Barefaced Brightening Serum Versus Naturium Multi-Bright Tranexamic Acid Treatment 5%

See how these products line up with your preferences

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Barefaced Brightening Serum versus Naturium Multi-Bright Tranexamic Acid Treatment 5% .

Published on November 30, 2023

Overview

What they are

These products are both vegan, cruelty-free, and reef safe . They have a total of 10 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain exfoliants

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, dry skin, brightening 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 need an update? Let us know.

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Barefaced Brightening Serum

Naturium Multi-Bright Tranexamic Acid Treatment 5%

Serum American Brand United States

Emulsion 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.

Emulsion

A lighter version of moisturizer, usually with a gel-consistency.

Price

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Starts at $21.99

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and view relevant ingredients.

Barefaced Brightening Serum 27 ingredients

Naturium Multi-Bright Tranexamic Acid Treatment 5% 45 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

Barefaced Brightening Serum 27 ingredients

Naturium Multi-Bright Tranexamic Acid Treatment 5% 45 ingredients

Notable Ingredients

Vitamin C

Vitamin E (2)

Exfoliators

Hyaluronic Acid

Benefits

Hydrating

Redness Reducing (2)

Skin Texture

Reduces Large Pores

Anti-Aging

Dark Spots (5)

Scar Healing (3)

Acne Fighting

Brightening (4)

Concerns

Rosacea

Eczema

Notable Ingredients

AHA

Exfoliators

Benefits

Hydrating (5)

Good For Oily Skin

Redness Reducing (2)

Reduces Irritation (2)

Skin Texture

Reduces Large Pores

Dark Spots (3)

Scar Healing (4)

Acne Fighting

Brightening (2)

Concerns

Drying

May Worsen Oily Skin (2)

Acne Trigger

Irritating

Rosacea

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Ingredients Compared

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

Barefaced Brightening Serum 27 ingredients

Naturium Multi-Bright Tranexamic Acid Treatment 5% 45 ingredients

Water • Propanediol • Kojic Acid • Pentylene Glycol • Pterocarpus Marsupium Bark Extract • Alpha-Arbutin • Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate • Arctostaphylos Uva-Ursi Leaf Extract • Sodium Hyaluronate • Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract • Azelaic Acid • Tocopheryl Acetate • Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate • Pullulan • Xanthan Gum • Sclerotium Gum • Lecithin • Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate • Sodium Bisulfite • Glycerin • Ethylhexylglycerin • Silica • Phenoxyethanol • Sodium Benzoate • Potassium Sorbate • Sodium Hydroxide • Tocopherol

Water • Butylene Glycol • C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate • Tranexamic Acid • Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride • Propanediol • Kaolin • Cetearyl Alcohol • Glycerin • Isostearyl Alcohol • C13-15 Alkane • Myrica Cerifera Fruit Wax • Ethylhexyl Olivate • Butylene Glycol Cocoate • Kojic Acid • Alpha-Arbutin • Acetyl Glucosamine • Allantoin • Coco-Caprylate/Caprate • Squalane • Evodia Rutaecarpa Fruit Extract • Triheptanoin • Citric Acid • Hydroxyacetophenone • Carbomer • Caprylyl Glycol • 1,2-Hexanediol • C9-12 Alkane • Dilinoleic Acid/Butanediol Copolymer • Tremella Fuciformis Sporocarp Extract • Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil • Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract • Xanthan Gum • Betaine • Sorbitol • Ethylcellulose • Lecithin • Rubus Idaeus Fruit Extract • Sodium Hydroxide • Sodium Phytate • Ectoin • Phenoxyethanol • Castor Oil/Ipdi Copolymer • Potassium Sorbate • Glyceryl Caprylate

Ingredients Side-by-side

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

Learn more about what what Com. / Irr. ratings are

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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.

Water

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

Barefaced Brightening Serum contains this as ingredient number 1.

Naturium Multi-Bright Tranexamic Acid Treatment 5% contains this as ingredient number 1.

Propanediol

What it does: Solvent

Community Rating: Liked

Propanediol helps absorb ingredients into your skin, boosting their benefits. It can act as an emollient, making your skin softer. Propanediol can help products last longer by boosting the properties of preservatives within the formulation.

Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use.

It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.

Learn more about Propanediol

Barefaced Brightening Serum contains this as ingredient number 2.

Naturium Multi-Bright Tranexamic Acid Treatment 5% contains this as ingredient number 6.

Kojic Acid

What it does: Antioxidant

Community Rating: Loved

Kojic acid comes from fungi and can also be from fermented foods. It helps even out skin tone and reduce hyperpigmentation.

This ingredient works by blocking tyrosine, an enzyme that starts the process of skin darkening.

