Comparison between Kiehl’s Clearly Corrective Dark Spot Solution vs. The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%

Find out which product is better for your skin.

24 Ingredients 13

1
Aqua/​ Water
1
Water
2
Propylene Glycol
2
Niacinamide
3
Glycerin
3
Zinc PCA
4
Alcohol Denatured
4
Tamarindus Indica Seed Gum
5
PEG/PPG/Polybutylene Glycol-8/5/3 Glycerin
5
Pentylene Glycol
6
Hydroxypropyl Tetrahydropyrantriol
6
Carrageenan
7
3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
7
Acacia Senegal Gum
8
PPG-6 Decyltetradeceth-30
8
Xanthan Gum
-- Show others --
Uniqueness22 out of 24
91.7%
Uniqueness11 out of 13
84.6%

Positive Effects

Find out what good effects the product has

ECO Metrics

Find out how eco-friendly the components are
Vegan
No
No
Cruelty free
No
Yes
Reef friendly
Yes
Yes
Ozone layer safe
Yes
Yes
Organic score
natural
7 out of 24
29%
chemical
12 out of 24
50%
natural
5 out of 13
38%
chemical
8 out of 13
62%

Concerns

Pay attention to these components
-- Extra information --

Components by Skin Type

Find out what components are good or bad for your skin type
Dry skin
Positive: 4Negative: 1
Propylene Glycol#2Glycerin#3Butylene Glycol#21Tocopherol#22Alcohol Denatured#4
Oily skin
Positive: 1Negative: 0
Salicylic Acid#10
Sensitive skin
Positive: 0Negative: 3
Salicylic Acid#10Citric Acid#14Linalool#20
Dry skin
Positive: 0Negative: 0
Oily skin
Positive: 0Negative: 0
Sensitive skin
Positive: 0Negative: 0

Detailed view

Kiehl’s Clearly Corrective Dark Spot Solution vs. The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
Position 1

#1Aqua/​ Water

Origin: No information
Role: No information
-- versus --

#1Water

Origin: natural
Role: Solvent
EWG Rating [ 1 ]

Water is a great solvent. It’s neutral and doesn’t provide any strong positive or negative effects. It just helps components to mix better and to transport active components.

Position 2

#2Propylene Glycol

Origin: chemical
Role: Skin conditioning agent, Fragrance ingredient, Humectant, Solvent, Viscosity controlling agent
Moisturizing
EWG Rating [ 3 ]
CIR Rating [ B ]
Good for dry skin
Good for dry skin

Propylene Glycol is a useful componet with many positive effects. It’s a very good moisturizer. It helps to deliver ingredients into deeper layers of the skin. It creates a protective layer on the skin preventing water loss. The component is researched very well and doesn’t have notable side effects. It’s used even for making food.

-- versus --

#2Niacinamide

Origin: chemical
Role: Skin conditioning agent, Hair conditioning, Smoothing
Antioxidants
Acne fighting
Pore Shrinking
Soothing
Anti-aging
Lightening
Elasticity improvement
EWG Rating [ 1 ]

Niacinamide is a form of Vitamin B3 and it’s a superman in cosmetics. This ingredient is researched very well. It has a lot of positive reviews from scientists and experts. It's very important for healthy skin. The lack of this vitamin can cause dryness, itching, and sun sensitivity. The component removes small wrinkles and fine lines, heals wounds, and prevents the forming of cancer cells. It also makes the skin tone even by removing dark spots. It increases ceramide synthesis which increases the overall health of your skin. It fights acne and lowers pores.

Researches say that 4-5% of Niacinamide is the most effective concentration for skincare use.

Position 3

#3Glycerin

Origin: natural
Role: Fragrance ingredient, Hair conditioning, Humectant, Solvent, Viscosity controlling agent
Moisturizing
Softening
Hair structure improvement
Hair gloss
EWG Rating [ 1 ]
CIR Rating [ A ]
Good for dry skin
Good for dry skin

Glycerin is one of the most outstanding and helpful skincare components. It's used in many skincare products because it works and provides notable results. It's one of the best moisturizers. Molecules of Glycerin can absorb water and deliver it into deep layers of the skin making it hydrated.

The component is researched very well. Many scientific researches confirm the safety and the efficiency of the component.

-- versus --

#3Zinc PCA

Origin: chemical
Role: Skin conditioning agent, Humectant
EWG Rating [ 1 ]
Position 4

#4Alcohol Denatured

Origin: chemical
Role: Antifoaming agent, Antimicrobial agent, Astringent, Masking, Solvent, Viscosity controlling agent
Antiseptic
Alcohols
EWG Rating [ 1 ]
Bad for dry skin
Bad for dry skin

Alcohol Denatured is a great bacteria killer. Manufacturers often put it inside products to increase their shelf life.

It’s one of the most harmful alcohols used in skincare. You should use it carefully, especially if you have dry skin. It removes oily barrier from the surface of your skin making it less protected and causing dryness. We advise you to pay attention to the position of this component in a formulation. If it stays below the 6th position it will hardly harm your skin. We also recommend testing the product first before application. If you feel a “cooling effect” it means the product contains a lot of alcohol and it's better to be careful with it.

-- versus --

#4Tamarindus Indica Seed Gum

Origin: natural
Role: Binding, Emulsion stabilizer, Viscosity controlling agent
Antioxidants
EWG Rating [ 1 ]
CIR Rating [ A ]
Position 5

#5PEG/PPG/Polybutylene Glycol-8/5/3 Glycerin

Origin: chemical
Role: Humectant
EWG Rating [ 3 ]
-- versus --

#5Pentylene Glycol

Origin: chemical
Role: Skin conditioning agent, Solvent
Moisturizing
Hair conditioning
EWG Rating [ 1 ]
CIR Rating [ A ]

Pentylene Glycol is a great replacement for Propylene Glycol. It has very similar characteristics but it’s derived from plants (usually from corn). Natural cosmetics lovers will find this component very useful. It enhances the moisturizing effect of cosmetic products, improves the efficiency of preservatives and it’s an effective emulsifier. It’s approved by ECOCERT and COSMOS so it’s considered to be 100% safe and can be used in vegan products.

Skin Signal
2023 - 2024

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Disclaimer: All the information on the website is not a medical advice. Visit a doctor if you have problems.

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