strengthens the skin barrier, reduces pores and dark spots, regulates oil, and improves signs of aging.

And the best part? It's gentle and well-tolerated by most skin types, including sensitive and reactive skin.

You might have heard of "niacin flush", or the reddening of skin that causes itchiness. Niacinamide has not been found to cause this.

In very rare cases, some individuals may not be able to tolerate niacinamide at all or experience an allergic reaction to it.

If you are experiencing flaking, irritation, and dryness with this ingredient, be sure to double check all your products as this ingredient can be found in all categories of skincare.

When incorporating niacinamide into your routine, look out for concentration amounts. Typically, 5% niacinamide provides benefits such as fading dark spots. However, if you have sensitive skin, it is better to begin with a smaller concentration.

When you apply niacinamide to your skin, your body converts it into nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD). NAD is an essential coenzyme that is already found in your cells as "fuel" and powers countless biological processes.

In your skin, NAD helps repair cell damage, produce new healthy cells, support collagen production, strengthen the skin barrier, and fight environmental stressors (like UV and pollution).

Our natural NAD levels start to decline with age, leading to slower skin repair, visible aging, and a weaker skin barrier. By providing your skin niacinamide, you're recharging your skin's NAD levels. This leads to stronger, healthier, and younger looking skin.

Another name for vitamin B3 is nicotinamide. This vitamin is water-soluble and our bodies don't store it. We obtain Vitamin B3 from either food or skincare. Meat, fish, wheat, yeast, and leafy greens contain vitamin B3.

The type of niacinamide used in skincare is synthetically created.

Parfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.

Also called "fragrance", this ingredient can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.

For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of “FRAGRANCE” or “PARFUM” according to EU and US regulations.

The term 'parfum' or 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term.

For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance by INCI standards.

One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.

Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.

Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.

The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.

Water. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.

So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.

You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Remember to stay hydrated!

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