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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of AXIS - Y Dark Spot Correcting Glow Serum versus acne.org AHA + (Glycolic Acid 10%) .

Last updated on September 12, 2023. Published on September 01, 2023

Overview

What they are

These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe serums. They have a total of 5 ingredients in common

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for dry skin, brightening skin, oily skin, reducing pores and dark spots

Free From

They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, parabens or sulfates

We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that need an update? Let us know.

Serum Brand
Serum American Brand United States

Serum

Serums are highly concentrated with ingredients to provide skin with benefits. They should be used after cleansing and before moisturizing.

Serum

Serums are highly concentrated with ingredients to provide skin with benefits. They should be used after cleansing and before moisturizing.

Price

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and view relevant ingredients.
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Notable Ingredients

Niacinamide
Hyaluronic Acid

Benefits

Hydrating (2)
Good For Oily Skin
Redness Reducing (2)
Reduces Irritation
Reduces Large Pores
Dark Spots
Acne Fighting
Brightening (2)

Notable Ingredients

AHA
Vitamin E

Benefits

Hydrating (2)
Good For Oily Skin
Skin Texture
Reduces Large Pores
Anti-Aging
Dark Spots (2)
Scar Healing
Brightening (3)

Concerns

Irritating
Rosacea
Eczema
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Ingredients Side-by-side

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

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Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

1
What it does: Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Loved

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. Talk about multi-purpose! If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!

Learn more about Water

AXIS - Y Dark Spot Correcting Glow Serum contains this as ingredient number 1.

acne.org AHA + (Glycolic Acid 10%) contains this as ingredient number 1.

2
What it does: Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting, Solvent
Community Rating: Loved

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 Glycerin

AXIS - Y Dark Spot Correcting Glow Serum contains this as ingredient number 2.

acne.org AHA + (Glycolic Acid 10%) contains this as ingredient number 7.

3
What it does: Humectant, Masking, Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Mixed

Butylene 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.

Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient. It is unlikely to irritate skin, and works well with pretty much all other ingredients.

AXIS - Y Dark Spot Correcting Glow Serum contains this as ingredient number 7.

acne.org AHA + (Glycolic Acid 10%) contains this as ingredient number 10.

4
What it does: Emollient, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Loved

Squalane is an emollient that helps the skin hold onto moisture. It's an oily liquid that occurs naturally in certain types of fish and plant oils.

Because squalane boosts hydration in the skin, it also comes with plenty of benefits: it is an antioxidant and can help fight free radicals and skin damage. Squalane is also found to have a detoxifying effect when applied.

Squalane comes from squalene, which occurs naturally within the sebum of our skin. It is one of the oils our skin produces to keep itself hydrated. Squalane is the hydrogenated version of squalene and has a longer shelf life.

Research shows that squalane is non-irritating (even at 100% concentration).

In general, it's a fantastic ingredient. It does a great job at hydrating the skin, and it's suitable for those with sensitive skin.

The source of squalane may impact malassezia / fungal acne. This is because olive oil derived squalane can contain impurities such as fatty acids and plant waxes. Sugarcane derived squalane is recommended for anyone with malassezia concerns.

Is squalane vegan? This depends on the source. Squalane can be derived from both plants and animals. Most squalane used in skincare comes from plants.

Please note: the source of squalane is only known if disclosed by the brand. We recommend reaching out to the brand if you have any questions about their squalane.

Read more about squalene with an "e".

Learn more about Squalane

AXIS - Y Dark Spot Correcting Glow Serum contains this as ingredient number 8.

acne.org AHA + (Glycolic Acid 10%) contains this as ingredient number 13.

5
What it does: Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Mixed

1,2-Hexanediol is a multi-tasker ingredient. It acts as a preservative to increase shelf-life and can aid other preservatives in preventing microbe growth. 1,2-Hexanediol also helps the skin retain moisture as a humectant.

In products that are water-based, this ingredient can help stabilize perfumes and fragrances. It can also help make the texture of products softer and more smooth.

AXIS - Y Dark Spot Correcting Glow Serum contains this as ingredient number 20.

acne.org AHA + (Glycolic Acid 10%) contains this as ingredient number 19.

Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.

48% are loved or liked
20% have mixed ratings
20% are disliked or very disliked
12% have no rating yet
35% are loved or liked
15% have mixed ratings
45% are disliked or very disliked
5% have no rating yet

Usage

Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.

When to use

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Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

AXIS - Y Dark Spot Correcting Glow Serum 25 ingredients

4.0 /5
from 21 ratings
Absorbs Well (2) Hydrating (2) Works Well (2) No Scent (1) Irritating (1) Light (1)
saqina_929's avatar

saqina_929

7 months ago · Combination Skin
Review

It helps fade acne though very slowly

ChantelleAng's avatar

ChantelleAng

3 months ago · Combination Skin
Review

i used to have a reaction to this when i first started using this. after the 4th try, i used it daily and i can VISIBLY see how much it brightened...

i used to have a reaction to this when i first started using this. after the 4th try, i used it daily and i can VISIBLY see how much it brightened my skin. omg it made my skin GLOWWWW. not so much in fading dark spots tho

acne.org AHA + (Glycolic Acid 10%) 20 ingredients

3.0 /5
from 1 rating
Great Value (1) Irritating (1)
BubbIes's avatar

BubbIes

2 months ago · Combination Skin
Review

This stuff WORKS, but it comes at a cost. While very effective, this is also very irritating and sensitizing. I experienced stinging and redness,...

This stuff WORKS, but it comes at a cost. While very effective, this is also very irritating and sensitizing. I experienced stinging and redness, although it’s possible I was using too much.

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