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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Mama’s Choice Advanced Brightening Face Serum versus Anua Niacinamide 10% + TXA 4% Dark Spot Correcting Serum .

Last updated on November 29, 2023. Published on December 27, 2023

Overview

What they are

These products are both reef safe serums. They have a total of 17 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain ceramides, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide and Vitamin C

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, dark spots and better texture

Free From

They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, parabens, silicones or sulfates

What's Inside

They both contain fragrances 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.

Serum Indonesian Brand Indonesia
Serum South Korean Brand South Korea

Serum

Serums are highly concentrated with ingredients to provide skin with benefits. They should be used after cleansing and before moisturizing.

Serum

Serums are highly concentrated with ingredients to provide skin with benefits. They should be used after cleansing and before moisturizing.

Price

Shop

Buy Advanced Brightening Face Serum

Shop

Buy Niacinamide 10% + TXA 4% Dark Spot Correcting Serum

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and view relevant ingredients.
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Notable Ingredients

Vitamin C
Niacinamide
Ceramides
Hyaluronic Acid (5)

Benefits

Hydrating (2)
Good For Oily Skin
Redness Reducing (4)
Reduces Irritation (3)
Skin Texture (2)
Reduces Large Pores
Anti-Aging (3)
Dark Spots (2)
Scar Healing (3)
Acne Fighting
Brightening (4)

Concerns

Irritating
Rosacea
Eczema

Notable Ingredients

BHA
Vitamin C
Niacinamide
Ceramides
Hyaluronic Acid (5)

Benefits

Hydrating (4)
Good For Oily Skin (2)
Redness Reducing (4)
Reduces Irritation (3)
Skin Texture (2)
Reduces Large Pores (2)
Anti-Aging (3)
Dark Spots (5)
Scar Healing (4)
Acne Fighting
Brightening (4)

Concerns

Irritating
Rosacea
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Ingredients Compared

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

Ingredients Side-by-side

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

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Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

1
What it does: Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Loved

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 Water

Mama’s Choice Advanced Brightening Face Serum contains this as ingredient number 1.

Anua Niacinamide 10% + TXA 4% Dark Spot Correcting Serum contains this as ingredient number 1.

2
What it does: Smoothing
Community Rating: Loved

Niacinamide has emerged as an all-star ingredient due to its many benefits.

It is known to treat acne by reducing inflammation. It also helps fade dark-spots and strengthen the skin by promoting the growth of the ceramide barrier.

Other benefits include smoothing wrinkles and minimizing redness.

The cherry on top? Niacinamide can also help build keratin, a protein that keeps skin firm.

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.

Niacinamide can be mixed with other ingredients to boost benefits. For instance, it has shown to be effective when used with copper, folic acid, and zinc to treat acne.

Learn more about Niacinamide

Mama’s Choice Advanced Brightening Face Serum contains this as ingredient number 2.

Anua Niacinamide 10% + TXA 4% Dark Spot Correcting Serum contains this as ingredient number 3.

3
What it does: Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting, Solvent
Community Rating: Loved

Glycerin 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 Glycerin

Mama’s Choice Advanced Brightening Face Serum contains this as ingredient number 4.

Anua Niacinamide 10% + TXA 4% Dark Spot Correcting Serum contains this as ingredient number 2.

4
What it does: Humectant, Masking, Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Mixed

Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:

  • It is a solvent, meaning that it helps to dissolve other ingredients. This also enhances the absorption of the product into one's skin.
  • It is a humectant, which means that it helps attract moisture into the skin.
  • It helps improve product application.

Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient. It is unlikely to irritate skin, and works well with pretty much all other ingredients.

Mama’s Choice Advanced Brightening Face Serum contains this as ingredient number 5.

Anua Niacinamide 10% + TXA 4% Dark Spot Correcting Serum contains this as ingredient number 5.

5
What it does: Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Loved

Panthenol (also referred to as pro-vitamin B5) is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin.

lt is a humectant, meaning that it helps the skin attract and retain moisture.

Another benefit is the anti-inflammatory abilities. This means that it's great for sensitive, irritation-prone skin.

Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.

Learn more about Panthenol

Mama’s Choice Advanced Brightening Face Serum contains this as ingredient number 12.

Anua Niacinamide 10% + TXA 4% Dark Spot Correcting Serum contains this as ingredient number 35.

