Soul Apothecary Radiance Boost Serum Versus Beauty of Joseon Glow Deep Serum: Rice + Arbutin

Soul Apothecary Radiance Boost Serum Versus Beauty of Joseon Glow Deep Serum: Rice + Arbutin Detailed comparison of Soul Apothecary Radiance Boost 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. No concerns Water Niacinamide Butylene Glycol Glycerin Tranexamic Acid Inositol Alpha-Arbutin Undecylenoyl Phenylalanine Sodium Hyaluronate Yeast Ferment Extract Tocopherol Carbomer Hydroxyethylcellulose Triethanolamine Phenoxyethanol 1,2-Hexanediol Ethylhexylglycerin Water, Niacinamide, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Tranexamic Acid, Inositol, Alpha-Arbutin, Undecylenoyl Phenylalanine, Sodium Hyaluronate, Yeast Ferment Extract, Tocopherol, Carbomer, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Triethanolamine, Phenoxyethanol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Ethylhexylglycerin Oryza Sativa Bran Water 68.6% Dipropylene Glycol Alpha-Arbutin 2% Methyl Gluceth-20 Panthenol Polyglycerin-3 Trehalose Glyceryl Glucoside Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer 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 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. 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. Ethylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that: The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure. Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations. Glycerin (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum. Topically, glycerin does several things at once: Your skin makes glycerin on its own (mostly from sebaceous oil breakdown) and shuttles it to your outermost layer of skin, or your epid