Balance Active Formula Hyaluronic + Ceramides Double Booster Versus K-Secret Seoul 1988 Eye Cream : Retinal Liposome 4% + Fermented Bean
This hydrating serum is formulated around Sodium Hyaluronate and Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer to hydrate skin and strengthen the skin barrier.
This anti-aging eye moisturizer is formulated around Retinal and Niacinamide to soften the look of wrinkles and refine skin texture.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
ChelatingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
Buffering
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Cholesterol
Emollient
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Phytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingCeramide EOP
Skin Conditioning
Water, Propylene Glycol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Panthenol, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Citric Acid, Pentylene Glycol, Ceramide NP, Cholesterol, Ceramide AP, Phytosphingosine, Xanthan Gum, Carbomer, Sodium Hydroxide, Ceramide EOP
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientNiacinamide
Smoothing
Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate
Emollient
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Cetearyl Olivate
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
Emollient
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
BufferingPropanediol
Solvent
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Cholesterol
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-10 Oleate
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin Conditioning
Brassica Campestris Sterols
EmollientPhytosteryl/Behenyl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate
Skin ConditioningRetinal
Skin Conditioning
Silica
Abrasive
Disodium EDTA
ChelatingAluminum/Magnesium Hydroxide Stearate
Emulsion StabilisingLactobacillus
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus/Rice Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Lactobacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract
Skin ConditioningSaccharomyces/Coix Lacryma-Jobi Ma-Yuen Seed Ferment Filtrate
Skin Conditioning
Saccharomyces/Potato Extract Ferment Filtrate
Humectant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Arctium Lappa Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Cnidium Officinale Root Extract
Skin ConditioningDioscorea Japonica Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Paeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract
Skin ProtectingRehmannia Chinensis Root Extract
Skin Conditioning3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Bakuchiol
Antimicrobial
Sh-Oligopeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Sh-Oligopeptide-2
Skin Conditioning
Sh-Polypeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Water, Glycerin, Dipropylene Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, 1,2-Hexanediol, Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Niacinamide, Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Butylene Glycol, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Carbomer, Tromethamine, Propanediol, Glyceryl Stearate, Cholesterol, Polyglyceryl-10 Oleate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, Brassica Campestris Sterols, Phytosteryl/Behenyl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate, Retinal, Silica, Disodium EDTA, Aluminum/Magnesium Hydroxide Stearate, Lactobacillus, Lactobacillus/Rice Ferment, Lactobacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract, Saccharomyces/Coix Lacryma-Jobi Ma-Yuen Seed Ferment Filtrate, Saccharomyces/Potato Extract Ferment Filtrate, Tocopherol, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Arctium Lappa Root Extract, Cnidium Officinale Root Extract, Dioscorea Japonica Root Extract, Paeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract, Rehmannia Chinensis Root Extract, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Bakuchiol, Sh-Oligopeptide-1, Sh-Oligopeptide-2, Sh-Polypeptide-1
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Carbomer is a synthetic thickening and gelling agent. It's basically the ingredient that gives a lot of serums, gels, creams, and sunscreens their smooth, non-sticky texture.
Although legally permitted at very high levels, carbomers are normally used at concentrations below 1%.
It also needs to be neutralized to actually thicken, and because it is a large molecule, it doesn't really penetrate the skin barrier.
Allergy-wise, the risk is very low. Clinical studies show carbomers have low potential for skin irritation/sensitization even at concentrations up to 100%.
A 2024 UK study patch-tested 1,302 patients and found true allergy to the parent group of carbomer to be rare with no confirmed relevant reactions.
Learn more about CarbomerCholesterol is a lipid that is naturally found in human skin and is one of the three key components of your skin barrier. In skincare, it is an emollient and barrier-repairing ingredient.
It works by fitting directly into the lipid layers of skin to help restore structure and reduce transepidermal water loss (TEWL).
This is a great ingredient for dry, compromised, or aging skin; our skin starts to produce less cholesterol with age.
Research shows cholesterol works best in combination with ceramides and fatty acids, the other two major components in your skin barrier.
Cholesterol is also a well-establish penetration enhancer and can help other actives absorb more effectively.
Cosmetic-grade cholesterol is usually derived from lanolin but plant and synthetic options also exist. We recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about their source of cholesterol.
Learn more about CholesterolEthylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinSodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateWater. 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. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water
