SkinBetter Science Even Tone Correcting Serum Versus Caudalie Vinoperfect Instant Brightening AHA Micropeel
This brightening serum is formulated around Alpha-Arbutin and Hexylresorcinol to fade the look of dark spots and brighten dull-looking skin.
This brightening exfoliator is formulated around Mandelic Acid and Papain to brighten dull-looking skin and refine skin texture.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningC13-15 Alkane
SolventPropanediol
Solvent
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Glyceryl Stearate Citrate
Emollient
Linoleic Acid
Cleansing
Glycerin
Humectant
Dimethicone
Emollient
Alpha-Arbutin
Antioxidant
Arginine PCA
HumectantHydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin Conditioning
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Acetyl Glycyl Beta-Alanine
Skin ConditioningHexylresorcinol
Antimicrobial
Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Artemisia Capillaris Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningDiglucosyl Gallic Acid
Pancratium Maritimum Extract
BleachingCeramide Ng
Skin Conditioning
Linolenic Acid
Cleansing
Beta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Algin
Masking
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Phytate
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Benzoic Acid
Masking
Sorbic Acid
Preservative
Citric Acid
Buffering
Water, C13-15 Alkane, Propanediol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Linoleic Acid, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Alpha-Arbutin, Arginine PCA, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Bisabolol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Acetyl Glycyl Beta-Alanine, Hexylresorcinol, Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract, Artemisia Capillaris Flower Extract, Diglucosyl Gallic Acid, Pancratium Maritimum Extract, Ceramide Ng, Linolenic Acid, Beta-Glucan, Algin, Tocopherol, Butylene Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Xanthan Gum, Carbomer, Sodium Phytate, Sodium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, Benzoic Acid, Sorbic Acid, Citric Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Coco-Glucoside
Cleansing
Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside
CleansingMandelic Acid
Antimicrobial
Vitis Vinifera Fruit Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Levulinate
Skin ConditioningP-Anisic Acid
MaskingSodium Phytate
Citrus Paradisi Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPaeonia Lactiflora Root Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingPapain
Skin Conditioning
Citric Acid
Buffering
Vitis Vinifera Juice
Antioxidant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Benzoate
Masking
Algin
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Parfum
Masking
Water, Glycerin, Coco-Glucoside, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Mandelic Acid, Vitis Vinifera Fruit Water, Sodium Levulinate, P-Anisic Acid, Sodium Phytate, Citrus Paradisi Fruit Extract, Paeonia Lactiflora Root Extract, Sodium Hydroxide, Papain, Citric Acid, Vitis Vinifera Juice, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Carbomer, Sodium Benzoate, Algin, Potassium Sorbate, Parfum
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Algin is brown algae. Algae is an informal term for a group of aquatic organisms that can photosynthesize. It is estimated there are at least 30,000 types of Algae.
Algae contains antioxidants. Antioxidants help fight free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells, such as pollution.
Carbomer is a synthetic thickening and gelling agent. It's basically the ingredient that gives a lot of serums, gels, creams, and sunscreens their smooth, non-sticky texture.
Although legally permitted at very high levels, carbomers are normally used at concentrations below 1%.
It also needs to be neutralized to actually thicken, and because it is a large molecule, it doesn't really penetrate the skin barrier.
Allergy-wise, the risk is very low. Clinical studies show carbomers have low potential for skin irritation/sensitization even at concentrations up to 100%.
A 2024 UK study patch-tested 1,302 patients and found true allergy to the parent group of carbomer to be rare with no confirmed relevant reactions.
Learn more about CarbomerCitric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidGlycerin (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 GlycerinSodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideSodium 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.
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. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water