Kojic Acid is antifungal and often used to treat fungal infections. Additionally, it can help fight bacteria with its antimicrobrial properties. A side effect may be treating acne caused by bacteria.

A similar ingredient is arbutin.

Learn more about Kojic Acid

Barefaced Brightening Serum contains this as ingredient number 3.

Naturium Multi-Bright Tranexamic Acid Treatment 5% contains this as ingredient number 15.

Alpha-Arbutin

What it does: Antioxidant, Bleaching, Skin Conditioning

Community Rating: Loved

Alpha-Arbutin is made from hydroquinone and glucose. It may be derived from the fermentation of soybeans.

It is an antioxidant. Antioxidants help fight free-radicals, or molecules that may damage your skin cells.

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-Arbutin

Barefaced Brightening Serum contains this as ingredient number 6.

Naturium Multi-Bright Tranexamic Acid Treatment 5% contains this as ingredient number 16.

Xanthan Gum

What it does: Emulsifying, Emulsion Stabilising, Gel Forming, Skin Conditioning

Community Rating: Disliked

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 Gum

Barefaced Brightening Serum contains this as ingredient number 15.

Naturium Multi-Bright Tranexamic Acid Treatment 5% contains this as ingredient number 33.

Lecithin

What it does: Emollient, Emulsifying, Skin Conditioning

Community Rating: Disliked

Lecithin is a term for a group of substances found in plants, animals, and humans. They are made up of mixture of fatty acids. These fatty acids usually are a mixture of phosphoric acid's choline ester connected to stearic, oleic, and palmitic acids. Most lecithins are created from plant ingredients scuh as sunflower.

Lecithin is an emollient. Emollients help 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 help ingredients be better absorbed by the skin. The phospholipids in Lecithin can produce liposomes. Liposomes help other ingredients get through the skin barrier.

Learn more about Lecithin

Barefaced Brightening Serum contains this as ingredient number 17.

Naturium Multi-Bright Tranexamic Acid Treatment 5% contains this as ingredient number 37.

Glycerin

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

Barefaced Brightening Serum contains this as ingredient number 20.

Naturium Multi-Bright Tranexamic Acid Treatment 5% contains this as ingredient number 9.

Phenoxyethanol

What it does: Preservative

Community Rating: Very Disliked

Phenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent germ and 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.

Barefaced Brightening Serum contains this as ingredient number 23.

Naturium Multi-Bright Tranexamic Acid Treatment 5% contains this as ingredient number 42.

Potassium Sorbate

What it does: Preservative

Community Rating: Disliked

Potassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.

Potassium sorbate is potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.

Potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.

Potassium sorbate is often used with stronger preservatives.

Learn more about Potassium Sorbate

Barefaced Brightening Serum contains this as ingredient number 25.

Naturium Multi-Bright Tranexamic Acid Treatment 5% contains this as ingredient number 44.

Sodium Hydroxide

What it does: Buffering

Community Rating: Mixed

Sodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.

In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.

Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.

"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.

Learn more about Sodium Hydroxide

Barefaced Brightening Serum contains this as ingredient number 26.

Naturium Multi-Bright Tranexamic Acid Treatment 5% contains this as ingredient number 39.

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

Barefaced Brightening Serum 27 ingredients

Naturium Multi-Bright Tranexamic Acid Treatment 5% 45 ingredients

48% are loved or liked

11% have mixed ratings

26% are disliked or very disliked

15% have no rating yet

42% are loved or liked

13% have mixed ratings

31% are disliked or very disliked

13% have no rating yet

Usage

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

When to use

Barefaced Brightening Serum 27 ingredients

Naturium Multi-Bright Tranexamic Acid Treatment 5% 45 ingredients

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Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Barefaced Brightening Serum 27 ingredients

Brightening Serum hasn't been rated yet.

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Naturium Multi-Bright Tranexamic Acid Treatment 5% 45 ingredients

4.0 /5

from 1 rating

Clover

11 months ago · Dry Skin

Review

Works well but...
With ingredients like tranexamic acid, kojic acid, and alpha-arbutin, this product is effective when it comes to combating dark...

Works well but...
With ingredients like tranexamic acid, kojic acid, and alpha-arbutin, this product is effective when it comes to combating dark spots and hyperpigmentation. I did notice that my post acne marks faded quicker when using this product HOWEVER this product always left a yellowish tint to my skin wherever I applied it. I suspect something in here oxidized (the kojic acid maybe?). This could have just been a bad batch issue, but regardless that still meant I could only use this product at night when I would have preferred to use it in the morning. I’ve recently found a very similar alternative to this product that doesn’t turn me yellow and is actually a little cheaper, so I won’t be repurchasing this product again. (for anyone curious, the alternative product I use is the Bolden Dark Spot Fix)