Bolden Skin Brightening Toner Versus Urban Skin BrighterDays Dark Spot 8% AHA Polish
Updated on June 25, 2024
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe . They have a total of 7 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain AHA and niacinamide
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
What's Inside
They both contain fragrances and oils
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 Skin Brightening Toner 34 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
Bolden Skin Brightening Toner 34 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 ConditioningHamamelis Virginiana Water
Astringent
Lavandula Intermedia Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Masking
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Glycerin
Humectant
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Sodium PCA
HumectantCitrus Limon Fruit Extract
Masking
Passiflora Edulis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingBeta Vulgaris Root Extract
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Hydrolyzed Corn Starch
HumectantLens Esculenta Seed Extract
Skin ProtectingCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Oil
Masking
Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
EmollientParfum
Masking
Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract
Antimicrobial
Algae Extract
Emollient
Artemisia Vulgaris Extract
Skin Conditioning
Magnesium Aspartate
Skin ConditioningZinc Gluconate
Skin Conditioning
Benzoic Acid
Masking
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Copper Gluconate
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tripeptide-37
Skin Conditioning
Citrus Medica Limonum Peel Extract
EmollientGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Propanediol
SolventPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Hamamelis Virginiana Water, Lavandula Intermedia Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Niacinamide, Glycerin, Glycolic Acid, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Panthenol, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium PCA, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Passiflora Edulis Fruit Extract, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Hydroxide, Beta Vulgaris Root Extract, Disodium EDTA, Hydrolyzed Corn Starch, Lens Esculenta Seed Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Oil, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Parfum, Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract, Algae Extract, Artemisia Vulgaris Extract, Magnesium Aspartate, Zinc Gluconate, Benzoic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Copper Gluconate, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-37, Citrus Medica Limonum Peel Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Propanediol, Phenoxyethanol
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 WaterNiacinamide 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 NiacinamideGlycerin 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 GlycerinGlycolic Acid is arguably the most famous AHA with a ton of research to back up its benefits.
Its main role is to remove the top layer of dead skin cells, allowing newer skin cells to emerge.
Specifically, AHAs work by breaking down the structural "glue" holding the old skin cells in place. Getting rid of the old skin cells allows skin to regenerate newer skin cells in its place. A build up of dead skin cells can lead to tired and dull looking skin.
Due to this, glycolic acid helps with:
Fun fact: Glycolic acid increases skin hydration by playing a role in creating molecules that create hyaluronic acid naturally.
When starting glycolic Acid, it is normal to feel slight stinging.
The pH value and concentration of glycolic acid play a role in the effectiveness of the product. Concentrations between 5-20% glycolic acid have been shown to be effective in clinical studies.
Recent studies have shown Glycolic Acid may protect the skin against UV damage. However, you should always wear SPF, especially when using exfoliants.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Glycolic AcidButylene 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.
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 HydroxidePhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent 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.
Ingredient Ratings
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