Balea Beauty Expert Plump & Glow Serum Versus Nø Cosmetics Liquid Illuminator

Balea Beauty Expert Plump & Glow Serum Versus Nø Cosmetics Liquid Illuminator Detailed comparison of Balea Beauty Expert Plump & Glow Serum versus Nø Cosmetics Liquid Illuminator. This barrier-repair serum is formulated around Niacinamide and Polyglutamic Acid to strengthen the skin barrier and hydrate skin. This brightening exfoliator is formulated around Niacinamide and Tranexamic Acid to fade the look of dark spots and brighten dull-looking skin. No concerns Water Glycerin Niacinamide Sodium Hyaluronate Caffeine Polyglutamic Acid Beta-Glucan Sodium Benzoate Potassium Sorbate Citric Acid Pentylene Glycol Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate Caprylyl Glycol Water, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Sodium Hyaluronate, Caffeine, Polyglutamic Acid, Beta-Glucan, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Citric Acid, Pentylene Glycol, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Caprylyl Glycol Tranexamic Acid Acetyl Glucosamine Propylene Glycol Kojic Acid Hydrogenated Lecithin Cholesterol Arctostaphylos Uva Ursi Leaf Extract Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract Maltodextrin Xanthan Gum Chondrus Crispus Powder Alcohol Phytic Acid Water, Pentylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Tranexamic Acid, Acetyl Glucosamine, Propylene Glycol, Kojic Acid, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Glycerin, Cholesterol, Arctostaphylos Uva Ursi Leaf Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Maltodextrin, Xanthan Gum, Chondrus Crispus Powder, Alcohol, Citric Acid, Phytic Acid These ingredients are found in both products. Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount. Citric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes. Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath. However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products. Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH. In skincare formulas, citric acid can: While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants. Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations. Rosacea skin has a lower threshold for acids generally, with 62.5% of rosacea subjects in one study reacting to lactic acid in a sting test. This is why we mark citric acid as a potential rosacea trigger. However, this ingredient shows up as a pH adjuster or chelator at roughly 0.1-1% in many products. These low levels are unlikely to be an issue for rosacea skin and becomes a potential trigger at exfoliating concentrations (20%). Because everybody's skin is unique, we recommend a patch test if you are unsure. Glycerin (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum. Topically, glycerin does several things at once: Your skin makes glycerin on its own (mostly from sebaceous oil breakdown) and shuttles it to your outermost layer of skin, or your epidermis, via aquaporin-3. Aquaporin-3 is a transporter that is essential for normal skin hydration, elasticity, and repair. Interestingly, mice lacking in AQP3 have dry and less elastic skin that can be fully corrected with glycerin. This ingredient is non-irritating, plays well with almost every ingredient, and works across all skin types. Typical use is anywhere between 3-10% but can go up to 79% in some leave-on products. Just know very high concentrations (>40%) can feel tacky in low humidity. Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine. Niacinamide is a multitasking form of vitamin B3 that strengthens the skin barrier, reduces pores and dark spots, regulates oil, and improves signs of aging. And the best part? It's gentle and well-tolerated by most skin types, including sensitive and reactive skin. You might have heard of "niacin flush", or the reddening of skin that causes itchiness. Niacinamide has not been found to cause this. In very rare cases, some individuals may not be able to tolerate nia