Versus

AXIS - Y Dark Spot Correcting Glow Serum Versus Clinique Even Better Clinical™ Dark Spot Corrector & Optimizer

Serum
Serum
Korean Brand South Korea
American Brand United States

Updated on July 19, 2024

Overview

What they are

These products are both reef safe serums. They have a total of 9 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain hyaluronic acid

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, parabens or sulfates

What's Inside

They both contain fragrances

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

Click any item below to learn more and see relevant ingredients

About this product

About this product

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

found in both products
Even Better Clinical™ Dark Spot Corrector & Optimizer

Water

Skin Conditioning

Dimethicone

Emollient
1 / 0 Silicon Icon

Butylene Glycol

Humectant
1 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Isododecane

Emollient

Cyclopentasiloxane

Emollient
Silicon Icon

Polysilicone-11

Ascorbyl Glucoside

Antioxidant
Vitamin C IconAntioxidant IconHelps reduce Skin Redness IconGood for Skin Texture IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconHelps brighten skin Icon

Tromethamine

Buffering

Pentylene Glycol

Skin Conditioning

Curcuma Longa Root Extract

Masking
Fragrance Icon

Morus Bombycis Root Extract

Skin Conditioning

Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract

Emollient

Betula Alba Bark Extract

Masking
Fragrance Icon

Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract

Astringent

Trametes Versicolor Extract

Narcissus Tazetta Bulb Extract

Astringent
May cause irritation IconEU Allergen Icon

Triticum Vulgare Germ Extract

Skin Conditioning

Morus Nigra Root Extract

Skin Conditioning

Saccharum Officinarum Extract

Moisturising

Citrus Grandis Peel Extract

Astringent
Fragrance Icon

Hordeum Vulgare Extract

Emollient

Salicylic Acid

Masking
BHA IconPreservative IconGood for Oily Skin IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconHelps fight Acne IconHelps brighten skin IconCan worsen Dry Skin IconMay worsen Eczema IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Oryza Sativa Bran Extract

Skin Conditioning
Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Algae Extract

Emollient
May worsen Oily Skin Icon

Caffeine

Skin Conditioning

Gentiana Lutea Root Extract

Skin Conditioning

Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract

Skin Conditioning

Saccharomyces Lysate Extract

Humectant

Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract

Antimicrobial
Antioxidant IconHelps reduce Skin Redness IconHelps reduce irritation IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconHelps with Anti-Aging Icon

Yeast Extract

Skin Conditioning
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Hydrolyzed Rice Bran Extract

Skin Conditioning

Hydrolyzed Prunus Domestica

Skin Conditioning

Sorbitol

Humectant
0 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Cholesterol

Emollient
0 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Phospholipids

Skin Conditioning

Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate

Humectant
Helps reduce Skin Redness IconHelps reduce irritation IconGood for Dark Spots Icon

Di-C12-18 Alkyl Dimonium Chloride

Skin Conditioning

Squalane

Emollient
1 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

PEG-10 Dimethicone

Skin Conditioning
Silicon Icon

PEG-6

Humectant

Glycerin

Humectant
0 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps brighten skin Icon

Sucrose

Humectant

Polysorbate 20

Emulsifying
0 / 0 Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Tocopheryl Acetate

Antioxidant
0 / 0 Vitamin E IconAntioxidant Icon

Isohexadecane

Emollient

Acetyl Glucosamine

Skin Conditioning

Propylene Glycol Dicaprate

Emollient

Arginine

Masking
Good for Scar Healing IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Helianthus Annuus Seedcake

Abrasive
Exfoliant IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Sodium Rna

Skin Conditioning

Caprylyl Glycol

Emollient

Dimethoxytolyl Propylresorcinol

Antioxidant
Antioxidant Icon

Glycyrrhetinic Acid

Skin Conditioning

Sodium Hyaluronate

Humectant
0 / 0 Hyaluronic Acid Icon

Polysorbate 80

Emulsifying
0 / 0 May worsen Oily Skin IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer

Acrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer

Emulsion Stabilising

Carbomer

Emulsion Stabilising
1 / 0

Potassium Sorbate

Preservative
Preservative Icon

Sodium Hydroxide

Buffering

Sodium Sulfite

Preservative
Preservative Icon

Sodium Metabisulfite

Antioxidant
Antioxidant IconPreservative Icon

Hexylene Glycol

Emulsifying
0-2 / 0-1

Disodium EDTA

Phenoxyethanol

Preservative
Preservative Icon

CI 19140

Cosmetic Colorant

CI 15985

Cosmetic Colorant

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

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

Skin Conditioning, Solvent

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 Water
Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting

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
Humectant, Skin Conditioning

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 Hyaluronate
Humectant, Masking, Skin Conditioning

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.
  • It has mild preservative properties.

Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.

Emollient, Skin Conditioning

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
Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting

Oryza Sativa Bran Extract comes from the outer layer of a rice kernel. It is a byproduct of milling rice, or the operation to produce a whole grain rice product.

This ingredient has moisturizing properties due to its components of polysaccharides and omega-3 fatty acids. It also contains calcium, selenium, phosphorus, iron, and zinc.

Oryza Sativa Bran Extract contains numerous antioxidants such as ferulic acid. Antioxidants help fight free-radical molecules. Free-radical molecules are capable of damaging our cells and other genetic material.

Learn more about Oryza Sativa Bran Extract
Masking, Skin Conditioning

Arginine is an amino acid that is important for human development. Your body uses is it to produce hair keratin and skin collagen.

As a cosmetic ingredient, Arginine has antioxidant properties and can also help repair damaged skin. This ingredient is derived either synthetically or from animals.

Arginine isn't fungal acne safe when used in the presence of other lipids (fats, fatty acids, oils, esters, etc). Oils and fats occur naturally within the skin, so take caution when using Arginine if you're prone to fungal acne.

Learn more about Arginine
Emulsion Stabilising, Gel Forming

Carbomer 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.

Disodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.

It is a chelating agent, meaning it neutralizes metal ions that may be found in a product.

Disodium EDTA is a salt of edetic acid and is found to be safe in cosmetic ingredients.

Learn more about Disodium EDTA

When to use

3,747 Routines
44% use in am
56% use in pm
93% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->
19 Routines
47% use in am
53% use in pm
79% use every day

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

AXIS - Y Dark Spot Correcting Glow Serum 25 ingredients

3.4 /5
from 62 ratings
Hydrating (16) Light (15) Absorbs Well (14)
AshN.'s avatar

AshN.

6 months ago
Review

This product does work, but it should be noted that it takes a good while to see results. I would say compared to the Anua working for me within 2 weeks I really didn't notice any results until the 4 week mark and that was from using it morning at night. I did purchase this product while it was on sale, but I don't think I liked it enough to repurchase this at regular price.

#great value
#light
#absorbs well
#light scent
featherstone's avatar

flora

7 months ago
Review

Cleared two unsightly scars I had on my face, granted they were from picking at my skin rather than acne scars, but definitely cleared them quick enough for me to feel happier about my appearance!

However I believe this was one of the products contributing to my fungal acne flare up :(

#broke me out
#light
#works well

Clinique Even Better Clinical™ Dark Spot Corrector & Optimizer 67 ingredients

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