Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Naturium Tranexamic Topical Acid 5% versus Glow Recipe Guava Vitamin C Dark Spot Treatment Serum .
Last updated on March 12, 2024. Published on February 05, 2023
Overview
What they are
These products are both vegan, cruelty-free, and reef safe serums. They have a total of 15 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, sensitive skin, scar healing, dark spots and better texture
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, fragrances, 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.
Price
Ingredient Info
Naturium Tranexamic Topical Acid 5% 22 ingredients
Glow Recipe Guava Vitamin C Dark Spot Treatment Serum 47 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 🎉
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 🎉
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Naturium Tranexamic Topical Acid 5% 22 ingredients
Glow Recipe Guava Vitamin C Dark Spot Treatment Serum 47 ingredients
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:
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 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 4 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:
This product contains 4 ingredients that may have this attribute:
Concerns
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
Notable Ingredients
This product contains 5 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:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
Benefits
This product contains 3 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 6 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 5 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 7 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 6 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 4 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 7 ingredients that may have this attribute:
Concerns
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
Build your routine, track which ingredients work for you, and much more with your free account.
Join SkinSortIngredients Compared
Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.
Naturium Tranexamic Topical Acid 5% 22 ingredients
Glow Recipe Guava Vitamin C Dark Spot Treatment Serum 47 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 • C9-12 Alkane • Psidium Guajava Fruit Extract • Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate • Tranexamic Acid • Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate • 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid • Ascorbyl Glucoside • Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate • Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate • Psidium Guajava Seed Oil • Tocopherol • Tocopheryl Acetate • Sodium Hyaluronate • Ferulic Acid • Tremella Fuciformis Sporocarp Extract • Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract • Musa Sapientum Fruit Extract • Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Extract • Pyrus Communis Fruit Extract • Rubus Idaeus Fruit Extract • Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract • Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract • Corallina Officinalis Extract • Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract • Hexanoyl Dipeptide-3 Norleucine Acetate • Polyglyceryl-10 Dioleate • Glycerin • 1,2-Hexanediol • Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride • Caprylyl Glycol • Hydroxyacetophenone • Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate • Coco-Caprylate/Caprate • Betaine • Lecithin • Polyglyceryl-10 Dipalmitate • Sodium Citrate • Sodium Phytate • Potassium Sorbate • Decyl Glucoside • Lauryl Glucoside • Ethylhexylglycerin • Citric Acid • Xanthan Gum • Phenoxyethanol
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 Tranexamic Topical Acid 5% contains this as ingredient number 1.
Glow Recipe Guava Vitamin C Dark Spot Treatment Serum contains this as ingredient number 1.
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 Tranexamic Topical Acid 5% contains this as ingredient number 3.
Glow Recipe Guava Vitamin C Dark Spot Treatment Serum contains this as ingredient number 6.
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 PropanediolNaturium Tranexamic Topical Acid 5% contains this as ingredient number 4.
Glow Recipe Guava Vitamin C Dark Spot Treatment Serum contains this as ingredient number 2.
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 Tranexamic Topical Acid 5% contains this as ingredient number 5.
Glow Recipe Guava Vitamin C Dark Spot Treatment Serum contains this as ingredient number 45.
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 Tranexamic Topical Acid 5% contains this as ingredient number 8.
Glow Recipe Guava Vitamin C Dark Spot Treatment Serum contains this as ingredient number 33.
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 Tranexamic Topical Acid 5% contains this as ingredient number 13.
Glow Recipe Guava Vitamin C Dark Spot Treatment Serum contains this as ingredient number 29.
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 Tranexamic Topical Acid 5% contains this as ingredient number 14.
Glow Recipe Guava Vitamin C Dark Spot Treatment Serum contains this as ingredient number 46.
Tremella Fuciformis Sporocarp Extract is an antioxidant.
Naturium Tranexamic Topical Acid 5% contains this as ingredient number 15.
Glow Recipe Guava Vitamin C Dark Spot Treatment Serum contains this as ingredient number 17.
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 Tranexamic Topical Acid 5% contains this as ingredient number 16.
Glow Recipe Guava Vitamin C Dark Spot Treatment Serum contains this as ingredient number 47.
Ethylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
Naturium Tranexamic Topical Acid 5% contains this as ingredient number 17.
Glow Recipe Guava Vitamin C Dark Spot Treatment Serum contains this as ingredient number 44.
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 BetaineNaturium Tranexamic Topical Acid 5% contains this as ingredient number 18.
Glow Recipe Guava Vitamin C Dark Spot Treatment Serum contains this as ingredient number 36.
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 Tranexamic Topical Acid 5% contains this as ingredient number 19.
Glow Recipe Guava Vitamin C Dark Spot Treatment 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 Tranexamic Topical Acid 5% contains this as ingredient number 20.
Glow Recipe Guava Vitamin C Dark Spot Treatment Serum contains this as ingredient number 40.
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 Tranexamic Topical Acid 5% contains this as ingredient number 21.
Glow Recipe Guava Vitamin C Dark Spot Treatment Serum contains this as ingredient number 41.
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 Tranexamic Topical Acid 5% contains this as ingredient number 22.
Glow Recipe Guava Vitamin C Dark Spot Treatment Serum contains this as ingredient number 13.
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.
Naturium Tranexamic Topical Acid 5% 22 ingredients
Glow Recipe Guava Vitamin C Dark Spot Treatment Serum 47 ingredients
Usage
Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.
When to use
Naturium Tranexamic Topical Acid 5% 22 ingredients
Glow Recipe Guava Vitamin C Dark Spot Treatment Serum 47 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Glow Recipe Guava Vitamin C Dark Spot Treatment Serum 47 ingredients
Good but expensive. I got this as a "free gift" during a promotion and probably wouldn't have tried it without the promotion. It's definitely effective at brightening and making my skin tone more even. Nice texture, not sticky and sinks...
Good but expensive. I got this as a "free gift" during a promotion and probably wouldn't have tried it without the promotion. It's definitely effective at brightening and making my skin tone more even. Nice texture, not sticky and sinks in well. Although I seen good results I won't purchase as it's extremely expensive and there's cheaper alternatives.
Full of amazing ingredients; has totally reduced the need for me to cocktail and upset my ph balance.
Full of amazing ingredients; has totally reduced the need for me to cocktail and upset my ph balance.
Alternatives
Our Dupe Finder has found 50 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Naturium Tranexamic Topical Acid 5%.
See 50 alternativesOur Dupe Finder has found 27 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Glow Recipe Guava Vitamin C Dark Spot Treatment Serum.
See 27 alternatives