Kiehl's Clearly Corrective Dark Spot Solution Versus Biossance Squalane + 10% Vitamin C Dark Spot Serum

Kiehl's Clearly Corrective Dark Spot Solution Versus Biossance Squalane + 10% Vitamin C Dark Spot Serum Detailed comparison of Kiehl's Clearly Corrective Dark Spot Solution versus Biossance Squalane + 10% Vitamin C Dark Spot Serum. This brightening treatment is formulated around 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid and Salicylic Acid to fade the look of dark spots and brighten dull-looking skin. This brightening serum is formulated around 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid and Squalane to fade the look of dark spots and brighten dull-looking skin. No concerns Water Propylene Glycol Glycerin Alcohol Denat. PEG/PPG/Polybutylene Glycol-8/5/3 Glycerin Hydroxypropyl Tetrahydropyrantriol 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid PPG-6-Decyltetradeceth-30 Phenoxyethanol Salicylic Acid Xanthan Gum Hydroxyethylcellulose Potassium Hydroxide Citric Acid Sodium Citrate Tocopheryl Acetate Lavandula Angustifolia Oil Disodium EDTA Adenosine Linalool Butylene Glycol Tocopherol Citrus Aurantium Tachibana Peel Extract Paeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract Water, Propylene Glycol, Glycerin, Alcohol Denat., PEG/PPG/Polybutylene Glycol-8/5/3 Glycerin, Hydroxypropyl Tetrahydropyrantriol, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, PPG-6-Decyltetradeceth-30, Phenoxyethanol, Salicylic Acid, Xanthan Gum, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Potassium Hydroxide, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Disodium EDTA, Adenosine, Linalool, Butylene Glycol, Tocopherol, Citrus Aurantium Tachibana Peel Extract, Paeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract Squalane Lentinus Edodes Mycelium Extract Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract Sodium Hyaluronate Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6 Acacia Senegal Gum Sodium Gluconate Ethylhexylglycerin Water, Glycerin, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Squalane, Lentinus Edodes Mycelium Extract, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Citric Acid, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Acacia Senegal Gum, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Gluconate, Sodium Citrate, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin These ingredients are found in both products. Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount. 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid is one of the most popular "stable" vitamin C derivatives in skincare. Plain ascorbic acid is fantastic but notoriously fragile; it browns, oxidizes, and loses potency fast. So attaching an ethyl group to the third carbon of the molecule gives it some cool perks: In a formula, it does the 3 classic vitamin C jobs: it acts as an antioxidant, helps brighten skin tone by inhibiting tyrosinase, and supports collagen. The evidence is reasonably solid for a cosmetic ingredient; Liao and colleagues (2018) showed it's significantly more stable than ascorbic acid while still being effective. A 2021 study by Zerbinati and colleagues tested a serum with 30% 3-O-ethyl-l-ascorbic acid and 1% lactic acid significantly increased collagen production, reduced UVB-induced DNA damage, and decreased melanin on a reconstructed pigmented skin model. Typical real world usage sits around 0.5-5% (and 1-2% is common for daily serums). Amounts up to 30% have been shown to be non-irritating on human skin samples, but two isolated cases reported allergic contact dermatitis so a patch test is sensible if you have reactive skin. 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 break