The Derma Co 2% Kojic Acid Face Serum Versus Dot & Key Skincare 10% Niacinamide And Cica Ultimate Spotless Glow Serum
Updated on November 02, 2023
Overview
What they are
These products are both fungal acne (malassezia) safe and reef safe serums. They have a total of 6 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain hyaluronic acid and niacinamide
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, oily skin, reducing pores, scar healing and dark spots
Free From
They both do not contain any oils, parabens, silicones or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain fragrances
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
The Derma Co 2% Kojic Acid Face Serum 20 ingredients
Dot & Key Skincare 10% Niacinamide And Cica Ultimate Spotless Glow Serum 30 ingredients
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
The Derma Co 2% Kojic Acid Face Serum 20 ingredients
Dot & Key Skincare 10% Niacinamide And Cica Ultimate Spotless Glow Serum 30 ingredients
Notable Ingredients
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Concerns
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Ingredients Side-by-side
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.
2 Benefits
Kojic acid comes from fungi and can also be from fermented foods. It helps even out skin tone and reduce hyperpigmentation.
6 Benefits
Niacinamide has emerged as an all-star ingredient due to its many benefits.
Propylene Glycol is an odorless, colorless liquid. As a humectant, it helps skin retain moisture. It also aids in delivering active ingredients.
2 Benefits
Alpha-Arbutin is made from hydroquinone and glucose. It may also be derived from the fermentation of soybeans.
Curcuma Longa Root Extract is from the spice, turmeric. Besides being a healthy and delicious spice, turmeric also has plenty of skincare benefits. It has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-microbial properties.
Phenoxyethanol 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.
Chrysanthemum Indicum Flower Extract comes from the flowering chrysanthemum plant. These plants are native to Asia.
Rosemary extract has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, and astringent properties.
Sodium Hyaluronate is hyaluronic acid's salt form. It is commonly derived from the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid.
Ethylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
Sodium PCA is the sodium salt of pyroglutamic acid and is naturally occurring on human skin.
Preservative
Sodium Metabisulfite is an antioxidant and is a preservative.
Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
Hamamelis Virginiana Extract comes from the witch hazel plant.
Panthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It can be found naturally in our skin and hair.
Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract comes from the Japanese Knotweed plant native to Japan, Korea, and China.
Proline is an amino-acid. It helps moisturize the skin and plays an important role in creating proteins.
Water, Kojic Acid, Niacinamide, Propylene Glycol, Alpha-Arbutin, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Chrysanthemum Indicum Flower Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium PCA, Sodium Metabisulfite, Glycerin, Hamamelis Virginiana Extract, Magnolia Kobus Flower Extract, Panthenol, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract, Hydroxyproline, Proline
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.
6 Benefits
Niacinamide has emerged as an all-star ingredient due to its many benefits.
Propanediol helps absorb ingredients into your skin, boosting their benefits. It can act as an emollient, making your skin softer. Propanediol can help products last longer by boosting the properties of preservatives within the formulation.
Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
2 Benefits
Alpha-Arbutin is made from hydroquinone and glucose. It may also be derived from the fermentation of soybeans.
Sodium Hyaluronate is hyaluronic acid's salt form. It is commonly derived from the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid.
Centella Asiatica Extract (Centella) is derived from an herb native to Southeast Asia. It is famous for its anti-inflammatory and soothing properties.
Laminaria Digitata Extract comes from the dark brown seaweed, Laminaria Digitata. It is a potent antioxidant, which also provides soothing and hydrating benefits.
4 Benefits
Ceramide 2 is a type of Ceramide. This ingredient was retired in 2014, please see Ceramide NG instead.
Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide is a prebiotic. It prevents harmful bacteria from growing on skin by keeping the skin's microbiome in balance.
Avena Sativa Bran Extract comes from oatmeal. The bran is the shell covering the oat.
Allantoin plays a role in soothing and moisturizing the skin. Because of this, it is often added to products with strong active ingredients.
Hydroxyethylcellulose 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.
Chondrus Crispus Extract comes from a red algae native to the northern Atlantic coasts of Europe and North America.
This is the synthetic salt of gluconic acid, a form of PHA and mild exfoliant.
Disodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.
Sodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
Fragrance Preservative 6 Concerns
Benzyl Alcohol is most commonly used as a preservative. It also has a subtle, sweet smell. Small amounts of Benzyl Alcohol is not irritating and safe to use in skincare products. Most Benzyl Alcohol is derived from fruits such as apricots.
Ethylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
Antioxidant 4 Benefits May cause irritation
Tocopherol (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.
Water, Niacinamide, Propanediol, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Ethoxydiglycol, Alpha-Arbutin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Cyclodextrin, Centella Asiatica Extract, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Laminaria Digitata Extract, Cetyl-Pg Hydroxyethyl Palmitamide, Ceramide 1, Ceramide 2, Ceramide 3, Ceramide 4, Ceramide 6 Ii, Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide, Avena Sativa Bran Extract, Allantoin, Sodium Polyacrylate, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Sodium Gluconate, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Hydroxide, Benzyl Alcohol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tocopherol
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 WaterNiacinamide has emerged as an all-star ingredient due to its many benefits.
It is known to treat acne by reducing inflammation. It also helps fade dark-spots and strengthen the skin by promoting the growth of the ceramide barrier.
Other benefits include smoothing wrinkles and minimizing redness.
The cherry on top? Niacinamide can also help build keratin, a protein that keeps skin firm.
When incorporating niacinamide into your routine, look out for concentration amounts. Typically, 5% niacinamide provides benefits such as fading dark spots. However, if you have sensitive skin, it is better to begin with a smaller concentration.
Niacinamide can be mixed with other ingredients to boost benefits. For instance, it has shown to be effective when used with copper, folic acid, and zinc to treat acne.
Learn more about NiacinamideAlpha-Arbutin is made from hydroquinone and glucose. It may also be derived from the fermentation of soybeans.
This ingredient an antioxidant, meaning it helps protect your skin cells against damage.
Studies show this ingredient helps improve hyperpigmentation and fade discoloration.
Alpha-Arbutin may be used with other ingredients that help with hyperpigmentation. These ingredients include retinol, Vitamin C, niacinamide, and tranexamic acid.
Learn more about Alpha-ArbutinSodium Hyaluronate is hyaluronic acid's salt form. It is commonly derived from the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid.
Like hyaluronic acid, it is great at holding water and acts as a humectant. This makes it a great skin hydrating ingredient.
Sodium Hyaluronate is naturally occurring in our bodies and is mostly found in eye fluid and joints.
These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateEthylhexylglycerin (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 GlycerinIngredient Ratings
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