Versus

APLB Bifida Niacinamide Facial Cream Versus ma:nyo Bifida Biome Aqua Barrier Cream

General Moisturizer
General Moisturizer
Korean Brand South Korea
Korean Brand South Korea

Overview

What they are

These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe general moisturizers. They have a total of 16 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain hyaluronic acid and niacinamide

Suited For

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

Free From

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

What's Inside

They both contain oils

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

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and see relevant ingredients

About this product

About this product

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

found in both products
Bifida Niacinamide Facial Cream
Bifida Biome Aqua Barrier Cream

Bifida Ferment Lysate

Skin Conditioning
Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Centella Asiatica Leaf Water

Skin Conditioning
Helps reduce Skin Redness IconHelps reduce irritation Icon

Water

Skin Conditioning

Propanediol

Solvent

Glycerin

Humectant
0 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps brighten skin Icon

Butylene Glycol

Humectant
1 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Niacinamide

Smoothing
Niacinamide IconGood for Oily Skin IconHelps reduce Skin Redness IconHelps reduce irritation IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconGood for Dark Spots IconGood for Scar Healing IconHelps fight Acne IconHelps brighten skin Icon

Isononyl Isononanoate

Emollient

1,2-Hexanediol

Skin Conditioning

Hydrogenated Polydecene

Emollient

Pentylene Glycol

Skin Conditioning

Dimethicone

Emollient
1 / 0 Silicon Icon

Cutibacterium Granulosum Ferment Extract Filtrate

Emollient

Bifida Ferment Filtrate

Skin Conditioning

Lactobacillus/Pumpkin Fruit Ferment Filtrate

Skin Conditioning

Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate

Skin Conditioning
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Lactococcus Ferment Lysate

Skin Conditioning

Saccharomyces Ferment Filtrate

Humectant

Glycyrrhiza Uralensis Root Extract

Skin Conditioning
Helps reduce Skin Redness IconHelps reduce irritation Icon

Lactobacillus Ferment

Skin Conditioning

Hamamelis Virginiana Water

Astringent
Can worsen Dry Skin IconMay worsen Eczema IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Vincetoxicum Atratum Extract

Skin Conditioning

Anastatica Hierochuntica Extract

Astringent

Chrysanthemum Zawadskii Extract

Skin Conditioning

Artemisia Capillaris Extract

Cyperus Rotundus Root Extract

Skin Conditioning

Leonurus Sibiricus Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract

Soothing

Sodium Hyaluronate

Humectant
0 / 0 Hyaluronic Acid Icon

Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid

Humectant
Hyaluronic Acid IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconGood for Scar Healing IconHelps brighten skin Icon

Hyaluronic Acid

Humectant
Hyaluronic Acid IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconGood for Scar Healing IconHelps brighten skin Icon

Rose Extract

Skin Conditioning

Pinus Palustris Leaf Extract

Tonic

Pueraria Lobata Root Extract

Humectant

Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract

Skin Conditioning

Panthenol

Skin Conditioning
0 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps reduce Skin Redness IconHelps reduce irritation Icon

Borago Officinalis Extract

Emollient
Helps reduce irritation Icon

Centaurea Cyanus Flower Extract

Astringent

Chamomilla Recutita Flower/Leaf Extract

Antimicrobial

Hyacinthus Orientalis Extract

Skin Conditioning

Lavandula Angustifolia Flower Water

Skin Conditioning

Salvia Sclarea Extract

Antiseborrhoeic

Ceramide NP

Skin Conditioning
Ceramide IconHelps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps reduce irritation IconHelps with Anti-Aging Icon

Hydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables

Emollient
Oil IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Squalane

Emollient
1 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer

Humectant
Hyaluronic Acid Icon

Fructooligosaccharides

Humectant

Fructose

Humectant

Tromethamine

Buffering

Asiaticoside

Antioxidant
Antioxidant IconGood for Scar Healing Icon

Asiatic Acid

Skin Conditioning

Madecassic Acid

Skin Conditioning
Helps reduce irritation IconHelps with Anti-Aging Icon

Chlorella Vulgaris Extract

Skin Conditioning

Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate

Emollient

Paeonia Albiflora Flower Extract

Tonic

Gossypium Herbaceum Seed Extract

Skin Conditioning

Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer

Polydecene

Skin Conditioning

Glucose

Humectant

Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate

Emulsifying
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer

Emulsion Stabilising

Theobroma Cacao Seed Extract

Antioxidant
Antioxidant Icon

Hydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans

Humectant

Agar

Masking

Cyamopsis Tetragonoloba Gum

Emulsion Stabilising

Xanthan Gum

Emulsifying

Ethylhexylglycerin

Skin Conditioning

Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer

Humectant

Dimethyl Sulfone

Solvent

Betaine Salicylate

Antimicrobial
BHA IconGood for Oily Skin IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconHelps fight Acne IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Hydrogenated Lecithin

Emulsifying

Benzyl Glycol

Solvent

Dextrin

Absorbent

Sodium Phytate

Adenosine

Skin Conditioning
Good for Minimizing Pores IconGood for Scar Healing Icon

Tocopherol

Antioxidant
0-3 / 0-3 Vitamin E IconAntioxidant IconHelps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconGood for Scar Healing Icon

Bifida Ferment Lysate, Centella Asiatica Leaf Water, Water, Propanediol, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Isononyl Isononanoate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Pentylene Glycol, Dimethicone, Cutibacterium Granulosum Ferment Extract Filtrate, Bifida Ferment Filtrate, Lactobacillus/Pumpkin Fruit Ferment Filtrate, Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate, Lactococcus Ferment Lysate, Saccharomyces Ferment Filtrate, Glycyrrhiza Uralensis Root Extract, Lactobacillus Ferment, Hamamelis Virginiana Water, Vincetoxicum Atratum Extract, Anastatica Hierochuntica Extract, Chrysanthemum Zawadskii Extract, Artemisia Capillaris Extract, Cyperus Rotundus Root Extract, Leonurus Sibiricus Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hyaluronic Acid, Rose Extract, Pinus Palustris Leaf Extract, Pueraria Lobata Root Extract, Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract, Panthenol, Borago Officinalis Extract, Centaurea Cyanus Flower Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower/Leaf Extract, Hyacinthus Orientalis Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower Water, Salvia Sclarea Extract, Ceramide NP, Hydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables, Squalane, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Fructooligosaccharides, Fructose, Tromethamine, Asiaticoside, Asiatic Acid, Madecassic Acid, Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate, Paeonia Albiflora Flower Extract, Gossypium Herbaceum Seed Extract, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Polydecene, Glucose, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Theobroma Cacao Seed Extract, Hydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans, Agar, Cyamopsis Tetragonoloba Gum, Xanthan Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Dimethyl Sulfone, Betaine Salicylate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Benzyl Glycol, Dextrin, Sodium Phytate, Adenosine, Tocopherol

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

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. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!

Learn more about Water
Skin Conditioning

Centella Asiatica Leaf Water is created by distilling centella asiatica leaves. Centella Asiatica is a herb native to Southeast Asia.

Many active components found in Centella Asiatica Extract, such as Madecassic Acid and Asiaticoside, encourage the skin to naturally produce hyaluronic acid. This helps keep our skin hydrated. Many of these components also show antioxidant activity and may help reduce the signs of aging.

Other components of Centella Asiatic Extract include Vitamin A, vitamin C, several B vitamins, and Asiatic Acid.

Learn more about Centella Asiatica Leaf Water
Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting

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
Humectant, Masking, Skin Conditioning

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.
  • It has mild preservative properties.

Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.

Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate is created from the diester of stearic acid and the condensation product of methylglucose and Polyglycerin-3.

As an emulsifier, it is used to bind ingredients together. Many ingredients, such as oils and water, separate naturally. Emulsifiers prevent them from separating to ensure even consistency in texture.

One of the manufacturer for this ingredient states it is vegetable-based. It is also claimed to be stable at both high and low temperatures.

This ingredient may not be safe for fungal acne. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have any concerns.

Learn more about Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
Skin Conditioning

Bifida Ferment Lysate is derived from the fermentation of Bifida bacteria (often with dairy). It is a probiotic and helps to strengthen our skin's microbiome.

Having a healthy microbiome helps protect our skin against infection. It also helps our skin stay hydrated and healthy.

Studies also show this ingredient to be a promising soothing ingredient for sensitive skin.

