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Updated on September 12, 2023

Overview

What they are

These products are both vegan, cruelty-free, and reef safe serums. They have a total of 9 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain niacinamide

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, oily skin, reducing pores and dark spots

Free From

They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, parabens, silicones or sulfates

What's Inside

They both contain fragrances

We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that needs an update? Let us know.

AXIS - Y Dark Spot Correcting Glow Serum
Beauty of Joseon Glow Deep Serum: Rice + Arbutin

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and see relevant ingredients
ph level
7.87

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Notable Ingredients

Benefits

Notable Ingredients

Benefits

Ingredients Side-by-side

found in both products
Dark Spot Correcting Glow Serum
Water Skin Conditioning, Solvent

Water. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.

Glycerin Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting
0 / 0
2 Benefits

Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.

0 Com. / 0 Irr.
Niacinamide Smoothing
Niacinamide  •  6 Benefits

Niacinamide has emerged as an all-star ingredient due to its many benefits.

Sodium Hyaluronate Humectant, Skin Conditioning
0 / 0
Hyaluronic Acid

Sodium Hyaluronate is hyaluronic acid's salt form. It is commonly derived from the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid.

0 Com. / 0 Irr.
Propanediol Solvent

Propanediol helps absorb ingredients into your skin, boosting their benefits. It can act as an emollient, making your skin softer. Propanediol can help products last longer by boosting the properties of preservatives within the formulation.

Erythritol Humectant, Moisturising, Skin Conditioning

You might know this ingredient as a sugar substitute in foods. It is a sugar alcohol with humectant properties.

Butylene Glycol Humectant, Masking, Skin Conditioning
1 / 0

Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:

1 Com. / 0 Irr.
Squalane Emollient, Skin Conditioning
1 / 0
Helps hydrate Dry Skin

Squalane is an emollient that helps the skin hold onto moisture. It's an oily liquid that occurs naturally in certain types of fish and plant oils.

1 Com. / 0 Irr.
Oryza Sativa Bran Extract Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting

Oryza Sativa Bran Extract comes from the outer layer of a rice kernel. It is a byproduct of milling rice, or the operation to produce a whole grain rice product.

Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract Masking, Perfuming, Skin Conditioning
Fragrance  •  2 Benefits

Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract comes from the common Marigold plant. This ingredient is a skin conditioner.

Carica Papaya Fruit Extract Skin Conditioning

Carica Papaya Fruit Extract comes from the papaya fruit. Papayas were first domesticated in Mexico and Central America.

Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Extract Skin Conditioning

Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Extract comes from the seabuckthorn berry. This berry is native to Asia and has been used in traditional medicine for centuries.

Malpighia Glabra Fruit Extract Skin Conditioning

We don't have a description for Malpighia Glabra Fruit Extract.

Unknown Full details ->
Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate Skin Conditioning
Not safe for Fungal Acne

Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate is an ester of lauric acid and Polyglycerin-10.

Very Disliked Full details ->
Chlorphenesin Antimicrobial, Preservative
Preservative

Chlorphenesin is a synthetic preservative. It helps protect a product against bacteria in order to extend shelf life. In most cases, Chlorphenesin is paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol and caprylyl glycol.

Disliked Full details ->
Arginine Masking, Skin Conditioning
Not safe for Fungal Acne

Arginine is an amino acid that is important for human development. Your body uses is it to produce hair keratin and skin collagen.

Ethylhexylglycerin Skin Conditioning

Ethylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.

Carbomer Emulsion Stabilising, Gel Forming
1 / 0

Carbomer is a polymer of acrylic acid. Its main role is to create gel consistency within products.

1 Com. / 0 Irr.
Disliked Full details ->
Glutathione

Glutathione is an antioxidant naturally found in our bodies. It is made up of three amino acids: glycine, cysteine, and glutamic acid.

1,2-Hexanediol Skin Conditioning, Solvent

1,2-Hexanediol is a multi-tasker ingredient. It acts as a preservative to increase shelf-life and can aid other preservatives in preventing microbe growth. 1,2-Hexanediol also helps the skin retain moisture as a humectant.

Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin Masking, Skin Conditioning

We don't have a description for Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin.

Unknown Full details ->
Disodium EDTA

Disodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.

Disliked Full details ->
Hydroxyethylcellulose Emulsion Stabilising, Stabilising

Hydroxyethylcellulose is used to improve the texture of products. It is created from a chemical reaction involving ethylene oxide and alkali-cellulose. Cellulose is a sugar found in plant cell walls and help give plants structure.

Allantoin Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting, Soothing
0 / 0
3 Benefits

Allantoin plays a role in soothing and moisturizing the skin. Because of this, it is often added to products with strong active ingredients.

0 Com. / 0 Irr.
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil Masking, Skin Conditioning
Oil

Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil is oil expressed from the leaves of the rosemary plant.

Very Disliked Full details ->
Glow Deep Serum: Rice + Arbutin
Oryza Sativa Bran Water Masking, Perfuming
Fragrance

Oryza Sativa Bran Water comes from the outer layer of a rice kernel. It is a byproduct of milling rice, or the operation to produce a whole grain rice product.

