Melano CC Brightening Gel Versus Melano CC Brightening Lotion - Moist
Updated on March 11, 2025
Overview
What they are
These products are both reef safe . They have a total of 8 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain Vitamin C
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, reducing pores, dark spots and better texture
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain fragrances and parabens
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
Melano CC Brightening Gel 32 ingredients
Melano CC Brightening Lotion - Moist 15 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Melano CC Brightening Gel 32 ingredients
Melano CC Brightening Lotion - Moist 15 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Ascorbyl Glucoside
Antioxidant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Alpinia Katsumadai Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Limon Fruit Extract
Masking
Cornus Officinalis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningC4-18 Alkyl Methacrylate/Methacryloyloxyethyl Phosphorylcholine Copolymer
HumectantButylene Glycol
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Bifida Polysaccharide
HumectantPentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate
EmollientPPG-17 Butyl Ether
Skin ConditioningIron Hydroxide
StabilisingPolyvinylalcohol Crosspolymer
Diethoxyethyl Succinate
SolventPolydiethylsiloxane
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-2 Hydroxypropyl Ethylhexyl Ether
CleansingPolyacrylamide
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Glyceryl Hydroxystearate
Emollient
Paraffinum Liquidum
Emollient
PEG-20 Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Sodium Paraben
Preservative
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Heptanol
Perfuming
PPG-4 Lauryl Ether
EmollientXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingC16-24 Alkyl C16-24 Acidate
Skin ConditioningAcrylates/C5-8 Alkyl Acrylate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingParfum
Masking
Ascorbyl Glucoside, Tocopheryl Acetate, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Ascorbic Acid, Alpinia Katsumadai Seed Extract, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Cornus Officinalis Fruit Extract, C4-18 Alkyl Methacrylate/Methacryloyloxyethyl Phosphorylcholine Copolymer, Butylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Glycerin, Bifida Polysaccharide, Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate, PPG-17 Butyl Ether, Iron Hydroxide, Polyvinylalcohol Crosspolymer, Diethoxyethyl Succinate, Polydiethylsiloxane, Polyglyceryl-2 Hydroxypropyl Ethylhexyl Ether, Polyacrylamide, Phenoxyethanol, Glyceryl Hydroxystearate, Paraffinum Liquidum, PEG-20 Sorbitan Isostearate, Sodium Paraben, Behenyl Alcohol, Heptanol, PPG-4 Lauryl Ether, Xanthan Gum, C16-24 Alkyl C16-24 Acidate, Acrylates/C5-8 Alkyl Acrylate Copolymer, Parfum
3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Grape Fruit Extract
HumectantCitrus Limon Fruit Extract
Masking
Alpinia Katsumadai Seed Extract
Skin Conditioning
3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Hydrolyzed Grape Fruit Extract, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Alpinia Katsumadai Seed Extract, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Dipropylene Glycol, Polyglyceryl-3 Decyltetradecyl Ether, Sodium Paraben, Sodium Citrate, Citric Acid, Xanthan Gum, EDTA, Parfum
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate comes from licorice root.
Extracts of licorice have demonstrated to have antibacterial, anti‐inflammatory, antiviral, antioxidant properties.
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.
Licorice root is native to Southern Europe and Asia. It has been used in traditional Chinese medicine to help with respiratory issues.
Learn more about Dipotassium GlycyrrhizateWe don't have a description for Alpinia Katsumadai Seed Extract yet.
Citrus Limon Fruit Extract comes from lemons. While lemon extract is exfoliating and antimicrobial, it can also cause skin sensitivity.
Lemons contains antioxidants, which may help with anti-aging. They are also rich in citric acid, an AHA.
And of course, lemons are rich in Vitamin C. Vitamin C helps with skin-brightening and increasing collagen production.
The acidity of lemons may work as an astringent for acne.
However, lemons can also cause skin sensitivity due to its limonene content. It can also increase photosensitivity, or sensitivity to the sun.
This ingredient is also used to add a lemon scent to products.
Learn more about Citrus Limon Fruit ExtractButylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
- It is a solvent, meaning that it helps to dissolve other ingredients. This also enhances the absorption of the product into one's skin.
- It is a humectant, which means that it helps attract moisture into the skin.
- It helps improve product application.
- It has mild preservative properties.
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
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 GlycerinSodium Paraben is a preservative and is a paraben.
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 GumParfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
Also called "fragrance", this ingredient can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.
For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of “FRAGRANCE” or “PARFUM” according to EU and US regulations.
The term 'parfum' or 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term.
For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance by INCI standards.
One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.
The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about ParfumIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Melano CC Brightening Gel 32 ingredients
Melano CC Brightening Lotion - Moist 15 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Melano CC Brightening Gel 32 ingredients
Melano CC Brightening Lotion - Moist 15 ingredients
I’ve been using this for years and it’s one of the only products I own that is fungal acne safe and helps with dark spots. I put it on in the morning after washing my face and my skin feels hydrated right after
I love Melano CC, but the essence/spot treatment is better. I like to use toner instead of cleansing in the morning, but this one leaves a filmy feeling on my skin. I'll keep using it as it's synergistic with the essence, but I won't repurchase.
