La Roche-Posay Mela B3 Dark Spot Serum With Melasyl+Niacinamide Versus Dermalogica Powerbright Dark Spot Serum
Updated on April 25, 2024
Overview
Cool Features
They both contain exfoliants, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide 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 and dark spots
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols or parabens
What's Inside
They both contain fragrances
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
La Roche-Posay Mela B3 Dark Spot Serum With Melasyl+Niacinamide 32 ingredients
Dermalogica Powerbright Dark Spot Serum 70 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
La Roche-Posay Mela B3 Dark Spot Serum With Melasyl+Niacinamide 32 ingredients
Dermalogica Powerbright Dark Spot Serum 70 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
Emollient
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Glycerin
Humectant
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Polysilicone-11
Silica
Abrasive
Bis-PEG/PPG-16/16 PEG/PPG-16/16 Dimethicone
Emollient
Cystoseira Tamariscifolia Extract
Skin Conditioning2-Mercaptonicotinoyl Glycine
Skin ConditioningPEG-20 Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate
Emulsifying
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Thiosulfate
Carnosine
Skin ConditioningPoloxamer 338
EmulsifyingAmmonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingCapryloyl Salicylic Acid
Exfoliating
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientCitric Acid
Buffering
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningOctyldodecanol
EmollientRetinyl Palmitate
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
CI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantParfum
Masking
Water, Dimethicone, Niacinamide, Glycerin, Propylene Glycol, Polysilicone-11, Silica, Bis-PEG/PPG-16/16 PEG/PPG-16/16 Dimethicone, Cystoseira Tamariscifolia Extract, 2-Mercaptonicotinoyl Glycine, PEG-20 Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Thiosulfate, Carnosine, Poloxamer 338, Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, Citric Acid, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Xanthan Gum, Pentylene Glycol, Octyldodecanol, Retinyl Palmitate, Tocopherol, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Phenoxyethanol, CI 17200, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Isononanoate
EmollientTriolein
Skin Conditioning
Niacinamide
Smoothing
C12-16 Alcohols
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Lentinus Edodes Mycelium Extract
Skin ConditioningC18-36 Acid Triglyceride
EmollientAcrylates Copolymer
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Ectoin
Skin Conditioning
Paeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract
Skin ProtectingJojoba Esters
Emollient
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Hexylresorcinol
AntimicrobialPhytosteryl Macadamiate
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Withania Somnifera Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPhytosterols
Skin ConditioningSodium Levulinate
Skin ConditioningC12-18 Acid Triglyceride
EmollientRaspberry Ketone
Masking
Mimosa Tenuiflora Bark Extract
Skin ProtectingVanilla Planifolia Fruit
MaskingIlex Paraguariensis Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin Conditioning
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
Masking
Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
Masking
Citrus Medica Peel Oil
Citrus Paradisi Peel Oil
Masking
Ricinus Communis Seed Oil
Masking
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialCistus Ladaniferus Resin
MaskingZingiber Officinale Root Oil
Masking
Lavandula Angustifolia Oil
Masking
Ribes Nigrum Seed Oil
Emollient
Jasminum Sambac Flower Extract
Masking
Cucumis Sativus Seed Oil
Emollient
Dipteryx Odorata Seed Extract
MaskingStyrax Benzoin Resin Extract
Masking
Viola Odorata Leaf Extract
MaskingJuniperus Virginiana Oil
Masking
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingLecithin
EmollientPalmitic Acid
Emollient
Octyldecanol
EmollientGlycerin
Humectant
Octyldodecyl Oleate
Emollient
Squalene
Emollient
Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate
Emollient
Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientBenzyl Glycol
SolventLaureth-21
CleansingPullulan
Silica
Abrasive
Alumina
Abrasive
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Dehydroacetate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Citral
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Water, Ethylhexyl Isononanoate, Triolein, Niacinamide, C12-16 Alcohols, 1,2-Hexanediol, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Lentinus Edodes Mycelium Extract, C18-36 Acid Triglyceride, Acrylates Copolymer, Butylene Glycol, Ectoin, Paeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract, Jojoba Esters, Hydroxyacetophenone, Hexylresorcinol, Phytosteryl Macadamiate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Withania Somnifera Root Extract, Phytosterols, Sodium Levulinate, C12-18 Acid Triglyceride, Raspberry Ketone, Mimosa Tenuiflora Bark Extract, Vanilla Planifolia Fruit, Ilex Paraguariensis Leaf Extract, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Citrus Medica Peel Oil, Citrus Paradisi Peel Oil, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Cistus Ladaniferus Resin, Zingiber Officinale Root Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Ribes Nigrum Seed Oil, Jasminum Sambac Flower Extract, Cucumis Sativus Seed Oil, Dipteryx Odorata Seed Extract, Styrax Benzoin Resin Extract, Viola Odorata Leaf Extract, Juniperus Virginiana Oil, Titanium Dioxide, Tocopherol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Xanthan Gum, Sclerotium Gum, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Lecithin, Palmitic Acid, Octyldecanol, Glycerin, Octyldodecyl Oleate, Squalene, Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Caprylyl Glycol, Benzyl Glycol, Laureth-21, Pullulan, Silica, Alumina, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Sodium Benzoate, Citral, Limonene, Linalool
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. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterNiacinamide is a multitasking form of vitamin B3 that strengthens the skin barrier, reduces pores and dark spots, regulates oil, and improves signs of aging.