6
What it does: Antioxidant, Buffering, Masking, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Loved

Ascorbic Acid is is pure Vitamin C. This form makes up the largest amount of vitamin C found naturally in our skin.

Not only is vitamin C great for your overall health and immune system, it also has plenty of benefits on your skin.

Vitamin C is best used for brightening skin. It improves dark spots, acne scars, and hyperpigmentation. This is because it blocks the process of skin darkening when exposed to UV.

Remember: Vitamin C should not replace sunscreen!

Your skin uses vitamin C to build collagen. Collagen is one key component in having a strong skin barrier and plump skin. Vitamin C also plays a role in regulating collagen, thus making it effective in improving wrinkles and fine lines.

Ascorbic acid shows potent antioxidant activity. As an antioxidant, it helps fight free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells. These antioxidants also protect skin against UV damage.

The best formulations include Vitamin E and/or ferulic acid. These two ingredients help stabilize and provide a boost in the benefits of ascorbic acid. This is because ascorbic acid becomes unstable when exposed to UV and air. In fact, you can tell your ascorbic acid has oxidized when it turns an orange-yellow color.

Ascorbic acid is generally compatible with other ingredients. However, using ascorbic acid with other active ingredients might cause irritation. Two ingredients: copper ions and benzoyl peroxide, will inactivate ascorbic acid completely.

Read more about other types of Vitamin C:

Foods rich with vitamin C include oranges, strawberries, broccoli, bell peppers, and more. When consuming Vitamin C, your skin receives a portion of the nutrients.

Learn more about Ascorbic Acid

Mama’s Choice Advanced Brightening Face Serum contains this as ingredient number 14.

Anua Niacinamide 10% + TXA 4% Dark Spot Correcting Serum contains this as ingredient number 38.

7
What it does: Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Mixed

1,2-Hexanediol is a multi-tasker ingredient. It acts as a preservative to increase shelf-life and can aid other preservatives in preventing microbe growth. 1,2-Hexanediol also helps the skin retain moisture as a humectant.

In products that are water-based, this ingredient can help stabilize perfumes and fragrances. It can also help make the texture of products softer and more smooth.

Mama’s Choice Advanced Brightening Face Serum contains this as ingredient number 16.

Anua Niacinamide 10% + TXA 4% Dark Spot Correcting Serum contains this as ingredient number 7.

8
What it does: Humectant, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Loved

Sodium Hyaluronate is hyaluronic acid's salt form. It is commonly derived from the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid.

Like hyaluronic acid, it is great at holding water and acts as a humectant. This makes it a great skin hydrating ingredient.

Sodium Hyaluronate is naturally occurring in our bodies and is mostly found in eye fluid and joints.

These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:

Learn more about Sodium Hyaluronate

Mama’s Choice Advanced Brightening Face Serum contains this as ingredient number 17.

Anua Niacinamide 10% + TXA 4% Dark Spot Correcting Serum contains this as ingredient number 9.

9
What it does: Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Loved

Ceramide NP is a type of ceramide.

Ceramides are intercellular lipids naturally found in our skin that bonds dead skin cells together to create a barrier. They are known for their ability to hold water and thus are a great ingredient for dry skin.

Ceramides are an important building block for our skin barrier. A stronger barrier helps the skin look more firm and hydrated. By bolstering the skin ceramides act as a barrier against irritating ingredients. This can help with inflammation as well.

If you would like to eat ceramides, sweet potatoes contain a small amount.

Read more about other common types of ceramides here: Ceramide AP Ceramide EOP

Learn more about Ceramide NP

Mama’s Choice Advanced Brightening Face Serum contains this as ingredient number 18.

Anua Niacinamide 10% + TXA 4% Dark Spot Correcting Serum contains this as ingredient number 39.

10
What it does:
Community Rating: Liked

This form of hyaluronic acid is produced through fermentation.

According to a manufacturer, it has a positive charge by ionic binding to help moisturize and give hair a smooth feel. This is why you'll find this ingredient in shampoos and body washes.

Mama’s Choice Advanced Brightening Face Serum contains this as ingredient number 19.

Anua Niacinamide 10% + TXA 4% Dark Spot Correcting Serum contains this as ingredient number 47.

11
What it does: Humectant, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Liked

Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid is a form of hyaluronic acid. It is created by the hydrolysis of hyaluronic acid with a high molecular weight. Once created, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid has a low molecular weight.

