Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of La Roche-Posay Glycolic HA versus La Roche-Posay Mela-D Pigment Control Face Serum .
Published on February 12, 2023
Overview
What they are
These products are both reef safe serums. They have a total of 16 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain AHA
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for anti aging, brightening skin, oily skin, reducing pores, scar healing, dark spots and better texture
Free From
They both do not contain any common allergens, fragrances, parabens, silicones or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain harsh alcohols and oils
We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that need an update? Let us know.
Ingredient Info
La Roche-Posay Glycolic HA 17 ingredients
La Roche-Posay Mela-D Pigment Control Face Serum 16 ingredients
Contains Alcohol
Ingredients in this product that are types of alcohol:
Silicon Free
This product is free of silicons 🎉
Fragrance Free
This product is free of fragrances 🎉
Sulfate Free
This product is free of sulfates 🎉
Paraben Free
This product is free of parabens 🎉
Contains Oils
Ingredients in this product that are types of oil:
Not Malassezia Safe
Ingredients in this product that are not malassezia safe:
Reef Safe
This product is free of ingredients that damage reefs 🎉
EU Allergen Free
This product is free of EU allergens 🎉
Non Vegan
This product is not vegan 😥
Not Cruelty Free
This product is not cruelty-free 😥
Contains Alcohol
Ingredients in this product that are types of alcohol:
Silicon Free
This product is free of silicons 🎉
Fragrance Free
This product is free of fragrances 🎉
Sulfate Free
This product is free of sulfates 🎉
Paraben Free
This product is free of parabens 🎉
Contains Oils
Ingredients in this product that are types of oil:
Not Malassezia Safe
Ingredients in this product that are not malassezia safe:
Reef Safe
This product is free of ingredients that damage reefs 🎉
EU Allergen Free
This product is free of EU allergens 🎉
Non Vegan
This product is not vegan 😥
Not Cruelty Free
This product is not cruelty-free 😥
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
La Roche-Posay Glycolic HA 17 ingredients
La Roche-Posay Mela-D Pigment Control Face Serum 16 ingredients
Notable Ingredients
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This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
Benefits
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This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
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Concerns
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 3 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 3 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
Notable Ingredients
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
Benefits
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
Concerns
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 3 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 3 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
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Join SkinSortIngredients Compared
Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.
La Roche-Posay Glycolic HA 17 ingredients
La Roche-Posay Mela-D Pigment Control Face Serum 16 ingredients
Water • Alcohol Denat. • Hydroxyethylpiperazine Ethane Sulfonic Acid • Glycolic Acid • Diisopropyl Adipate • Propylene Glycol • Pentylene Glycol • Citric Acid • Ppg-26-Buteth-26 • Peg-30 Glyceryl Cocoate • Peg-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil • Sodium Hydroxide • P-Anisic Acid • Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid • Capryloyl Salicylic Acid • Tetrasodium EDTA • Polyquaternium-10
Water • Alcohol Denat. • Hydroxyethylpiperazine Ethane Sulfonic Acid • Glycolic Acid • Diisopropyl Adipate • Propylene Glycol • Pentylene Glycol • Citric Acid • Ppg-26-Buteth-26 • Peg-30 Glyceryl Cocoate • Peg-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil • Sodium Hydroxide • P-Anisic Acid • Capryloyl Salicylic Acid • Tetrasodium EDTA • Polyquaternium-10
Ingredients Side-by-side
Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.
Learn more about what what Com. / Irr. ratings are
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 WaterLa Roche-Posay Glycolic HA contains this as ingredient number 1.
La Roche-Posay Mela-D Pigment Control Face Serum contains this as ingredient number 1.
Alcohol Denat. is an alcohol with a denaturant property. It is created by mixing ethanol and other additives. It has a low molecular weight and will evaporate quickly. This helps other ingredients become better absorbed and dry once applied.
Alcohol Denat. is volatile and may cause irritation. It helps draw out natural oils in skin and dry out your skin.
One study from 2005 found adding emollients to propanol-based sanitizer decreased irritation.
Alcohol is antibacterial by nature. This can help preserve products and increase their shelf life.
Other types of astringent alcohols include:
Learn more about Alcohol Denat.La Roche-Posay Glycolic HA contains this as ingredient number 2.
La Roche-Posay Mela-D Pigment Control Face Serum contains this as ingredient number 2.
We don't have a description for Hydroxyethylpiperazine Ethane Sulfonic Acid.
La Roche-Posay Glycolic HA contains this as ingredient number 3.
La Roche-Posay Mela-D Pigment Control Face Serum contains this as ingredient number 3.
Glycolic Acid is arguably the most famous AHA with research to back up its benefits. Its main role is to peel the top layer of skin cells from the newer layer of skin underneath. This helps skin to remove dark spots and look more even.
Glycolic Acid has shown to boost collage production, a protein that helps skin stay firm. Overall, Glycolic Acid helps with improving uneven tone, rough patches of skin, fine lines, wrinkles, and sun damage. It also increases skin hydration by playing a role in creating molecules that create hyaluronic acid naturally.
When applying Glycolic Acid, it is normal to feel slight stinging. The pH value and concentration of glycolic acid play a role in the effectiveness of the product.
