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Product Comparison

Last updated on September 18, 2023. Published on October 10, 2023

Overview

What they are

These products are both cruelty-free, fungal acne (malassezia) safe, and reef safe serums. They have a total of 9 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain AHA

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for brightening skin, reducing pores, scar healing, dark spots and better texture

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 need an update? Let us know.

Serum Indian Brand India
Serum British Brand United Kingdom

Serum

Serums are highly concentrated with ingredients to provide skin with benefits. They should be used after cleansing and before moisturizing.

Serum

Serums are highly concentrated with ingredients to provide skin with benefits. They should be used after cleansing and before moisturizing.

Price

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and view relevant 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

Notable Ingredients

AHA (2)
Niacinamide

Benefits

Good For Oily Skin
Redness Reducing
Skin Texture
Reduces Large Pores (2)
Dark Spots (2)
Scar Healing
Acne Fighting
Brightening (3)

Concerns

Irritating
Rosacea (2)
Eczema

Notable Ingredients

AHA

Benefits

Skin Texture
Reduces Large Pores
Dark Spots (2)
Scar Healing (2)
Brightening

Concerns

Irritating
Rosacea
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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.

1
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

Chemist at Play Hyperpigmentation Control Face Serum With 8% Tranexamic Acid +Niacinamide contains this as ingredient number 1.

Beauty Bay Skinhit Hyperpigmentation Serum With Tranexamic Acid And Alpha Arbutin contains this as ingredient number 1.

2
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

Chemist at Play Hyperpigmentation Control Face Serum With 8% Tranexamic Acid +Niacinamide contains this as ingredient number 3.

Beauty Bay Skinhit Hyperpigmentation Serum With Tranexamic Acid And Alpha Arbutin contains this as ingredient number 2.

3
What it does: Astringent, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Loved

Tranexamic 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.

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 Acid

Chemist at Play Hyperpigmentation Control Face Serum With 8% Tranexamic Acid +Niacinamide contains this as ingredient number 4.

Beauty Bay Skinhit Hyperpigmentation Serum With Tranexamic Acid And Alpha Arbutin contains this as ingredient number 3.

4
What it does: Buffering, Masking
Community Rating: Disliked

Citric Acid is an AHA derived from citrus fruits (think oranges, lemons, and limes!).

If you spot Citric Acid near the end of an ingredient list, it's likely there as a pH adjuster rather than an active ingredient.

As an AHA, Citric Acid removes the top layer of skin cells from the newer layer of skin underneath. This helps skin to remove dark spots and look more even.

Read more about some other popular AHA's here:

Learn more about Citric Acid

Chemist at Play Hyperpigmentation Control Face Serum With 8% Tranexamic Acid +Niacinamide contains this as ingredient number 6.

Beauty Bay Skinhit Hyperpigmentation Serum With Tranexamic Acid And Alpha Arbutin contains this as ingredient number 6.

5
What it does: Buffering, Masking
Community Rating: Mixed

Sodium Citrate is the sodium salts of citric acid. In skincare, it is used to alter pH levels and acts as a preservative.

Sodium Citrate helps maintain the pH of a product. Normal pH level of skin is slightly acidic (~4.75-5.5). The acidity of our skin is maintained by our glands and skin biome. Being slightly acidic allows our skin to create an "acid mantle". This acid mantle is a thin barrier that protects our skin from bacteria and contaminants.

Sodium Citrate is a chelating agent. It neutralizes metal ions from water and prevents them from binding to other ingredients. This ensures the other ingredients will not be altered.

Learn more about Sodium Citrate

Chemist at Play Hyperpigmentation Control Face Serum With 8% Tranexamic Acid +Niacinamide contains this as ingredient number 7.

Beauty Bay Skinhit Hyperpigmentation Serum With Tranexamic Acid And Alpha Arbutin contains this as ingredient number 5.

6
What it does: Masking, Preservative
Community Rating: Disliked

Sodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.

Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.

Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.

Sodium Benzoate is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.

Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.

We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.

Learn more about Sodium Benzoate

Chemist at Play Hyperpigmentation Control Face Serum With 8% Tranexamic Acid +Niacinamide contains this as ingredient number 11.

Beauty Bay Skinhit Hyperpigmentation Serum With Tranexamic Acid And Alpha Arbutin contains this as ingredient number 7.

7
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

Chemist at Play Hyperpigmentation Control Face Serum With 8% Tranexamic Acid +Niacinamide contains this as ingredient number 13.

Beauty Bay Skinhit Hyperpigmentation Serum With Tranexamic Acid And Alpha Arbutin contains this as ingredient number 9.

8
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

Chemist at Play Hyperpigmentation Control Face Serum With 8% Tranexamic Acid +Niacinamide contains this as ingredient number 14.

Beauty Bay Skinhit Hyperpigmentation Serum With Tranexamic Acid And Alpha Arbutin contains this as ingredient number 8.

9
What it does:
Community Rating: Disliked

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

Chemist at Play Hyperpigmentation Control Face Serum With 8% Tranexamic Acid +Niacinamide contains this as ingredient number 16.

Beauty Bay Skinhit Hyperpigmentation Serum With Tranexamic Acid And Alpha Arbutin contains this as ingredient number 10.

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

50% are loved or liked
6% have mixed ratings
38% are disliked or very disliked
6% have no rating yet
40% are loved or liked
10% have mixed ratings
50% are disliked or very disliked
0% have no rating yet

Usage

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

Alternatives

Our Dupe Finder has found 50 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Chemist at Play Hyperpigmentation Control Face Serum With 8% Tranexamic Acid +Niacinamide.

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Our Dupe Finder has found 50 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Beauty Bay Skinhit Hyperpigmentation Serum With Tranexamic Acid And Alpha Arbutin.

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