Oxecure Acne Defense Prebio Serum Versus Dermorepubliq 10% Niacinamide + 3% Tranexamic Acid + 2% Alpha Arbutin Ultra Whitening Formula Serum
This acne serum is formulated around Inulin and Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil to clear breakouts and calm redness.
This brightening serum is formulated around Niacinamide and Tranexamic Acid to fade the look of dark spots and brighten dull-looking skin.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Propanediol
Solvent
Sclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingCeramide AP
Skin Conditioning
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Caprylhydroxamic Acid
Croton Lechleri Resin Extract
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Mannitol
Humectant
Cellulose
Absorbent
Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingInulin
Skin Conditioning
Yeast Beta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningUndaria Pinnatifida Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
Antioxidant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Lactobacillus/Rye Flour Ferment
Skin ConditioningSaccharide Isomerate
Humectant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingGlucose
Humectant
Chondrus Crispus Extract
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin Conditioning
Potassium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Houttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin Conditioning
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
Astringent
Pistacia Lentiscus Gum
MaskingLecithin
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Morus Alba Root Extract
BleachingArtemisia Capillaris Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningZizyphus Jujuba Fruit Extract
Taraktogenos Kurzii Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Nigella Sativa Seed Oil
Emollient
Leptospermum Scoparium Branch/Leaf Oil
Tonic
Potassium Lauroyl Wheat Amino Acids
CleansingPalm Glycerides
Emollient
Capryloyl Glycine
CleansingMagnolia Grandiflora Bark Extract
Antimicrobial
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract
Antioxidant
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Citrate
BufferingWater, Polysorbate 20, Propanediol, Sclerotium Gum, Ceramide AP, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Croton Lechleri Resin Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Mannitol, Cellulose, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Inulin, Yeast Beta-Glucan, Undaria Pinnatifida Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Butylene Glycol, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Lactobacillus/Rye Flour Ferment, Saccharide Isomerate, Xanthan Gum, Glucose, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Potassium Hyaluronate, Caprylyl Glycol, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Pistacia Lentiscus Gum, Lecithin, Glycerin, Alcohol, Morus Alba Root Extract, Artemisia Capillaris Flower Extract, Zizyphus Jujuba Fruit Extract, Taraktogenos Kurzii Seed Oil, Nigella Sativa Seed Oil, Leptospermum Scoparium Branch/Leaf Oil, Potassium Lauroyl Wheat Amino Acids, Palm Glycerides, Capryloyl Glycine, Magnolia Grandiflora Bark Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate
Water
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Tranexamic Acid
Astringent
Alpha-Arbutin
Antioxidant
Glycerin
Humectant
Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
Emollient
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Snail Secretion Filtrate
Skin Conditioning
Carica Papaya Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Water, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Niacinamide, Propylene Glycol, Tranexamic Acid, Alpha-Arbutin, Glycerin, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Snail Secretion Filtrate, Carica Papaya Fruit Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Sodium Hyaluronate, Allantoin
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice is the filtered, stabilized liquid pressed from the inner gel of the aloe vera leaf.
In cosmetics, it shows up as either soothing active or a water-replacement base. It is roughly 98-99% water and the last 1-2% is an interesting mix of polysaccharides, amino acids, vitamins, minerals, and enzymes.
The polysaccharides do most of the work: they bind water at the skin surface for a light, non-greasy hydration boost. And one of the polysaccharides, glycomannan, is linked to fibroblast stimulation + collagen synthesis. This is also why aloe has such a long track record in wound and burn healing.
This ingredient is also calming with anti-inflammatory and mild antimicrobial activity, making it a great pick for sensitive, irritated, or post-sun skin.
Realistic expectations matter though; the solid evidence is mostly limited to hydration, soothing, and wound support. Deeper claims about anti-aging or sun protection are not well backed, and science reviews note it does not prevent radiation-induced skin injury.
Because it plays well with almost everything, it's commonly used as a base alongside other actives like niacinamide or vitamin C.
Typical usage concentrations range from 0.5% (where hydration benefits already show up) all the way to 90%+ (where it replaces water as the main base).
The safety for this ingredient is well-establish as well. Overall, this is a great supporting ingredient for those who want a boost in hydration.
Learn more about Aloe Barbadensis Leaf JuiceGlycerin (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum.
Topically, glycerin does several things at once:
Your skin makes glycerin on its own (mostly from sebaceous oil breakdown) and shuttles it to your outermost layer of skin, or your epidermis, via aquaporin-3.
Aquaporin-3 is a transporter that is essential for normal skin hydration, elasticity, and repair. Interestingly, mice lacking in AQP3 have dry and less elastic skin that can be fully corrected with glycerin.
This ingredient is non-irritating, plays well with almost every ingredient, and works across all skin types. Typical use is anywhere between 3-10% but can go up to 79% in some leave-on products.
Just know very high concentrations (>40%) can feel tacky in low humidity.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinGlycyrrhiza 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 ExtractPhenoxyethanol is one of the most widely used preservatives in skincare (and for good reason!).
It has a large spectrum of antimicrobial activity and especially effective bacteria, yeast, and mold while only having a weak effect on your skin's natural microbiome.
On a cellular level, it disrupts the cell membranes of microbes by poking holes that make the cell leak. This shuts down the chemical reactions the microbe needs to make energy so it can no longer survive.
Another perk of this ingredient is that it stays functional across a wide pH range (3-10).
You'll often see it paired with boosters like Ethylhexylglycerin; one study showed that a 1:9 ratio of Ethylhexylglycerin to Phenoxyethanol damages bacterial membranes as effectively as doubling the Phenoxyethanol concentration on its own.
Typical use concentrations range from 0.3-1% depending on the formula, and this ingredient is capped at 1% int the EU.
Safety-wise, the fear mongering does not hold up to the evidence. The EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety and FDA consider it safe as a preservative at up to 1%, including for children of all ages.
Adverse systemic effects only showed up in animal studies at exposures roughly 200x higher than what people get from cosmetics. And despite its very widespread use, this ingredient is a rare sensitizer and allergic reactions are uncommon.
Learn more about PhenoxyethanolSodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateWater. 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. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water
