Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Topicals Faded Serum versus Urban Skin Retinol Rapid Repair and Dark Spot Treatment .
Last updated on July 18, 2023. Published on October 02, 2021
Overview
What they are
These products are both vegan, cruelty-free, and reef safe . They have a total of 11 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain AHA, niacinamide and Vitamin E
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, oily skin, reducing pores, scar healing and dark spots
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, fragrances, 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 need an update? Let us know.
Serum
Serums are highly concentrated with ingredients to provide skin with benefits. They should be used after cleansing and before moisturizing.
Facial Treatment
Facial treatments are specially designed to treat a skin concern. Acne treatments and anti-aging products are common examples of facial treatments.
Price
Ingredient Info
Topicals Faded Serum 37 ingredients
Urban Skin Retinol Rapid Repair and Dark Spot Treatment 32 ingredients
Alcohol Free
This product is free of harsh alcohols 🎉
Silicon Free
This product is free of silicons 🎉
Fragrance Free
This product is free of fragrances 🎉
Sulfate Free
This product is free of sulfates 🎉
Paraben Free
This product is free of parabens 🎉
Contains Oils
Ingredients in this product that are types of oil:
Not Malassezia Safe
Ingredients in this product that are not malassezia safe:
Reef Safe
This product is free of ingredients that damage reefs 🎉
EU Allergen Free
This product is free of EU allergens 🎉
Vegan
This product is vegan 🎉
Cruelty Free
This product is cruelty-free 🎉
Alcohol Free
This product is free of harsh alcohols 🎉
Silicon Free
This product is free of silicons 🎉
Fragrance Free
This product is free of fragrances 🎉
Sulfate Free
This product is free of sulfates 🎉
Paraben Free
This product is free of parabens 🎉
Contains Oils
Ingredients in this product that are types of oil:
Not Malassezia Safe
Ingredients in this product that are not malassezia safe:
Reef Safe
This product is free of ingredients that damage reefs 🎉
EU Allergen Free
This product is free of EU allergens 🎉
Vegan
This product is vegan 🎉
Cruelty Free
This product is cruelty-free 🎉
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Topicals Faded Serum 37 ingredients
Urban Skin Retinol Rapid Repair and Dark Spot Treatment 32 ingredients
Notable Ingredients
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Benefits
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Concerns
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Notable Ingredients
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Concerns
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Join SkinSortIngredients Compared
Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.
Topicals Faded Serum 37 ingredients
Urban Skin Retinol Rapid Repair and Dark Spot Treatment 32 ingredients
Water • Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride • Glycerin • Niacinamide • Glyceryl Stearate • Tranexamic Acid • Butyrospermum Parkii Butter • Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil • Alpha-Arbutin • Behenyl Alcohol • Kojic Dipalmitate • Glutathione • Butter • Ethylene Brassylate • Dimethylmethoxy Chromanyl Palmitate • Azelaic Acid • Glycyrrhiza Uralensis Root Extract • Melatonin • Phytic Acid • Squalane • Allantoin • Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract • Tocopherol • Arginine • Lecithin • Glycine Soja Sterols • Cetyl Palmitate • Ethylhexylglycerin • Sclerotium Gum • Zinc Ricinoleate • Cetearyl Alcohol • Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate • Tetrahydroxypropyl Ethylenediamine • Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate • Ceteareth-12 • Ceteareth-20 • Phenoxyethanol
Water • Niacinamide • Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil • Polyacrylamide • Kojic Acid • C13-14 Isoparaffin • Phenoxyethanol • Retinyl Palmitate • Laureth-7 • Tocopherol • Retinol • Polysorbate 20 • Sodium Metabisulfite • Ethylhexylglycerin • Citric Acid • Sodium Phytate • Squalane • Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate • Glycerin • Alpha-Arbutin • Ascorbic Acid • Glutathione • Azelaic Acid • Alchemilla Vulgaris Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract • Malva Sylvestris Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract • Mentha Piperita Leaf Extract • Primula Veris Flower Extract • Veronica Officinalis Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract • Melissa Officinalis Leaf Extract • Sodium Sulfite • Sodium Hyaluronate • Achillea Millefolium Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Ingredients Side-by-side
Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.
