Deconstruct Brightening Niacinamide Serum vs COSRX The Alpha-Arbutin 2 Discoloration Care Serum

Deconstruct

COSRX

A serum built around Niacinamide and Alpha arbutin, for barrier repair and hydration.

A serum built around Niacinamide and Tranexamic acid, for hydration and pollution defence.

Serum

19 ingredients

38 ingredients

Brand price

INR 524.00 · checked 5 Oct 2026 · brand's site

Brand price

USD 25.00 · checked 25 Sept 2026 · brand's site

No retailer listed yet

Brand from India

Brand from South Korea

At a Glance

They come out differently on Alcohol-free, Silicone-free and Oil-free; those rows are shaded. Tap any answer to see why.

Vitamin E1
Tocopherols — fat-soluble antioxidants.
Tocopherol
Alpha arbutin1
A gentler glycosylated relative of hydroquinone.
Alpha-Arbutin
Panthenol (provitamin B5)1
Provitamin B5 — a humectant and soother.
Panthenol
Centella asiatica (Cica)1
Centella asiatica (cica), used to calm irritation.
Madecassoside

Hydrating4
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Anhydroxylitol, Glycerin, Xylitol, Xylitylglucoside
Barrier Repair7
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Brassica Campestris Seed Oil, Glycerin, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Niacinamide, Oryza Sativa Bran Extract, Palmaria Palmata Extract, Xylitol
Reduces Irritation1
Eases discomfort and supports skin resilience.
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Redness Reducing2
Soothes visible redness and calms irritation.
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Niacinamide

May Trigger Acne1
Can clog pores or trigger breakouts.
Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate
May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis2
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
Brassica Campestris Seed Oil, Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate
May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris1
May clog follicles or strip skin prone to keratosis pilaris.
Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate
May Worsen Oily Skin1
May increase shine or excess oil.
Brassica Campestris Seed Oil

May Trigger Acne1
Can clog pores or trigger breakouts.
Tocopherol
May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis4
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
Acetyl Glucosamine, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Sodium Methyl Stearoyl Taurate
May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris1
May clog follicles or strip skin prone to keratosis pilaris.
Tocopherol
May Worsen Irritation2
May cause stinging, redness or sensitivity.
Alcohol, Tocopherol

Show highlights for:

Aqua (in both products)
Solvent
0 / —
Niacinamide (in both products)
Smoothing
0 / —
- Niacinamide
- Acne Fighting
- Barrier Repair
- Brightening
- Dark Spots
- Even Tone
- Oil Control
- Pore Refining
- Redness Reducing
Glycerin (in both products)
Humectant
0 / 0
- Possibly animal-derived
- Hydrating
Xylitylglucoside
Humectant
Anhydroxylitol
Humectant
Xylitol
Humectant
0-1 / —
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
0 / —
Ethylhexylglycerin (in both products)
Skin Conditioning
Xanthan Gum (in both products)
Cleansing
0-1 / —
Cyamopsis Tetragonoloba Gum
Fragrance

Aqua (in both products)
Solvent
0 / —
Propanediol
Viscosity Controlling
0-1 / —
- Hydrating
Glycerin (in both products)
Humectant
0 / 0
- Possibly animal-derived
- Hydrating
Niacinamide (in both products)
Smoothing
0 / —
- Niacinamide
- Acne Fighting
- Barrier Repair
- Brightening
- Dark Spots
- Even Tone
- Oil Control
- Pore Refining
- Redness Reducing
Tranexamic Acid
Skin Conditioning
- Tranexamic acid
- Brightening
- Dark Spots
- Even Tone
- Redness Reducing
Acetyl Glucosamine
Skin Conditioning
- Fatty alcohols (Malassezia)
- Dark Spots
- Hydrating
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Alpha-Arbutin (in both products)
Antioxidant
- Alpha arbutin
- Brightening
- Dark Spots
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Dimethicone
Emollient
1 / 0
- Silicones
- Barrier Repair
- Hydrating
- Smoothing
Dimethyl Isosorbide
Viscosity Controlling
0 / —

These ingredients are found in both products.

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

Aqua
Solvent
Water
Learn more about Aqua →
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Niacinamide is niacinamide.
Learn more about Niacinamide →
Glycerin
Denaturant, Fragrance, Hair Conditioning, Humectant, Oral Care, Perfuming, Humectant, Skin Protecting, Solvent, Viscosity Controlling
Glycerin may be plant, synthetic or animal depending on the supplier.
Learn more about Glycerin →
Ethylhexylglycerin
Deodorant, Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin is the organic compound that conforms to the formula
Learn more about Ethylhexylglycerin →
Xanthan Gum
Binding, Emulsion Stabilising, Gel Forming, Skin Conditioning, Cleansing, Emulsifying, Viscosity Controlling
Xanthan gum
Learn more about Xanthan Gum →
Alpha-Arbutin
Antioxidant, Bleaching, Skin Conditioning
Alpha-Arbutin is alpha arbutin.
Learn more about Alpha-Arbutin →
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching, Perfuming, Skin Conditioning, Emollient, Smoothing, Soothing
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract is an extract of the roots of the Licorice, Glycyrrhiza glabra L., Leguminosae
Learn more about Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract →