SK-II GenOptics Aura Essence Serum Versus Paula's Choice 10% Niacinamide Booster

SK-II GenOptics Aura Essence Serum Versus Paula's Choice 10% Niacinamide Booster Detailed comparison of SK-II GenOptics Aura Essence Serum versus Paula's Choice 10% Niacinamide Booster. This brightening serum is formulated around Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate and Niacinamide to fade the look of dark spots and brighten dull-looking skin. This pore-care treatment is formulated around Niacinamide and Acetyl Glucosamine to refine the look of pores and refine skin texture. No concerns Water Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate Niacinamide Butylene Glycol Triethylhexanoin Pentylene Glycol Glycerin Nylon-12 Phytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate Polymethylsilsesquioxane Boron Nitride Panthenol PEG-20 Sorbitan Cocoate Inositol Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride Mica Phenoxyethanol Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer PEG-11 Methyl Ether Dimethicone Polyacrylamide Aminomethyl Propanol Undecylenoyl Phenylalanine Benzyl Alcohol C13-14 Isoparaffin Disodium EDTA Hydrolyzed Prunus Domestica Xanthan Gum Sodium Benzoate Hexyldecanol Laureth-7 Citrus Reticulata Peel Extract Methylparaben Ascorbyl Glucoside Prunus Mume Fruit Extract Tocopherol Parfum Limonene Citronellol Linalool Geraniol CI 77891 Water, Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate, Niacinamide, Butylene Glycol, Triethylhexanoin, Pentylene Glycol, Glycerin, Nylon-12, Phytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Boron Nitride, Panthenol, PEG-20 Sorbitan Cocoate, Inositol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Mica, Phenoxyethanol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, PEG-11 Methyl Ether Dimethicone, Polyacrylamide, Aminomethyl Propanol, Undecylenoyl Phenylalanine, Benzyl Alcohol, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Disodium EDTA, Hydrolyzed Prunus Domestica, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Benzoate, Hexyldecanol, Laureth-7, Citrus Reticulata Peel Extract, Methylparaben, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Prunus Mume Fruit Extract, Tocopherol, Parfum, Limonene, Citronellol, Linalool, Geraniol, CI 77891 Acetyl Glucosamine Phospholipids Sodium Hyaluronate Allantoin Boerhavia Diffusa Root Extract Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract Ubiquinone Epigallocatechin Gallate Beta-Glucan Carnosine Genistein Citric Acid Sodium Citrate Sodium Hydroxide Ethylhexylglycerin Water, Niacinamide, Acetyl Glucosamine, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Butylene Glycol, Phospholipids, Sodium Hyaluronate, Allantoin, Boerhavia Diffusa Root Extract, Glycerin, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Ubiquinone, Epigallocatechin Gallate, Beta-Glucan, Panthenol, Carnosine, Genistein, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Hydroxide, Xanthan Gum, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol These ingredients are found in both products. Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount. Ascorbyl Glucoside (AA-2G) is one of the most stable vitamin C derivatives out there. It's made by attaching a glucose molecule to ascorbic acid; this glucose "cap" shields the vitamin C from air, light, heat, and metal ions that normally cause pure ascorbic acid to oxidize. Once on your skin, the enzyme alpha-glucosidase snips off the glucose and gradually releases active ascorbic acid right where it's needed. Basically, it behaves like a slow-release pro-vitamin C with less of a stinging that high-strength ascorbic acid can cause. The research supports the classic vitamin C benefits as well. In lab and human studies, AA-2G slowed down the skin's production of melanin (the pigment behind dark spots) and helped shield skin cells against sun damage better than ascorbyl phosphate. These studies also showed AA-2G released vitamin C over a longer period. A frequently cited manufacturer trial found that a 2% AA-2G face cream significantly improved wrinkle depth and skin roughness after 45 days. And in 2009, a clinical trial showed it meaningfully lightened dark patches on the gums compared to a placebo. There's also collagen-synthesis support (since vitamin C is a required cofactor for that) and an antioxidant effect too. Typical usage is usually between 0.5-5% and most studies/products land around 2%. AA-2G performs best when formulated at a mildly acidic pH (~5-7) which is much gentler than the pH that pure vitamin C demands (~2.5-3.5). Just one thing worth knowing: the in-skin conversation rate is only about 55-60% by weight. So a 5% AA-2G product delivers roughly 2.75-3% of actual active vitamin C. On top of that, skin absorption is relatively low because the ingredient is water-soluble. 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. 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