itk Brightening Vitamin Serum with Vitamin C Versus Skinmade Tranexamic Acid + Retinal Serum
Updated on May 27, 2025
Overview
What they are
These products are both reef safe serums. They have a total of 10 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain hyaluronic acid, peptides, Vitamin C and Vitamin E
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, oily skin, reducing pores, scar healing, dark spots and better texture
Free From
They both do not contain any 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
itk Brightening Vitamin Serum with Vitamin C 30 ingredients
Skinmade Tranexamic Acid + Retinal Serum 32 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
itk Brightening Vitamin Serum with Vitamin C 30 ingredients
Skinmade Tranexamic Acid + Retinal Serum 32 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Coco-Caprylate
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Propanediol
Solvent
Silica
Abrasive
Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate
Antioxidant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Ascorbyl Glucoside
Antioxidant
Biosaccharide Gum-1
Skin Conditioning
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingButylene Glycol
Humectant
Aminomethyl Propanol
BufferingC14-22 Alcohols
Emulsion StabilisingC12-20 Alkyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Plukenetia Volubilis Seed Oil
Emollient
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Disodium Phosphate
BufferingSodium Lactate
BufferingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Calcium Dihydrogen Phosphate
BufferingPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin Conditioning
Water, Glycerin, Coco-Caprylate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Propanediol, Silica, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, Niacinamide, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Phenoxyethanol, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Butylene Glycol, Aminomethyl Propanol, C14-22 Alcohols, C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside, Panthenol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA, Plukenetia Volubilis Seed Oil, Allantoin, Disodium Phosphate, Sodium Lactate, Carbomer, Sodium Hyaluronate, Calcium Dihydrogen Phosphate, Polysorbate 20, Tocopherol, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Squalane
Emollient
Bakuchiol
Antimicrobial
Tranexamic Acid
Astringent
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Bisabolol
Masking
Glutathione
Chondrus Crispus Extract
Skin Conditioning
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Ubiquinone
Antioxidant
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Laminaria Ochroleuca Extract
Skin Conditioning
Ascophyllum Nodosum Extract
Skin ConditioningFucus Vesiculosus Extract
Emollient
Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract
AstringentPalmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingBenzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Phospholipids
Skin Conditioning
Retinal
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningSodium Citrate
BufferingCitric Acid
Buffering
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Glycerin, Squalane, Bakuchiol, Tranexamic Acid, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Bisabolol, Glutathione, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Tocopherol, Ubiquinone, Allantoin, Laminaria Ochroleuca Extract, Ascophyllum Nodosum Extract, Fucus Vesiculosus Extract, Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12, Sodium Hyaluronate, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Phenoxyethanol, Xanthan Gum, Benzyl Alcohol, Phospholipids, Retinal, Sodium Gluconate, Sodium Citrate, Citric Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 AllantoinThis 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 TriglycerideEthylhexylglycerin (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 GlycerinPalmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7 is a lab-made peptide with anti-inflammatory and skin-repairing benefits. It's made up of four amino acids (glycine, glutamine, proline, and arginine) and palmitic acid (which helps it penetrate skin more effectively).
This ingredient helps reduce inflammation by limiting the production of interleukin-6 (IL-6), a chemical that triggers inflammatory responses, particularly after UV exposure.
Less inflammation = slower collagen breakdown and a longer-lasting, youthful appearance.
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7 also stimulates collagen production and supports a healthier skin barrier.
Over time, this can improve skin firmness, hydration, and reduce the appearance of fine lines. It’s commonly paired with Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 in the well-known Matrixyl 3000 complex for enhanced anti-aging effects.
This ingredient has been shown to be effective and safe in cosmetic use and you'll typically find it in small amounts (less than 0.01%).
Due to its palmitic acid base, it may not be safe for Malassezia folliculitis.
Read more about other common types of peptides here:
Learn more about Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 is also known as pal-GHK. It is made up of 3 amino acids and palmitic acid, a fatty acid that helps it absorb into skin more easily.
This peptide is as a signal peptide, meaning it tells the skin to produce more collagen. Collagen is the key protein that helps form the skin's structure and keep it plump, firm, and hydrated.
By boosting collagen production, this ingredient supports a stronger skin barrier and helps reduce the appearance of wrinkles.
You'll most likely see this ingredient paired with Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7 in the well-known Matrixyl 3000 complex. While results from in-house testing should be viewed cautiously, this peptide duo is among the most studied and widely used in modern skincare.
Due to its palmitic acid base, this ingredient may not be safe for Malassezia folliculitis.
Read more about other common types of peptides here:
Learn more about Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1Phenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Sodium 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 HyaluronateTocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.
Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skin’s lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.
Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.
You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.
There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.
Learn more about TocopherolWater. 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
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When to use
itk Brightening Vitamin Serum with Vitamin C 30 ingredients
Skinmade Tranexamic Acid + Retinal Serum 32 ingredients
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itk Brightening Vitamin Serum with Vitamin C 30 ingredients
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