Bielenda 40% Salicylic Acid + Mandelic Acid + Lactic Acid Versus Urban Skin BrighterDays Dark Spot 8% AHA Polish
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe exfoliators. They have a total of 5 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain AHA and BHA
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, parabens 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
Bielenda 40% Salicylic Acid + Mandelic Acid + Lactic Acid 9 ingredients
Urban Skin BrighterDays Dark Spot 8% AHA Polish 55 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Bielenda 40% Salicylic Acid + Mandelic Acid + Lactic Acid 9 ingredients
Urban Skin BrighterDays Dark Spot 8% AHA Polish 55 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Hydrated Silica
Abrasive
Polylactic Acid
Abrasive
Coco-Caprylate
Emollient
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Stearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingAcrylamide/Ammonium Acrylate Copolymer
Dimethicone
Emollient
Jojoba Esters
Emollient
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingPolyisobutene
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Cetearyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingDehydroxanthan Gum
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingChlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Carica Papaya Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Alpha-Arbutin
Antioxidant
Glutathione
Kojic Acid
Antioxidant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Retinyl Palmitate
Skin Conditioning
Azelaic Acid
Buffering
CI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 73360
Cosmetic Colorant
CI 77713
Cosmetic ColorantButylene Glycol
Humectant
Ananas Sativus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Extract
Emulsion Stabilising
Citrus Grandis Fruit Extract
Astringent
Glycine Soja Oil
Emollient
Impatiens Balsamina Flower Extract
AstringentLavandula Angustifolia Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Masking
Lycium Barbarum Fruit Extract
AstringentPimpinella Anisum Fruit Extract
MaskingPrunus Armeniaca Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningRubus Idaeus Fruit Extract
AstringentVanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningVitis Vinifera Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningAnthemis Nobilis Flower Extract
Masking
Curcuma Longa Root Extract
Masking
Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Water, Glycerin, Glycolic Acid, Hydrated Silica, Polylactic Acid, Coco-Caprylate, Lactic Acid, Cetyl Alcohol, Stearyl Alcohol, Polysorbate 20, Sodium Hydroxide, Acrylamide/Ammonium Acrylate Copolymer, Dimethicone, Jojoba Esters, Cetearyl Alcohol, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Polyisobutene, Phenoxyethanol, Ascorbic Acid, Salicylic Acid, Cetearyl Glucoside, Dehydroxanthan Gum, Caprylyl Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Chlorphenesin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Carica Papaya Fruit Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Alpha-Arbutin, Glutathione, Kojic Acid, Niacinamide, Retinyl Palmitate, Azelaic Acid, CI 19140, CI 73360, CI 77713, Butylene Glycol, Ananas Sativus Fruit Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Extract, Citrus Grandis Fruit Extract, Glycine Soja Oil, Impatiens Balsamina Flower Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Lycium Barbarum Fruit Extract, Pimpinella Anisum Fruit Extract, Prunus Armeniaca Fruit Extract, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Rubus Idaeus Fruit Extract, Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract, Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract, Tocopherol
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 WaterLactic Acid is an AHA that is derived from fermenting lactose, a carbohydrate from milk. It removes the top layer of old and dead skin cells and helps increase cell turnover.
Benefits of Lactic Acid are that it can help to reduce large pores and reduce the effects of aging. Some potential downsides are that it can be bad for dry skin, cause irritation, worsen eczema, and worsen rosacea.
Not only does it help exfoliate the skin, it helps strengthen the skin's barrier. When applied, lactic acid helps the skin create ceramides.
Lactic acid is an over-the-counter chemical exfoliant that comes from the fermentation of lactose — a carbohydrate found in milk.
Legend has it that Cleopatra used to bathe in sour milk to help reduce wrinkles.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Lactic AcidGlycerin 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 GlycerinAzelaic acid is a naturally occurring acid derived from grains. This ingredient is effective in treating acne, rosacea, and other skin conditions.
It has been shown to reduce the growth of acne-causing bacteria and helps reduce inflammation. On top of that, it helps reduce the production of sebum and unclog pores.
Azelaic Acid also has antioxidant properties. Antioxidants protect our skin cells from free-radical damage.
One of the main benefits of azelaic acid is that it is gentle and well-tolerated by most people.
Fun fact: The lab-created form of azelaic acid is typically used within cosmetic products for its shelf-stability.
Learn more about Azelaic AcidSalicylic Acid (also known as beta hydroxy acid or BHA) is one of the most well-known ingredients for treating skin that struggles with blackheads and acne. It helps to exfoliate both the skin's surface and pores, and also acts as an anti-inflammatory agent.
This multitasking property makes it a great ingredient for cleaning out pores, controlling oil production, and reducing inflammation.
Unlike AHAs which are water soluble, Salicylic Acid is oil soluble. This means that it's able to exfoliate the inside of pores and reduce blackheads.
Concentrations of 0.5-2% are recognized by the U.S. FDA as an over-the-counter topical acne product.
It can cause irritation and/or dryness if one's skin already has a compromised moisture barrier, so it's best to focus on repairing that before introducing a Salicylic Acid into your routine.
In general, Salicylic Acid is a great ingredient for oily acne-prone skin.
While salicylic acid does not increase sun-sensitivity, we still recommend wearing SPF.
If you are looking for the ingredient called BHA or Butylated Hydroxyanisole, click here.
Learn more about Salicylic AcidIngredient Ratings
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