The Derma Co 2% Alpha Arbutin Face Serum Versus The Derma Co Tran-Zelaic Pigmentation Corrector Serum
This brightening serum is formulated around Arbutin and Tartaric Acid to fade the look of dark spots and brighten dull-looking skin.
This brightening serum is formulated around Azelaic Acid and Niacinamide to fade the look of dark spots and brighten dull-looking skin.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningArbutin
AntioxidantPropanediol
SolventTartaric Acid
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Sodium Sulfite
PreservativeSodium Metabisulfite
AntioxidantGlycerin
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantSaxifraga Sarmentosa Extract
Skin ConditioningCarica Papaya Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPsidium Guajava Fruit Extract
AstringentEthoxydiglycol
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingMaltodextrin
AbsorbentPunica Granatum Seed Cell Culture Lysate
Skin ConditioningPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialWater, Arbutin, Propanediol, Tartaric Acid, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Sulfite, Sodium Metabisulfite, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Saxifraga Sarmentosa Extract, Carica Papaya Fruit Extract, Psidium Guajava Fruit Extract, Ethoxydiglycol, Sodium Hyaluronate, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Maltodextrin, Punica Granatum Seed Cell Culture Lysate, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin
Water
Skin ConditioningAzelaic Acid 10%
BufferingPropanediol
SolventNiacinamide
SmoothingDimethyl Isosorbide
SolventTranexamic Acid 3%
AstringentBetaine
HumectantAlpha-Arbutin
AntioxidantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningPhenethyl Alcohol
MaskingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantSodium PCA
Humectant4-Butylresorcinol
AntioxidantFerulic Acid
AntimicrobialTerminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract
AntioxidantAllantoin
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Water, Azelaic Acid 10%, Propanediol, Niacinamide, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Tranexamic Acid 3%, Betaine, Alpha-Arbutin, Panthenol, Phenethyl Alcohol, Caprylyl Glycol, Glycerin, Sodium PCA, 4-Butylresorcinol, Ferulic Acid, Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract, Allantoin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Hydroxide, Disodium EDTA
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Disodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAGlycerin (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 GlycerinPropanediol 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 PropanediolSodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateWater. 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