Comparison between Sulwhasoo First Care Activating Serum Ex vs. COSRX Galactomyces 95 Tone Balancing Essence

Find out which product is better for your skin.

48 Ingredients 12

1
Water
1
Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate
2
Butylene Glycol
2
Niacinamide
3
Alcohol Denatured
3
Panthenol
4
Glycerin
4
Glycerin
5
Betaine
5
1,2-Hexanediol
6
PEG/PPG-17/6 Copolymer
6
Butylene Glycol
7
Glyceryl Polymethacrylate
7
Betaine
8
Ophiopogon Japonicus Root Extract
8
Sodium Hyaluronate
-- Show others --
Uniqueness44 out of 48
91.7%
Uniqueness8 out of 12
66.7%

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
23 out of 48
48%
chemical
20 out of 48
42%
natural
3 out of 12
25%
chemical
7 out of 12
58%

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: 5Negative: 1
Butylene Glycol#2Glycerin#4Betaine#5Propylene Glycol#39Tocopherol#48Alcohol Denatured#3
Oily skin
Positive: 1Negative: 0
Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Leaf Extract#29
Sensitive skin
Positive: 0Negative: 4
Limonene#28Linalool#33Citral#38Citric Acid#46
Dry skin
Positive: 7Negative: 0
Panthenol#3Glycerin#41,2-Hexanediol#5Butylene Glycol#6Betaine#7Sodium Hyaluronate#8Allantoin#9
Oily skin
Positive: 1Negative: 0
Allantoin#9
Sensitive skin
Positive: 1Negative: 0
Allantoin#9

Detailed view

Sulwhasoo First Care Activating Serum Ex vs. COSRX Galactomyces 95 Tone Balancing Essence
Position 1

#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.

-- versus --

#1Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate

Origin: No information
Role: No information
Position 2

#2Butylene Glycol

Origin: chemical
Role: Skin conditioning agent, Fragrance ingredient, Humectant, Masking, Solvent, Viscosity controlling agent
Moisturizing
Softening
Hair protection
Comedogenic rating [ 1 ]
EWG Rating [ 1 ]
CIR Rating [ A ]
Good for dry skin
Good for dry skin

Butylene Glycol is a very popular synthetic alcohol. It helps the product to absorb deeper and faster. It is also a solvent for other ingredients. As for the skin benefits, it helps to attract water and helps to make the skin softer.

Unlike many other “Glycols”, it is not harmful and that's why it is used in many products. It was approved by US FDA and US EPA for usage.

-- 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

#3Alcohol 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 --

#3Panthenol

Origin: chemical
Role: Skin conditioning agent, Antistatic agent, Hair conditioning
Moisturizing
Soothing
Healing
Hair conditioning
Hair protection
EWG Rating [ 1 ]
CIR Rating [ A ]
Good for dry skin
Good for dry skin

Panthenol is a proud member of a league of the best-performing components. It's a stable form of Vitamin B5 and is also known as Pro-Vitamin B5. It’s a very good and effective component for hydration, healing, and soothing irritated skin. It works so soft and gentle that it’s even recommended for people with skin problems like eczema.

In haircare products it’s used for protecting the fiber. It’s researched very well and doesn’t have any negative side effects.

Position 4
Both products have the same component on this position.

#4Glycerin

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.

Position 5

#5Betaine

Origin: natural
Role: Skin conditioning agent, Antistatic agent, Hair conditioning, Humectant, Viscosity controlling agent
Moisturizing
Softening
Hair structure improvement
Hair gloss
Hair protection
EWG Rating [ 1 ]
CIR Rating [ B ]
Good for dry skin
Good for dry skin

Betaine is used a lot in “organic” skincare products. It is a good moisturizer that not only hydrates the skin but also strengthens the cell membrane. This helps to lower the water loss over time. It also softens the skin and reduces irritation and redness. It’s often used at a 3-5% concentration depending on the product.

-- versus --

#51,2-Hexanediol

Origin: chemical
Role: Solvent
Moisturizing
EWG Rating [ 1 ]
CIR Rating [ A ]
Good for dry skin
Good for dry skin

1,2-Hexanediol can do a lot of good things for the formulation of the product. It’s an emollient, preservative, and humectant. It keeps skin hydrated and soft. It’s a good component for dry and dehydrated skin.

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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