Low molecular weight HA has been shown to hydrate and increase elasticity of the skin. Increasing elasticity is also associated with reduction of wrinkle depth.

One study found topical low molecular weight hyaluronic acid may be considered for the treatment of rosacea in the adult population. However, we always recommend speaking with a professional about your skin concerns.

Hyaluronic acids are a humectant. This means they draw moisture from the air. Hyaluronic acids help moisturize, soothe, and protect the skin.

Read more about other common forms of hyaluronic acid:

Learn more about Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid

Mama’s Choice Advanced Brightening Face Serum contains this as ingredient number 20.

Anua Niacinamide 10% + TXA 4% Dark Spot Correcting Serum contains this as ingredient number 18.

12
What it does: Humectant, Moisturising, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Loved

Hyaluronic acid is naturally found in healthy skin. It is a humectant, meaning it draws moisture to your skin.

Hyaluronic Acid has the capacity to bind to large amounts of water. This ingredient helps hydrate, soothe, and protect the skin.

Fun fact: It is already naturally found in our bodies, such as the fluids of our eyes and our joints.

Studies find this ingredient to have anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties. This can help speed up wound-healing,

These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:

Learn more about Hyaluronic Acid

Mama’s Choice Advanced Brightening Face Serum contains this as ingredient number 21.

Anua Niacinamide 10% + TXA 4% Dark Spot Correcting Serum contains this as ingredient number 26.

13
What it does: Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Mixed

This ingredient is created by putting sodium hyaluronate through hydrolysis.

You might know this as 'mini' or 'ultra low-molecular weight' hyaluronic acid. The small molecule size means it is able to travel deeper in the skin.

According to studies, low molecular-weight hyaluronic acid can:

One study from 2011 found ultra-low weight HA to show pro-inflammatory properties. Another study from 2022 found it to downregulate UV-B induced inflammation.

Hydrolysis is a process of changing a molecule using water or enzymes.

This ingredient is water-soluble.

Learn more about Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate

Mama’s Choice Advanced Brightening Face Serum contains this as ingredient number 22.

Anua Niacinamide 10% + TXA 4% Dark Spot Correcting Serum contains this as ingredient number 45.

14
What it does: Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Mixed

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 Glycol

Mama’s Choice Advanced Brightening Face Serum contains this as ingredient number 23.

Anua Niacinamide 10% + TXA 4% Dark Spot Correcting Serum contains this as ingredient number 27.

15
What it does: Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Liked

We don't have a description for Potassium Hyaluronate.

Mama’s Choice Advanced Brightening Face Serum contains this as ingredient number 24.

Anua Niacinamide 10% + TXA 4% Dark Spot Correcting Serum contains this as ingredient number 46.

16
What it does: Humectant, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Liked

Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer is a type of hyaluronic acid. In fact, it is modified version of hyaluronic acid.

The structure of Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer allows it to stay in the skin's top layer for a longer period of time. This allows for even more hydration and humectant action than hyaluronic acid.

These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:

Learn more about Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer

Mama’s Choice Advanced Brightening Face Serum contains this as ingredient number 25.

Anua Niacinamide 10% + TXA 4% Dark Spot Correcting Serum contains this as ingredient number 48.

17
What it does: Humectant
Community Rating: Liked

Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate is a type of Hyaluronic Acid.

Hyaluronic Acids help moisturize, soothe, and protect the skin.

Mama’s Choice Advanced Brightening Face Serum contains this as ingredient number 26.

Anua Niacinamide 10% + TXA 4% Dark Spot Correcting Serum contains this as ingredient number 50.

Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.

58% are loved or liked
19% have mixed ratings
12% are disliked or very disliked
12% have no rating yet
64% are loved or liked
18% have mixed ratings
10% are disliked or very disliked
8% have no rating yet

Usage

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Reviews

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Mama’s Choice Advanced Brightening Face Serum 26 ingredients

Advanced Brightening Face Serum hasn't been rated yet.
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Anua Niacinamide 10% + TXA 4% Dark Spot Correcting Serum 50 ingredients

3.0 /5
from 2 ratings
Broke Me Out (1) Great Value (1) Sticky (1)
EdenGeraci's avatar

EdenGeraci

1 month ago · Oily Skin
Review

broke me out so bad

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