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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Naturium Tranexamic Topical Acid 5% versus Cos De BAHA Tranexamic Acid 5% Serum with Niacinamide 5% .

Last updated on July 18, 2023. Published on November 30, 2021

Overview

What they are

These products are both vegan, fungal acne (malassezia) safe, and reef safe serums. They have a total of 7 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain hyaluronic acid and niacinamide

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, oils, 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 American Brand United States
Serum South Korean Brand South Korea

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

Shop

Buy Tranexamic Topical Acid 5%

Starts at $19.99
Shop

Buy Tranexamic Acid 5% Serum with Niacinamide 5%

Starts at $12.80

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

AHA
Vitamin E
Niacinamide
Hyaluronic Acid

Benefits

Hydrating (2)
Good For Oily Skin
Redness Reducing (2)
Reduces Irritation (2)
Skin Texture
Reduces Large Pores (2)
Dark Spots (4)
Scar Healing (2)
Acne Fighting
Brightening (4)

Concerns

Irritating
Rosacea

Notable Ingredients

Niacinamide
Hyaluronic Acid

Benefits

Hydrating
Good For Oily Skin
Redness Reducing (4)
Reduces Irritation (3)
Reduces Large Pores
Anti-Aging
Dark Spots (2)
Scar Healing
Acne Fighting
Brightening
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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: Astringent, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Loved

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 Acid

Naturium Tranexamic Topical Acid 5% contains this as ingredient number 3.

Cos De BAHA Tranexamic Acid 5% Serum with Niacinamide 5% contains this as ingredient number 2.

2
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 Tranexamic Topical Acid 5% contains this as ingredient number 4.

Cos De BAHA Tranexamic Acid 5% Serum with Niacinamide 5% contains this as ingredient number 6.

3
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 Tranexamic Topical Acid 5% contains this as ingredient number 5.

Cos De BAHA Tranexamic Acid 5% Serum with Niacinamide 5% contains this as ingredient number 11.

4
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 Tranexamic Topical Acid 5% contains this as ingredient number 7.

Cos De BAHA Tranexamic Acid 5% Serum with Niacinamide 5% contains this as ingredient number 3.

5
What it does: Emulsifying, Emulsion Stabilising, Gel Forming, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Disliked

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 Gum

Naturium Tranexamic Topical Acid 5% contains this as ingredient number 14.

Cos De BAHA Tranexamic Acid 5% Serum with Niacinamide 5% contains this as ingredient number 10.

6
What it does: Humectant, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Loved

Betaine is a common humectant (a substance that promotes retention of moisture). It's known to be gentle on the skin and can help balance hydration.

Betaine is best for improving hydration and soothing irritated skin. Studies show betaine may help with uneven skin tones.

Betaine is naturally created in the skin and body. The form found within cosmetic products can be either plant-dervied or synthetic.

Learn more about Betaine

Naturium Tranexamic Topical Acid 5% contains this as ingredient number 18.

Cos De BAHA Tranexamic Acid 5% Serum with Niacinamide 5% contains this as ingredient number 5.

7
What it does: Humectant, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Loved

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 Hyaluronate

Naturium Tranexamic Topical Acid 5% contains this as ingredient number 19.

Cos De BAHA Tranexamic Acid 5% Serum with Niacinamide 5% contains this as ingredient number 8.

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

64% are loved or liked
5% have mixed ratings
27% are disliked or very disliked
5% have no rating yet
53% are loved or liked
13% have mixed ratings
13% are disliked or very disliked
20% 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 Tranexamic Topical Acid 5% 22 ingredients

4.0 /5
from 1 review

Cos De BAHA Tranexamic Acid 5% Serum with Niacinamide 5% 15 ingredients

3.2 /5
from 5 reviews
AnaG's Avatar'
Apr 6, 2024

I love it because I did notice a big difference in my skintone. It's very sticky until it's absorbed. Good for my dry skin. If you are oily or live in an humid climate you will probably hate the experience of using it.

I love it because I did notice a big difference in my skintone. It's very sticky until it's absorbed. Good for my dry skin. If you are oily or live in an humid climate you will probably hate the experience of using it.

Great Value
Heavy
Works Well
Sticky
Laurad_146's Avatar'
Jun 1, 2023

combo serum with multiple benefits (acne, redness, PIE)

combo serum with multiple benefits (acne, redness, PIE)

ArchieSevern_455's Avatar'
Nov 11, 2023

Discoloration
Didn’t work for me!!

Discoloration
Didn’t work for me!!

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Our Dupe Finder has found 50 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Naturium Tranexamic Topical Acid 5%.

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Our Dupe Finder has found 45 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Cos De BAHA Tranexamic Acid 5% Serum with Niacinamide 5%.

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