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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Naturium Tranexamic Topical Acid 5% versus Naturium Multi-Bright Tranexamic Acid Treatment 5% .

Published on March 08, 2022

Overview

What they are

These products are both vegan, 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, 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.

Serum American Brand United States
Emulsion American Brand United States

Serum

Serums are highly concentrated with ingredients to provide skin with benefits. They should be used after cleansing and before moisturizing.

Emulsion

A lighter version of moisturizer, usually with a gel-consistency.

Price

Shop

Buy Tranexamic Topical Acid 5%

Starts at $19.99
Shop

Buy Multi-Bright Tranexamic Acid Treatment 5%

Starts at $21.99

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

AHA
Exfoliators

Benefits

Hydrating (5)
Good For Oily Skin
Redness Reducing (2)
Reduces Irritation (2)
Skin Texture
Reduces Large Pores
Dark Spots (3)
Scar Healing (4)
Acne Fighting
Brightening (2)

Concerns

Drying
May Worsen Oily Skin (2)
Acne Trigger
Irritating
Rosacea
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Ingredients Compared

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

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: 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.

Naturium Multi-Bright Tranexamic Acid Treatment 5% contains this as ingredient number 1.

2
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.

Naturium Multi-Bright Tranexamic Acid Treatment 5% contains this as ingredient number 4.

3
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.

Naturium Multi-Bright Tranexamic Acid Treatment 5% contains this as ingredient number 6.

4
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.

Naturium Multi-Bright Tranexamic Acid Treatment 5% contains this as ingredient number 23.

5
What it does: Antioxidant
Community Rating: Loved

Kojic acid comes from fungi and can also be from fermented foods.

Kojic Acid helps even out skin tone and reduce hyperpigmentation. It works by blocking tyrosine, an enzyme that starts the process of skin darkening.

Kojic Acid is antifungal and often used to treat fungal infections. Additionally, Kojic Acid can help fight bacteria with its antimicrobrial properties. A side effect may be treating acne caused by bacteria.

Kojic Acid has similar benefits to arbutin.

Learn more about Kojic Acid

Naturium Tranexamic Topical Acid 5% contains this as ingredient number 6.

Naturium Multi-Bright Tranexamic Acid Treatment 5% contains this as ingredient number 15.

6
What it does: Antioxidant
Community Rating: Liked

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 Hydroxyacetophenone

Naturium Tranexamic Topical Acid 5% contains this as ingredient number 8.

Naturium Multi-Bright Tranexamic Acid Treatment 5% contains this as ingredient number 24.

7
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.

Naturium Multi-Bright Tranexamic Acid Treatment 5% contains this as ingredient number 9.

8
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.

Naturium Multi-Bright Tranexamic Acid Treatment 5% contains this as ingredient number 33.

9
What it does: Antioxidant, Humectant, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Loved

Tremella Fuciformis Sporocarp Extract is an antioxidant.

Naturium Tranexamic Topical Acid 5% contains this as ingredient number 15.

Naturium Multi-Bright Tranexamic Acid Treatment 5% contains this as ingredient number 30.

10
What it does: Preservative
Community Rating: Very Disliked

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.

Naturium Multi-Bright Tranexamic Acid Treatment 5% contains this as ingredient number 42.

11
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.

Naturium Multi-Bright Tranexamic Acid Treatment 5% contains this as ingredient number 34.

12
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.

Naturium Multi-Bright Tranexamic Acid Treatment 5% contains this as ingredient number 40.

13
What it does: Preservative
Community Rating: Disliked

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 Sorbate

Naturium Tranexamic Topical Acid 5% contains this as ingredient number 21.

Naturium Multi-Bright Tranexamic Acid Treatment 5% contains this as ingredient number 44.

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
40% are loved or liked
13% have mixed ratings
29% are disliked or very disliked
18% have no rating yet

Usage

Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.

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Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Naturium Tranexamic Topical Acid 5% 22 ingredients

4.0 /5
from 1 rating

Naturium Multi-Bright Tranexamic Acid Treatment 5% 45 ingredients

4.0 /5
from 1 rating
Clover's avatar

Clover

10 months ago · Dry Skin
Review

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)

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Our Dupe Finder has found 1 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Naturium Multi-Bright Tranexamic Acid Treatment 5%.

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