Ingredient or product comparison
Paula's Choice Discoloration Repair Serum Versus SkinBetter Science Even Tone Correcting Serum
Paula's Choice Discoloration Repair Serum Versus SkinBetter Science Even Tone Correcting Serum Detailed comparison of Paula's Choice Discoloration Repair Serum versus SkinBetter Science Even Tone Correcting Serum. This brightening serum is formulated around Ni
This source-based comparison does not add ratings or recommend a winner.
Paula's Choice Discoloration Repair Serum Versus SkinBetter Science Even Tone Correcting Serum Detailed comparison of Paula's Choice Discoloration Repair Serum versus SkinBetter Science Even Tone Correcting Serum. 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 Hexylresorcinol to fade the look of dark spots and brighten dull-looking skin. Water Niacinamide Glycerin Tranexamic Acid C13-15 Alkane Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride Dicaprylyl Carbonate Ethyl Macadamiate Behenyl Alcohol Glyceryl Stearate Butylene Glycol Silybum Marianum Seed Oil Tocopherol Lactobacillus/Coconut Fruit Juice Ferment Filtrate Lecithin Bakuchiol Xanthan Gum Caprylyl Glycol Hydrogenated Lecithin Allantoin Glycine Soja Oil Hexylene Glycol Boerhavia Diffusa Root Extract Glycine Soja Sterols Citric Acid Sodium Phytate Malic Acid Phenoxyethanol Ethylhexylglycerin Water, Niacinamide, Glycerin, Tranexamic Acid, C13-15 Alkane, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Ethyl Macadamiate, Behenyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Butylene Glycol, Silybum Marianum Seed Oil, Tocopherol, Lactobacillus/Coconut Fruit Juice Ferment Filtrate, Lecithin, Bakuchiol, Xanthan Gum, Caprylyl Glycol, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Allantoin, Glycine Soja Oil, Hexylene Glycol, Boerhavia Diffusa Root Extract, Glycine Soja Sterols, Citric Acid, Sodium Phytate, Malic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin Propanediol Glyceryl Stearate Citrate Linoleic Acid Dimethicone Alpha-Arbutin Arginine PCA Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate Bisabolol Cetearyl Alcohol Acetyl Glycyl Beta-Alanine Hexylresorcinol Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract Artemisia Capillaris Flower Extract Diglucosyl Gallic Acid Pancratium Maritimum Extract Ceramide Ng Linolenic Acid Beta-Glucan Algin Carbomer Sodium Hydroxide Benzoic Acid Sorbic Acid Water, C13-15 Alkane, Propanediol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Linoleic Acid, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Alpha-Arbutin, Arginine PCA, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Bisabolol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Acetyl Glycyl Beta-Alanine, Hexylresorcinol, Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract, Artemisia Capillaris Flower Extract, Diglucosyl Gallic Acid, Pancratium Maritimum Extract, Ceramide Ng, Linolenic Acid, Beta-Glucan, Algin, Tocopherol, Butylene Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Xanthan Gum, Carbomer, Sodium Phytate, Sodium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, Benzoic Acid, Sorbic Acid, Citric Acid These ingredients are found in both products. Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount. 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. C13-15 Alkane is a group of alkanes with 13 to 15 carbon atoms in the alkyl chain. It is a solvent and texture enhancer. Solvents are used to keep ingredients together in a product. They can help dissolve ingredients to stable bases or help evenly distribute ingredients throughout the product. Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride (aka MCT Oil) is a lightweight emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping to prevent moisture loss. Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. One perk of this ingredient is that it is very stable, resistant to oxidation, and unlikely to go rancid. In practice, that translates to a long shelf life and a consistently elegant skin feel. While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this. Just patch test if you have concerns. Fractionated coconut oil and MCT Oil are both listed as Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride according to INCI. This is because INCI names are based on the ingredient’s final chemical composition and not its marketing name or source. This ingredient is treated as the gold standard fungal acne safe oil. Even though it is coconut derived, the problematic lauric acid is stripped out. This leaves just caprylic (C8) and capric (C10) acid. These chain lengths actually trend antifungal; a 2020 study found caprylic acid was enough to disrupt Malassezia furfur cell membrane, with a caprylic acid derivative damaging membrane structures at concentrations as low as 0.2%. 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 e