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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Hero Cosmetics Rescue Balm versus Hero Cosmetics Lightning Wand Dark Spot Brightening Serum .

Last updated on July 18, 2023. Published on July 21, 2022

Overview

What they are

These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe . They have a total of 7 ingredients in common

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin and scar healing

Free From

They both do not contain any common allergens, oils or parabens

We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that need an update? Let us know.

Facial Treatment American Brand United States
Serum American Brand United States

Facial Treatment

Facial treatments are specially designed to treat a skin concern. Acne treatments and anti-aging products are common examples of facial treatments.

Serum

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

Price

Shop

Buy Rescue Balm

Starts at $12.99
Shop

Buy Lightning Wand Dark Spot Brightening Serum

Starts at $19.99

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

Benefits

Hydrating (2)
Redness Reducing
Reduces Irritation
Anti-Aging
Scar Healing
Brightening

Concerns

May Worsen Oily Skin (2)

Notable Ingredients

AHA
Vitamin C
Niacinamide
Hyaluronic Acid

Benefits

Hydrating
Good For Oily Skin (3)
Redness Reducing (5)
Reduces Irritation (2)
Skin Texture (2)
Reduces Large Pores (2)
Anti-Aging (2)
Dark Spots (6)
Scar Healing (3)
Acne Fighting
Brightening (3)

Concerns

Irritating
Rosacea (2)
Eczema
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Ingredients Compared

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

Ingredients Side-by-side

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

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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

Hero Cosmetics Rescue Balm contains this as ingredient number 1.

Hero Cosmetics Lightning Wand Dark Spot Brightening Serum contains this as ingredient number 1.

2
What it does: Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting, Solvent
Community Rating: Loved

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 Glycerin

Hero Cosmetics Rescue Balm contains this as ingredient number 4.

Hero Cosmetics Lightning Wand Dark Spot Brightening Serum contains this as ingredient number 23.

3
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

Hero Cosmetics Rescue Balm contains this as ingredient number 6.

Hero Cosmetics Lightning Wand Dark Spot Brightening Serum contains this as ingredient number 2.

4
What it does: Humectant, Masking, Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Mixed

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.

Hero Cosmetics Rescue Balm contains this as ingredient number 7.

Hero Cosmetics Lightning Wand Dark Spot Brightening Serum contains this as ingredient number 28.

5
What it does: Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting, Soothing
Community Rating: Loved

Allantoin plays a role in soothing and moisturizing the skin. Because of this, it is often added to products with strong active ingredients.

Some studies have shown this ingredient can promote wound healing with higher concentrations.

Allantoin is derived from the comfrey plant but produced synthetically for cosmetic products to ensure purity.

Learn more about Allantoin

Hero Cosmetics Rescue Balm contains this as ingredient number 14.

Hero Cosmetics Lightning Wand Dark Spot Brightening Serum contains this as ingredient number 24.

We don't have a description for Tetrasodium Iminodisuccinate.

Hero Cosmetics Rescue Balm contains this as ingredient number 28.

Hero Cosmetics Lightning Wand Dark Spot Brightening Serum contains this as ingredient number 35.

7
What it does: Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Mixed

1,2-Hexanediol is a multi-tasker ingredient. It acts as a preservative to increase shelf-life and can aid other preservatives in preventing microbe growth. 1,2-Hexanediol also helps the skin retain moisture as a humectant.

In products that are water-based, this ingredient can help stabilize perfumes and fragrances. It can also help make the texture of products softer and more smooth.

Hero Cosmetics Rescue Balm contains this as ingredient number 29.

Hero Cosmetics Lightning Wand Dark Spot Brightening Serum contains this as ingredient number 6.

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

26% are loved or liked
13% have mixed ratings
39% are disliked or very disliked
23% have no rating yet
63% are loved or liked
14% have mixed ratings
3% are disliked or very disliked
20% have no rating yet

Usage

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

When to use

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Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Hero Cosmetics Rescue Balm 31 ingredients

4.0 /5
from 3 reviews
KadriReede_527's Avatar'
Dec 11, 2023

Very good product.
It won't heal Your acne spot with a single night, but it speeds up development and healing process of it big time.
It has cream consistency and it feels moisturizing on skin.

Very good product.
It won't heal Your acne spot with a single night, but it speeds up development and healing process of it big time.
It has cream consistency and it feels moisturizing on skin.

Hero Cosmetics Lightning Wand Dark Spot Brightening Serum 35 ingredients

4.0 /5
from 3 reviews
Azibeth's Avatar'
Jan 15, 2024

Does what it’s supposed to do. It will fade your marks, especially when you’re consistent with it. Leaves tiny whiteheads though, probably the glycolic acid. But it has most of the lightening agents in it, except for kogic acid. Wait...

Does what it’s supposed to do. It will fade your marks, especially when you’re consistent with it. Leaves tiny whiteheads though, probably the glycolic acid. But it has most of the lightening agents in it, except for kogic acid. Wait till your face is 100% dry to use it. And the roller ball is a little useless, I just use my finger.

Great Value
Irritating
Sticky
Works Well

Alternatives

We haven't detected any alternatives for Hero Cosmetics Rescue Balm.

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