Kiehl's Clearly Corrective Dark Spot Solution Versus Decorte AQ Absolute Brightening Lotion
Updated on May 29, 2025
Overview
What they are
These products are both reef safe . They have a total of 8 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain Vitamin E
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin and scar healing
Free From
They both do not contain any parabens
What's Inside
They both contain harsh alcohols, common allergens, fragrances and oils
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
Kiehl's Clearly Corrective Dark Spot Solution 24 ingredients
Decorte AQ Absolute Brightening Lotion 48 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
Kiehl's Clearly Corrective Dark Spot Solution 24 ingredients
Decorte AQ Absolute Brightening Lotion 48 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Alcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
PEG/PPG/Polybutylene Glycol-8/5/3 Glycerin
HumectantHydroxypropyl Tetrahydropyrantriol
Skin Conditioning3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin Conditioning
PPG-6-Decyltetradeceth-30
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingCitric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Citrate
BufferingTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Lavandula Angustifolia Oil
Masking
Disodium EDTA
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Linalool
Perfuming
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Citrus Aurantium Tachibana Peel Extract
HumectantPaeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract
Skin ProtectingWater, Propylene Glycol, Glycerin, Alcohol Denat., PEG/PPG/Polybutylene Glycol-8/5/3 Glycerin, Hydroxypropyl Tetrahydropyrantriol, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, PPG-6-Decyltetradeceth-30, Phenoxyethanol, Salicylic Acid, Xanthan Gum, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Potassium Hydroxide, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Disodium EDTA, Adenosine, Linalool, Butylene Glycol, Tocopherol, Citrus Aurantium Tachibana Peel Extract, Paeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Glycerin
Humectant
Alcaligenes Polysaccharides
EmollientBetula Platyphylla Japonica Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningBetula Platyphylla Japonica Juice
Skin Conditioning
Callicarpa Japonica Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningChrysanthemum Parthenium Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Hydrolyzed Collagen
Emollient
Hydrolyzed Soybean Extract
Skin ConditioningKojic Acid
Antioxidant
Magnolia Obovata Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningMucuna Birdwoodiana Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningPancratium Maritimum Extract
BleachingPoria Cocos Sclerotium Extract
AstringentPyrus Cydonia Seed Extract
MaskingScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentSodium Chondroitin Sulfate
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Tabebuia Impetiginosa Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningTheanine
Emollient
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Algin
Masking
Benzophenone-5
UV Absorber
Cholesterol
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Disodium EDTA
Disodium Succinate
MaskingEthyl Oleate
Emollient
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingLecithin
Emollient
Oleyl Alcohol
Emollient
PEG-50 Hydrogenated Castor Oil Isostearate
Emulsifying
Sorbitan Sesquioleate
Emulsifying
Succinic Acid
BufferingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Parfum
Masking
Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone
Perfuming
Benzyl Benzoate
Antimicrobial
Citronellol
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Caramel
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Butylene Glycol, Alcohol, Glycerin, Alcaligenes Polysaccharides, Betula Platyphylla Japonica Bark Extract, Betula Platyphylla Japonica Juice, Callicarpa Japonica Fruit Extract, Chrysanthemum Parthenium Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Hydrolyzed Soybean Extract, Kojic Acid, Magnolia Obovata Bark Extract, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Mucuna Birdwoodiana Stem Extract, Pancratium Maritimum Extract, Poria Cocos Sclerotium Extract, Pyrus Cydonia Seed Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Sodium Chondroitin Sulfate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tabebuia Impetiginosa Bark Extract, Theanine, Tocopherol, Algin, Benzophenone-5, Cholesterol, Dimethicone, Disodium EDTA, Disodium Succinate, Ethyl Oleate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Lecithin, Oleyl Alcohol, PEG-50 Hydrogenated Castor Oil Isostearate, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Succinic Acid, Xanthan Gum, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Benzyl Benzoate, Citronellol, Limonene, Linalool, Caramel
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 GlycolDisodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.
It is a chelating agent, meaning it neutralizes metal ions that may be found in a product.
Disodium EDTA is a salt of edetic acid and is found to be safe in cosmetic ingredients.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAGlycerin 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 GlycerinLinalool is a fragrance and helps add scent to products. It's derived from common plants such as cinnamon, mint, citrus, and lavender.
Like Limonene, this ingredient oxidizes when exposed to air. Oxidized linalool can cause allergies and skin sensitivity.
This ingredient has a scent that is floral, spicy tropical, and citrus-like.
Learn more about LinaloolPhenoxyethanol 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.
Tocopherol (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 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
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When to use
Kiehl's Clearly Corrective Dark Spot Solution 24 ingredients
Decorte AQ Absolute Brightening Lotion 48 ingredients
Reviews
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