Luxe Organix Cica Soothing Gel 200,000Ppm Versus Glad2Glow PDRN Niacinamide + TXA Brightening Moisturizer
This calming moisturizer is formulated around Centella Asiatica Extract and Madecassoside to calm redness and strengthen the skin barrier.
This brightening moisturizer is formulated around Niacinamide and Tranexamic Acid to brighten dull-looking skin and fade the look of dark spots.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantCalendula Officinalis Extract
Skin ConditioningCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingArginine
MaskingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPhenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
MaskingMadecassoside
AntioxidantAsiaticoside
AntioxidantAsiatic Acid
Skin ConditioningMadecassic Acid
Skin ConditioningPropolis Extract
Skin ConditioningAnthemis Nobilis Flower Extract
MaskingCalendula Officinalis Flower Extract
MaskingMentha Piperita Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningThymus Vulgaris Extract
PerfumingChrysanthemum Parthenium Extract
Skin ConditioningLippia Citriodora Leaf Extract
AstringentBellis Perennis Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningOriganum Vulgare Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningSalvia Officinalis Leaf Extract
CleansingUrtica Dioica Extract
AstringentHouttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantDisodium EDTA
Water, Centella Asiatica Extract, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Calendula Officinalis Extract, Carbomer, Arginine, Caprylyl Glycol, Phenyl Trimethicone, Pentylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Madecassoside, Asiaticoside, Asiatic Acid, Madecassic Acid, Propolis Extract, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Mentha Piperita Leaf Extract, Thymus Vulgaris Extract, Chrysanthemum Parthenium Extract, Lippia Citriodora Leaf Extract, Bellis Perennis Flower Extract, Origanum Vulgare Leaf Extract, Salvia Officinalis Leaf Extract, Urtica Dioica Extract, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Hydroxyacetophenone, Disodium EDTA
Water
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingPropanediol
SolventPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningC15-19 Alkane
SolventDimethicone
EmollientCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientDipropylene Glycol
HumectantTranexamic Acid
AstringentSodium DNA
Skin ConditioningPhellodendron Amurense Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningCyanocobalamin
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCyclohexasiloxane
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantHydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingDisodium EDTA
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingAroma
CI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantCI 16035
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Niacinamide, Propanediol, Pentylene Glycol, Panthenol, C15-19 Alkane, Dimethicone, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dipropylene Glycol, Tranexamic Acid, Sodium DNA, Phellodendron Amurense Bark Extract, Cyanocobalamin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Cyclohexasiloxane, Ethylhexylglycerin, Butylene Glycol, Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate, Carbomer, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Hydroxide, Hydroxyacetophenone, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Aroma, CI 17200, CI 16035, CI 19140
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservatives
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 GlycolCarbomer is a synthetic thickening and gelling agent. It's basically the ingredient that gives a lot of serums, gels, creams, and sunscreens their smooth, non-sticky texture.
Although legally permitted at very high levels, carbomers are normally used at concentrations below 1%.
It also needs to be neutralized to actually thicken, and because it is a large molecule, it doesn't really penetrate the skin barrier.
Allergy-wise, the risk is very low. Clinical studies show carbomers have low potential for skin irritation/sensitization even at concentrations up to 100%.
A 2024 UK study patch-tested 1,302 patients and found true allergy to the parent group of carbomer to be rare with no confirmed relevant reactions.
Learn more about CarbomerDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAEthylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinHydroxyacetophenone is a small phenolic molecule that earns its place in a formulas as an antioxidant and preservative booster.
As a phenol, it is able to neutralize free radicals to protect both the product and the skin from oxidative stress.
Though it can't kill microbes on its own, it works as a good supporting agent when combined with other preservatives like Phenoxyethanol or 1,2-Hexanediol.
This ingredient naturally occurs as piceol in Norwegian spruce needles (~0.4-1.1% dry weight and in cloudberries). Though the cosmetic-grade material is synthesized for purity and consistency.
You'll usually see it used at low levels and suppliers recommend up to 1% added to a water phase.
Safety testing was done at concentrations like 0.05% in SPF products and 0.5% in a Human Repeated Insult Patch Test. The safety evidence is assuring; this ingredient is safe for cosmetics in current use and also holds safety status as a food flavoring as well.
An honest caveat: the "soothing" and "anti-inflammatory" claims come mostly from supplier marketing rather than published clinical trials. The Cosmetic Ingredient Review's own literature search found no useful efficacy studies on this ingredient.
So the antioxidant and preservative-boosting roles are the well supported ones while the calming benefit is plausible but thinly evidenced.
Overall, this is a well-tolerated, low-irritation multitasker that quietly helps a formula stay fresh and stable.
Learn more about HydroxyacetophenonePentylene Glycol (1,2-pentanediol) is a multitasking little diol with three main roles in a formula:
Research on alkanediols (the family pentylene glycol belongs to) show they work by disrupting microbial cell membranes. This disruption helps the primary preservative system in a product work more effectively at lower doses.
On the safety side, the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has concluded this ingredient to be safe as used in current cosmetic practices + concentrations.
Typical use levels in a formula run about 1-5%.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolWater. 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