SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Tone Brightening Capsule Ampoule Versus Farmacy Brighten Up 3% TXA Dark Spot Toner with Azelaic Acid + PHA
Updated on July 18, 2023
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe . They have a total of 7 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain Vitamin C
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, common allergens, fragrances, oils, parabens, silicones or sulfates
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
SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Tone Brightening Capsule Ampoule 26 ingredients
Farmacy Brighten Up 3% TXA Dark Spot Toner with Azelaic Acid + PHA 24 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
SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Tone Brightening Capsule Ampoule 26 ingredients
Farmacy Brighten Up 3% TXA Dark Spot Toner with Azelaic Acid + PHA 24 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Centella Asiatica Extract 77%
Cleansing
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Tranexamic Acid
Astringent
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningWater
Skin ConditioningBetaine
Humectant
Madecassoside
Antioxidant
Hydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingXylitylglucoside
HumectantAnhydroxylitol
HumectantXylitol
HumectantPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Zea Mays Starch
AbsorbentArginine
Masking
Mannitol
Humectant3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Microcrystalline Cellulose
AbsorbentLactobacillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningGlucose
HumectantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCentella Asiatica Extract 77%, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Tranexamic Acid, 1,2-Hexanediol, Water, Betaine, Madecassoside, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Xylitylglucoside, Anhydroxylitol, Xylitol, Panthenol, Zea Mays Starch, Arginine, Mannitol, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Lactobacillus Ferment, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Pentylene Glycol, Glucose, Ethylhexylglycerin, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Xanthan Gum
Water
Skin ConditioningGluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningIsopentyldiol
HumectantTranexamic Acid
Astringent
Betaine
Humectant
Propanediol
SolventAzelaic Acid
Buffering
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Citrus Aurantium Amara Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Aurantium Sinensis Peel Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Reticulata Fruit Extract
Skin ProtectingGlycerin
Humectant
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Polyglycerin-6
HumectantInulin
Skin ConditioningFructose
HumectantGlucose
HumectantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingLactic Acid
Buffering
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Phytate
Cellulose
AbsorbentWater, Gluconolactone, Pentylene Glycol, Isopentyldiol, Tranexamic Acid, Betaine, Propanediol, Azelaic Acid, Ascorbic Acid, Citrus Aurantium Amara Fruit Extract, Citrus Aurantium Sinensis Peel Extract, Citrus Reticulata Fruit Extract, Glycerin, Allantoin, Polyglycerin-6, Inulin, Fructose, Glucose, Xanthan Gum, Cellulose Gum, Lactic Acid, Citric Acid, Sodium Phytate, Cellulose
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 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 AcidWater. 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 WaterBetaine 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.
This ingredient is best for improving hydration and soothing irritated skin. Studies also show it helps even out skin tone.
Fun fact: Betaine is naturally created in the skin and body. The kind found within cosmetic products can be either plant-derived or synthetic.
Learn more about BetainePentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.
The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.
This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can also help thicken or stabilize a product.
Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.
Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.
Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolGlucose is a simple sugar and is the most important source of energy in all organisms.
In skincare, glucose is used to hydrate the skin. It also acts as a prebiotic for our natural biome.
Glucose is hydrating due to its humectant property. As a humectant, glucose draws moisture from the air and from deeper levels in the skin.
Our skin contains many sugars that act as prebiotics and help strengthen our natural microbiome. Having a healthy microbiome helps protect our skin from harmful bacteria and other contaminants.
Studies show glucose may help with fading discoloration and pigmentation. This is because our skin metabolizes glucose into lactic acid. Lactic acid is an AHA that helps exfoliate the top layer of skin.
Learn more about GlucoseXanthan 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 GumIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Tone Brightening Capsule Ampoule 26 ingredients
Farmacy Brighten Up 3% TXA Dark Spot Toner with Azelaic Acid + PHA 24 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Tone Brightening Capsule Ampoule 26 ingredients
after only a week of using this, lots of small bumps on my forehead appeared; closed comedones or malassezia. so i stopped using it and began washing my face with nizoral anti-dandruff treatment, using a 2% bha exfoliant and a gentle protease daily exfoliant. within 5 days i managed to get rid of 95% of the bumps on my forehead. it has now been 2 weeks and i still have those few bumps, which don’t Show more
Ok so I’ve been using this for six weeks now. It has not caused me to break out even though I have reactive and sensitive skin. Post blemish marks are fading slowly. The formula is nice - absorbs well and feels hydrating. I think it’s good value for money and I’m going to continue using it
Farmacy Brighten Up 3% TXA Dark Spot Toner with Azelaic Acid + PHA 24 ingredients
This might just be a holy grail item for me. I have moderate hyperpigmentation with a small patch of melasma, and this has been the best at treating it. I love that it's fungal acne safe and has Vitamin C, Tranexamic acid, and Azelaic acid. The PHA is a bonus, and it has been quite gentle on my sensitive skin. Definitely will be repurchasing.
Holy grail. Enough said. This is worth the value. I know it's a toner, but it works like a serum, so it lasts forever making it the cheapest product I've ever bought. Not sure if it helps with dark spots, but it does make a massive difference in skin brightness and texture. It also makes my other products work way better (possibly because it hydrates my skin in a different way than other Show more
