S'he vec Bye Bye Stains Peptide Complex + Arbutin Versus maru.derm Anti-Blemish Skin Brightening Serum

S'he vec Bye Bye Stains Peptide Complex + Arbutin Versus maru.derm Anti-Blemish Skin Brightening Serum

This brightening serum is formulated around Alpha-Arbutin and Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 to fade the look of dark spots and soften the look of wrinkles.

This brightening serum is formulated around Niacinamide and Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract to fade the look of dark spots and brighten dull-looking skin.

What's inside

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

Water

Alpha-Arbutin

Panthenol

Acacia Seyal Gum Extract

Sodium Hyaluronate

Glycerin

Phenoxyethanol

Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6

Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1

Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7

Butylene Glycol

Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract

Hamamelis Virginiana Extract

Ethylhexylglycerin

EDTA

Polysorbate 20

Water, Alpha-Arbutin, Panthenol, Acacia Seyal Gum Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Glycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Butylene Glycol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Hamamelis Virginiana Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, EDTA, Polysorbate 20

Niacinamide

Propylene Glycol

Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract

Pisum Sativum Peptide

Arginine

Aspartic Acid

Glycine

Alanine

Serine

Valine

Proline

Threonine

Isoleucine

Histidine

Phenylalanine

Sodium Benzoate

Potassium Sorbate

Hydroxyethylcellulose

Water, Niacinamide, Propylene Glycol, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Alpha-Arbutin, Panthenol, Pisum Sativum Peptide, Arginine, Aspartic Acid, Glycine, Alanine, Serine, Valine, Proline, Threonine, Isoleucine, Histidine, Phenylalanine, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Hydroxyethylcellulose

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Alternatives

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

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

Alpha-Arbutin is a brightening active used to fade dark spots, melasma, and post-acne marks. Structurally, it is a hydroquinone with a sugar molecule attached (but is much gentler than raw hydroquinone).

It has a pretty elegant way of working; it slots into tyrosinase, or the key enzyme that your skin uses to make melanin), and competitively blocks it so your skin produces less pigment over time.

There are two forms of arbutin and alpha is the better one to reach for: it works at lower amounts, absorbs into skin more easily, and has a strong safety record.

The science backs this up too: lab and animal studies confirm it lowers melanin by blocking tyosinase and the more you use (up to a point), the more it works.

Human studies look good too.

A 2024 trial found a cream with 5% alpha-arbutin and 2% kojic acid worked about as well as a prescription melasma cream but with fewer side effects. Another study showed 2% alpha-arbutin paired with 10% Trihydroxybenzoic Acid Glucoside and sunscreen faded dark spots and melasma without causing irritation.

Concentration-wise, most serums land in the 1-2% range.

The EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety concluded that alpha-arbutin is safe in face creams up to 2% and body lotions up to 0.5%.

Overall, this is a well-studied and low-irritation brightener that's a great pick for anyone dealing with uneven skin tone. It also pairs well with vitamin C, niacinamide, and sunscreen.

Panthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.

There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.

D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.

Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):

Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.

This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.

Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.

This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.

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. Remember to stay hydrated!

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