Versus

The Agency Dark Spot FormulaRX Versus Naturium Multi-Bright Tranexamic Acid Treatment 5%

Prescription

Emulsion

American Brand United States

Updated on May 31, 2025

Overview

What they are

These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe . They have a total of 5 ingredients in common

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, 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, 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.

New Comparison

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and see relevant ingredients

The Agency Dark Spot FormulaRX 25 ingredients

Naturium Multi-Bright Tranexamic Acid Treatment 5% 45 ingredients

What's inside

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

The Agency Dark Spot FormulaRX 25 ingredients

Naturium Multi-Bright Tranexamic Acid Treatment 5% 45 ingredients

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

found in both products

Dark Spot FormulaRX

Hydroquinone 4%

Kojic Acid 4%

Azelaic Acid 3%

Resveratrol

Water

Cetearyl Alcohol

2 / 1 Fatty Alcohol Icon

Polysorbate 60

Isohexadecane

Isododecane

C13-15 Alkane

Glyceryl Stearate

1 / 0 Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

PEG-75 Stearate

Polyacrylate-13

Polyisobutene

Polysorbate 20

Emulsifying

0 / 0 Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Polyurethane-39

Stearyl Behenate

Emollient

Cetyl Alcohol

Emollient

2 / 2 Fatty Alcohol Icon

Tocopheryl Acetate

Ascorbic Acid

Sodium Bisulfite

Benzoic Acid 0.09%

Sorbic Acid 0.09%

BHT

Propanediol

Multi-Bright Tranexamic Acid Treatment 5%

Water

Skin Conditioning

Butylene Glycol

Humectant

1 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate

Antimicrobial

Tranexamic Acid

Astringent

Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride

Propanediol

Kaolin

Cetearyl Alcohol

2 / 1 Fatty Alcohol Icon

Glycerin

Humectant

0 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Isostearyl Alcohol

Emollient

C13-15 Alkane

Solvent

Myrica Cerifera Fruit Wax

Emollient

Ethylhexyl Olivate

Skin Conditioning

Butylene Glycol Cocoate

Kojic Acid

Alpha-Arbutin

Acetyl Glucosamine

Allantoin

0 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Coco-Caprylate/Caprate

Emollient

Squalane

Emollient

1 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Evodia Rutaecarpa Fruit Extract

Triheptanoin

Citric Acid

Hydroxyacetophenone

Carbomer

Caprylyl Glycol

1,2-Hexanediol

C9-12 Alkane

Dilinoleic Acid/Butanediol Copolymer

Tremella Fuciformis Sporocarp Extract

Antioxidant

Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil

Emollient

0 / 0 Oil Icon

Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract

Xanthan Gum

Betaine

Sorbitol

0 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Ethylcellulose

Lecithin

Emollient

Rubus Idaeus Fruit Extract

Astringent

Sodium Hydroxide

Buffering

Sodium Phytate

Ectoin

Skin Conditioning

Phenoxyethanol

Preservative

Castor Oil/Ipdi Copolymer

Potassium Sorbate

Preservative

Glyceryl Caprylate

Emollient

Water, Butylene Glycol, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Tranexamic Acid, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Propanediol, Kaolin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Isostearyl Alcohol, C13-15 Alkane, Myrica Cerifera Fruit Wax, Ethylhexyl Olivate, Butylene Glycol Cocoate, Kojic Acid, Alpha-Arbutin, Acetyl Glucosamine, Allantoin, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Squalane, Evodia Rutaecarpa Fruit Extract, Triheptanoin, Citric Acid, Hydroxyacetophenone, Carbomer, Caprylyl Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, C9-12 Alkane, Dilinoleic Acid/Butanediol Copolymer, Tremella Fuciformis Sporocarp Extract, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Xanthan Gum, Betaine, Sorbitol, Ethylcellulose, Lecithin, Rubus Idaeus Fruit Extract, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Phytate, Ectoin, Phenoxyethanol, Castor Oil/Ipdi Copolymer, Potassium Sorbate, Glyceryl Caprylate

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

C13-15 Alkane

Solvent

C13-15 Alkane is a group of alkanes with 13 to 15 carbon atoms in the alkyl chain.

It is a solvent and texture enhancer. Solvents are used to keep ingredients together in a product. They can help dissolve ingredients to stable bases or help evenly distribute ingredients throughout the product.

Cetearyl Alcohol

Emollient, Emulsifying, Emulsion Stabilising

Cetearyl alcohol is a mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is mainly used as an emulsifier. Emulsifiers help prevent the separation of oils and products. Due to its composition, it can also be used to thicken a product or help create foam.

Cetearyl alcohol is an emollient. Emollients help soothe and hydrate the skin by trapping moisture.

Studies show Cetearyl alcohol is non-toxic and non-irritating. The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.

This ingredient is usually derived from plant oils such as palm, vegetable, or coconut oils. There is debate on whether this ingredient will cause acne.

Due to the fatty acid base, this ingredient may not be Malassezia folliculitis safe.

Learn more about Cetearyl Alcohol

Kojic Acid

Antioxidant

Kojic acid comes from fungi and can also be from fermented foods. It helps even out skin tone and reduce hyperpigmentation.

This ingredient 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, it can help fight bacteria with its antimicrobrial properties. This can help treat acne as well.

A similar ingredient is arbutin.

Learn more about Kojic Acid

Propanediol

Solvent

Propanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.

It’s often used to:

Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.

Learn more about Propanediol

Water

Skin Conditioning, Solvent

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 Water