Learn more about what what Com. / Irr. ratings are
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. Talk about multi-purpose! If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterTopicals Faded Serum contains this as ingredient number 1.
Urban Skin Retinol Rapid Repair and Dark Spot Treatment contains this as ingredient number 1.
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 GlycerinTopicals Faded Serum contains this as ingredient number 3.
Urban Skin Retinol Rapid Repair and Dark Spot Treatment contains this as ingredient number 19.
Niacinamide 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 NiacinamideTopicals Faded Serum contains this as ingredient number 4.
Urban Skin Retinol Rapid Repair and Dark Spot Treatment contains this as ingredient number 2.
This ingredient is the fixed oil extracted from seeds of the desert shrub Jojoba. It is more commonly known as jojoba oil. The seed oil is liquid wax ester from the plant. It is non-comedogenic.
Jojoba oil does not contain fragrance and has many fatty-acids, making it a great soothing ingredient. Jojoba contains Vitamin E, a great moisturizing ingredient. Vitamin E is also an antioxidant. Antioxidants help protect your skin against free-radical damage. This may help in anti-aging.
Jojoba seed oil is a humectant, meaning it helps draw moisture from the air. This helps keep your skin hydrated.
While jojoba has antibacterial properties, it is only able to kill some bacteria. It has also been shown to help in wound healing. Indigenous cultures have used jojoba as a moisturizer and to help treat burns.
It is found to be similar to natural human skin sebum, so it has a great effect on dry skin. Jojoba oil may even help with regulating sebum production.
Although jojoba oil is non-comedogenic, we recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient if you have any concerns.
Jojoba oil may not be fungal acne safe. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have any concerns.
Jojoba is native to the southwestern US.
Learn more about Simmondsia Chinensis Seed OilTopicals Faded Serum contains this as ingredient number 8.
Urban Skin Retinol Rapid Repair and Dark Spot Treatment contains this as ingredient number 3.
Alpha-Arbutin is made from hydroquinone and glucose. It may be derived from the fermentation of soybeans.
It is an antioxidant. Antioxidants help fight free-radicals, or molecules that may damage your skin cells.
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-ArbutinTopicals Faded Serum contains this as ingredient number 9.
Urban Skin Retinol Rapid Repair and Dark Spot Treatment contains this as ingredient number 20.
Glutathione is an antioxidant naturally found in our bodies. It is also naturally occurring in plants, animals, fungi, and some bacteria. As an antioxidant, Glutathione helps prevent oxidative damage to parts of our cell.
While Glutathione is said to help with skin lightening, the results from research are inconclusive. Further studies are needed.
Topicals Faded Serum contains this as ingredient number 12.
Urban Skin Retinol Rapid Repair and Dark Spot Treatment contains this as ingredient number 22.
Azelaic acid is a naturally occurring acid that is derived from grains. However, the lab-created form is typically used within cosmetic products as it has better shelf-stability.
It has been shown to be effective in the treatment of acne, rosacea, and other skin conditions. Azelaic acid helps reduce the growth of bacteria that cause acne and helps to reduce inflammation.
It also helps to improve the appearance of skin by reducing the production of sebum and unclogging pores.
Azelaic Acid also has antioxidant properties. Antioxidants help fight free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells, such as pollution.
One of the main benefits of azelaic acid is that it is gentle and well-tolerated by most people. It is also non-comedogenic, meaning that it will not clog pores.
Learn more about Azelaic AcidTopicals Faded Serum contains this as ingredient number 16.
Urban Skin Retinol Rapid Repair and Dark Spot Treatment contains this as ingredient number 23.
