MARA Beauty Plankton + PHA™ Flower Acid Algae Serum Versus Farmacy Brighten Up 3% TXA Dark Spot Toner with Azelaic Acid + PHA
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe . They have a total of 8 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain AHA and PHA
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for 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, fragrances, parabens, silicones or sulfates
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
MARA Beauty Plankton + PHA™ Flower Acid Algae Serum 31 ingredients
Farmacy Brighten Up 3% TXA Dark Spot Toner with Azelaic Acid + PHA 24 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
MARA Beauty Plankton + PHA™ Flower Acid Algae Serum 31 ingredients
Farmacy Brighten Up 3% TXA Dark Spot Toner with Azelaic Acid + PHA 24 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Palmaria Palmata Extract
Skin ProtectingLactic Acid
Buffering
Water
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingCetearyl Olivate
Squalane
Emollient
Silybum Marianum Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingGluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Bellis Perennis Flower/Helichrysum Italicum Extract
Skin ConditioningHibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningAlgae Extract
Emollient
Gigartina Stellata Extract
Skin ProtectingChondrus Crispus Extract
Skin Conditioning
Haematococcus Pluvialis Extract
Antioxidant
Avena Sativa Kernel Extract
Abrasive
Salicornia Herbacea Extract
Skin ConditioningLimonium Gerberi Extract
Skin ProtectingRibes Nigrum Seed Oil
Emollient
Oenothera Biennis Oil
Emollient
Borago Officinalis Seed Oil
Emollient
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Sclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCaprylhydroxamic Acid
Sodium Phytate
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Citric Acid
Buffering
Palmaria Palmata Extract, Lactic Acid, Water, Pentylene Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetearyl Olivate, Squalane, Silybum Marianum Seed Oil, Glycerin, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Sodium Hydroxide, Gluconolactone, Bellis Perennis Flower/Helichrysum Italicum Extract, Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract, Algae Extract, Gigartina Stellata Extract, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Haematococcus Pluvialis Extract, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Salicornia Herbacea Extract, Limonium Gerberi Extract, Ribes Nigrum Seed Oil, Oenothera Biennis Oil, Borago Officinalis Seed Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Sclerotium Gum, Xanthan Gum, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Sodium Phytate, Potassium Sorbate, Citric Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningGluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningIsopentyldiol
HumectantTranexamic Acid
Astringent
Betaine
Humectant
Propanediol
SolventAzelaic Acid
Buffering
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Citrus Aurantium Amara Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Aurantium Sinensis Peel Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Reticulata Fruit Extract
Skin ProtectingGlycerin
Humectant
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Polyglycerin-6
HumectantInulin
Skin ConditioningFructose
HumectantGlucose
HumectantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingLactic Acid
Buffering
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Phytate
Cellulose
AbsorbentWater, Gluconolactone, Pentylene Glycol, Isopentyldiol, Tranexamic Acid, Betaine, Propanediol, Azelaic Acid, Ascorbic Acid, Citrus Aurantium Amara Fruit Extract, Citrus Aurantium Sinensis Peel Extract, Citrus Reticulata Fruit Extract, Glycerin, Allantoin, Polyglycerin-6, Inulin, Fructose, Glucose, Xanthan Gum, Cellulose Gum, Lactic Acid, Citric Acid, Sodium Phytate, Cellulose
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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.
Benefits of Lactic Acid are that it can help to reduce large pores and reduce the effects of aging. Some potential downsides are that it can be bad for dry skin, cause irritation, worsen eczema, and worsen rosacea.
Not only does it help exfoliate the skin, it helps strengthen the skin's barrier. When applied, lactic acid helps the skin create ceramides.
Lactic acid is an over-the-counter chemical exfoliant that comes from the fermentation of lactose — a carbohydrate found in milk.
Legend has it that Cleopatra used to bathe in sour milk to help reduce wrinkles.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Lactic AcidWater. 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 WaterPentylene 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 also help thicken or stabilize a product.
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 GlycolGlycerin 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 GlycerinGluconolactone is a PHA. PHAs are a great gentle alternative to traditional AHAs.
When applied, Gluconolactone has the same affect on skin as AHAs such as lactic acid. It helps dissolve the dead skin cells in the top layer of your skin. This improves texture and brightens the skin.
PHAs are more gentle than AHAs due to their larger structure. They do not penetrate as deeply as AHAs and take a longer time to dissolve dead cells. Studies show PHAs do not cause as much irritation.
Gluconolactone has some interesting properties:
In a 2004 study, Gluconolactone was found to prevent UV damage in mouse skin cells and has not been found to increase sun sensitivity. However, we still recommend wearing SPF daily.
This ingredient is is an created by reacting gluconic acid with an alcohol.
Learn more about GluconolactoneXanthan 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 GumSodium Phytate is the synthetic salt form of phytic acid. Phytic acid is an antioxidant and can be found in plant seeds.
Sodium Phytate is a chelating agent. Chelating agents help prevent metals from binding to water. This helps stabilize the ingredients and the product.
Citric Acid is an AHA derived from citrus fruits (think oranges, lemons, and limes!).
As an AHA, Citric Acid removes the top layer of skin cells from the newer layer of skin underneath. This helps skin to remove dark spots and even out skin tone.
If you spot Citric Acid near the end of an ingredient list, it's likely there as a pH adjuster rather than an active ingredient.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
MARA Beauty Plankton + PHA™ Flower Acid Algae Serum 31 ingredients
Farmacy Brighten Up 3% TXA Dark Spot Toner with Azelaic Acid + PHA 24 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
MARA Beauty Plankton + PHA™ Flower Acid Algae Serum 31 ingredients
gentle yet powerful! wake up in the morning with glowing skin
Farmacy Brighten Up 3% TXA Dark Spot Toner with Azelaic Acid + PHA 24 ingredients
This might just be a holy grail item for me. I have moderate hyperpigmentation with a small patch of melasma, and this has been the best at treating it. I love that it's fungal acne safe and has Vitamin C, Tranexamic acid, and Azelaic acid. The PHA is a bonus, and it has been quite gentle on my sensitive skin. Definitely will be repurchasing.
Holy grail. Enough said. This is worth the value. I know it's a toner, but it works like a serum, so it lasts forever making it the cheapest product I've ever bought. Not sure if it helps with dark spots, but it does make a massive difference in skin brightness and texture. It also makes my other products work way better (possibly because it hydrates my skin in a different way than other Show more
