CeraVe Hydrating Hyaluronic Acid Serum Versus Differin Dark Spot Correcting Serum 2% Hydroquinone

CeraVe Hydrating Hyaluronic Acid Serum Versus Differin Dark Spot Correcting Serum 2% Hydroquinone Detailed comparison of CeraVe Hydrating Hyaluronic Acid Serum US versus Differin Dark Spot Correcting Serum 2% Hydroquinone. This hydrating serum is formulated around Sodium Hyaluronate and Ceramide NP to hydrate skin and strengthen the skin barrier. This brightening serum is formulated around Hydroquinone to fade the look of dark spots. Water Glycerin Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate Dimethicone Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate Sodium Hyaluronate Panthenol Ceramide NP Ceramide AP Ceramide EOP Carbomer Cetearyl Alcohol Behentrimonium Methosulfate Sodium Hydroxide Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate Cholesterol Phenoxyethanol Disodium EDTA Isopropyl Myristate Caprylyl Glycol Citric Acid Xanthan Gum Phytosphingosine Ethylhexylglycerin Water, Glycerin, Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate, Dimethicone, Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Panthenol, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Carbomer, Cetearyl Alcohol, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Cholesterol, Phenoxyethanol, Disodium EDTA, Isopropyl Myristate, Caprylyl Glycol, Citric Acid, Xanthan Gum, Phytosphingosine, Ethylhexylglycerin Hydroquinone 2% 1,2-Hexanediol Alcohol Denat. Parfum Hippophae Rhamnoides Oil Hydroxyethylcellulose PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil Polysorbate 20 Sodium Metabisulfite Sodium Sulfite Hydroquinone 2%, 1,2-Hexanediol, Alcohol Denat., Caprylyl Glycol, Citric Acid, Disodium EDTA, Parfum, Hippophae Rhamnoides Oil, Hydroxyethylcellulose, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Polysorbate 20, Sodium Metabisulfite, Sodium Sulfite, Water Be the first to review These ingredients are found in both products. Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount. Caprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created. Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin. Because it is not a free-fatty acid, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on). Citric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes. Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath. However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products. Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH. In skincare formulas, citric acid can: While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants. Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations. Rosacea skin has a lower threshold for acids generally, with 62.5% of rosacea subjects in one study reacting to lactic acid in a sting test. This is why we mark citric acid as a potential rosacea trigger. However, this ingredient shows up as a pH adjuster or chelator at roughly 0.1-1% in many products. These low levels are unlikely to be an issue for rosacea skin and becomes a potential trigger at exfoliating concentrations (20%). Because everybody's skin is unique, we recommend a patch test if you are unsure. Disodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air. This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with: On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it. One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin). Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption. You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%. 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?