Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Naturium Multi-Bright Tranexamic Acid Treatment 5% versus Paula's Choice Discoloration Repair Serum .
Published on February 12, 2023
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe . They have a total of 13 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain AHA
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, 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, fragrances, parabens, silicones or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain oils
We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that need an update? Let us know.
Price
Ingredient Info
Naturium Multi-Bright Tranexamic Acid Treatment 5% 45 ingredients
Paula's Choice Discoloration Repair Serum 29 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 🎉
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 🎉
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 🎉
Fragrance Free
This product is free of fragrances 🎉
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 Multi-Bright Tranexamic Acid Treatment 5% 45 ingredients
Paula's Choice Discoloration Repair Serum 29 ingredients
Notable Ingredients
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Benefits
This product contains 5 ingredients that may have this attribute:
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Concerns
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
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This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
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Notable Ingredients
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:
Benefits
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 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:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
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Join SkinSortIngredients Compared
Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.
Naturium Multi-Bright Tranexamic Acid Treatment 5% 45 ingredients
Paula's Choice Discoloration Repair Serum 29 ingredients
Water • Butylene Glycol • C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate • Tranexamic Acid • Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride • Propanediol • Kaolin • Cetearyl Alcohol • Glycerin • Isostearyl Alcohol • C13-15 Alkane • Myrica Cerifera Fruit Wax • Ethylhexyl Olivate • Butylene Glycol Cocoate • Kojic Acid • Alpha-Arbutin • Acetyl Glucosamine • Allantoin • Coco-Caprylate/Caprate • Squalane • Evodia Rutaecarpa Fruit Extract • Triheptanoin • Citric Acid • Hydroxyacetophenone • Carbomer • Caprylyl Glycol • 1,2-Hexanediol • C9-12 Alkane • Dilinoleic Acid/Butanediol Copolymer • Tremella Fuciformis Sporocarp Extract • Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil • Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract • Xanthan Gum • Betaine • Sorbitol • Ethylcellulose • Lecithin • Rubus Idaeus Fruit Extract • Sodium Hydroxide • Sodium Phytate • Ectoin • Phenoxyethanol • Castor Oil/Ipdi Copolymer • Potassium Sorbate • Glyceryl Caprylate
Water • Niacinamide • Glycerin • Tranexamic Acid • C13-15 Alkane • Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride • Dicaprylyl Carbonate • Ethyl Macadamiate • Behenyl Alcohol • Glyceryl Stearate • Butylene Glycol • Silybum Marianum Seed Oil • Tocopherol • Lactobacillus/Coconut Fruit Juice Ferment Filtrate • Lecithin • Bakuchiol • Xanthan Gum • Caprylyl Glycol • Hydrogenated Lecithin • Allantoin • Glycine Soja Oil • Hexylene Glycol • Boerhavia Diffusa Root Extract • Glycine Soja Sterols • Citric Acid • Sodium Phytate • Malic Acid • Phenoxyethanol • Ethylhexylglycerin
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 Multi-Bright Tranexamic Acid Treatment 5% contains this as ingredient number 1.
Paula's Choice Discoloration Repair Serum contains this as ingredient number 1.
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.
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient. It is unlikely to irritate skin, and works well with pretty much all other ingredients.
Naturium Multi-Bright Tranexamic Acid Treatment 5% contains this as ingredient number 2.
Paula's Choice Discoloration Repair Serum contains this as ingredient number 11.
Tranexamic Acid is best used for treating hyperpigmentation, discoloration, and melasma. It can also help build a stronger skin barrier.
Once applied, Tranexamic Acid starts decreasing inflammation from UV exposure. Tranexamic Acid also prevents our skin cells from meeting the pigment production cells.
Fun fact: Tranexamic Acid is also a medication used to reduce heavy bleeding.
This acid is derived from lysine, an amino acid.
Learn more about Tranexamic AcidNaturium Multi-Bright Tranexamic Acid Treatment 5% contains this as ingredient number 4.
Paula's Choice Discoloration Repair Serum contains this as ingredient number 4.
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride is an emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.
Within a product, Caprylic Triglyceride can thicken the product and make spreadability easier by dissolving clumping compounds. An added benefit of Caprylic Triglyceride is its antioxidant properties.
Caprylic Triglyceride is made by combining glycerin with coconut oil, forming a clear liquid. Caprylic Triglyceride has not been found to be toxic for human use in concentrations under 50%.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideNaturium Multi-Bright Tranexamic Acid Treatment 5% contains this as ingredient number 5.
