Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Face Reality Skincare 8% L-Mandelic Serum versus PCA Skin Pigment Gel Pro .
Last updated on August 25, 2023. Published on December 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 6 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain AHA, hyaluronic acid and niacinamide
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, anti aging, brightening skin, oily skin, reducing pores, scar healing, dark spots and better texture
Free From
They both do not contain any common allergens, parabens, silicones or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain harsh alcohols
We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that need an update? Let us know.
Ingredient Info
Face Reality Skincare 8% L-Mandelic Serum 19 ingredients
PCA Skin Pigment Gel Pro 19 ingredients
Contains Alcohol
Ingredients in this product that are types of alcohol:
Silicon Free
This product is free of silicons 🎉
Fragrance Free
This product is free of fragrances 🎉
Sulfate Free
This product is free of sulfates 🎉
Paraben Free
This product is free of parabens 🎉
Oil Free
This product is free of oils 🎉
Malassezia Safe
This product is free of malassezia feeding ingredients 🎉
Reef Safe
This product is free of ingredients that damage reefs 🎉
EU Allergen Free
This product is free of EU allergens 🎉
Non Vegan
This product is not vegan 😥
Cruelty Free
This product is cruelty-free 🎉
Contains Alcohol
Ingredients in this product that are types of alcohol:
Silicon Free
This product is free of silicons 🎉
Contains Fragrance
Ingredients in this product that are forms of fragrance:
Sulfate Free
This product is free of sulfates 🎉
Paraben Free
This product is free of parabens 🎉
Contains Oils
Ingredients in this product that are types of oil:
Malassezia Safe
This product is free of malassezia feeding ingredients 🎉
Reef Safe
This product is free of ingredients that damage reefs 🎉
EU Allergen Free
This product is free of EU allergens 🎉
Non Vegan
This product is not vegan 😥
Cruelty Free
This product is cruelty-free 🎉
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Face Reality Skincare 8% L-Mandelic Serum 19 ingredients
PCA Skin Pigment Gel Pro 19 ingredients
Notable Ingredients
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Benefits
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Concerns
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Notable Ingredients
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
Benefits
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
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Concerns
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
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Join SkinSortIngredients Compared
Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.
Face Reality Skincare 8% L-Mandelic Serum 19 ingredients
PCA Skin Pigment Gel Pro 19 ingredients
Water • Hamamelis Virginiana Water • Mandelic Acid • Alcohol • Lactic Acid • Butylene Glycol • Ppg-3 Benzyl Ether Myristate • Alcohol Denat. • Niacinamide • Sodium Lactate • Xanthan Gum • Sodium PCA • Sodium Hyaluronate • Urea • Phenethyl Alcohol • Caprylyl Glycol • Potassium Sorbate • Citric Acid • Sodium Hydroxide
Water • Alcohol • Hamamelis Virginiana Water • Butylene Glycol • Niacinamide • Lactic Acid • Gluconolactone • Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate • Tranexamic Acid • Bisabolol • Hexylresorcinol • Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid • Propyl Gallate • Pentylene Glycol • 4-Butylresorcinol • Glabridin • Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract • Rosa Damascena Flower Oil • Rosa Damascena Flower Water
Ingredients Side-by-side
Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.
Learn more about what what Com. / Irr. ratings are
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. Talk about multi-purpose! If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterFace Reality Skincare 8% L-Mandelic Serum contains this as ingredient number 1.
PCA Skin Pigment Gel Pro contains this as ingredient number 1.
Hamamelis Virginiana Water is made used distilled parts of the witch hazel plant. The witch hazel plant is native to eastern North America.
The name 'Hamamelis Virginiana Water' refers to the distillation while the name 'Witch Hazel' is used when it is an active drug ingredient. Unless it is specified to be non-alcohol, many types of witch hazel are distilled in denatured alcohol.
Witch Hazel water is an astringent, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antibacterial ingredient. The tannin in witch hazel has a drying effect when used on skin and constricts proteins. This helps minimize the look of large pores. The tannins present and the fragrance may be sensitizing. The catechins in witch hazel have anti-inflammatory properties while the gallic acid is antibacterial.
Indigenous groups have used witch hazel to help treat inflammation, which was then used by early settlers to North America.
Learn more about Hamamelis Virginiana WaterFace Reality Skincare 8% L-Mandelic Serum contains this as ingredient number 2.
PCA Skin Pigment Gel Pro contains this as ingredient number 3.
Alcohol comes in many different forms. Different types of alcohol will have different effects on skin. This ingredient is usually an astringent alcohol.
These alcohols are drying on the skin. They may strip away your skin's natural oils and even damage your skin barrier. Astringent alcohols may also irritate skin.
Other types of astringent alcohols include:
According to the National Rosacea Society based in the US, you should be mindful of products with these alcohols in the top half of ingredients.
Any type of sanitizing product will have high amounts of alcohol to help kill bacteria and viruses.
Fatty alcohols come from plant oils such as coconut oil. These can help hydrate the skin and are non-irritating. Some fatty alcohols include cetyl and stearyl alcohol.
Learn more about AlcoholFace Reality Skincare 8% L-Mandelic Serum contains this as ingredient number 4.
PCA Skin Pigment Gel Pro contains this as ingredient number 2.
Lactic 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 AcidFace Reality Skincare 8% L-Mandelic Serum contains this as ingredient number 5.
PCA Skin Pigment Gel Pro contains this as ingredient number 6.
Butylene 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.
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient. It is unlikely to irritate skin, and works well with pretty much all other ingredients.
Face Reality Skincare 8% L-Mandelic Serum contains this as ingredient number 6.
PCA Skin Pigment Gel Pro contains this as ingredient number 4.
Niacinamide 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 NiacinamideFace Reality Skincare 8% L-Mandelic Serum contains this as ingredient number 9.
PCA Skin Pigment Gel Pro contains this as ingredient number 5.
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.
Face Reality Skincare 8% L-Mandelic Serum 19 ingredients
PCA Skin Pigment Gel Pro 19 ingredients
Usage
Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.
When to use
Face Reality Skincare 8% L-Mandelic Serum 19 ingredients
PCA Skin Pigment Gel Pro 19 ingredients
Alternatives
Our Dupe Finder has found 50 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Face Reality Skincare 8% L-Mandelic Serum.
See 50 alternativesOur Dupe Finder has found 9 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to PCA Skin Pigment Gel Pro.
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