Smoochkins Rescue Me! Probio Cica Ectoin Serum Versus Smoochkins Bright Up! Dark Spot Correcting Serum
Updated on March 06, 2025
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe serums. They have a total of 9 ingredients in common
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin and scar healing
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, 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
Smoochkins Rescue Me! Probio Cica Ectoin Serum 20 ingredients
Smoochkins Bright Up! Dark Spot Correcting Serum 27 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
Smoochkins Rescue Me! Probio Cica Ectoin Serum 20 ingredients
Smoochkins Bright Up! Dark Spot Correcting Serum 27 ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Ectoin
Skin Conditioning
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Hydrogenated Phosphatidylcholine
EmulsifyingButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Squalane
Emollient
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Lactococcus Ferment Lysate
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningLevulinic Acid
Perfuming
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTetrasodium EDTA
Water, Glycerin, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Ectoin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hydrogenated Phosphatidylcholine, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Squalane, Ceramide NP, Lactococcus Ferment Lysate, Allantoin, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Levulinic Acid, Glyceryl Caprylate, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Xanthan Gum, Tetrasodium EDTA
Water
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
Smoothing
Tranexamic Acid
Astringent
Glycerin
Humectant
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Hydroxyethylpiperazine Ethane Sulfonic Acid
BufferingNonapeptide-7
Skin Conditioning
Ascorbyl Glucoside
Antioxidant
Madecassoside
Antioxidant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Alpha-Arbutin
Antioxidant
Aminopropyl Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Geranium Robertianum Extract
AstringentPaeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract
Skin ProtectingScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentThymus Serpyllum Extract
Skin ConditioningAlpinia Katsumadai Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningGlutathione
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Citrate
BufferingSodium Metabisulfite
Antioxidant
Tetrasodium EDTA
Water, Niacinamide, Tranexamic Acid, Glycerin, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Hydroxyethylpiperazine Ethane Sulfonic Acid, Nonapeptide-7, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Madecassoside, Panthenol, Alpha-Arbutin, Aminopropyl Ascorbyl Phosphate, Geranium Robertianum Extract, Paeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Thymus Serpyllum Extract, Alpinia Katsumadai Seed Extract, Glutathione, Allantoin, Phenoxyethanol, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Ethylhexylglycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Metabisulfite, Tetrasodium EDTA
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Allantoin plays a role in soothing and moisturizing the skin. Because of this, it is often added to products with strong active ingredients.
Some studies have shown this ingredient can promote wound healing with higher concentrations.
Allantoin is derived from the comfrey plant but produced synthetically for cosmetic products to ensure purity.
Learn more about AllantoinEthylhexylglycerin (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.
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 GlycerinHydroxyethylcellulose is used to improve the texture of products. It is created from a chemical reaction involving ethylene oxide and alkali-cellulose. Cellulose is a sugar found in plant cell walls and help give plants structure.
This ingredient helps stabilize products by preventing ingredients from separating. It can also help thicken the texture of a product.
This ingredient can also be found in pill medicines to help our bodies digest other ingredients.
Learn more about HydroxyethylcellulosePeg-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil is derived from castor oil and polyethylene glycol (PEG). It is used as a emollient and emulsifier.
As an emulsifier, it helps prevent ingredients from separating. It also helps make the other ingredients more soluble; it is often used to solubilize fragrances. This increases spreadability and elongates shelf life in a product.
Emollients help soothe and soften the skin. They do this by creating a protective film on your skin. This barrier helps trap moisture and keeps your skin hydrated. Emollients may be effective at treating dry or itchy skin.
This ingredient may or may not be vegan, depending on the source.
Peg-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil may not be fungal-acne safe. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have any questions or concerns.
Learn more about PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor OilPentylene 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 GlycolPhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Tetrasodium EDTA is the salt formed from neutralizing ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid with sodium hydroxide. It is a chelating agent and used to prevent metal ions from binding to other ingredients. This helps keep the product and ingredients stable.
Tetrasodium EDTA comes as a white solid and is soluble in water.
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 WaterIngredient Ratings
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