Paula's Choice Discoloration Repair Serum contains this as ingredient number 6.
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 Multi-Bright Tranexamic Acid Treatment 5% contains this as ingredient number 9.
Paula's Choice Discoloration Repair Serum contains this as ingredient number 3.
C13-15 Alkane is a group of alkanes with 13 to 15 carbon atoms in the alkyl chain.
It is a solvent and texture enhancer. Solvents are used to keep ingredients together in a product. They can help dissolve ingredients to stable bases or help evenly distribute ingredients throughout the product.
Naturium Multi-Bright Tranexamic Acid Treatment 5% contains this as ingredient number 11.
Paula's Choice Discoloration Repair Serum contains this as ingredient number 5.
Allantoin plays a role in soothing and moisturizing the skin. Because of this, it is often added to products with strong active ingredients.
Some studies have shown this ingredient can promote wound healing with higher concentrations.
Allantoin is derived from the comfrey plant but produced synthetically for cosmetic products to ensure purity.
Learn more about AllantoinNaturium Multi-Bright Tranexamic Acid Treatment 5% contains this as ingredient number 18.
Paula's Choice Discoloration Repair Serum contains this as ingredient number 20.
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 Multi-Bright Tranexamic Acid Treatment 5% contains this as ingredient number 23.
Paula's Choice Discoloration Repair Serum contains this as ingredient number 25.
Caprylyl 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 GlycolNaturium Multi-Bright Tranexamic Acid Treatment 5% contains this as ingredient number 26.
Paula's Choice Discoloration Repair Serum contains this as ingredient number 18.
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 Multi-Bright Tranexamic Acid Treatment 5% contains this as ingredient number 33.
Paula's Choice Discoloration Repair Serum contains this as ingredient number 17.
Lecithin is a term for a group of substances found in plants, animals, and humans. They are made up of mixture of fatty acids. These fatty acids usually are a mixture of phosphoric acid's choline ester connected to stearic, oleic, and palmitic acids. Most lecithins are created from plant ingredients scuh as sunflower.
Lecithin is an emollient. Emollients help soften the skin and creates a barrier to keep moisture in.
As an emulsifier, it also helps prevent water and oil ingredients from separating. Lecithin can help ingredients be better absorbed by the skin. The phospholipids in Lecithin can produce liposomes. Liposomes help other ingredients get through the skin barrier.
Learn more about LecithinNaturium Multi-Bright Tranexamic Acid Treatment 5% contains this as ingredient number 37.
Paula's Choice Discoloration Repair Serum contains this as ingredient number 15.
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 Multi-Bright Tranexamic Acid Treatment 5% contains this as ingredient number 40.
Paula's Choice Discoloration Repair Serum contains this as ingredient number 26.
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 Multi-Bright Tranexamic Acid Treatment 5% contains this as ingredient number 42.
Paula's Choice Discoloration Repair Serum contains this as ingredient number 28.
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.
Naturium Multi-Bright Tranexamic Acid Treatment 5% 45 ingredients
Paula's Choice Discoloration Repair Serum 29 ingredients
Usage
Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.
When to use
Naturium Multi-Bright Tranexamic Acid Treatment 5% 45 ingredients
Paula's Choice Discoloration Repair Serum 29 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Naturium Multi-Bright Tranexamic Acid Treatment 5% 45 ingredients
Clover
Works well but...
With ingredients like tranexamic acid, kojic acid, and alpha-arbutin, this product is effective when it comes to combating dark...
Works well but...
With ingredients like tranexamic acid, kojic acid, and alpha-arbutin, this product is effective when it comes to combating dark spots and hyperpigmentation. I did notice that my post acne marks faded quicker when using this product HOWEVER this product always left a yellowish tint to my skin wherever I applied it. I suspect something in here oxidized (the kojic acid maybe?). This could have just been a bad batch issue, but regardless that still meant I could only use this product at night when I would have preferred to use it in the morning. I’ve recently found a very similar alternative to this product that doesn’t turn me yellow and is actually a little cheaper, so I won’t be repurchasing this product again. (for anyone curious, the alternative product I use is the Bolden Dark Spot Fix)
Paula's Choice Discoloration Repair Serum 29 ingredients
Alternatives
Our Dupe Finder has found 1 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Naturium Multi-Bright Tranexamic Acid Treatment 5%.
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