Naturium Mandelic Topical Acid 12% Versus Naturium Tranexamic Topical Acid 5%
Updated on June 05, 2024
Overview
What they are
These products are both vegan, cruelty-free, fungal acne (malassezia) safe, and reef safe serums. They have a total of 8 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain AHA, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide and Vitamin E
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 and dark spots
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, oils, 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
Naturium Mandelic Topical Acid 12% 19 ingredients
Naturium Tranexamic Topical Acid 5% 22 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Naturium Mandelic Topical Acid 12% 19 ingredients
Naturium Tranexamic Topical Acid 5% 22 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningMandelic Acid
Antimicrobial
Propanediol
SolventAminomethyl Propanol
BufferingNiacinamide
Smoothing
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-11
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientVaccinium Myrtillus Fruit/Leaf Extract
AstringentSaccharum Officinarum Extract
MoisturisingSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract
MaskingCitrus Limon Fruit Extract
Masking
Acer Saccharum Extract
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingPhenylpropanol
Masking
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Water, Mandelic Acid, Propanediol, Aminomethyl Propanol, Niacinamide, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-11, Caprylyl Glycol, Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit/Leaf Extract, Saccharum Officinarum Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Acer Saccharum Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Xanthan Gum, Hexylene Glycol, Phenylpropanol, Tocopherol
Water
Skin ConditioningIsopentyldiol
HumectantTranexamic Acid
Astringent
Propanediol
SolventCitric Acid
Buffering
Kojic Acid
Antioxidant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Isododecane
EmollientPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTremella Fuciformis Sporocarp Extract
Antioxidant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningBetaine
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Phytate
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Water, Isopentyldiol, Tranexamic Acid, Propanediol, Citric Acid, Kojic Acid, Niacinamide, Hydroxyacetophenone, Isododecane, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Panthenol, Glycerin, Xanthan Gum, Tremella Fuciformis Sporocarp Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Betaine, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Phytate, Potassium Sorbate, Tocopherol
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 WaterPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.
It’s often used to:
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 PropanediolNiacinamide 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 NiacinamideSodium 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 HyaluronatePhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent 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.
Potassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbateXanthan 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 GumTocopherol (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 TocopherolIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Naturium Mandelic Topical Acid 12% 19 ingredients
Naturium Tranexamic Topical Acid 5% 22 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Naturium Mandelic Topical Acid 12% 19 ingredients
It smells SO bad. And not like a subtle, go away after a few minutes, smell. It's a lingering, potent, i need to write a review about it, smell. Two stars because, so far it doesn't break me out and is a gentle enough exfoliator to use on days after my retinoid. The jury is still out on whether or not I can get past the smell enough to use it consistently enough to see results. More to follow.
Didn’t do anything. Had a slight scent to it that I didn’t like that much.
Naturium Tranexamic Topical Acid 5% 22 ingredients
This serum got rid of the very stubborn hyperpigmentation that my K-beauty serums couldn't. I would have kept using it but for some reason, it caused irritation and breakouts all over my face.