Learn more about Bifida Ferment Lysate
Smoothing

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, Skin Conditioning

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

Like hyaluronic acid, it is great at holding water and acts as a humectant. This makes it a great skin hydrating ingredient.

Sodium Hyaluronate is naturally occurring in our bodies and is mostly found in eye fluid and joints.

These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:

Learn more about Sodium Hyaluronate
Emollient, Masking, Skin Conditioning

Hydrogenated Polydecene is an emollient. It creates a non-occlusive film on the skin that offers extra protection for your skin barrier.

The texture of Hydrogenated Polydecene ranges from light and silky to rich.

Hydrogenated Polydecene is the end compound of controlled hydrogenation of Polydecene.

Learn more about Hydrogenated Polydecene
Emollient, Skin Conditioning

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.

Because squalane boosts hydration in the skin, it also comes with plenty of benefits: it is an antioxidant and can help fight free radicals and skin damage. Squalane is also found to have a detoxifying effect when applied.

Squalane comes from squalene, which occurs naturally within the sebum of our skin. It is one of the oils our skin produces to keep itself hydrated. Squalane is the hydrogenated version of squalene and has a longer shelf life.

Research shows that squalane is non-irritating (even at 100% concentration).

In general, it's a fantastic ingredient. It does a great job at hydrating the skin, and it's suitable for those with sensitive skin.

The source of squalane may impact malassezia / fungal acne. This is because olive oil derived squalane can contain impurities such as fatty acids and plant waxes. Sugarcane derived squalane is recommended for anyone with malassezia concerns.

Is squalane vegan?

This depends on the source. Squalane can be derived from both plants and animals. Most squalane used in skincare comes from plants.

Please note: the source of squalane is only known if disclosed by the brand. We recommend reaching out to the brand if you have any questions about their squalane.

Read more about squalene with an "e".

Learn more about Squalane
Skin Conditioning

Madecassic Acid is a major component of Centella Asiatica Extract. It has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.

It is a triterpenoid, meaning it naturally acts as an antioxidant. Antioxidants protect your skin against damage from environmental factors such as pollution and UV.

Studies show Madecassic Acid helps soothe the skin due to its ability to block inflammation pathways.

Learn more about Madecassic Acid
Antioxidant, Skin Conditioning

Asiaticoside comes from the super popular skin-soothing ingredient, Centella asiatica. It is one of four active compounds found in the extract of Centella Asiatica.

Asiaticoside is an antioxidant and helps with wound healing. It has been shown to increase antioxidant activity during the wound healing process.

Skin Conditioning, Stabilising

Asiatic Acid is a major component of Centella Asiatica Extract. It has wound-healing, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties.

Studies show Asiatic Acid is able to block the pathway for skin inflammation receptors, helping to soothe skin.

As an antioxidant, asiatic acid helps protect our skin against damaging environmental factors.

Learn more about Asiatic Acid
Solvent

Propanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin. 

It’s often used to:

Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.

Learn more about Propanediol
Skin Conditioning, Solvent

1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse. 

It is a:

  • Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
  • Emollient, helping to soften skin
  • Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
  • Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservatives 
Skin Conditioning

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.

When to use

117 Routines
49% use in am
51% use in pm
97% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

APLB Bifida Niacinamide Facial Cream 41 ingredients

Bifida Niacinamide Facial Cream hasn't been rated yet.
Rate it now

ma:nyo Bifida Biome Aqua Barrier Cream 75 ingredients

4.8 /5
from 6 ratings
Hydrating (4) No Scent (4) Light (3)
sophiesmigiel's avatar

sophie

6 months ago
Review

I love how this moisturiser feels really hydrating and cooling. It has a gel texture which I never went for in the past but I prefer it. Doesn’t feel heavy but it’s very moisturising.
Edit: I realised I will have to get silicone free formulas in the future because I’m not a fan of the film it leaves on the skin when applying. It doesn’t fully sink in but seems to create a glossy effect on the Show more

#great value
#hydrating
#light
#no scent
ClaireEstelle's avatar

Claire L.

10 months ago
Review

This barrier repairing cream is really moisturizing but never feels heavy or greasy. It has a lot of ferments, plus centella and niacinamide but no scent to speak of. It feels light enough to be my morning moisturizer. Love it!

#hydrating
#absorbs well
#no scent
#works well