Clarins Bright Plus Dark Spot Targeting Emulsion Versus Sk-II SKINPOWER Advanced Cream
Updated on March 11, 2024
Overview
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for dry skin, brightening skin, reducing pores and scar healing
Free From
They both do not contain any sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain fragrances
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
Clarins Bright Plus Dark Spot Targeting Emulsion 30 ingredients
Sk-II SKINPOWER Advanced Cream 45 ingredients
What's inside (and what isn't)
What's inside (and what isn't)
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Clarins Bright Plus Dark Spot Targeting Emulsion 30 ingredients
Sk-II SKINPOWER Advanced Cream 45 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Ascorbyl Glucoside
Antioxidant
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin Conditioning
Sorbitan Stearate
Emulsifying
Boron Nitride
AbsorbentPrunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil
Masking
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingPotassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingSodium Citrate
BufferingChlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSucrose Cocoate
Emulsifying
Biotin
AntiseborrhoeicParfum
Masking
Sambucus Nigra Flower Extract
RefreshingCitric Acid
Buffering
Malpighia Emarginata Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningAlchemilla Vulgaris Extract
AstringentXylitol
Humectant
Malpighia Emarginata Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
Masking
Pancratium Maritimum Extract
BleachingPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Rhodomyrtus Tomentosa Fruit Extract
HumectantWater, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Pentylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Sorbitan Stearate, Boron Nitride, Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Sodium Hydroxide, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Sodium Citrate, Chlorphenesin, Xanthan Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sucrose Cocoate, Biotin, Parfum, Sambucus Nigra Flower Extract, Citric Acid, Malpighia Emarginata Fruit Extract, Alchemilla Vulgaris Extract, Xylitol, Malpighia Emarginata Seed Extract, Sodium Benzoate, Pancratium Maritimum Extract, Potassium Sorbate, Rhodomyrtus Tomentosa Fruit Extract
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate
Humectant
Isohexadecane
EmollientNiacinamide
Smoothing
Isopropyl Isostearate
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
Emollient
Phytosteryl/Behenyl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate
Skin ConditioningVinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer
Stearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingBehenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Dimethiconol
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cetearyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingPolysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Methylparaben
Preservative
Disodium EDTA
Parfum
Masking
Paeonia Albiflora Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPalmitic Acid
Emollient
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Propylparaben
Preservative
Ethylparaben
Preservative
Sorbitan Oleate
Emulsifying
PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate
Emulsifying
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingHouttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
Skin Conditioning
Methylsilanol Tri-PEG-8 Glyceryl Cocoate
Emulsifying
Zantedeschia Aethiopica Flower/Stem Extract
MaskingPolyquaternium-7
Methicone
Emollient
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Glycerin, Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate, Isohexadecane, Niacinamide, Isopropyl Isostearate, Butylene Glycol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Pentylene Glycol, Dimethicone, Phytosteryl/Behenyl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Stearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Behenyl Alcohol, Panthenol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Benzyl Alcohol, Dimethiconol, PEG-100 Stearate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Glucoside, Polysorbate 80, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Methylparaben, Disodium EDTA, Parfum, Paeonia Albiflora Root Extract, Palmitic Acid, Stearic Acid, Propylparaben, Ethylparaben, Sorbitan Oleate, PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Sodium Hydroxide, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, Methylsilanol Tri-PEG-8 Glyceryl Cocoate, Zantedeschia Aethiopica Flower/Stem Extract, Polyquaternium-7, Methicone, CI 77891, CI 77492
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolThis 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 GlycerinParfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
Also called "fragrance", this ingredient can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.
For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of “FRAGRANCE” or “PARFUM” according to EU and US regulations.
The term 'parfum' or 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term.
For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance by INCI standards.
One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.
The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about ParfumPentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.
The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.
This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can also help thicken or stabilize a product.
Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.
Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.
Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolSodium 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 HydroxideWater. 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 WaterIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Clarins Bright Plus Dark Spot Targeting Emulsion 30 ingredients
Sk-II SKINPOWER Advanced Cream 45 ingredients
