The INKEY List Alpha Arbutin Serum Versus Naturium Alpha Arbutin Essence 1%
Updated on September 01, 2023
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe . They have a total of 11 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain hyaluronic acid and Vitamin E
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, scar healing and dark spots
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
The INKEY List Alpha Arbutin Serum 23 ingredients
Naturium Alpha Arbutin Essence 1% 35 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
The INKEY List Alpha Arbutin Serum 23 ingredients
Naturium Alpha Arbutin Essence 1% 35 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Propanediol
SolventGlycerin
Humectant
Alpha-Arbutin
Antioxidant
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientSqualane
Emollient
Phospholipids
Skin ConditioningGlycine Soja Oil
Emollient
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPolysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Sodium Phytate
Glycolipids
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
Antimicrobial
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingGlycine Soja Sterols
Emollient
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Water, Butylene Glycol, Propanediol, Glycerin, Alpha-Arbutin, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Phenoxyethanol, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Caprylyl Glycol, Squalane, Phospholipids, Glycine Soja Oil, Carbomer, Polysorbate 60, Sodium Phytate, Glycolipids, Sorbitan Isostearate, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Sodium Hydroxide, Glycine Soja Sterols, Hyaluronic Acid, Tocopherol
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventAlpha-Arbutin
Antioxidant
Glycerin
Humectant
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Sphingolipids
EmollientPhospholipids
Skin ConditioningBiosaccharide Gum-1
Skin ConditioningBeta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Dipropylene Glycol
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAcacia Senegal Gum
MaskingAlgin
Masking
Benzoic Acid
Masking
Sorbic Acid
Preservative
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingLecithin
EmollientPolyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate
Emulsifying
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Sodium Dehydroacetate
Preservative
Honey
Humectant
Cinnamic Acid
Perfuming
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientLevulinic Acid
Perfuming
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Sodium Levulinate
Skin ConditioningSodium Phytate
Citric Acid
Buffering
Water, Propanediol, Alpha-Arbutin, Glycerin, Hyaluronic Acid, Sphingolipids, Phospholipids, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Beta-Glucan, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Flower Extract, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Hydroxyacetophenone, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Dipropylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Xanthan Gum, Acacia Senegal Gum, Algin, Benzoic Acid, Sorbic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Lecithin, Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate, Glyceryl Stearate, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Honey, Cinnamic Acid, Glyceryl Caprylate, Levulinic Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Tocopherol, Sodium Levulinate, Sodium Phytate, Citric Acid
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 WaterPropanediol 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 PropanediolGlycerin 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 GlycerinAlpha-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-ArbutinPhenoxyethanol 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.
Caprylyl Glycol is a humectant and emollient, meaning it attracts and preserves moisture.
It is a common ingredient in many products, especially those designed to hydrate skin. The primary benefits are retaining moisture, skin softening, and promoting a healthy skin barrier.
Though Caprylyl Glycol is an alcohol derived from fatty acids, it is not the kind that can dry out skin.
This ingredient is also used as a preservative to extend the life of products. It has slight antimicrobial properties.
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolPhospholipids are naturally found in our skin as they are the main component of cell membranes. Phospholipids have humectant, emollient, antioxidant properties.
Phospholipids are complex lipids that contain glycerin, two fatty acids, and a phosphate group. Some foods that contain phospholipids include soybeans and milk. The phospholipids found in soy come from Lecithin. This ingredient can also be synthetically created.
Due to their hygroscopic nature, they act as both humectants and emollients. Humectants draw moisture from the air to your skin, while emollients help trap moisture in.
The phospholipids in our skin can be naturally depleted. Replenishing the phospholipids in our skin can help hydrate your skin.
Studies show phospholipids display antioxidant activity and may help with reducing the signs of aging.
This ingredient is non-occlusive.
Some types of phospholipids:
Learn more about PhospholipidsSodium Phytate is the synthetic salt form of phytic acid. Phytic acid is an antioxidant and can be found in plant seeds.
Sodium Phytate is a chelating agent. Chelating agents help prevent metals from binding to water. This helps stabilize the ingredients and the product.
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.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideHyaluronic acid is naturally found in healthy skin. It is a humectant, meaning it draws moisture to your skin.
This ingredient helps hydrate, soothe, and protect the skin.
What makes hyaluronic acid so hydrating? It has the capacity to bind or hold large amounts of water.
Fun fact: It is already naturally found in our bodies, such as the fluids of our eyes and our joints.
Studies find this ingredient to have anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties. This can help speed up wound-healing.
Hyaluronic acid can be irritating if the molecule has a low-molecular weight, or if the molecules are small.
One study found low-molecular weight hyaluronic acid to be pro-inflammatory, meaning some people may experience irritation. This is because our bodies use hyaluronic acid in the wound-healing process to signal to our bodies, via irritation, that something needs healing.
The same study found high-molecular weight hyaluronic acid to be anti-inflammatory.
These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:
Learn more about Hyaluronic 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
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When to use
The INKEY List Alpha Arbutin Serum 23 ingredients
Naturium Alpha Arbutin Essence 1% 35 ingredients
