Updated on June 13, 2024
Overview
What they are
These products are both reef safe serums. They have a total of 3 ingredients in common
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for anti aging, brightening skin, reducing pores, scar healing, dark spots and better texture
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens or parabens
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
The Ordinary Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA 12 ingredients
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
The Ordinary Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA 12 ingredients
Notable Ingredients
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Benefits
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Concerns
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 3 ingredients that may have this attribute:
Notable Ingredients
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
Benefits
This product contains 1 ingredient 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:
This product contains 1 ingredient 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 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
Ingredients Side-by-side
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.
Dimethicone is a silicone used for making products smooth and silky. It also has the added benefit of sealing in hydration. The amount of dimethicone found in beauty products is considered safe and non-comedogenic, meaning it won't clog pores.
6 Benefits
Niacinamide has emerged as an all-star ingredient due to its many benefits.
Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
Propylene Glycol is an odorless, colorless liquid. As a humectant, it helps skin retain moisture. It also aids in delivering active ingredients.
2 Concerns
Silica 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.
This ingredient is patented by L'Oreal and found in the Melasyl line of La Roche Posay.
Peg-20 Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate isn't fungal acne safe.
Sodium Hyaluronate is hyaluronic acid's salt form. It is commonly derived from the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid.
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.
Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate is a polymer made from ammonium salts. It helps add stability and texture to a product.
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride is an emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.
Capryloyl Salicylic Acid comes from salicylic acid, the famous acne-fighting BHA.
Caprylyl Glycol is a humectant and emollient, meaning it attracts and preserves moisture.
4 Benefits 2 Concerns
Citric Acid is an AHA derived from citrus fruits (think oranges, lemons, and limes!).
Xanthan 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.
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.
Octyldodecanol is a fatty alcohol. It is primarily used to enhance the texture of products.
7 Benefits 3 Concerns
Retinyl palmitate is a form of retinoid. Retinoids are the superstar class of anti-aging ingredients that include tretinoin and retinol.
Antioxidant 4 Benefits May cause irritation
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.
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate (long name, huh?) is a synthetic antioxidant.
Phenoxyethanol 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.
2 Concerns
Parfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
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. 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.
2 Benefits
Alpha-Arbutin is made from hydroquinone and glucose. It may also be derived from the fermentation of soybeans.
Propanediol helps absorb ingredients into your skin, boosting their benefits. It can act as an emollient, making your skin softer. Propanediol can help products last longer by boosting the properties of preservatives within the formulation.
Not safe for Fungal Acne
Peg-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil is derived from castor oil and polyethylene glycol (PEG). It is used as a emollient and emulsifier.
6 Benefits 3 Concerns
Lactic Acid is an AHA that is derived from fermenting lactose, a carbohydrate from milk. It removes the top layer of old and dead skin cells and helps increase cell turnover.
Phenoxyethanol 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.
Chlorphenesin is a synthetic preservative. It helps protect a product against bacteria in order to extend shelf life. In most cases, Chlorphenesin is paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol and caprylyl glycol.
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 WaterTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate is used to help stabilize a product.
It is a chelating agent, meaning it helps prevent metal ions from binding to other ingredients. This prevents unwanted reactions in products. Metal ions can come into a product via the water ingredient. They are found in trace amounts and are not known to be harmful.
Phenoxyethanol 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.
Ingredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.
When to use
La Roche-Posay Mela B3 Dark Spot Serum With Melasyl+Niacinamide 32 ingredients
The Ordinary Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA 12 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
La Roche-Posay Mela B3 Dark Spot Serum With Melasyl+Niacinamide 32 ingredients
kaya02
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...
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.
The Ordinary Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA 12 ingredients
Sara
This product has became a holy grail for me so quick. The Hyaluronic Acid in this serums works wonders and makes my fine lines to disappear almost...
This product has became a holy grail for me so quick. The Hyaluronic Acid in this serums works wonders and makes my fine lines to disappear almost completely, like no other HA product i've ever tried has done before. The Alpha Arbutin has also helped a lot with fading my post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, that used to fade much slower with my previous routine.
And it can do all of this without pilling or stickyness, which I was afraid of experiencing since some The Ordinary products have poor formulations that really mess up the product. This one, can be combined with almost any product.
And the best part, it's really inexpensive, so that's a win/win.
AshN.
(Tried Nov 2022) This turned out to be one of those products that I had a bit of a hard time determining whether or not it worked even after a few...
(Tried Nov 2022) This turned out to be one of those products that I had a bit of a hard time determining whether or not it worked even after a few purchases. If anything, I appreciated how budget friendly it was and the hydrating feel of the serum, but I can't say it did much for my stubborn dark spots.
