COSRX The Alpha-Arbutin 2 Discoloration Care Serum Versus Beauty of Joseon Glow Deep Serum: Rice + Arbutin

COSRX The Alpha-Arbutin 2 Discoloration Care Serum Versus Beauty of Joseon Glow Deep Serum: Rice + Arbutin Detailed comparison of COSRX The Alpha-Arbutin 2 Discoloration Care Serum versus Beauty of Joseon Glow Deep Serum: Rice + Arbutin. This brightening serum is formulated around Niacinamide and Tranexamic Acid to fade the look of dark spots and brighten dull-looking skin. This brightening serum is formulated around Alpha-Arbutin and Niacinamide to fade the look of dark spots and brighten dull-looking skin. Water Propanediol Glycerin Niacinamide 5% Tranexamic Acid Acetyl Glucosamine 2% Alpha-Arbutin 2% 1,2-Hexanediol Dimethicone Dimethyl Isosorbide Diethoxyethyl Succinate Butylene Glycol Citric Acid Alcohol Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate Hydrogenated Lecithin Xanthan Gum Sodium Metabisulfite Disodium EDTA Ethylhexylglycerin Dextrin Theobroma Cacao Extract Sodium Citrate Madecassoside Sodium Methyl Stearoyl Taurate Sodium Hyaluronate Tocopherol Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer Hyaluronic Acid Ferulic Acid Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract Panthenol Arginine Methyl Trimethicone Allantoin Glutathione Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate Water, Propanediol, Glycerin, Niacinamide 5%, Tranexamic Acid, Acetyl Glucosamine 2%, Alpha-Arbutin 2%, 1,2-Hexanediol, Dimethicone, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Diethoxyethyl Succinate, Butylene Glycol, Citric Acid, Alcohol, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Metabisulfite, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Dextrin, Theobroma Cacao Extract, Sodium Citrate, Madecassoside, Sodium Methyl Stearoyl Taurate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopherol, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hyaluronic Acid, Ferulic Acid, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Panthenol, Arginine, Methyl Trimethicone, Allantoin, Glutathione, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate Oryza Sativa Bran Water 68.6% Dipropylene Glycol Niacinamide Methyl Gluceth-20 Polyglycerin-3 Trehalose Glyceryl Glucoside Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer Hydroxyethylcellulose Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer Coptis Japonica Root Extract Sorbitan Isostearate Glucose Coix Lacryma-Jobi Ma-Yuen Seed Extract Glycine Soja Seed Extract Hordeum Distichon Extract Oryza Sativa Extract Sesamum Indicum Seed Extract Triticum Vulgare Seed Extract Vigna Radiata Seed Extract Zea Mays Kernel Extract Oryza Sativa Bran Water 68.6%, Water, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Dipropylene Glycol, Alpha-Arbutin 2%, Niacinamide, Methyl Gluceth-20, Panthenol, Polyglycerin-3, Trehalose, Glyceryl Glucoside, Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Xanthan Gum, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Arginine, Disodium EDTA, Coptis Japonica Root Extract, Sorbitan Isostearate, Glucose, Coix Lacryma-Jobi Ma-Yuen Seed Extract, Glycine Soja Seed Extract, Hordeum Distichon Extract, Oryza Sativa Extract, Sesamum Indicum Seed Extract, Triticum Vulgare Seed Extract, Vigna Radiata Seed Extract, Zea Mays Kernel Extract 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 Alpha-Arbutin is a brightening active used to fade dark spots, melasma, and post-acne marks. Structurally, it is a hydroquinone with a sugar molecule attached (but is much gentler than raw hydroquinone). It has a pretty elegant way of working; it slots into tyrosinase, or the key enzyme that your skin uses to make melanin), and competitively blocks it so your skin produces less pigment over time. There are two forms of arbutin and alpha is the better one to reach for: it works at lower amounts, absorbs into skin more easily, and has a strong safety record. The science backs this up too: lab and animal studies confirm it lowers melanin by blocking tyosinase and the more you use (up to a point), the more it works. Human studies look good too. A 2024 trial found a cream with 5% alpha-arbutin and 2% kojic acid worked about as well as a prescription melasma cream but with fewer side effects. Another study showed 2% alpha-arbutin paired with 10% Trihydroxybenzoic Acid Glucoside and sunscreen faded dark spots and melasma without causing irritation. Concentration-wise, most serums land in the 1-2% range. The EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety concluded that alpha-arbutin is safe in face creams up to 2% and body lotions up to 0.5%. Overall, this is a well-studied and low-irritation brightener that's a great pick for anyone dealing with uneven skin tone. It also pairs well with vitamin C, niacinamide, and sunscreen. Arginine is a semi-essential amino acid. This just means our bodies can product a bit on its own, but sometimes needs a little boost from food sources. It is a part of your skin's natural moisturizing factor (NMF), or the water-loving molecules in your outermost layer of skin (stratum corneum) that keeps everything hydrated and happy. Here's an interesting thing about Arginine: your skin converts it into urea through the Krebs-Henseleit urea cycle. Urea is one of the most effective humectants your skin naturally produces. A clinical study showed applying 2.5% arginine hydrochloride to atopic dermatitis skin showed significant urea levels in the stratum corneum and improved moisture in just four weeks. Arginine is also a precursor to nitric oxide; nitric oxide improves microcirculation and supports wound healing and collagen synthesis. One study found that an amino acid complex containing Arginine reduced skin irritation, improved hydration, and accelerated skin repair in clinical / in-vivo studies. Arginine itself is an amino acid and not a fatty acid, oil, or ester. On its own, it's not a direct food source for Malassez