Tula Skincare Brightening Treatment Drops Triple Vitamin C Serum Versus Hero Cosmetics Lightning Wand Dark Spot Brightening Serum
Updated on June 28, 2024
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free, fungal acne (malassezia) safe, and reef safe serums. They have a total of 11 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain AHA and Vitamin C
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, oily skin, reducing pores, scar healing, dark spots and better texture
Free From
They both do not contain any common allergens, 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
Tula Skincare Brightening Treatment Drops Triple Vitamin C Serum 38 ingredients
Hero Cosmetics Lightning Wand Dark Spot Brightening Serum 35 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Tula Skincare Brightening Treatment Drops Triple Vitamin C Serum 38 ingredients
Hero Cosmetics Lightning Wand Dark Spot Brightening Serum 35 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin Conditioning3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Lactococcus Ferment Lysate
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningAscorbyl Glucoside
Antioxidant
Sodium Citrate
BufferingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningCichorium Intybus Root Extract
MaskingMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCorallina Officinalis Extract
Skin ConditioningCurcuma Longa Root Extract
Masking
Ocimum Basilicum Flower/Leaf Extract
TonicLactic Acid
Buffering
Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningVaccinium Vitis-Idaea Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Citrus Unshiu Peel Extract
MaskingHippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningLitchi Chinensis Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningMangifera Indica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningGold
Cosmetic ColorantGlutathione
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Acetyl Cysteine
Antioxidant
Sodium Sulfite
Preservative
Sorbitol
Humectant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientAscorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Sodium Phytate
Lecithin
EmollientPullulan
Silica
Abrasive
Sodium Chloride
Masking
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Water, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Lactococcus Ferment Lysate, Propanediol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Sodium Citrate, Pentylene Glycol, Cichorium Intybus Root Extract, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Ocimum Basilicum Flower/Leaf Extract, Lactic Acid, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Vaccinium Vitis-Idaea Fruit Extract, Citrus Unshiu Peel Extract, Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Extract, Litchi Chinensis Seed Extract, Mangifera Indica Leaf Extract, Gold, Glutathione, Hydroxyacetophenone, Acetyl Cysteine, Sodium Sulfite, Sorbitol, Citric Acid, Sclerotium Gum, Xanthan Gum, Caprylyl Glycol, Ascorbic Acid, Sodium Phytate, Lecithin, Pullulan, Silica, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Benzoate
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventTromethamine
BufferingGlycolic Acid
Buffering
3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin Conditioning
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningTranexamic Acid
Astringent
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Sodium Citrate
BufferingGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Acetyl Glucosamine
Skin ConditioningDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Salix Alba Bark Extract
Astringent
Curcuma Longa Root Extract
Masking
Beta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Corallina Officinalis Extract
Skin ConditioningGardenia Jasminoides Fruit Extract
Cosmetic ColorantMelia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningOcimum Sanctum Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingCellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingButylene Glycol
Humectant
Lactobacillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzotriazolyl Butylphenol Sulfonate
UV AbsorberButeth-3
SolventTributyl Citrate
SolventTris(Tetramethylhydroxypiperidinol)Citrate
StabilisingAlcohol
Antimicrobial
Tetrasodium Iminodisuccinate
Water, Propanediol, Tromethamine, Glycolic Acid, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, 1,2-Hexanediol, Tranexamic Acid, Niacinamide, Sodium Citrate, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Acetyl Glucosamine, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Beta-Glucan, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Gardenia Jasminoides Fruit Extract, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Glycerin, Allantoin, Pentylene Glycol, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Cellulose Gum, Butylene Glycol, Lactobacillus Ferment, Sodium Benzotriazolyl Butylphenol Sulfonate, Buteth-3, Tributyl Citrate, Tris(Tetramethylhydroxypiperidinol)Citrate, Alcohol, Tetrasodium Iminodisuccinate
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 WaterYou might know this ingredient as Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, a more stable version of ascorbic acid.
Like other types of vitamin C, this ingredient has many benefits including reducing wrinkles, skin soothing, dark spot fading, and fighting against free radicals.
3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid interferes with the process of skin darkening, helping to reduce hyperpigmentation. It also encourages the skin to produce more collagen.
Once applied, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid is converted to Vitamin C deeper in the skin's layers. This process is slow but makes this ingredient more tolerable for skin.
The optimum pH range for this ingredient is 4 - 5.5
Learn more about 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic AcidPropanediol 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 Propanediol1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservatives
Sodium Citrate is the sodium salts of citric acid. In skincare, it is used to alter pH levels and acts as a preservative.
Its main functions are to maintain the pH of a product and neutralize metal ions.
The acidity of our skin is maintained by our glands and skin biome; normal pH level of skin is slightly acidic (~4.75-5.5).
Being slightly acidic allows our skin to create an "acid mantle". This acid mantle is a thin barrier that protects our skin from bacteria and contaminants.
Learn more about Sodium CitratePentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.
The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.
This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can also help thicken or stabilize a product.
Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.
Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.
Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract is extract from the neem plant.
The leaves of this tree contain flavonoids and polyphenols. These two compounds are antioxidants, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial. Further research is needed as to their effects when applied on skin.
Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract is from the Neem tree. Neem trees originate from India.
Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract contains antioxidants. Antioxidants help fight free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells, such as pollution.
The flowers of this tree are lilac colored.
Learn more about Melia Azadirachta Flower ExtractCorallina Officinalis Extract is from the red seaweed, Corallina Officinalis. This seaweed is found all over the world but is most common in the rocky shores of Great Britain and Ireland.
Corallina Officinalis Extract contains antioxidant and emollient properties.
Extracted polysaccharides, galactose and xylose, in red algae showed antioxidant activity. Antioxidants help with anti-aging by neutralizing free-radical molecules. Free-radical molecules may damage your skin cells and DNA. Galactose is also a PHA.
Corallina Officinalis is structurally similar to coral due to its high calcium content.
Learn more about Corallina Officinalis ExtractCurcuma 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.
Turmeric contains curcumin, an antioxidant. Antioxidants help neutralize unstable free-radical molecules. Free-radical molecules may damage your skin's cells and DNA. Curcumin may help with anti-aging.
Curcumin also has anti-inflammatory properties and can help soothe skin and reduce irritation. On top of that, curcumin has been shown to help prevent hyperpigmentation from sun damage.
The anti-microbial property of turmeric can make it effective in treating acne. This property has also been shown to help regulate the production of sebum.
Learn more about Curcuma Longa Root ExtractOcimum Sanctum Leaf Extract comes from the Holy Basil plant. Holy Basil is native to India.
Holy Basil is rich in antioxidants due to its high romarinic acid, ferulic acid, and rutin content. This gives it skin brightening and soothing properties.
While Holy Basil has many claims to help fight acne, more research is needed.
One thing to note is the presence of tannins; tannins are naturally found in nature. However, this compound may be skin-sensitizing.
Learn more about Ocimum Sanctum Leaf ExtractIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Tula Skincare Brightening Treatment Drops Triple Vitamin C Serum 38 ingredients
Hero Cosmetics Lightning Wand Dark Spot Brightening Serum 35 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Tula Skincare Brightening Treatment Drops Triple Vitamin C Serum 38 ingredients
Hero Cosmetics Lightning Wand Dark Spot Brightening Serum 35 ingredients
Does what it’s supposed to do. It will fade your marks, especially when you’re consistent with it. Leaves tiny whiteheads though, probably the glycolic acid. But it has most of the lightening agents in it, except for kogic acid. Wait till your face is 100% dry to use it. And the roller ball is a little useless, I just use my finger.
Doesn't fit well into routines-- I feel like you have to apply it to clean skin, but that means letting your face dry as you apply it to different spots and then let it dry. Maybe its not bad if you don't have dry skin or just a few places where you're applying it.
Also, I didn't realize it had alcohol in it-- it lead to some bad irritation around my nose.
