Paula's Choice Discoloration Repair Serum Versus MEDI-PEEL Melanon X Ampoule
Updated on August 29, 2024
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe . They have a total of 12 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain niacinamide and Vitamin E
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, anti aging, 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, parabens, silicones or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain oils
We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that needs an update? Let us know.
Ingredient Info
Paula's Choice Discoloration Repair Serum 29 ingredients
MEDI-PEEL Melanon X Ampoule 82 ingredients
What's inside (and what isn't)
What's inside (and what isn't)
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Paula's Choice Discoloration Repair Serum 29 ingredients
MEDI-PEEL Melanon X Ampoule 82 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
Smoothing
Glycerin
Humectant
Tranexamic Acid
Astringent
C13-15 Alkane
SolventCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientEthyl Macadamiate
Skin Conditioning
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Silybum Marianum Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Lactobacillus/Coconut Fruit Juice Ferment Filtrate
Skin ConditioningLecithin
Emollient
Bakuchiol
Antimicrobial
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientHydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Glycine Soja Oil
Emollient
Hexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingBoerhavia Diffusa Root Extract
Skin Protecting
Glycine Soja Sterols
Emollient
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Phytate
Malic Acid
Buffering
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Niacinamide, Glycerin, Tranexamic Acid, C13-15 Alkane, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Ethyl Macadamiate, Behenyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Butylene Glycol, Silybum Marianum Seed Oil, Tocopherol, Lactobacillus/Coconut Fruit Juice Ferment Filtrate, Lecithin, Bakuchiol, Xanthan Gum, Caprylyl Glycol, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Allantoin, Glycine Soja Oil, Hexylene Glycol, Boerhavia Diffusa Root Extract, Glycine Soja Sterols, Citric Acid, Sodium Phytate, Malic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin
Water
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Niacinamide
Smoothing
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
PPG-20 Methyl Glucose Ether
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate
Emollient
Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Carica Papaya Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningEel Extract
HumectantPropanediol
Solvent
Cetearyl Olivate
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientInulin Lauryl Carbamate
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
BufferingLavandula Angustifolia Flower Extract
Cleansing
Michelia Alba Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningSalvia Officinalis Extract
Antimicrobial
Centaurea Cyanus Flower Extract
AstringentAlpha-Arbutin
Antioxidant
Clay Extract
Skin ConditioningBoletus Edulis Whole Plant Extract
Perfuming
Vitex Trifolia Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin Conditioning
Lactobacillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Elaeis Guineensis Kernel Oil
Emollient
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Calcium Pantothenate
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Sodium Starch Octenylsuccinate
AbsorbentGarcinia Indica Fruit Extract
HumectantGlutathione
Camellia Sinensis Flower Extract
Perfuming
Alteromonas Ferment Extract
Skin Conditioning
Phenethyl Alcohol
MaskingHydrolyzed Sponge
Skin ConditioningArtemisia Annua Extract
MaskingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningCitrus Tangerina Peel Extract
AstringentSodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Pyridoxine Hcl
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSucrose Palmitate
EmollientAscorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Menadione
MaskingPolyglyceryl-4 Oleate
Emulsifying
Linoleic Acid
Cleansing
Retinyl Palmitate
Skin Conditioning
Arachis Hypogaea Oil
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Phosphate
BufferingLinolenic Acid
Cleansing
Lecithin
Emollient
Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Silica
Abrasive
Tranexamic Acid
Astringent
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Sh-Oligopeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Sh-Oligopeptide-2
Skin Conditioning
Sh-Polypeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Sh-Polypeptide-10
Skin Conditioning
Sh-Polypeptide-60
Skin Conditioning
Citrus Limon Peel Oil
Masking
Limonene
Perfuming
Citral
Perfuming
Hexyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Benzyl Salicylate
Perfuming
Water, Panthenol, Butylene Glycol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Niacinamide, 1,2-Hexanediol, PPG-20 Methyl Glucose Ether, Glycerin, Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract, Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Carica Papaya Fruit Extract, Eel Extract, Propanediol, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Carbomer, Caprylyl Glycol, Inulin Lauryl Carbamate, Tromethamine, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower Extract, Michelia Alba Flower Extract, Salvia Officinalis Extract, Centaurea Cyanus Flower Extract, Alpha-Arbutin, Clay Extract, Boletus Edulis Whole Plant Extract, Vitex Trifolia Fruit Extract, Adenosine, Lactobacillus Ferment, Xanthan Gum, Disodium EDTA, Elaeis Guineensis Kernel Oil, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Calcium Pantothenate, Maltodextrin, Sodium Starch Octenylsuccinate, Garcinia Indica Fruit Extract, Glutathione, Camellia Sinensis Flower Extract, Alteromonas Ferment Extract, Phenethyl Alcohol, Hydrolyzed Sponge, Artemisia Annua Extract, Pentylene Glycol, Citrus Tangerina Peel Extract, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hyaluronic Acid, Tocopheryl Acetate, Pyridoxine Hcl, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sucrose Palmitate, Ascorbic Acid, Tocopherol, Menadione, Polyglyceryl-4 Oleate, Linoleic Acid, Retinyl Palmitate, Arachis Hypogaea Oil, Sodium Phosphate, Linolenic Acid, Lecithin, Retinol, Silica, Tranexamic Acid, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Sh-Oligopeptide-1, Sh-Oligopeptide-2, Sh-Polypeptide-1, Sh-Polypeptide-10, Sh-Polypeptide-60, Citrus Limon Peel Oil, Limonene, Citral, Hexyl Cinnamal, Linalool, Benzyl Salicylate
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. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterNiacinamide is a multitasking form of vitamin B3 that strengthens the skin barrier, reduces pores and dark spots, regulates oil, and improves signs of aging.
