Naturium Tranexamic Topical Acid 5% Versus FaceTheory Exaglow Serum S10

See how these products line up with your preferences

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Naturium Tranexamic Topical Acid 5% versus FaceTheory Exaglow Serum S10 .

Published on April 09, 2021

Overview

What they are

These products are both vegan, cruelty-free, fungal acne (malassezia) safe, and reef safe serums. They have a total of 10 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain AHA, hyaluronic acid and niacinamide

Suited For

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

Free From

They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, fragrances, 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.

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Naturium Tranexamic Topical Acid 5%

FaceTheory Exaglow Serum S10

Serum American Brand United States

Serum British Brand United Kingdom

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 Tranexamic Topical Acid 5%

Starts at $19.99

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Buy Exaglow Serum S10

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and view relevant ingredients.

Naturium Tranexamic Topical Acid 5% 22 ingredients

FaceTheory Exaglow Serum S10 15 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

Naturium Tranexamic Topical Acid 5% 22 ingredients

FaceTheory Exaglow Serum S10 15 ingredients

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

AHA

Vitamin C

Niacinamide

Hyaluronic Acid

Benefits

Hydrating

Good For Oily Skin

Redness Reducing (2)

Skin Texture (2)

Reduces Large Pores (2)

Anti-Aging (2)

Dark Spots (5)

Scar Healing (2)

Acne Fighting

Brightening (4)

Concerns

Irritating

Rosacea

Eczema

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Ingredients Compared

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

Naturium Tranexamic Topical Acid 5% 22 ingredients

FaceTheory Exaglow Serum S10 15 ingredients

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

Water • Propanediol • Tranexamic Acid • Niacinamide • Lactic Acid • Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate • Glycerin • Sodium Anisate • Sodium Levulinate • Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract • Gellan Gum • Sodium Phytate • Sodium Hyaluronate • Citric Acid • Potassium Sorbate

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.

Water

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 Tranexamic Topical Acid 5% contains this as ingredient number 1.

FaceTheory Exaglow Serum S10 contains this as ingredient number 1.

Tranexamic Acid

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.

FaceTheory Exaglow Serum S10 contains this as ingredient number 3.

Propanediol

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.

FaceTheory Exaglow Serum S10 contains this as ingredient number 2.

Citric Acid

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.

FaceTheory Exaglow Serum S10 contains this as ingredient number 14.

Niacinamide

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.

FaceTheory Exaglow Serum S10 contains this as ingredient number 4.

Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract

What it does: Bleaching, Emollient, Skin Conditioning, Smoothing, Soothing

Community Rating: Liked

Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract is an extract of the roots of Licorice. It has been found to have several benefits such as skin hydrating, conditioning, and soothing.

One component, glabridin, has extra potent antioxidant and soothing properties. It has also been found to block pigmentation from UVB rays in guinea pigs.

Licorice Root also contains a flavonoid. Flavonoids are a natural substance from in plants. Flavonoids also have antioxidant properties.

Another component, glycyrrhizin, has been found to have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial benefits. This may make licorice root extract effective at treating acne. However, more research is needed to support this.

Liquiritin is one of the flavone compounds found in licorice. It has been found to help lighten skin by preventing tyrosinase from reacting with tyrosine. When the two react, protein is converted to melanin. Melanin is the substance in your body that gives your features pigmentation.

Learn more about Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract

Naturium Tranexamic Topical Acid 5% contains this as ingredient number 11.

FaceTheory Exaglow Serum S10 contains this as ingredient number 10.

Glycerin

What it does: Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting, Solvent

Community Rating: Loved

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 Glycerin

Naturium Tranexamic Topical Acid 5% contains this as ingredient number 13.

FaceTheory Exaglow Serum S10 contains this as ingredient number 7.

Sodium Hyaluronate

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.

FaceTheory Exaglow Serum S10 contains this as ingredient number 13.

Sodium Phytate

What it does:

Community Rating: Liked

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 Tranexamic Topical Acid 5% contains this as ingredient number 20.

FaceTheory Exaglow Serum S10 contains this as ingredient number 12.

Potassium Sorbate

What it does: Preservative

Community Rating: Disliked