Water Skin Conditioning, Solvent

Water. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.

Glycerin Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting
0 / 0
2 Benefits

Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.

0 Com. / 0 Irr.
Butylene Glycol Humectant, Masking, Skin Conditioning
1 / 0

Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:

1 Com. / 0 Irr.
1,2-Hexanediol Skin Conditioning, Solvent

1,2-Hexanediol is a multi-tasker ingredient. It acts as a preservative to increase shelf-life and can aid other preservatives in preventing microbe growth. 1,2-Hexanediol also helps the skin retain moisture as a humectant.

Dipropylene Glycol Masking, Solvent

Dipropylene Glycol is a synthetically created stabilizer and solvent. It is a part of the glycol class in the alcohol family.

Disliked Full details ->
Alpha-Arbutin Antioxidant, Bleaching, Skin Conditioning
Antioxidant  •  2 Benefits

Alpha-Arbutin is made from hydroquinone and glucose. It may be derived from the fermentation of soybeans.

Niacinamide Smoothing
Niacinamide  •  6 Benefits

Niacinamide has emerged as an all-star ingredient due to its many benefits.

Methyl Gluceth-20 Humectant, Moisturising

Methyl Gluceth-20 is a humectant. Humectants help draw moisture from the air to your skin.

Panthenol Skin Conditioning
0 / 0
Helps reduce irritation

Panthenol (also referred to as pro-vitamin B5) is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin.

0 Com. / 0 Irr.
Polyglycerin-3 Humectant

Polyglycerin-3 is a 3-unit glycerin polymer.

Trehalose Humectant, Moisturising

Trehalose is a disaccharide made of two glucose molecules (glucose is sugar!). Trehalose is used to help moisturize skin. It also has antioxidant properties.

Glyceryl Glucoside Humectant, Skin Conditioning

Glyceryl Glucoside is made from glycerol and glucose.

Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters Skin Conditioning
Not safe for Fungal Acne

Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters isn't fungal acne safe.

Disliked Full details ->
2-Hydroxyethyl Acrylate

We don't have a description for 2-Hydroxyethyl Acrylate.

Disliked Full details ->
Ethylhexylglycerin Skin Conditioning

Ethylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.

Hydroxyethylcellulose Emulsion Stabilising, Stabilising

Hydroxyethylcellulose is used to improve the texture of products. It is created from a chemical reaction involving ethylene oxide and alkali-cellulose. Cellulose is a sugar found in plant cell walls and help give plants structure.

Xanthan Gum Emulsifying, Emulsion Stabilising, Gel Forming

Xanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.

Disliked Full details ->
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer Emulsion Stabilising

Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer is a synthetic polymer. It is used to thicken and improve the texture of products.

Disliked Full details ->
Arginine Masking, Skin Conditioning
Not safe for Fungal Acne

Arginine is an amino acid that is important for human development. Your body uses is it to produce hair keratin and skin collagen.

Disodium EDTA

Disodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.

Disliked Full details ->
Coptis Japonica Root Extract Skin Conditioning

We don't have a description for Coptis Japonica Root Extract.

Sorbitan Isostearate Emulsifying
1-2 / 0
Not safe for Fungal Acne

Sorbitan Isostearate is an emulsifer and cleaning agent. It is created from isostearic acid and sorbitol.

1-2 Com. / 0 Irr.
Very Disliked Full details ->
Glucose Humectant

Glucose is a simple sugar and is the most important source of energy in all organisms. In skincare, glucose is used to hydrate the skin. It also acts as a prebiotic for our natural biome.

Coix Lacryma-Jobi Ma-Yuen Seed Extract Skin Conditioning

You might know this plant as Job's Tears or Chinese pearl barley. It is a grain native to Southeast Asia.

Glycine Soja Seed Extract Skin Conditioning

Glycine Soja Seed Extract comes from the seed of the wild soybean plant. Wild soybean extract contains fatty acids (linoleic, oleic, linolenic), vitamin E, and antioxidants.

Hordeum Distichon Extract Skin Protecting

We don't have a description for Hordeum Distichon Extract.

Unknown Full details ->
Oryza Sativa Extract Absorbent, Skin Conditioning
2 Benefits

Oryza Sativa Extract comes from the rice grain, Oryza sativa. Rice extract has wound healing, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and hydrating properties.

Sesamum Indicum Seed Extract Skin Conditioning, Smoothing, Soothing

We don't have a description for Sesamum Indicum Seed Extract.

Unknown Full details ->
Triticum Vulgare Seed Extract Buffering, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting

We don't have a description for Triticum Vulgare Seed Extract.

Unknown Full details ->
Vigna Radiata Seed Extract Skin Conditioning

Vigna Radiata Seed Extract comes from the mung bean. Mung beans are an edible legume from Asia. It is commonly used in Asian desserts.

Unknown Full details ->
Zea Mays Kernel Extract

We don't have a description for Zea Mays Kernel Extract.

Unknown Full details ->

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

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

Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Loved

Water. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.

