Asaya Advanced Spot Targeting Serum Versus The Derma Co 2% Kojic Acid Face Serum
Updated on March 06, 2025
Overview
What they are
These products are both reef safe serums. They have a total of 8 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain hyaluronic acid and niacinamide
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 and dark spots
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, oils, parabens, silicones or sulfates
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
Asaya Advanced Spot Targeting Serum 23 ingredients
The Derma Co 2% Kojic Acid Face Serum 20 ingredients
What's inside (and what isn't)
What's inside (and what isn't)
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Asaya Advanced Spot Targeting Serum 23 ingredients
The Derma Co 2% Kojic Acid Face Serum 20 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
Smoothing
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Arisaema Amurense Extract
Skin ConditioningDecyl Glucoside
Cleansing1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Alpha-Arbutin
Antioxidant
Lepidium Sativum Sprout Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Lecithin
Emollient
Betaine
Humectant
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Lactate
BufferingSodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningSodium PCA
Humectant
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Water, Niacinamide, Butylene Glycol, Propanediol, Arisaema Amurense Extract, Decyl Glucoside, 1,2-Hexanediol, Alpha-Arbutin, Lepidium Sativum Sprout Extract, Glycerin, Lecithin, Betaine, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Lactate, Sodium Gluconate, Sodium PCA, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Sodium Hyaluronate, Allantoin, Polysorbate 20
Water
Skin ConditioningKojic Acid
Antioxidant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Alpha-Arbutin
Antioxidant
Curcuma Longa Root Extract
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Chrysanthemum Indicum Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningRosmarinus Officinalis Extract
AntimicrobialSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium PCA
Humectant
Sodium Metabisulfite
Antioxidant
Glycerin
Humectant
Hamamelis Virginiana Extract
Antiseborrhoeic
Magnolia Kobus Flower Extract
Antioxidant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract
Antioxidant
Hydroxyproline
Skin ConditioningProline
Skin ConditioningWater, Kojic Acid, Niacinamide, Propylene Glycol, Alpha-Arbutin, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Chrysanthemum Indicum Flower Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium PCA, Sodium Metabisulfite, Glycerin, Hamamelis Virginiana Extract, Magnolia Kobus Flower Extract, Panthenol, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract, Hydroxyproline, Proline
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Alpha-Arbutin is made from hydroquinone and glucose. It may also be derived from the fermentation of soybeans.
This ingredient an antioxidant, meaning it helps protect your skin cells against damage.
Studies show this ingredient helps improve hyperpigmentation and fade discoloration.
Alpha-Arbutin may be used with other ingredients that help with hyperpigmentation. These ingredients include retinol, Vitamin C, niacinamide, and tranexamic acid.
Learn more about Alpha-ArbutinEthylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
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 GlycerinNiacinamide is a multitasking form of vitamin B3 that strengthens the skin barrier, reduces pores and dark spots, regulates oil, and improves signs of aging.
And the best part? It's gentle and well-tolerated by most skin types, including sensitive and reactive skin.
You might have heard of "niacin flush", or the reddening of skin that causes itchiness. Niacinamide has not been found to cause this.
In very rare cases, some individuals may not be able to tolerate niacinamide at all or experience an allergic reaction to it.
If you are experiencing flaking, irritation, and dryness with this ingredient, be sure to double check all your products as this ingredient can be found in all categories of skincare.
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.
When you apply niacinamide to your skin, your body converts it into nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD). NAD is an essential coenzyme that is already found in your cells as "fuel" and powers countless biological processes.
In your skin, NAD helps repair cell damage, produce new healthy cells, support collagen production, strengthen the skin barrier, and fight environmental stressors (like UV and pollution).
Our natural NAD levels start to decline with age, leading to slower skin repair, visible aging, and a weaker skin barrier. By providing your skin niacinamide, you're recharging your skin's NAD levels. This leads to stronger, healthier, and younger looking skin.
Another name for vitamin B3 is nicotinamide. This vitamin is water-soluble and our bodies don't store it. We obtain Vitamin B3 from either food or skincare. Meat, fish, wheat, yeast, and leafy greens contain vitamin B3.
The type of niacinamide used in skincare is synthetically created.
Learn more about NiacinamidePhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Sodium 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 HyaluronateSodium PCA is the sodium salt of pyroglutamic acid. It is naturally occurring in our skin's natural moisturizing factors where it works to maintain hydration.
The PCA stands for pyrrolidone carboxylic acid, a natural amino acid derivative.
This ingredient has skin conditioning, anti-inflammatory, and humectant properties. Humectants help hydrate your skin by drawing moisture from the air. This helps keep your skin moisturized.
Learn more about Sodium PCAWater. 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 WaterIngredient Ratings
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When to use
Asaya Advanced Spot Targeting Serum 23 ingredients
The Derma Co 2% Kojic Acid Face Serum 20 ingredients
Reviews
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