And the best part? It's gentle and well-tolerated by most skin types, including sensitive and reactive skin.
You might have heard of "niacin flush", or the reddening of skin that causes itchiness. Niacinamide has not been found to cause this.
In very rare cases, some individuals may not be able to tolerate niacinamide at all or experience an allergic reaction to it.
If you are experiencing flaking, irritation, and dryness with this ingredient, be sure to double check all your products as this ingredient can be found in all categories of skincare.
When incorporating niacinamide into your routine, look out for concentration amounts. Typically, 5% niacinamide provides benefits such as fading dark spots. However, if you have sensitive skin, it is better to begin with a smaller concentration.
When you apply niacinamide to your skin, your body converts it into nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD). NAD is an essential coenzyme that is already found in your cells as "fuel" and powers countless biological processes.
In your skin, NAD helps repair cell damage, produce new healthy cells, support collagen production, strengthen the skin barrier, and fight environmental stressors (like UV and pollution).
Our natural NAD levels start to decline with age, leading to slower skin repair, visible aging, and a weaker skin barrier. By providing your skin niacinamide, you're recharging your skin's NAD levels. This leads to stronger, healthier, and younger looking skin.
Another name for vitamin B3 is nicotinamide. This vitamin is water-soluble and our bodies don't store it. We obtain Vitamin B3 from either food or skincare. Meat, fish, wheat, yeast, and leafy greens contain vitamin B3.
The type of niacinamide used in skincare is synthetically created.
Learn more about NiacinamideGlycerin 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 GlycerinSilica is a mineral naturally found in our skin. It helps to thicken and smooth the texture of a product. It also acts as an agent for other ingredients by increasing the absorption of other ingredients into the skin.
Silica is often used for absorption and can help reduce shine when products are applied. Silica occurs in naturally in materials like clay and sandstone, and it can also be produced synthetically.
Silica is present naturally within the skin during collagen production and when reducing inflammation.
Learn more about SilicaSodium 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 HydroxideCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant and emollient, meaning it attracts and preserves moisture.
It is a common ingredient in many products, especially those designed to hydrate skin. The primary benefits are retaining moisture, skin softening, and promoting a healthy skin barrier.
Though Caprylyl Glycol is an alcohol derived from fatty acids, it is not the kind that can dry out skin.
This ingredient is also used as a preservative to extend the life of products. It has slight antimicrobial properties.
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolXanthan 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 GumTocopherol (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 TocopherolIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
La Roche-Posay Mela B3 Dark Spot Serum With Melasyl+Niacinamide 32 ingredients
Dermalogica Powerbright Dark Spot Serum 70 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
La Roche-Posay Mela B3 Dark Spot Serum With Melasyl+Niacinamide 32 ingredients
Haven't noticed any difference in my acne scars so far as all it did was induce purging (has pro-retinol in the ingredients). Been using it for like a month and not noticing any results so far, I've noticed more results after using my Caudalie serum for a week.
i am more than impressed. la roche-posay has truly outdone themselves with melasyl. this serum is an incredible product that quickly and efficiently does its job with minimal irritation. no complaints. i do feel as though it is important to note that when i started using this i had already been using retinol for 2+ months which may have affected my initial reaction to the pro-retinol ingredients Show more
