Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of SkinCeuticals Discoloration Defense Dark Spot Serum versus PCA Skin Pigment Gel .
Last updated on February 16, 2024. Published on November 16, 2022
Overview
What they are
These products are both fungal acne (malassezia) safe and reef safe serums. They have a total of 3 ingredients in common
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, brightening skin, reducing pores, scar healing and dark spots
Free From
They both do not contain any 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 need an update? Let us know.
Ingredient Info
SkinCeuticals Discoloration Defense Dark Spot Serum 14 ingredients
PCA Skin Pigment Gel 13 ingredients
Alcohol Free
This product is free of harsh alcohols 🎉
Silicon Free
This product is free of silicons 🎉
Fragrance Free
This product is free of fragrances 🎉
Sulfate Free
This product is free of sulfates 🎉
Paraben Free
This product is free of parabens 🎉
Oil Free
This product is free of oils 🎉
Malassezia Safe
This product is free of malassezia feeding ingredients 🎉
Reef Safe
This product is free of ingredients that damage reefs 🎉
EU Allergen Free
This product is free of EU allergens 🎉
Non Vegan
This product is not vegan 😥
Not Cruelty Free
This product is not cruelty-free 😥
Contains Alcohol
Ingredients in this product that are types of alcohol:
Silicon Free
This product is free of silicons 🎉
Fragrance Free
This product is free of fragrances 🎉
Sulfate Free
This product is free of sulfates 🎉
Paraben Free
This product is free of parabens 🎉
Oil Free
This product is free of oils 🎉
Malassezia Safe
This product is free of malassezia feeding ingredients 🎉
Reef Safe
This product is free of ingredients that damage reefs 🎉
EU Allergen Free
This product is free of EU allergens 🎉
Non Vegan
This product is not vegan 😥
Cruelty Free
This product is cruelty-free 🎉
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
SkinCeuticals Discoloration Defense Dark Spot Serum 14 ingredients
PCA Skin Pigment Gel 13 ingredients
Notable Ingredients
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
Benefits
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 3 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
Concerns
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
Notable Ingredients
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
Benefits
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 3 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 3 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
Concerns
This product contains 3 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 3 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 3 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 3 ingredients that may have this attribute:
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Join SkinSortIngredients Compared
Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.
SkinCeuticals Discoloration Defense Dark Spot Serum 14 ingredients
PCA Skin Pigment Gel 13 ingredients
Ingredients Side-by-side
Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.
Learn more about what what Com. / Irr. ratings are
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. Talk about multi-purpose! If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterSkinCeuticals Discoloration Defense Dark Spot Serum contains this as ingredient number 1.
PCA Skin Pigment Gel contains this as ingredient number 1.
Butylene 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.
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient. It is unlikely to irritate skin, and works well with pretty much all other ingredients.
SkinCeuticals Discoloration Defense Dark Spot Serum contains this as ingredient number 2.
PCA Skin Pigment Gel contains this as ingredient number 5.
Kojic acid comes from fungi and can also be from fermented foods.
Kojic Acid helps even out skin tone and reduce hyperpigmentation. It works by blocking tyrosine, an enzyme that starts the process of skin darkening.
Kojic Acid is antifungal and often used to treat fungal infections. Additionally, Kojic Acid can help fight bacteria with its antimicrobrial properties. A side effect may be treating acne caused by bacteria.
Kojic Acid has similar benefits to arbutin.
Learn more about Kojic AcidSkinCeuticals Discoloration Defense Dark Spot Serum contains this as ingredient number 9.
PCA Skin Pigment Gel contains this as ingredient number 6.
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.
SkinCeuticals Discoloration Defense Dark Spot Serum 14 ingredients
PCA Skin Pigment Gel 13 ingredients
Usage
Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.
When to use
SkinCeuticals Discoloration Defense Dark Spot Serum 14 ingredients
PCA Skin Pigment Gel 13 ingredients
Alternatives
Our Dupe Finder has found 50 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to SkinCeuticals Discoloration Defense Dark Spot Serum.
See 50 alternativesOur Dupe Finder has found 12 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to PCA Skin Pigment Gel.
See 12 alternatives
