Versus

Mary & May Idebenone + Blackberry Complex Serum Versus AXIS - Y Dark Spot Correcting Glow Serum

Serum
Serum
Korean Brand South Korea
Korean Brand South Korea

Updated on June 07, 2024

Overview

What they are

These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe serums. They have a total of 8 ingredients in common

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for dry skin, brightening skin and scar healing

Free From

They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, 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

Click any item below to learn more and see relevant ingredients

What's inside (and what isn't)

What's inside (and what isn't)

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Benefits

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Ingredients Side-by-side

found in both products

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

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

Skin Conditioning, Solvent

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 Water
Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting

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
Skin Conditioning, Solvent

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 
Humectant, Masking, Skin Conditioning

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.
  • It has mild preservative properties.

Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.

Skin Conditioning

Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate is an ester of lauric acid and Polyglycerin-10.

Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate is a cleansing agent and emulsifier. It helps gather dirt, oil, and other pollutants to be rinsed away. As an emulsifier, it helps prevent ingredients from separating, such as oil and water.

Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate may not be fungal acne safe.

Learn more about Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Masking, Skin Conditioning

Arginine is an amino acid that is important for human development. Your body uses is it to produce hair keratin and skin collagen.

As a cosmetic ingredient, Arginine has antioxidant properties and can also help repair damaged skin. This ingredient is derived either synthetically or from animals.

Arginine isn't fungal acne safe when used in the presence of other lipids (fats, fatty acids, oils, esters, etc). Oils and fats occur naturally within the skin, so take caution when using Arginine if you're prone to fungal acne.

Learn more about Arginine
Emulsion Stabilising, Gel Forming

Carbomer is a polymer of acrylic acid. Its main role is to create a gel consistency.

A high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Don't worry, most products contain 1% or less of carbomer.

Skin Conditioning

Ethylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.

You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.

When to use

82 Routines
67% use in am
33% use in pm
96% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->
3,764 Routines
44% use in am
56% use in pm
93% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Mary & May Idebenone + Blackberry Complex Serum 16 ingredients

4.3 /5
from 3 ratings
Absorbs Well (1) Doesn't Work (1) Light (1)
RemiShen's avatar

Remi Shen

1 month ago
Review

This serum didn't do too much for my skin. I could remove it from my routine, but there was no change. However, it's a good serum if it works for you!

#doesn't work
AnaG's avatar

AnaG

7 months ago
Review

I really like it. It has a slightly gel texture. It's not greasy. And I feel it hydrates. Plus antioxidants protect from daily damage. I will buy again

#light
#absorbs well
#sticky

AXIS - Y Dark Spot Correcting Glow Serum 25 ingredients

3.4 /5
from 63 ratings
Hydrating (16) Light (15) Absorbs Well (14)
AshN.'s avatar

AshN.

6 months ago
Review

This product does work, but it should be noted that it takes a good while to see results. I would say compared to the Anua working for me within 2 weeks I really didn't notice any results until the 4 week mark and that was from using it morning at night. I did purchase this product while it was on sale, but I don't think I liked it enough to repurchase this at regular price.

#great value
#light
#absorbs well
#light scent
featherstone's avatar

flora

8 months ago
Review

Cleared two unsightly scars I had on my face, granted they were from picking at my skin rather than acne scars, but definitely cleared them quick enough for me to feel happier about my appearance!

However I believe this was one of the products contributing to my fungal acne flare up :(

#broke me out
#light
#works well