HALE Even Tone Potion Versus Clarins Bright Plus Advanced Brightening Dark Spot Serum
Updated on March 11, 2024
Overview
What they are
These products are both fungal acne (malassezia) safe and reef safe serums. They have a total of 8 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain hyaluronic acid
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for dry skin, brightening skin and scar healing
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, 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
HALE Even Tone Potion 16 ingredients
Clarins Bright Plus Advanced Brightening Dark Spot Serum 27 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
HALE Even Tone Potion 16 ingredients
Clarins Bright Plus Advanced Brightening Dark Spot Serum 27 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningTranexamic Acid
Astringent
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingHyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Sodium Metabisulfite
Antioxidant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Citric Acid
Buffering
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Ascorbyl Glucoside
Antioxidant
Boron Nitride
AbsorbentPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Cellulose
AbsorbentTromethamine
BufferingSodium Polyacrylate
Absorbent
Sodium Citrate
BufferingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningBiotin
AntiseborrhoeicParfum
Masking
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sambucus Nigra Flower Extract
RefreshingCitric Acid
Buffering
Polianthes Tuberosa Polysaccharide
Skin ConditioningMalpighia Emarginata Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningXylitol
Humectant
Alchemilla Vulgaris Extract
AstringentMalpighia Emarginata Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
Masking
Pancratium Maritimum Extract
BleachingPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Rhodomyrtus Tomentosa Fruit Extract
HumectantEngelhardtia Chrysolepis Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningWater, Glycerin, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Boron Nitride, Pentylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Cellulose, Tromethamine, Sodium Polyacrylate, Sodium Citrate, Xanthan Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Biotin, Parfum, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sambucus Nigra Flower Extract, Citric Acid, Polianthes Tuberosa Polysaccharide, Malpighia Emarginata Fruit Extract, Xylitol, Alchemilla Vulgaris Extract, Malpighia Emarginata Seed Extract, Sodium Benzoate, Pancratium Maritimum Extract, Potassium Sorbate, Rhodomyrtus Tomentosa Fruit Extract, Engelhardtia Chrysolepis Leaf Extract
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 GlycolCitric Acid is an AHA derived from citrus fruits (think oranges, lemons, and limes!).
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 even out skin tone.
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.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidEthylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
Glycerin 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 GlycerinPentylene 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 Hyaluronate is hyaluronic acid's salt form. It is commonly derived from the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid.
Like hyaluronic acid, it is great at holding water and acts as a humectant. This makes it a great skin hydrating ingredient.
Sodium Hyaluronate is naturally occurring in our bodies and is mostly found in eye fluid and joints.
These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateWater. 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 WaterXanthan 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 GumIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
