Mixa Anti-Dark Spot Serum Versus Skinmade Azelaic Acid + Salicylic Acid Serum
Updated on July 01, 2024
Overview
What they are
These products are both reef safe serums. They have a total of 12 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain AHA, BHA, 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, oils, parabens, silicones or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain fragrances
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
Mixa Anti-Dark Spot Serum 18 ingredients
Skinmade Azelaic Acid + Salicylic Acid Serum 39 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Mixa Anti-Dark Spot Serum 18 ingredients
Skinmade Azelaic Acid + Salicylic Acid Serum 39 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
Smoothing
Glycerin
Humectant
PEG/PPG/Polybutylene Glycol-8/5/3 Glycerin
HumectantButylene Glycol
Humectant
Ascorbyl Glucoside
Antioxidant
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Methyl Gluceth-20
HumectantCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Biosaccharide Gum-1
Skin ConditioningMaltodextrin
AbsorbentPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Parfum
Masking
Water, Niacinamide, Glycerin, PEG/PPG/Polybutylene Glycol-8/5/3 Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Glycolic Acid, Methyl Gluceth-20, Carbomer, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hydroxide, Caprylyl Glycol, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Maltodextrin, Polysorbate 20, Salicylic Acid, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventButylene Glycol
Humectant
Ethoxydiglycol
HumectantGlycerin
Humectant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Azelaic Acid 10%
Buffering
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Ascorbyl Glucoside
Antioxidant
Potassium Azeloyl Diglycinate
Skin ConditioningCoffea Arabica Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract
Antimicrobial
Panax Ginseng Root Extract
Emollient
Niacinamide 2%
Smoothing
Phytic Acid
Salicylic Acid 2%
Masking
Epigallocatechin Gallate
Antioxidant
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Ubiquinone
Antioxidant
Calendula Officinalis Extract
Skin ConditioningLonicera Caprifolium Flower Extract
Perfuming
Sodium Hyaluronate 1%
Humectant
Lecithin
EmollientCentella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Sucrose Stearate
EmollientGlycine Soja Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Propanediol, Butylene Glycol, Ethoxydiglycol, Glycerin, Panthenol, Azelaic Acid 10%, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Potassium Azeloyl Diglycinate, Coffea Arabica Fruit Extract, Ceramide NP, Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Niacinamide 2%, Phytic Acid, Salicylic Acid 2%, Epigallocatechin Gallate, Adenosine, Ubiquinone, Calendula Officinalis Extract, Lonicera Caprifolium Flower Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate 1%, Lecithin, Centella Asiatica Extract, Sucrose Stearate, Glycine Soja Seed Extract, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Carbomer, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Caprylyl Glycol, Polysorbate 20, Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Sodium Hydroxide, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol
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 WaterNiacinamide 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 NiacinamideGlycerin 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 GlycerinButylene 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.
Ascorbyl Glucoside is a stable form of Vitamin C. It is created by combining glucose from starch.
When applied to skin, Ascorbyl Glucoside turns into Ascorbic Acid.
Ascorbyl Glucoside is an antioxidant. Antioxidants help fight free-radicals, or molecules that may damage skin cells.
It can help to reduce redness, improve skin texture, reduce the effects of aging, reduce the visibility of dark spots, and brighten skin.
Read more about other types of Vitamin C:
Learn more about Ascorbyl GlucosideCarbomer 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.
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 HyaluronateSodium 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.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant and emollient, meaning it attracts and preserves moisture.
It is a common ingredient in many products, especially those designed to hydrate skin. The primary benefits are retaining moisture, skin softening, and promoting a healthy skin barrier.
Though Caprylyl Glycol is an alcohol derived from fatty acids, it is not the kind that can dry out skin.
This ingredient is also used as a preservative to extend the life of products. It has slight antimicrobial properties.
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate is a chelating agent. Chelating agents help prevent metal ions from binding to other ingredients. This helps prevent unwanted effects and reactions from a product. These metal ions may come from water and are found in miniscule amounts.
Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate can also help other preservatives be more effective.
Polysorbate 20 is made by combining ethoxylation of sorbitan, ethylene oxide, and lauric acid. It is a mild cleansing agent, surfactant, and emulsifier.
As a surfactant, it helps collect dirt and oils for washing. Emulsifiers prevent oils and water from separating.
Polysorbate 20 also adds scent to a product. Since it is made using sorbitol, it has a sweet scent. Sorbitol can also be found in fruits such as apples and peaches.
The lauric acid used to create Polysorbate 20 is often derived from coconuts.
Polysorbate 20 may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Polysorbate 20Salicylic Acid (also known as beta hydroxy acid or BHA) is one of the most well-known ingredients for treating skin that struggles with blackheads and acne. It helps to exfoliate both the skin's surface and pores, and also acts as an anti-inflammatory agent.
This multitasking property makes it a great ingredient for cleaning out pores, controlling oil production, and reducing inflammation.
Unlike AHAs which are water soluble, Salicylic Acid is oil soluble. This means that it's able to exfoliate the inside of pores and reduce blackheads.
Concentrations of 0.5-2% are recognized by the U.S. FDA as an over-the-counter topical acne product.
It can cause irritation and/or dryness if one's skin already has a compromised moisture barrier, so it's best to focus on repairing that before introducing a Salicylic Acid into your routine.
In general, Salicylic Acid is a great ingredient for oily acne-prone skin.
While salicylic acid does not increase sun-sensitivity, we still recommend wearing SPF.
If you are looking for the ingredient called BHA or Butylated Hydroxyanisole, click here.
Learn more about Salicylic AcidIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Mixa Anti-Dark Spot Serum 18 ingredients
Skinmade Azelaic Acid + Salicylic Acid Serum 39 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Mixa Anti-Dark Spot Serum 18 ingredients
Skinmade Azelaic Acid + Salicylic Acid Serum 39 ingredients
Texture: Like water. Absorbed easily.
Scent: No scent
Performance: BHA+AZ good for treating acne/blackhead.
Pros: Multi function serum.
Cons: Been reformulated but discontinued (until further clarification with authorities). AZ is restricted in local skincare products, but reformulated one is using AZ derivative. Confusion on product naming.
WRP/WNRP: WRP if relaunch.