So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.

You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. Talk about multi-purpose! If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!

Learn more about Water
Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting
Loved

Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.

A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.

As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.

Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.

Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.

In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.

This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.

Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.

Learn more about Glycerin
Smoothing
Loved

Niacinamide has emerged as an all-star ingredient due to its many benefits.

It is known to treat acne by reducing inflammation. It also helps fade dark-spots and strengthen the skin by promoting the growth of the ceramide barrier.

Other benefits include smoothing wrinkles and minimizing redness.

The cherry on top? Niacinamide can also help build keratin, a protein that keeps skin firm.

When incorporating niacinamide into your routine, look out for concentration amounts. Typically, 5% niacinamide provides benefits such as fading dark spots. However, if you have sensitive skin, it is better to begin with a smaller concentration.

Niacinamide can be mixed with other ingredients to boost benefits. For instance, it has shown to be effective when used with copper, folic acid, and zinc to treat acne.

Learn more about Niacinamide
Humectant, Masking, Skin Conditioning
Mixed

Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:

  • It is a solvent, meaning that it helps to dissolve other ingredients. This also enhances the absorption of the product into one's skin.
  • It is a humectant, which means that it helps attract moisture into the skin.
  • It helps improve product application.

Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient. It is unlikely to irritate skin, and works well with pretty much all other ingredients.

Masking, Skin Conditioning
Mixed

Arginine is an amino acid that is important for human development. Your body uses is it to produce hair keratin and skin collagen.

As a cosmetic ingredient, Arginine has antioxidant properties and can also help repair damaged skin. This ingredient is derived either synthetically or from animals.

Arginine isn't fungal acne safe when used in the presence of other lipids (fats, fatty acids, oils, esters, etc). Oils and fats occur naturally within the skin, so take caution when using Arginine if you're prone to fungal acne.

Learn more about Arginine
Skin Conditioning
Mixed

Ethylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.

You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.

Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Mixed

1,2-Hexanediol is a multi-tasker ingredient. It acts as a preservative to increase shelf-life and can aid other preservatives in preventing microbe growth. 1,2-Hexanediol also helps the skin retain moisture as a humectant.

In products that are water-based, this ingredient can help stabilize perfumes and fragrances. It can also help make the texture of products softer and more smooth.

Disliked

Disodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.

It is a chelating agent, meaning it neutralizes metal ions that may be found in a product.

Disodium EDTA is a salt of edetic acid and is found to be safe in cosmetic ingredients.

Learn more about Disodium EDTA
Emulsion Stabilising, Stabilising
Mixed

Hydroxyethylcellulose is used to improve the texture of products. It is created from a chemical reaction involving ethylene oxide and alkali-cellulose. Cellulose is a sugar found in plant cell walls and help give plants structure.

Hydroxyethylcellulose helps stabilize products by preventing ingredients from separating. It can also help thicken the texture of a product.

This ingredient can also be found in pill medicines to help our bodies digest other ingredients.

Learn more about Hydroxyethylcellulose

Ingredient Ratings

Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.

Dark Spot Correcting Glow Serum
13
5
5
2
liked
mixed
disliked
not rated
Glow Deep Serum: Rice + Arbutin
13
7
7
5
liked
mixed
disliked
not rated

When to use

2,199 Routines
43% use in am
57% use in pm
95% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->
881 Routines
49% use in am
51% use in pm
93% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

AXIS - Y Dark Spot Correcting Glow Serum 25 ingredients

4.0 /5
from 21 ratings
Absorbs Well (2) Hydrating (2) Works Well (2) No Scent (1) Irritating (1) Light (1)
saqina_929's avatar

saqina_929

7 months ago · Combination Skin
Review

It helps fade acne though very slowly

ChantelleAng's avatar

ChantelleAng

3 months ago · Combination Skin
Review

i used to have a reaction to this when i first started using this. after the 4th try, i used it daily and i can VISIBLY see how much it brightened...

i used to have a reaction to this when i first started using this. after the 4th try, i used it daily and i can VISIBLY see how much it brightened my skin. omg it made my skin GLOWWWW. not so much in fading dark spots tho

Beauty of Joseon Glow Deep Serum: Rice + Arbutin 32 ingredients

2.8 /5
from 5 ratings
Doesn't Work (1)
SamanthaTan_417's avatar

SamanthaTan_417

12 months ago · Normal Skin
Review

Fine, but not amazing
It was okay. No biggie, and definitely won't be buying this again.

Nothing wrong with it per se, I just didn't notice any...

Fine, but not amazing
It was okay. No biggie, and definitely won't be buying this again.

Nothing wrong with it per se, I just didn't notice any difference/improvement in my skin.

It has a really nice, light texture though, so application was always pleasant.

AnaG's avatar

AnaG

2 months ago · Dry Skin
Review

Nice texture, hydrating, good for sensitive skin. But I didn't see any improvements so I won't repurchase. This is very personal, this may work for...

Nice texture, hydrating, good for sensitive skin. But I didn't see any improvements so I won't repurchase. This is very personal, this may work for you.