Always Be Pure Marine Therapy Dark Spot Correcting Serum Versus The Raw Arbutin 2% Serum
Updated on February 12, 2025
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe serums. They have a total of 9 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain hyaluronic acid, niacinamide and Vitamin C
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, oily skin, reducing pores, scar healing, dark spots and better texture
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, parabens, silicones or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain oils
We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that needs an update? Let us know.
Ingredient Info
Always Be Pure Marine Therapy Dark Spot Correcting Serum 52 ingredients
The Raw Arbutin 2% Serum 27 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Always Be Pure Marine Therapy Dark Spot Correcting Serum 52 ingredients
The Raw Arbutin 2% Serum 27 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Sea Water 50%
HumectantWater
Skin ConditioningCaulerpa Lentillifera Extract 10%
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Niacinamide 4.9%
Smoothing
Dipropylene Glycol
MaskingPropanediol
Solvent1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningArginine
Masking
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingGlycerin
Humectant
Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingLaminaria Japonica Extract
Skin ProtectingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Dioscorea Japonica Root Extract
Skin ConditioningUlmus Davidiana Root Extract
Skin ConditioningViola Mandshurica Flower Extract
Antioxidant
Polyglyceryl-4 Laurate
Emulsifying
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl/Capryl Glucoside
CleansingDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Disodium EDTA
Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil
Perfuming
Hydrolyzed Collagen
Emollient
Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Pearl Extract
Antioxidant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Cynanchum Atratum Extract
Skin ConditioningFicus Carica Fruit Extract
HumectantGinkgo Biloba Nut Extract
Skin ConditioningMorus Alba Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Punica Granatum Fruit Extract
AntioxidantCentella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Hizikia Fusiforme Extract
Skin ConditioningUndaria Pinnatifida Extract
Skin ConditioningChlorella Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningEcklonia Cava Extract
Skin ConditioningGelidium Cartilagineum Extract
Skin ProtectingLaminaria Digitata Extract
Skin ProtectingSpirulina Platensis Extract
Skin ProtectingZizania Aquatica Extract
MaskingPancratium Maritimum Extract
BleachingPropolis Extract
Skin Conditioning
Asiaticoside
Antioxidant
Gracilaria Verrucosa Extract
HumectantAsiatic Acid
Skin ConditioningMadecassic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Madecassoside
Antioxidant
Sea Water 50%, Water, Caulerpa Lentillifera Extract 10%, Butylene Glycol, Niacinamide 4.9%, Dipropylene Glycol, Propanediol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Pentylene Glycol, Arginine, Carbomer, Glycerin, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Laminaria Japonica Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Dioscorea Japonica Root Extract, Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract, Viola Mandshurica Flower Extract, Polyglyceryl-4 Laurate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Adenosine, Disodium EDTA, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Panthenol, Pearl Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Cynanchum Atratum Extract, Ficus Carica Fruit Extract, Ginkgo Biloba Nut Extract, Morus Alba Fruit Extract, Punica Granatum Fruit Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Hizikia Fusiforme Extract, Undaria Pinnatifida Extract, Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, Ecklonia Cava Extract, Gelidium Cartilagineum Extract, Laminaria Digitata Extract, Spirulina Platensis Extract, Zizania Aquatica Extract, Pancratium Maritimum Extract, Propolis Extract, Asiaticoside, Gracilaria Verrucosa Extract, Asiatic Acid, Madecassic Acid, Madecassoside
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Biosaccharide Gum-1
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
Smoothing
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Arbutin
Antioxidant
Dipropylene Glycol
MaskingOctanediol
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientGlutathione
Aminopropyl Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Tyrosine
Skin ConditioningSaxifraga Sarmentosa Extract
Skin ConditioningPaeonia Suffruticosa Seed Oil
Emollient
Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentNordihydroguaiaretic Acid
Antioxidant
Oleanolic Acid
Skin ConditioningDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingHydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
PEG-60 Almond Glycerides
Emulsifying
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingCitric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Sulfite
Preservative
Water, Glycerin, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Niacinamide, Propylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Arbutin, Dipropylene Glycol, Octanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Glutathione, Aminopropyl Ascorbyl Phosphate, Panthenol, Acetyl Tyrosine, Saxifraga Sarmentosa Extract, Paeonia Suffruticosa Seed Oil, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Nordihydroguaiaretic Acid, Oleanolic Acid, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Hydroxyacetophenone, PEG-60 Almond Glycerides, Sodium Hyaluronate, Carbomer, Citric Acid, Sodium Sulfite
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Water. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.
So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.
You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterButylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
- It is a solvent, meaning that it helps to dissolve other ingredients. This also enhances the absorption of the product into one's skin.
- It is a humectant, which means that it helps attract moisture into the skin.
- It helps improve product application.
- It has mild preservative properties.
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Niacinamide has emerged as an all-star ingredient due to its many benefits.
It is known to treat acne by reducing inflammation. It also helps fade dark-spots and strengthen the skin by promoting the growth of the ceramide barrier.
Other benefits include smoothing wrinkles and minimizing redness.
The cherry on top? Niacinamide can also help build keratin, a protein that keeps skin firm.
When incorporating niacinamide into your routine, look out for concentration amounts. Typically, 5% niacinamide provides benefits such as fading dark spots. However, if you have sensitive skin, it is better to begin with a smaller concentration.
Niacinamide can be mixed with other ingredients to boost benefits. For instance, it has shown to be effective when used with copper, folic acid, and zinc to treat acne.
Learn more about NiacinamideDipropylene Glycol is a synthetically created stabilizer and solvent. It is a part of the glycol class in the alcohol family.
Dipropylene Glycol helps dissolve and evenly distribute ingredients. It also helps decrease viscosity and thin out texture.
As a masking agent, Dipropylene Glycol can be used to cover the smell of other ingredients. However, it does not have a scent.
Studies show Dipropylene Glycol is considered safe to use in skincare.
Learn more about Dipropylene GlycolCarbomer is a polymer of acrylic acid. Its main role is to create a gel consistency.
A high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Don't worry, most products contain 1% or less of carbomer.
Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinDipotassium Glycyrrhizate comes from licorice root.
Extracts of licorice have demonstrated to have antibacterial, anti‐inflammatory, antiviral, antioxidant properties.
One component, glabridin, has extra potent antioxidant and soothing properties. It has also been found to block pigmentation from UVB rays in guinea pigs.
Licorice Root also contains a flavonoid. Flavonoids are a natural substance from in plants. Flavonoids also have antioxidant properties.
Another component, glycyrrhizin, has been found to have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial benefits. This may make licorice root extract effective at treating acne. However, more research is needed to support this.
Liquiritin is one of the flavone compounds found in licorice. It has been found to help lighten skin by preventing tyrosinase from reacting with tyrosine. When the two react, protein is converted to melanin. Melanin is the substance in your body that gives your features pigmentation.
Licorice root is native to Southern Europe and Asia. It has been used in traditional Chinese medicine to help with respiratory issues.
Learn more about Dipotassium GlycyrrhizatePanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolSodium Hyaluronate is hyaluronic acid's salt form. It is commonly derived from the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid.
Like hyaluronic acid, it is great at holding water and acts as a humectant. This makes it a great skin hydrating ingredient.
Sodium Hyaluronate is naturally occurring in our bodies and is mostly found in eye fluid and joints.
These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateIngredient Ratings
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When to use
Always Be Pure Marine Therapy Dark Spot Correcting Serum 52 ingredients
The Raw Arbutin 2% Serum 27 ingredients
