Hero Cosmetics Lightning Swipe Dark Spot Brightening Pads Versus SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Quick Calming Pad
This brightening exfoliating pad uses a pre-saturated pad with Niacinamide and Glycolic Acid to fade the look of dark spots and brighten dull-looking skin.
This calming toner pad uses a pre-saturated pad with Centella Asiatica Extract and Panthenol to calm redness and strengthen the skin barrier.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Glycerin
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Tromethamine
BufferingBenzyl Glycol
SolventGlycolic Acid
Buffering
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Betaine
Humectant
Tranexamic Acid
Astringent
Xanthan Gum
Emulsifying1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Calcium Pantothenate
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Houttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin Conditioning
Pyridoxine Hcl
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Lycium Barbarum Fruit Extract
Astringent
Saccharomyces Ferment Filtrate
Humectant
Illicium Verum Fruit Extract
Perfuming
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Malic Acid
Buffering
Tartaric Acid
Buffering
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Water, Butylene Glycol, Propanediol, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Tromethamine, Benzyl Glycol, Glycolic Acid, Allantoin, Betaine, Tranexamic Acid, Xanthan Gum, 1,2-Hexanediol, Calcium Pantothenate, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Pyridoxine Hcl, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Lycium Barbarum Fruit Extract, Saccharomyces Ferment Filtrate, Illicium Verum Fruit Extract, Hydroxyacetophenone, Citric Acid, Malic Acid, Tartaric Acid, Lactic Acid
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservatives
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 alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Rosacea skin has a lower threshold for acids generally, with 62.5% of rosacea subjects in one study reacting to lactic acid in a sting test. This is why we mark citric acid as a potential rosacea trigger.
However, this ingredient shows up as a pH adjuster or chelator at roughly 0.1-1% in many products. These low levels are unlikely to be an issue for rosacea skin and becomes a potential trigger at exfoliating concentrations (20%). Because everybody's skin is unique, we recommend a patch test if you are unsure.
Learn more about Citric AcidEthylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinWater. 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. Remember to 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 Gum
