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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Naturium Niacinamide Serum 12% Plus Zinc 2% versus HALE Brightening Potion .

Published on September 03, 2023

Overview

What they are

These products are both cruelty-free, fungal acne (malassezia) safe, and reef safe serums. They have a total of 5 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain niacinamide and Vitamin E

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, brightening skin, oily skin, reducing pores, scar healing and dark spots

Free From

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

What's Inside

They both contain silicones

We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that need an update? Let us know.

Serum American Brand United States
Serum Indonesian Brand Indonesia

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

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Buy Niacinamide Serum 12% Plus Zinc 2%

Starts at $17.00
Shop

Buy Brightening Potion

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 E
Niacinamide
Hyaluronic Acid

Benefits

Hydrating
Good For Oily Skin
Redness Reducing
Reduces Large Pores
Dark Spots
Scar Healing
Acne Fighting (2)
Brightening (3)

Notable Ingredients

Vitamin E
Niacinamide

Benefits

Good For Oily Skin
Redness Reducing
Reduces Large Pores
Dark Spots
Scar Healing
Acne Fighting (2)
Brightening (2)
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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

Naturium Niacinamide Serum 12% Plus Zinc 2% contains this as ingredient number 1.

HALE Brightening Potion 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

Naturium Niacinamide Serum 12% Plus Zinc 2% contains this as ingredient number 2.

HALE Brightening Potion contains this as ingredient number 2.

3
What it does: Solvent
Community Rating: Liked

Propanediol helps absorb ingredients into your skin, boosting their benefits. It can act as an emollient, making your skin softer. Propanediol can help products last longer by boosting the properties of preservatives within the formulation.

Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use.

It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.

Learn more about Propanediol

Naturium Niacinamide Serum 12% Plus Zinc 2% contains this as ingredient number 3.

HALE Brightening Potion contains this as ingredient number 6.

4
What it does: Humectant, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Loved

Zinc PCA (or "zinc salt") differs slightly from zinc itself. PCA stands for pyrrolidone carboxylic acid. However, Zinc PCA comes from zinc.

It can help reduce redness, regulate sebum, and promote the general healing process of the skin.

Zinc PCA tends to be especially useful for those with oily, acne-prone skin. It's certainly an ingredient worth trying out!

Learn more about Zinc PCA

Naturium Niacinamide Serum 12% Plus Zinc 2% contains this as ingredient number 5.

HALE Brightening Potion contains this as ingredient number 8.

5
What it does: Buffering, Masking
Community Rating: Disliked

Citric Acid is an AHA derived from citrus fruits (think oranges, lemons, and limes!).

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.

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 look more even.

Read more about some other popular AHA's here:

Learn more about Citric Acid

Naturium Niacinamide Serum 12% Plus Zinc 2% contains this as ingredient number 16.

HALE Brightening Potion contains this as ingredient number 13.

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

50% are loved or liked
0% have mixed ratings
44% are disliked or very disliked
6% have no rating yet
47% are loved or liked
40% have mixed ratings
7% are disliked or very disliked
7% have no rating yet

Usage

Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.

When to use

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Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Naturium Niacinamide Serum 12% Plus Zinc 2% 16 ingredients

5.0 /5
from 1 rating
Absorbs Well (1) Great Value (1) Light (1) No Scent (1)
MichelleR's avatar

MichelleR

5 months ago · Dry Skin
Review

I really do love this product. The mix of niacinamide and zinc underneath my sunscreen make me feel super protected during the day. Especially...

I really do love this product. The mix of niacinamide and zinc underneath my sunscreen make me feel super protected during the day. Especially since I cannot tolerate Vitamin C as my antioxidant. And this pairs super well with Paula's Choice BHA Gel Exfoliant on days where I'm having acne breakouts. I <3 it here!

HALE Brightening Potion 15 ingredients

Brightening Potion hasn't been rated yet.
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Alternatives

Our Dupe Finder has found 50 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Naturium Niacinamide Serum 12% Plus Zinc 2%.

See 50 alternatives

Our Dupe Finder has found 50 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to HALE Brightening Potion.

See 50 alternatives
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