Recent studies have shown Glycolic Acid may protect the skin against UV damage. However, you should always wear SPF, especially when using exfoliants.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Glycolic AcidLa Roche-Posay Glycolic HA contains this as ingredient number 4.
La Roche-Posay Mela-D Pigment Control Face Serum contains this as ingredient number 4.
Diisopropyl Adipate comes from isopropyl alcohol and Adipic Acid.
It is a solvent and emollient. As a solvent, it is used to help other ingredients dissolve into the solution. It is also often used to soften hard ingredients.
Emollients help hydrate the skin by creating a thin barrier. This thin barrier prevents moisture from escaping.
Learn more about Diisopropyl AdipateLa Roche-Posay Glycolic HA contains this as ingredient number 5.
La Roche-Posay Mela-D Pigment Control Face Serum contains this as ingredient number 5.
Propylene Glycol is an odorless, colorless liquid. As a humectant, it helps skin retain moisture. It also aids in delivering active ingredients.
Another role of this ingredient is preventing a product from melting or freezing. Propylene glycol also adds antimicrobrial properties to a product, elongating product lifespan.
This ingredient is considered an organic alcohol and commonly added into both cosmetics and foods.
Those with sensitive skin or conditions may deliver a rash when using this ingredient.
Learn more about Propylene GlycolLa Roche-Posay Glycolic HA contains this as ingredient number 6.
La Roche-Posay Mela-D Pigment Control Face Serum contains this as ingredient number 6.
Pentylene 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 help thicken or emulsify a product. Emulsifiers help stabilize a product. It does this by preventing certain ingredients from separating.
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 GlycolLa Roche-Posay Glycolic HA contains this as ingredient number 7.
La Roche-Posay Mela-D Pigment Control Face Serum contains this as ingredient number 7.
Citric Acid is an AHA derived from citrus fruits (think oranges, lemons, and limes!).
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.
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 look more even.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidLa Roche-Posay Glycolic HA contains this as ingredient number 8.
La Roche-Posay Mela-D Pigment Control Face Serum contains this as ingredient number 8.
We don't have a description for Ppg-26-Buteth-26.
La Roche-Posay Glycolic HA contains this as ingredient number 9.
La Roche-Posay Mela-D Pigment Control Face Serum contains this as ingredient number 9.
Peg-30 Glyceryl Cocoate isn't fungal acne safe.
La Roche-Posay Glycolic HA contains this as ingredient number 10.
La Roche-Posay Mela-D Pigment Control Face Serum contains this as ingredient number 10.
Peg-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil is derived from castor oil and polyethylene glycol (PEG). It is used as a emollient and emulsifier.
As an emulsifier, it helps prevent ingredients from separating. It also helps make the other ingredients more soluble; it is often used to solubilize fragrances. This increases spreadability and elongates shelf life in a product.
Emollients help soothe and soften the skin. They do this by creating a protective film on your skin. This barrier helps trap moisture and keeps your skin hydrated. Emollients may be effective at treating dry or itchy skin.
This ingredient may or may not be vegan, depending on the source.
Peg-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil may not be fungal-acne safe. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have any questions or concerns.
Learn more about Peg-40 Hydrogenated Castor OilLa Roche-Posay Glycolic HA contains this as ingredient number 11.
La Roche-Posay Mela-D Pigment Control Face Serum contains this as ingredient number 11.
Sodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideLa Roche-Posay Glycolic HA contains this as ingredient number 12.
La Roche-Posay Mela-D Pigment Control Face Serum contains this as ingredient number 12.
We don't have a description for P-Anisic Acid.
La Roche-Posay Glycolic HA contains this as ingredient number 13.
La Roche-Posay Mela-D Pigment Control Face Serum contains this as ingredient number 13.
We don't have a description for Capryloyl Salicylic Acid.
La Roche-Posay Glycolic HA contains this as ingredient number 15.
La Roche-Posay Mela-D Pigment Control Face Serum contains this as ingredient number 14.
Tetrasodium EDTA is the salt formed from neutralizing ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid with sodium hydroxide. It is a chelating agent and used to prevent metal ions from binding to other ingredients. This helps keep the product and ingredients stable.
Tetrasodium EDTA comes as a white solid and is soluble in water.
La Roche-Posay Glycolic HA contains this as ingredient number 16.
La Roche-Posay Mela-D Pigment Control Face Serum contains this as ingredient number 15.
Polyquaternium-10 is an ammonium salt of hydroxyethylcellulose. It is a white and granular powder used as a film-former and anti-static agent.
This ingredient is commonly found in hair conditioning products. According to a manufacturer, its positive charge makes it great for absorbing hair proteins. The manufacturer also states this ingredient helps with curl retention.
For haircare friends: this ingredient is not a silicone.
Learn more about Polyquaternium-10La Roche-Posay Glycolic HA contains this as ingredient number 17.
La Roche-Posay Mela-D Pigment Control Face Serum contains this as ingredient number 16.
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.
La Roche-Posay Glycolic HA 17 ingredients
La Roche-Posay Mela-D Pigment Control Face Serum 16 ingredients
Usage
Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.
When to use
La Roche-Posay Glycolic HA 17 ingredients
La Roche-Posay Mela-D Pigment Control Face Serum 16 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
La Roche-Posay Mela-D Pigment Control Face Serum 16 ingredients
Alternatives
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