Squalane is an emollient that helps the skin hold onto moisture. It's an oily liquid that occurs naturally in certain types of fish and plant oils.
Because squalane boosts hydration in the skin, it also comes with plenty of benefits: it is an antioxidant and can help fight free radicals and skin damage. Squalane is also found to have a detoxifying effect when applied.
Squalane comes from squalene, which occurs naturally within the sebum of our skin. It is one of the oils our skin produces to keep itself hydrated. Squalane is the hydrogenated version of squalene and has a longer shelf life.
Research shows that squalane is non-irritating (even at 100% concentration).
In general, it's a fantastic ingredient. It does a great job at hydrating the skin, and it's suitable for those with sensitive skin.
The source of squalane may impact malassezia / fungal acne. This is because olive oil derived squalane can contain impurities such as fatty acids and plant waxes. Sugarcane derived squalane is recommended for anyone with malassezia concerns.
Is squalane vegan? This depends on the source. Squalane can be derived from both plants and animals. Most squalane used in skincare comes from plants.
Please note: the source of squalane is only known if disclosed by the brand. We recommend reaching out to the brand if you have any questions about their squalane.
Read more about squalene with an "e".
Learn more about SqualaneTopicals Faded Serum contains this as ingredient number 20.
Urban Skin Retinol Rapid Repair and Dark Spot Treatment contains this as ingredient number 17.
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.
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 TocopherolTopicals Faded Serum contains this as ingredient number 23.
Urban Skin Retinol Rapid Repair and Dark Spot Treatment contains this as ingredient number 10.
Ethylhexylglycerin (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.
Topicals Faded Serum contains this as ingredient number 28.
Urban Skin Retinol Rapid Repair and Dark Spot Treatment contains this as ingredient number 14.
Phenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent germ and 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.
Topicals Faded Serum contains this as ingredient number 37.
Urban Skin Retinol Rapid Repair and Dark Spot Treatment contains this as ingredient number 7.
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.
Topicals Faded Serum 37 ingredients
Urban Skin Retinol Rapid Repair and Dark Spot Treatment 32 ingredients
Usage
Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.
When to use
Topicals Faded Serum 37 ingredients
Urban Skin Retinol Rapid Repair and Dark Spot Treatment 32 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Topicals Faded Serum 37 ingredients
(Tried Nov 2022) One of the few brightening creams that I tried where I actually saw results. I only ever applied this as a spot treatment and not all over. Giving it 4 stars because I did find it slightly irritating and the smell was...
(Tried Nov 2022) One of the few brightening creams that I tried where I actually saw results. I only ever applied this as a spot treatment and not all over. Giving it 4 stars because I did find it slightly irritating and the smell was rather strong, so I ended up switching over to applying it as needed. I think the $18 Mini version was more than enough for me!
give it time to fade dark spots-glowy skin comes faster
Love this product. I was worried about all the actives in it because of my sensitive skin, but I had no reactions or breakouts. It takes some time to fade dark spots & acne scars...
give it time to fade dark spots-glowy skin comes faster
Love this product. I was worried about all the actives in it because of my sensitive skin, but I had no reactions or breakouts. It takes some time to fade dark spots & acne scars but after a few weeks (3-4) they should be noticeably lighter or almost gone. I noticed my skin seemed glowier and more clarified within a week or two. No noticeable difference for improving acne
This sh*t stinks!!! Use it when you're alone lol. This is definitely a holy grail for clearing my post acne marks, but I can only tolerate it 2 nights a week max.
I noticed an ingredient in this product is listed as a bleaching...
This sh*t stinks!!! Use it when you're alone lol. This is definitely a holy grail for clearing my post acne marks, but I can only tolerate it 2 nights a week max.
I noticed an ingredient in this product is listed as a bleaching agent, so darker skin tones please beware!!!!!! You may only want to only use this as a spot treatment on your hyperpigmented spots.
Urban Skin Retinol Rapid Repair and Dark Spot Treatment 32 ingredients
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