Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of The Ordinary Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA versus Good Molecules Discoloration Correcting Serum .

Last updated on July 18, 2023. Published on June 10, 2021

Overview

What they are

These products are both vegan, cruelty-free, and reef safe serums. They have a total of 2 ingredients in common

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for brightening skin, reducing pores and dark spots

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 need an update? Let us know.

Serum Canadian Brand Canada
Serum American Brand United States

Serum

Serums are highly concentrated with ingredients to provide skin with benefits. They should be used after cleansing and before moisturizing.

Serum

Serums are highly concentrated with ingredients to provide skin with benefits. They should be used after cleansing and before moisturizing.

Price

Shop

Buy Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA

Starts at $11.50
Shop

Buy Discoloration Correcting Serum

Starts at $12.00

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and view relevant ingredients.
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Notable Ingredients

AHA

Benefits

Skin Texture
Reduces Large Pores
Anti-Aging
Dark Spots (2)
Scar Healing (2)
Brightening

Concerns

Irritating
Rosacea
Eczema

Notable Ingredients

Niacinamide

Benefits

Hydrating
Good For Oily Skin
Redness Reducing
Reduces Large Pores
Dark Spots
Acne Fighting
Brightening (2)

Concerns

May Worsen Oily Skin
Acne Trigger
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Ingredients Side-by-side

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

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Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

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

1
What it does: Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Loved

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. Talk about multi-purpose! If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!

Learn more about Water

The Ordinary Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA contains this as ingredient number 1.

Good Molecules Discoloration Correcting Serum contains this as ingredient number 1.

2
What it does: Solvent
Community Rating: Liked

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.

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

The Ordinary Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA contains this as ingredient number 5.

Good Molecules Discoloration Correcting Serum contains this as ingredient number 2.

Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.

42% are loved or liked
17% have mixed ratings
42% are disliked or very disliked
0% have no rating yet
60% are loved or liked
10% have mixed ratings
10% are disliked or very disliked
20% have no rating yet

Usage

Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.

When to use

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Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

The Ordinary Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA 12 ingredients

3.6 /5
from 8 reviews
AshN.'s Avatar'
Feb 13, 2024

(Tried Nov 2022) This turned out to be one of those products that I had a bit of a hard time determining whether or not it worked even after a few purchases. If anything, I appreciated how budget friendly it was and the hydrating feel of...

(Tried Nov 2022) This turned out to be one of those products that I had a bit of a hard time determining whether or not it worked even after a few purchases. If anything, I appreciated how budget friendly it was and the hydrating feel of the serum, but I can't say it did much for my stubborn dark spots.

Great Value
Hydrating
Light
Absorbs Well
Doesn't Work
Qinasofree's Avatar'
Jul 11, 2022

LOVE THIS
I love TO products, and this Alpha Arbutin is def my skin favourites! It helps in reducing my hyperpigmentation and the added HA keeps my skin hydrated.

LOVE THIS
I love TO products, and this Alpha Arbutin is def my skin favourites! It helps in reducing my hyperpigmentation and the added HA keeps my skin hydrated.

Good Molecules Discoloration Correcting Serum 10 ingredients

2.8 /5
from 17 reviews
bsabrina's Avatar'
Apr 22, 2023

irritating
didn't notice much a difference with my dark spots/PIH. had to stop using it because it broke me out :(

irritating
didn't notice much a difference with my dark spots/PIH. had to stop using it because it broke me out :(

AshN.'s Avatar'
Jan 27, 2024

(Tried Jun 2022) Can't say I was particularly fond of this product mainly because of the fact that I didn't really see a difference in any of my dark spots/hyperpigmentation improving. Not sure if this is more so formulated to be...

(Tried Jun 2022) Can't say I was particularly fond of this product mainly because of the fact that I didn't really see a difference in any of my dark spots/hyperpigmentation improving. Not sure if this is more so formulated to be stronger for those with fairer skin.

Great Value
Doesn't Work
skincareb.i.c.t.h's Avatar'
Jan 5, 2024

didn't break me out but didn't help with the discoloration either. pretty disappointed.

didn't break me out but didn't help with the discoloration either. pretty disappointed.

Doesn't Work

Alternatives

Our Dupe Finder has found 39 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to The Ordinary Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA.

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Our Dupe Finder has found 50 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Good Molecules Discoloration Correcting Serum.

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