Aspect Skincare Complete Pigment Plus Versus Paula's Choice Clinical Niacinamide 20% Treatment
Updated on June 28, 2024
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe . They have a total of 9 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain 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, common allergens, fragrances, 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
Aspect Skincare Complete Pigment Plus 25 ingredients
Paula's Choice Clinical Niacinamide 20% Treatment 25 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
Aspect Skincare Complete Pigment Plus 25 ingredients
Paula's Choice Clinical Niacinamide 20% Treatment 25 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate
Antioxidant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Tranexamic Acid
Astringent
Lecithin
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Hydroxyphenoxy Propionic Acid
Skin ConditioningOryza Sativa Bran Oil
Emollient
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Rumex Occidentalis Extract
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingDisodium EDTA
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTerminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Backhousia Citriodora Leaf Extract
AstringentCodonopsis Lanceolata Extract
Antioxidant
Citrus Glauca Fruit Extract
HumectantDavidsonia Jerseyana Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Pullulan
Water, Glycerin, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, Niacinamide, Tocopheryl Acetate, Tranexamic Acid, Lecithin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hydroxyphenoxy Propionic Acid, Oryza Sativa Bran Oil, Ascorbic Acid, Rumex Occidentalis Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Xanthan Gum, Sclerotium Gum, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract, Backhousia Citriodora Leaf Extract, Codonopsis Lanceolata Extract, Citrus Glauca Fruit Extract, Davidsonia Jerseyana Fruit Extract, Pullulan
Water
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
Smoothing
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Acetyl Glucosamine
Skin ConditioningAscorbyl Glucoside
Antioxidant
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Spiraea Ulmaria Extract
AstringentPortulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin Conditioning
Camellia Japonica Flower Extract
EmollientEpigallocatechin Gallate
Antioxidant
Boerhavia Diffusa Root Extract
Skin Protecting
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Lecithin
Emollient
Pullulan
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Silica
Abrasive
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingPropanediol
Solvent
Sodium Phytate
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Niacinamide, Pentylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Acetyl Glucosamine, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Spiraea Ulmaria Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Camellia Japonica Flower Extract, Epigallocatechin Gallate, Boerhavia Diffusa Root Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Allantoin, Lecithin, Pullulan, Panthenol, Silica, Xanthan Gum, Sclerotium Gum, Propanediol, Sodium Phytate, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin
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 WaterGlycerin 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 NiacinamideLecithin is a term for a group of substances found in the cell membranes of plants, animals, and humans. They are made up of mixture of phospholipids.
This ingredient has emollient and emulsifying properties.
As an emollient, lecithen helps soften the skin and creates a barrier to keep moisture in.
As an emulsifier, it also helps prevent water and oil ingredients from separating. Lecithin can also help ingredients be better absorbed by the skin.
This is because the phospholipids in lecithin produce liposomes. Liposomes help other ingredients get through the skin barrier.
Depending on the source of this ingredient, lecithin may not be fungal acne safe. This is because some sources of lecithin come from soybean oil, which may feed the malassezia yeast that feeds fungal acne.
We recommend reaching out to the brand you are purchasing from to inquire about the source of their lecithin.
Learn more about LecithinPhenoxyethanol 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.
Xanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan GumSclerotium Gum is a polysaccharide gum made by the fungus, Sclerotium rolfssii. It is similar to xanthan gum.
In cosmetics, Sclerotium Gum is used to thicken the texture and to help stabilize other ingredients.
As an emulsifier, Sclerotium Gum helps prevent ingredients from separating, such as water and oil.
Learn more about Sclerotium GumEthylhexylglycerin (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.
Pullulan is a low viscosity polysaccharide (a long chain carbohydrate) with binding and film forming properties when dissolved in water. It is used to create a "silicone-like" or silky feel in cosmetics without adding viscosity.
According to a manufacturer, this ingredient's ability to easily dissolves makes it a great carrier for active ingredients.
Due to it being edible and tasteless, you'll likely find this ingredient in breath freshener strips. This ingredient is produced from the starch of the fungus, Aureobasidium pullulans.
Pullulan is stable over a broad-range of pH.
Learn more about PullulanIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Aspect Skincare Complete Pigment Plus 25 ingredients
Paula's Choice Clinical Niacinamide 20% Treatment 25 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Aspect Skincare Complete Pigment Plus 25 ingredients
Paula's Choice Clinical Niacinamide 20% Treatment 25 ingredients
I wanted to find a niacinamide product that had other benefits like antioxidants. This caused huge cystic acne and flared up my FA. I suspect it's due to the lecithin which I found is not FA safe and in higher concentrations is problematic for acne prone skin.
Lecithin is a mixture of diglycerides of stearic, palmitic, and oleic acids. It can contain soybean oil and phospholipid fatty acids Show more
Good product :) My pores shrank and actually made a difference compared to 15 and 10 percent concentrations. I was surprised there was no irritation even after using twice a day. My skin loves niacinamide.
