Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Naturium Alpha Arbutin Serum 2% versus Naturium Alpha Arbutin Essence 1% .
Published on August 02, 2021
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe . They have a total of 11 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain hyaluronic acid and Vitamin E
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for dry skin, brightening skin, scar healing and dark spots
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 need an update? Let us know.
Serum
Serums are highly concentrated with ingredients to provide skin with benefits. They should be used after cleansing and before moisturizing.
Essence
Essences are used to prep skin for further treatment and may provide extra skin benefits. They are usually used before serum and moisturizers. Essences are thought to have originated in either Japan or Korea and is an essential step in K-Beauty.
Price
Ingredient Info
Naturium Alpha Arbutin Serum 2% 20 ingredients
Naturium Alpha Arbutin Essence 1% 35 ingredients
Alcohol Free
This product is free of harsh alcohols 🎉
Silicon Free
This product is free of silicons 🎉
Fragrance Free
This product is free of fragrances 🎉
Sulfate Free
This product is free of sulfates 🎉
Paraben Free
This product is free of parabens 🎉
Oil Free
This product is free of oils 🎉
Malassezia Safe
This product is free of malassezia feeding ingredients 🎉
Reef Safe
This product is free of ingredients that damage reefs 🎉
EU Allergen Free
This product is free of EU allergens 🎉
Vegan
This product is vegan 🎉
Cruelty Free
This product is cruelty-free 🎉
Alcohol Free
This product is free of harsh alcohols 🎉
Silicon Free
This product is free of silicons 🎉
Contains Fragrance
Ingredients in this product that are forms of fragrance:
Sulfate Free
This product is free of sulfates 🎉
Paraben Free
This product is free of parabens 🎉
Contains Oils
Ingredients in this product that are types of oil:
Not Malassezia Safe
Ingredients in this product that are not malassezia safe:
Reef Safe
This product is free of ingredients that damage reefs 🎉
EU Allergen Free
This product is free of EU allergens 🎉
Non Vegan
This product is not vegan 😥
Cruelty Free
This product is cruelty-free 🎉
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Naturium Alpha Arbutin Serum 2% 20 ingredients
Naturium Alpha Arbutin Essence 1% 35 ingredients
Notable Ingredients
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This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
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Benefits
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
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This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
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Concerns
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
Notable Ingredients
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
Benefits
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 3 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 3 ingredients that may have this attribute:
Concerns
This product contains 3 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
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Join SkinSortIngredients Compared
Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.
Naturium Alpha Arbutin Serum 2% 20 ingredients
Naturium Alpha Arbutin Essence 1% 35 ingredients
Water • Butylene Glycol • Alpha-Arbutin • Niacinamide • Sodium Hyaluronate • Hydroxyacetophenone • Citrus Limon Fruit Extract • Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6 • Glycerin • Panthenol • Tremella Fuciformis Sporocarp Extract • Phenoxyethanol • Xanthan Gum • Ethylhexylglycerin • Sodium Phytate • Citric Acid • Disodium EDTA • Betaine • Potassium Sorbate • Tocopherol
Water • Propanediol • Alpha-Arbutin • Glycerin • Hyaluronic Acid • Sphingolipids • Phospholipids • Biosaccharide Gum-1 • Beta-Glucan • Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Flower Extract • Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil • Hydroxyacetophenone • Caprylyl Glycol • Sodium Hyaluronate • Dipropylene Glycol • Phenoxyethanol • Xanthan Gum • Acacia Senegal Gum • Algin • Benzoic Acid • Sorbic Acid • Sodium Hydroxide • Lecithin • Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate • Glyceryl Stearate • Sodium Dehydroacetate • Honey • Cinnamic Acid • Glyceryl Caprylate • Levulinic Acid • Potassium Sorbate • Tocopherol • Sodium Levulinate • Sodium Phytate • Citric Acid
Ingredients Side-by-side
Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.
Learn more about what what Com. / Irr. ratings are
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. Talk about multi-purpose! If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterNaturium Alpha Arbutin Serum 2% contains this as ingredient number 1.
Naturium Alpha Arbutin Essence 1% contains this as ingredient number 1.
Alpha-Arbutin is made from hydroquinone and glucose. It may be derived from the fermentation of soybeans.
It is an antioxidant. Antioxidants help fight free-radicals, or molecules that may damage your skin cells.
Studies show this ingredient helps improve hyperpigmentation and fade discoloration.
Alpha-Arbutin may be used with other ingredients that help with hyperpigmentation. These ingredients include retinol, Vitamin C, niacinamide, and tranexamic acid.
Learn more about Alpha-ArbutinNaturium Alpha Arbutin Serum 2% contains this as ingredient number 3.
Naturium Alpha Arbutin Essence 1% contains this as ingredient number 3.
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 HyaluronateNaturium Alpha Arbutin Serum 2% contains this as ingredient number 5.
Naturium Alpha Arbutin Essence 1% contains this as ingredient number 14.
Hydroxyacetophenone is antioxidant and helps with skin conditioning.
Antioxidants help fight off free-radical molecules. These unstable molecules may damage your skin cells. By helping stabilize free-radicals, antioxidants may help in anti-aging.
Hydroxyacetophenone boosts the efficiency of other preservatives.
Learn more about HydroxyacetophenoneNaturium Alpha Arbutin Serum 2% contains this as ingredient number 6.
Naturium Alpha Arbutin Essence 1% contains this as ingredient number 12.
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 GlycerinNaturium Alpha Arbutin Serum 2% contains this as ingredient number 9.
Naturium Alpha Arbutin Essence 1% contains this as ingredient number 4.
Phenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent germ and microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Naturium Alpha Arbutin Serum 2% contains this as ingredient number 12.
Naturium Alpha Arbutin Essence 1% contains this as ingredient number 16.
Xanthan 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 GumNaturium Alpha Arbutin Serum 2% contains this as ingredient number 13.
Naturium Alpha Arbutin Essence 1% contains this as ingredient number 17.
Sodium 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.
Naturium Alpha Arbutin Serum 2% contains this as ingredient number 15.
Naturium Alpha Arbutin Essence 1% contains this as ingredient number 34.
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 AcidNaturium Alpha Arbutin Serum 2% contains this as ingredient number 16.
Naturium Alpha Arbutin Essence 1% contains this as ingredient number 35.
Potassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
Potassium sorbate is potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
Potassium sorbate is often used with stronger preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbateNaturium Alpha Arbutin Serum 2% contains this as ingredient number 19.
Naturium Alpha Arbutin Essence 1% contains this as ingredient number 31.
Tocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.
Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skin’s lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.
Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.
You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.
There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.
Learn more about TocopherolNaturium Alpha Arbutin Serum 2% contains this as ingredient number 20.
Naturium Alpha Arbutin Essence 1% contains this as ingredient number 32.
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.
Naturium Alpha Arbutin Serum 2% 20 ingredients
Naturium Alpha Arbutin Essence 1% 35 ingredients
Usage
Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.
When to use
Naturium Alpha Arbutin Serum 2% 20 ingredients
Naturium Alpha Arbutin Essence 1% 35 ingredients
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