Bolden Dark Spot Fix Versus SkinMedica Lytera 2.0 Pigment Correcting Serum
Overview
What they are
These products are both reef safe serums. They have a total of 7 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain AHA, niacinamide and peptides
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, common allergens, fragrances, oils, 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
Bolden Dark Spot Fix 23 ingredients
SkinMedica Lytera 2.0 Pigment Correcting Serum 23 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Bolden Dark Spot Fix 23 ingredients
SkinMedica Lytera 2.0 Pigment Correcting Serum 23 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingGlycerin
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Tranexamic Acid
Astringent
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Squalane
Emollient
Ceteareth-20
Cleansing
Phytic Acid
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Ceteareth-12
EmulsifyingCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cetyl Palmitate
Emollient
Sclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Lauroyl Glutamate
Alpha-Arbutin
Antioxidant
Glutathione
Kojic Acid
Antioxidant
Bisabolol
Masking
Azelaic Acid
Buffering
Tetrapeptide-30
Skin Conditioning
Water, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Tranexamic Acid, Glyceryl Stearate, Allantoin, Behenyl Alcohol, Squalane, Ceteareth-20, Phytic Acid, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Ceteareth-12, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Palmitate, Sclerotium Gum, Sodium Lauroyl Glutamate, Alpha-Arbutin, Glutathione, Kojic Acid, Bisabolol, Azelaic Acid, Tetrapeptide-30
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Polyacrylate-13
Phenylethyl Resorcinol
Antioxidant
Tranexamic Acid
Astringent
Vitis Vinifera Flower Cell Extract
MaskingPlankton Extract
Skin ConditioningTetrapeptide-30
Skin Conditioning
Artemisia Capillaris Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningVibrio Alginolyticus Ferment Filtrate
Abrasive
Alteromonas Ferment Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Polyisobutene
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingHydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Phytic Acid
Diethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate
Skin ProtectingDisodium EDTA
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Polyacrylate-13, Phenylethyl Resorcinol, Tranexamic Acid, Vitis Vinifera Flower Cell Extract, Plankton Extract, Tetrapeptide-30, Artemisia Capillaris Flower Extract, Vibrio Alginolyticus Ferment Filtrate, Alteromonas Ferment Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Polyisobutene, Polysorbate 20, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hydroxyacetophenone, Phytic Acid, Diethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol
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 WaterThis ingredient is an emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.
It helps thicken a product's formula and makes it easier to spread by dissolving clumping compounds.
Caprylic Triglyceride is made by combining glycerin with coconut oil, forming a clear liquid.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideGlycerin 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 has emerged as an all-star ingredient due to its many benefits.
It is known to treat acne by reducing inflammation. It also helps fade dark-spots and strengthen the skin by promoting the growth of the ceramide barrier.
Other benefits include smoothing wrinkles and minimizing redness.
The cherry on top? Niacinamide can also help build keratin, a protein that keeps skin firm.
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.
Niacinamide can be mixed with other ingredients to boost benefits. For instance, it has shown to be effective when used with copper, folic acid, and zinc to treat acne.
Learn more about NiacinamideTranexamic Acid is best used for treating hyperpigmentation, discoloration, and melasma. It can also help build a stronger skin barrier.
Once applied, Tranexamic Acid starts decreasing inflammation from UV exposure. Tranexamic Acid also prevents our skin cells from meeting the pigment production cells.
Its brightening property makes it great at reducing the appearance of acne scars and marks.
Fun fact: Tranexamic Acid is also a medication used to reduce heavy bleeding.
This acid is derived from lysine, an amino acid.
Learn more about Tranexamic AcidPhytic Acid is a gentle AHA and antioxidant. AHAs are chemical exfoliants that help remove dead skin cells. Phytic Acid has a slight and mild exfoliating effect.
The chemical makeup makes it classified as an AHA, much like lactic acid.
In some cases, it is a chelating agent. Chelating agents help prevent metals from binding to water, helping to stabilize the ingredients in a product.
An interesting fact about phytic acid is that it is considered an antinutrient. People do not have the enzyme needed to properly breakdown and digest phytic acid. When ingested, phytic acid binds to minerals and prevents them from being absorbed.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Phytic AcidTetrapeptide-30 is a synthetic peptide.
According to a manufacturer, this peptide helps with skin brightening by blocking the process of skin darkening when skin is exposed to UV.
Ingredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Bolden Dark Spot Fix 23 ingredients
SkinMedica Lytera 2.0 Pigment Correcting Serum 23 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Bolden Dark Spot Fix 23 ingredients
The key is consistency
This has been wonderful for my skin! Most products that are aiming to tackle dark spots contain vitamin C, which is a great ingredient to tackle things like hyperpigmentation, however my skin absolutely can NOT handle it in any form. Finding a dark spot product without vitamin C that works had been a bit of a challenge, but this is it! I love this product! Niacinamide, Show more
