Admire My Skin Ultra Potent Brightening Serum Versus PCA Skin Pigment Gel

Admire My Skin Ultra Potent Brightening Serum Versus PCA Skin Pigment Gel Detailed comparison of Admire My Skin Ultra Potent Brightening Serum versus PCA Skin Pigment Gel. This brightening serum is formulated around Azelaic Acid and Kojic Acid to fade the look of dark spots and brighten dull-looking skin. This brightening serum is formulated around Lactic Acid and Kojic Acid to fade the look of dark spots and brighten dull-looking skin. Propylene Glycol Alcohol Denat. Azelaic Acid Water Hamamelis Virginiana Water Lactic Acid Kojic Acid Hexylresorcinol Salicylic Acid Ascorbic Acid Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose Sodium Hydroxide Propylene Glycol, Alcohol Denat., Azelaic Acid, Water, Hamamelis Virginiana Water, Lactic Acid, Kojic Acid, Hexylresorcinol, Salicylic Acid, Ascorbic Acid, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Sodium Hydroxide Butylene Glycol Alcohol Hydroxyethylcellulose Phenylethyl Resorcinol BHT Glutathione Silybum Marianum Fruit Extract Water, Alcohol Denat., Hamamelis Virginiana Water, Lactic Acid, Butylene Glycol, Kojic Acid, Azelaic Acid, Alcohol, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Phenylethyl Resorcinol, BHT, Glutathione, Silybum Marianum Fruit Extract These ingredients are found in both products. Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount. Alcohol Denat. is an alcohol with a denaturant property. It is created by mixing ethanol with other additives. The "denat" part just means "denatured"; common denaturants include Denatonium Benzoate, t-butyl alcohol, and Diethyl Phthalate. This step makes the alcohol undrinkable (and lets brand skip taxes related to beverage alcohol). This ingredient gets a bad rep because it is irritating and drying due to its astringent property. Astringents draw out natural oils in tissue to constrict pores and dry out your skin. However, alcohol denat. is not all that bad. Due to its low molecular weight, alcohol denat. tends to evaporate quickly. One study on pig skin found half of applied alcohol evaporated in 10 seconds and less than 3% stayed on skin. This also helps other ingredients become better absorbed upon application. Studies are conflicted about whether this ingredient causes skin dehydration. One study from 2005 found adding emollients to propanol-based sanitizer decreased skin dryness and irritation. Another study found irritation only occurs if your skin is already damaged. Small amounts of alcohol are generally tolerated by oily skin or people who live in humid environments. The rule of thumb is this ingredient will probably not affect your skin much if it is near the end of an ingredients list. One thing to note: People with ALDH2 (aldehyde dehydrogenase 2) deficiency may experience skin irritation from continued alcohol use. About 8% of the world's population have this deficiency. The Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has determined denatured alcohols to be safe for use in concentrations between 0.05% and 12% (depending on which denaturant is used). Also... This ingredient has antimicrobial and solvent properties. The antimicrobial property helps preserve products and increase their shelf life. As a solvent, it helps dissolve other ingredients. Look for formulas that contain glycerin, hyaluronic acid, or panthenol if you want to offset any drying effect. This ingredient will trip away your skin's natural oils/lipids that help it lock in moisture. This can worsen dryness, trigger eczema flare-ups, and aggravate rosacea. Be sure to patch test any product with this ingredient if you have dry or sensitive skin, eczema, or rosacea. Azelaic acid is a multitasker ingredient that helps treat acne, pigmentation, and irritation. It is a great option for sensitive skin. What makes it special? OTC Azelaic acid is usually available in concentrations from 10-15% and anything over requires a prescription. Here's what each tier does best: Unlike other acids, azelaic acid will not make your skin more photosensitive/sun sensitive. Though this ingredient is naturally occurring in grains like wheat, rye, and barley, it is usually synthetically created for cosmetics to ensure stability and effectiveness. Hamamelis Virginiana W