And the best part? It's gentle and well-tolerated by most skin types, including sensitive and reactive skin.
You might have heard of "niacin flush", or the reddening of skin that causes itchiness. Niacinamide has not been found to cause this.
In very rare cases, some individuals may not be able to tolerate niacinamide at all or experience an allergic reaction to it.
If you are experiencing flaking, irritation, and dryness with this ingredient, be sure to double check all your products as this ingredient can be found in all categories of skincare.
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.
When you apply niacinamide to your skin, your body converts it into nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD). NAD is an essential coenzyme that is already found in your cells as "fuel" and powers countless biological processes.
In your skin, NAD helps repair cell damage, produce new healthy cells, support collagen production, strengthen the skin barrier, and fight environmental stressors (like UV and pollution).
Our natural NAD levels start to decline with age, leading to slower skin repair, visible aging, and a weaker skin barrier. By providing your skin niacinamide, you're recharging your skin's NAD levels. This leads to stronger, healthier, and younger looking skin.
Another name for vitamin B3 is nicotinamide. This vitamin is water-soluble and our bodies don't store it. We obtain Vitamin B3 from either food or skincare. Meat, fish, wheat, yeast, and leafy greens contain vitamin B3.
The type of niacinamide used in skincare is synthetically created.
Learn more about NiacinamideGlycerin 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 GlycerinTranexamic 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.
Its brightening property makes it great at reducing the appearance of acne scars and marks.
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 AcidThis ingredient is an emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.
It helps thicken a product's formula and makes it easier to spread by dissolving clumping compounds.
Caprylic Triglyceride is made by combining glycerin with coconut oil, forming a clear liquid.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideButylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolTocopherol (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 TocopherolLecithin is a term for a group of substances found in the cell membranes of plants, animals, and humans. They are made up of mixture of phospholipids.
This ingredient has emollient and emulsifying properties.
As an emollient, lecithen helps soften the skin and creates a barrier to keep moisture in.
As an emulsifier, it also helps prevent water and oil ingredients from separating. Lecithin can also help ingredients be better absorbed by the skin.
This is because the phospholipids in lecithin produce liposomes. Liposomes help other ingredients get through the skin barrier.
Depending on the source of this ingredient, lecithin may not be fungal acne safe. This is because some sources of lecithin come from soybean oil, which may feed the malassezia yeast that feeds fungal acne.
We recommend reaching out to the brand you are purchasing from to inquire about the source of their lecithin.
Learn more about LecithinXanthan 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 GumCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant and emollient, meaning it attracts and preserves moisture.
It is a common ingredient in many products, especially those designed to hydrate skin. The primary benefits are retaining moisture, skin softening, and promoting a healthy skin barrier.
Though Caprylyl Glycol is an alcohol derived from fatty acids, it is not the kind that can dry out skin.
This ingredient is also used as a preservative to extend the life of products. It has slight antimicrobial properties.
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolHydrogenated Lecithin is created from the hydrogenation of lecithin (a group of phospholipids). Hydrogenation is a chemical reaction between hydrogen and another element.
This ingredient is an emollient and emulsifier. As an emollient, it helps soften skin by trapping moisture within. As an emulsifier, it prevents oil and water ingredients from separating.
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.
Ingredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Paula's Choice Discoloration Repair Serum 29 ingredients
MEDI-PEEL Melanon X Ampoule 82 ingredients
