Peptide Skincare & BeautySkin science and ingredient guides

Ingredient or product comparison

The INKEY List Alpha Arbutin Serum Versus Mary & May Idebenone + Blackberry Complex Serum

The INKEY List Alpha Arbutin Serum Versus Mary & May Idebenone + Blackberry Complex Serum Detailed comparison of The INKEY List Alpha Arbutin Serum versus Mary & May Idebenone + Blackberry Complex Serum. This brightening serum is formulated around Alpha-Arbuti

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The INKEY List Alpha Arbutin Serum Versus Mary & May Idebenone + Blackberry Complex Serum Detailed comparison of The INKEY List Alpha Arbutin Serum versus Mary & May Idebenone + Blackberry Complex Serum. This brightening serum is formulated around Alpha-Arbutin to fade the look of dark spots and brighten dull-looking skin. This anti-aging serum is formulated around Hydroxydecyl Ubiquinone to soften the look of wrinkles and brighten dull-looking skin. Water Butylene Glycol Propanediol Glycerin Alpha-Arbutin Dicaprylyl Carbonate Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride Phenoxyethanol Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer Caprylyl Glycol Squalane Phospholipids Glycine Soja Oil Carbomer Polysorbate 60 Sodium Phytate Glycolipids Sorbitan Isostearate Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate Sodium Hydroxide Glycine Soja Sterols Hyaluronic Acid Tocopherol Water, Butylene Glycol, Propanediol, Glycerin, Alpha-Arbutin, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Phenoxyethanol, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Caprylyl Glycol, Squalane, Phospholipids, Glycine Soja Oil, Carbomer, Polysorbate 60, Sodium Phytate, Glycolipids, Sorbitan Isostearate, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Sodium Hydroxide, Glycine Soja Sterols, Hyaluronic Acid, Tocopherol Rubus Fruticosus Fruit Extract Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract Vaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract Glycereth-26 1,2-Hexanediol Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate Hydroxydecyl Ubiquinone Hydrogenated Lecithin Arginine Ethylhexylglycerin Water, Rubus Fruticosus Fruit Extract, Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract, Vaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycereth-26, 1,2-Hexanediol, Butylene Glycol, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Hydroxydecyl Ubiquinone, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Arginine, Carbomer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylyl Glycol 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. 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. 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%. 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). Carbomer is a synthetic thickening and gelling agent. It's basically the ingredient that gives a lot of serums, gels, creams, and sunscreens their smooth, non-sticky texture. Although legally permitted at very high levels, carbomers are normally used at concentrations below 1%. It also needs to be neutralized to actually thicken, and because it is a large molecule, it doesn't really penetrate the skin barrier. Allergy-wise, the risk is very low. Clinical studies show carbomers have low potential for skin irritation/sensitization even at concentrations up to 100%. A 2024 UK study patch-tested 1,302 patients and found true allergy to the parent group of carbomer to be rare with no confirmed relevant reactions. Glycerin (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum