Yves Saint Laurent Pure Shots Light Up Brightening Serum Versus Lancôme Clarifique Refining & Brightening Dual Essence
Overview
What they are
These products are both reef safe . They have a total of 8 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain AHA, BHA, Vitamin C 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, dark spots and better texture
Free From
They both do not contain any common allergens, parabens, silicones or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain harsh alcohols and 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
Yves Saint Laurent Pure Shots Light Up Brightening Serum 29 ingredients
Lancôme Clarifique Refining & Brightening Dual Essence 29 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Yves Saint Laurent Pure Shots Light Up Brightening Serum 29 ingredients
Lancôme Clarifique Refining & Brightening Dual Essence 29 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingLimnanthes Alba Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Isononyl Isononanoate
EmollientGlycolic Acid
Buffering
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Alcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Glycerin
Humectant
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingHydroxyethylpiperazine Ethane Sulfonic Acid
BufferingArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
Emollient
Glucose
HumectantCalendula Officinalis Flower Extract
Masking
Cereus Grandiflorus Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningHaematococcus Pluvialis Extract
Antioxidant
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Ascorbyl Glucoside
Antioxidant
Hydrolyzed Linseed Extract
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
Buffering
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Caramel
Cosmetic ColorantLimonene
Perfuming
Parfum
Masking
Water, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Isononyl Isononanoate, Glycolic Acid, Propylene Glycol, Alcohol Denat., Glycerin, Sodium Hydroxide, Hydroxyethylpiperazine Ethane Sulfonic Acid, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Glucose, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Cereus Grandiflorus Flower Extract, Haematococcus Pluvialis Extract, Adenosine, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Hydrolyzed Linseed Extract, Citric Acid, Lactic Acid, Xanthan Gum, Panthenol, Tocopherol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Salicylic Acid, Caramel, Limonene, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningAlcohol
Antimicrobial
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Isononyl Isononanoate
EmollientDipropylene Glycol
MaskingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingAnanas Sativus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningAscorbyl Glucoside
Antioxidant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Faex Extract
Skin ConditioningFagus Sylvatica Bud Extract
TonicArginine
Masking
PEG-32
HumectantTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningBenzoic Acid
Masking
Propanediol
SolventCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPapain
Skin ConditioningSorbic Acid
Preservative
Rosa Damascena Flower Water
MaskingRosa Damascena Flower Oil
Masking
Rosmarinus Officinalis Extract
AntimicrobialRose Extract
Skin ConditioningVitis Vinifera Seed Oil
Emollient
Citric Acid
Buffering
Water, Alcohol, Glycolic Acid, Butylene Glycol, Isononyl Isononanoate, Dipropylene Glycol, Sodium Hydroxide, Ananas Sativus Fruit Extract, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Tocopherol, Faex Extract, Fagus Sylvatica Bud Extract, Arginine, PEG-32, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Salicylic Acid, Pentylene Glycol, Benzoic Acid, Propanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Papain, Sorbic Acid, Rosa Damascena Flower Water, Rosa Damascena Flower Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Extract, Rose Extract, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, 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 WaterIsononyl Isononanoate is a synthetic skin-conditioner and texture enhancer. It is created from nonanoic acid, a fatty acid found in cocoa and lavender oil.
As an emollient, Isononyl Isononanoate helps keep your skin soft and smooth. This is because emollients create a barrier on the skin to trap moisture in.
Isononyl Isononanoate helps give products a velvet feel and improves spreadability.
Learn more about Isononyl IsononanoateGlycolic Acid is arguably the most famous AHA with a ton of research to back up its benefits.
Its main role is to remove the top layer of dead skin cells, allowing newer skin cells to emerge.
Specifically, AHAs work by breaking down the structural "glue" holding the old skin cells in place. Getting rid of the old skin cells allows skin to regenerate newer skin cells in its place. A build up of dead skin cells can lead to tired and dull looking skin.
Due to this, glycolic acid helps with:
Fun fact: Glycolic acid increases skin hydration by playing a role in creating molecules that create hyaluronic acid naturally.
When starting glycolic Acid, it is normal to feel slight stinging.
The pH value and concentration of glycolic acid play a role in the effectiveness of the product. Concentrations between 5-20% glycolic acid have been shown to be effective in clinical studies.
Recent studies have shown Glycolic Acid may protect the skin against UV damage. However, you should always wear SPF, especially when using exfoliants.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Glycolic AcidSodium 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 HydroxideAscorbyl Glucoside is a stable form of Vitamin C. It is created by combining glucose from starch.
When applied to skin, Ascorbyl Glucoside turns into Ascorbic Acid.
Ascorbyl Glucoside is an antioxidant. Antioxidants help fight free-radicals, or molecules that may damage skin cells.
It can help to reduce redness, improve skin texture, reduce the effects of aging, reduce the visibility of dark spots, and brighten skin.
Read more about other types of Vitamin C:
Learn more about Ascorbyl GlucosideCitric Acid is an AHA derived from citrus fruits (think oranges, lemons, and limes!).
As an AHA, Citric Acid removes the top layer of skin cells from the newer layer of skin underneath. This helps skin to remove dark spots and even out skin tone.
If you spot Citric Acid near the end of an ingredient list, it's likely there as a pH adjuster rather than an active ingredient.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric 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 TocopherolSalicylic Acid (also known as beta hydroxy acid or BHA) is one of the most well-known ingredients for treating skin that struggles with blackheads and acne. It helps to exfoliate both the skin's surface and pores, and also acts as an anti-inflammatory agent.
This multitasking property makes it a great ingredient for cleaning out pores, controlling oil production, and reducing inflammation.
Unlike AHAs which are water soluble, Salicylic Acid is oil soluble. This means that it's able to exfoliate the inside of pores and reduce blackheads.
Concentrations of 0.5-2% are recognized by the U.S. FDA as an over-the-counter topical acne product.
It can cause irritation and/or dryness if one's skin already has a compromised moisture barrier, so it's best to focus on repairing that before introducing a Salicylic Acid into your routine.
In general, Salicylic Acid is a great ingredient for oily acne-prone skin.
While salicylic acid does not increase sun-sensitivity, we still recommend wearing SPF.
If you are looking for the ingredient called BHA or Butylated Hydroxyanisole, click here.
Learn more about Salicylic AcidIngredient Ratings
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