La Roche-Posay Mela B3 Dark Spot Serum With Melasyl+Niacinamide Versus Skin Functional Dark Mark Management 2% Alpha Arbutin + Hyper-Brite Complex
This brightening serum is formulated around Niacinamide and 2-Mercaptonicotinoyl Glycine to fade the look of dark spots and refine skin texture.
This brightening serum is formulated around Tranexamic Acid and Alpha-Arbutin to fade the look of dark spots and brighten dull-looking skin.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientNiacinamide
SmoothingGlycerin
HumectantPropylene Glycol
HumectantPolysilicone-11
Silica
AbrasiveBis-PEG/PPG-16/16 PEG/PPG-16/16 Dimethicone
EmollientCystoseira Tamariscifolia Extract
Skin Conditioning2-Mercaptonicotinoyl Glycine
Skin ConditioningPEG-20 Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate
EmulsifyingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantSodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Thiosulfate
Carnosine
Skin ConditioningPoloxamer 338
EmulsifyingAmmonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingCapryloyl Salicylic Acid
ExfoliatingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientCitric Acid
BufferingTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
ChelatingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningOctyldodecanol
EmollientRetinyl Palmitate
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantParfum
MaskingWater, 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 ConditioningNonapeptide-1
Skin ConditioningTranexamic Acid
AstringentEthoxydiglycol
HumectantAlpha-Arbutin
AntioxidantNiacinamide
SmoothingPropanediol
SolventKojic Acid
AntioxidantSargassum Fusiforme Extract
Skin ProtectingArisaema Amurense Extract
Skin ConditioningGanoderma Lucidum Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningLaminaria Japonica Extract
Skin ProtectingRumex Occidentalis Extract
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantUndaria Pinnatifida Extract
Skin ConditioningLentinus Edodes Mycelium Extract
Skin ConditioningSargassum Fulvellum Extract
Skin ConditioningPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingEnteromorpha Compressa Extract
Skin Protecting1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningGrifola Frondosa/Arctium Lappa Fruit Extract Ferment Filtrate
Skin ConditioningOctanediol
Tropolone
Skin ConditioningWater, Nonapeptide-1, Tranexamic Acid, Ethoxydiglycol, Alpha-Arbutin, Niacinamide, Propanediol, Kojic Acid, Sargassum Fusiforme Extract, Arisaema Amurense Extract, Ganoderma Lucidum Stem Extract, Laminaria Japonica Extract, Rumex Occidentalis Extract, Butylene Glycol, Undaria Pinnatifida Extract, Lentinus Edodes Mycelium Extract, Sargassum Fulvellum Extract, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Enteromorpha Compressa Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Grifola Frondosa/Arctium Lappa Fruit Extract Ferment Filtrate, Octanediol, Tropolone
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Niacinamide 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 NiacinamideWater. 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. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water