Somethinc Dark Spot Reducer Ampoule Versus Kiehl's Clearly Corrective Dark Spot Solution
Updated on January 30, 2025
Overview
What they are
These products are both fungal acne (malassezia) safe and reef safe . They have a total of 4 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain Vitamin E
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for anti aging, dry skin and scar healing
Free From
They both do not contain any 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
Somethinc Dark Spot Reducer Ampoule 21 ingredients
Kiehl's Clearly Corrective Dark Spot Solution 24 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Somethinc Dark Spot Reducer Ampoule 21 ingredients
Kiehl's Clearly Corrective Dark Spot Solution 24 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Dipropylene Glycol
MaskingGlycereth-26
HumectantMethyl Gluceth-10
EmulsifyingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Chondrus Crispus Extract
Skin Conditioning
C12-14 Pareth-12
EmulsifyingSaccharum Officinarum Extract
MoisturisingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
BufferingCitric Acid
Buffering
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningSodium Phytate
Tranexamoyl Dipeptide-23
Bleaching
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Oligopeptide-2
Skin Conditioning
Water, Butylene Glycol, Dipropylene Glycol, Glycereth-26, Methyl Gluceth-10, Pentylene Glycol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Panthenol, Chondrus Crispus Extract, C12-14 Pareth-12, Saccharum Officinarum Extract, Carbomer, Tromethamine, Citric Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylyl Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sodium Phytate, Tranexamoyl Dipeptide-23, Tocopherol, Oligopeptide-2
Water
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Alcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
PEG/PPG/Polybutylene Glycol-8/5/3 Glycerin
HumectantHydroxypropyl Tetrahydropyrantriol
Skin Conditioning3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin Conditioning
PPG-6-Decyltetradeceth-30
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingCitric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Citrate
BufferingTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Lavandula Angustifolia Oil
Masking
Disodium EDTA
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Linalool
Perfuming
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Citrus Aurantium Tachibana Peel Extract
HumectantPaeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract
Skin ProtectingWater, Propylene Glycol, Glycerin, Alcohol Denat., PEG/PPG/Polybutylene Glycol-8/5/3 Glycerin, Hydroxypropyl Tetrahydropyrantriol, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, PPG-6-Decyltetradeceth-30, Phenoxyethanol, Salicylic Acid, Xanthan Gum, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Potassium Hydroxide, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Disodium EDTA, Adenosine, Linalool, Butylene Glycol, Tocopherol, Citrus Aurantium Tachibana Peel Extract, Paeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract
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. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterButylene 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.
Citric Acid is an AHA derived from citrus fruits (think oranges, lemons, and limes!).
As an AHA, Citric Acid removes the top layer of skin cells from the newer layer of skin underneath. This helps skin to remove dark spots and even out skin tone.
If you spot Citric Acid near the end of an ingredient list, it's likely there as a pH adjuster rather than an active ingredient.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidTocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.
Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skin’s lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.
Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.
You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.
There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.
Learn more about TocopherolIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Somethinc Dark Spot Reducer Ampoule 21 ingredients
Kiehl's Clearly Corrective Dark Spot Solution 24 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Somethinc Dark Spot Reducer Ampoule 21 ingredients
Kiehl's Clearly Corrective Dark Spot Solution 24 ingredients
Normally I avoid products with alcohol, but it’s not an issue with this one. It’s well formulated so that it’s balanced out with other more hydrating ingredients. It absorbed nearly immediately and doesn’t dry out the skin. The results aren’t massive. But I just love the apothecary aesthetic and it works about as well as any other dark spot corrector.
Works as said
I have dark skin and lots of PIH. It lightens them. You can see quicker results with new PIH spots. Holygrail in my routine
