Versus

Beauty of Joseon Ginseng Essence Water Versus NU Formula Pro White Essence Lotion

Essence
Essence
Korean Brand South Korea
Thai Brand Thailand

Updated on August 27, 2024

Overview

What they are

These products are both reef safe essences. They have a total of 13 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, fragrances, oils, parabens, silicones or sulfates

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

What's inside (and what isn't)

What's inside (and what isn't)

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

found in both products
Pro White Essence Lotion

Water

Skin Conditioning

Butylene Glycol

Humectant
1 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Propylene Glycol

Humectant
0 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconMay worsen Eczema IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Propanediol

Solvent
Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

PEG/PPG-17/6 Copolymer

Solvent

Phenoxyethanol

Preservative
Preservative Icon

Glycerin

Humectant
0 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconGood for Scar Healing IconHelps brighten skin Icon

Trehalose

Humectant
Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Polysorbate 20

Emulsifying
0 / 0 Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Chlorphenesin

Antimicrobial
Preservative Icon

Carbomer

Emulsion Stabilising
1 / 0

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

Disodium EDTA

Sodium Hydroxide

Buffering

Benzotriazolyl Dodecyl P-Cresol

UV Absorber

Tris(Tetramethylhydroxypiperidinol) Citrate

UV Absorber

1,2-Hexanediol

Skin Conditioning
Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Sodium Citrate

Buffering

3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid

Skin Conditioning
Vitamin C IconHelps reduce Skin Redness IconGood for Skin Texture IconGood for Minimizing Pores Icon

Tranexamic Acid

Astringent
Helps reduce irritation IconGood for Dark Spots IconGood for Scar Healing Icon

Panthenol

Skin Conditioning
0 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps reduce Skin Redness IconHelps reduce irritation IconGood for Scar Healing Icon

Cystoseira Tamariscifolia Extract

Skin Conditioning

Citrus Reticulata Peel Extract

Skin Conditioning

Xanthan Gum

Emulsifying

Zinc PCA

Humectant
Good for Oily Skin IconHelps reduce Skin Redness IconGood for Scar Healing IconHelps fight Acne Icon

Tocopheryl Acetate

Antioxidant
0 / 0 Vitamin E IconAntioxidant Icon

Allantoin

Skin Conditioning
0 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps reduce Skin Redness IconHelps reduce irritation IconGood for Scar Healing Icon

Alpha-Arbutin

Antioxidant
Antioxidant IconGood for Dark Spots IconGood for Scar Healing Icon

Centella Asiatica Extract

Cleansing
Helps reduce Skin Redness IconHelps reduce irritation IconHelps with Anti-Aging Icon

Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract

Emollient
Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps reduce Skin Redness IconHelps reduce irritation Icon

Ethylhexylglycerin

Skin Conditioning

Caprylyl Glycol

Emollient

Leontopodium Alpinum Extract

Skin Conditioning

Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract

Bleaching
Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps reduce Skin Redness IconHelps reduce irritation IconGood for Dark Spots Icon

Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract

Skin Conditioning

Glucose

Humectant
Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Magnesium PCA

Humectant
Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Sodium Lactate

Buffering

Sodium Hyaluronate

Humectant
0 / 0 Hyaluronic Acid IconHelps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Copper Tripeptide-1

Skin Conditioning
Peptide IconHelps hydrate Dry Skin IconGood for Skin Texture IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconGood for Scar Healing Icon

Glutathione

Good for Dark Spots Icon

Potassium Sorbate

Preservative
Preservative Icon

Sodium Benzoate

Masking
Preservative Icon

Chondrus Crispus Extract

Skin Conditioning
Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Serine

Masking
Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Sucrose

Humectant
Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Urea

Buffering
Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconGood for Skin Texture IconMay worsen Eczema IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Glycine

Buffering
Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Calcium Chloride

Astringent

Potassium Hydroxide

Buffering

Ornithine

Skin Conditioning

Maris Sal

Skin Conditioning

Alanine

Masking

Magnesium Chloride

Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate

Threonine

Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Histidine

Humectant
Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconGood for Scar Healing Icon

Aspartic Acid

Masking
Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Valine

Masking

Proline

Skin Conditioning

Dipotassium Phosphate

Buffering

Lysine

Skin Conditioning

Leucine

Skin Conditioning

Tyrosine

Masking

Isoleucine

Skin Conditioning

Magnesium Citrate

Skin Conditioning

Glucosamine Hcl

Phenylalanine

Masking
Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconGood for Scar Healing Icon

Glutamic Acid

Humectant
Helps reduce Skin Redness IconHelps reduce irritation IconGood for Scar Healing Icon

Arginine

Masking
Good for Scar Healing IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

1-Methylhydantoin-2-Imide

Skin Conditioning

Asparagine

Masking

Citrulline

Skin Conditioning

Uric Acid

Buffering

Methionine

Skin Conditioning

Taurine

Buffering

Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid

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

Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate

Humectant
Hyaluronic Acid Icon

Tryptophan

Masking

Formic Acid

Preservative
Preservative Icon

Ammonia

Buffering
May cause irritation Icon

Glutamine

Skin Conditioning

Cysteine

Antioxidant
Antioxidant Icon

Hyaluronic Acid

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

Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer

Humectant
Hyaluronic Acid IconHelps hydrate Dry Skin IconGood for Scar Healing Icon

Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate

Skin Conditioning
Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps reduce irritation IconGood for Scar Healing Icon

Potassium Hyaluronate

Skin Conditioning

Water, Butylene Glycol, Propylene Glycol, Propanediol, PEG/PPG-17/6 Copolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Glycerin, Trehalose, Polysorbate 20, Chlorphenesin, Carbomer, Niacinamide, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Hydroxide, Benzotriazolyl Dodecyl P-Cresol, Tris(Tetramethylhydroxypiperidinol) Citrate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sodium Citrate, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Tranexamic Acid, Panthenol, Cystoseira Tamariscifolia Extract, Citrus Reticulata Peel Extract, Xanthan Gum, Zinc PCA, Tocopheryl Acetate, Allantoin, Alpha-Arbutin, Centella Asiatica Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylyl Glycol, Leontopodium Alpinum Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract, Glucose, Magnesium PCA, Sodium Lactate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Copper Tripeptide-1, Glutathione, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Serine, Sucrose, Urea, Glycine, Calcium Chloride, Potassium Hydroxide, Ornithine, Maris Sal, Alanine, Magnesium Chloride, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Threonine, Histidine, Aspartic Acid, Valine, Proline, Dipotassium Phosphate, Lysine, Leucine, Tyrosine, Isoleucine, Magnesium Citrate, Glucosamine Hcl, Phenylalanine, Glutamic Acid, Arginine, 1-Methylhydantoin-2-Imide, Asparagine, Citrulline, Uric Acid, Methionine, Taurine, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Tryptophan, Formic Acid, Ammonia, Glutamine, Cysteine, Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Potassium Hyaluronate

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

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

Humectant, Masking, Skin Conditioning

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

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

Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.

Learn more about Butylene Glycol
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
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
Smoothing

Niacinamide is a multitasking form of vitamin B3 that strengthens the skin barrier, reduces pores and dark spots, regulates oil, and improves signs of aging.

And the best part? It's gentle and well-tolerated by most skin types, including sensitive and reactive skin.

You might have heard of "niacin flush", or the reddening of skin that causes itchiness. Niacinamide has not been found to cause this.

In very rare cases, some individuals may not be able to tolerate niacinamide at all or experience an allergic reaction to it.

If you are experiencing flaking, irritation, and dryness with this ingredient, be sure to double check all your products as this ingredient can be found in all categories of skincare.

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.

When you apply niacinamide to your skin, your body converts it into nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD). NAD is an essential coenzyme that is already found in your cells as "fuel" and powers countless biological processes.

In your skin, NAD helps repair cell damage, produce new healthy cells, support collagen production, strengthen the skin barrier, and fight environmental stressors (like UV and pollution).

Our natural NAD levels start to decline with age, leading to slower skin repair, visible aging, and a weaker skin barrier. By providing your skin niacinamide, you're recharging your skin's NAD levels. This leads to stronger, healthier, and younger looking skin.

Another name for vitamin B3 is nicotinamide. This vitamin is water-soluble and our bodies don't store it. We obtain Vitamin B3 from either food or skincare. Meat, fish, wheat, yeast, and leafy greens contain vitamin B3.

The type of niacinamide used in skincare is synthetically created.

Learn more about Niacinamide
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, 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
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.

On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.

Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.

Learn more about Xanthan Gum
Skin Conditioning

Panthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.

There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.

D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.

Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):

Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.

This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.

Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.

This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.

Learn more about Panthenol
Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting, Soothing

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

Some studies have shown this ingredient can promote wound healing with higher concentrations.

Allantoin is derived from the comfrey plant but produced synthetically for cosmetic products to ensure purity.

Learn more about Allantoin
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.

Glucose is hydrating due to its humectant property. As a humectant, glucose draws moisture from the air and from deeper levels in the skin.

Our skin contains many sugars that act as prebiotics and help strengthen our natural microbiome. Having a healthy microbiome helps protect our skin from harmful bacteria and other contaminants.

Studies show glucose may help with fading discoloration and pigmentation. This is because our skin metabolizes glucose into lactic acid. Lactic acid is an AHA that helps exfoliate the top layer of skin.

Learn more about Glucose
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
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.

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

When to use

5,282 Routines
50% use in am
50% use in pm
96% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->
4 Routines
50% use in am
50% use in pm
100% use every day

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Beauty of Joseon Ginseng Essence Water 24 ingredients

4.0 /5
from 99 ratings
Hydrating (53) Light (43) Absorbs Well (42)
laila.21's avatar

Laila

1 year ago
Review

It gives a nice hydrating boost but I didn't see much difference, so I'm still stuck with the first bottle after 4 months.
It stings sometimes so I wouldn't repurchase it again.
🎀Update: I gave this product another chance to see if it works since the ingredients were too good, so I used it as a toner for 15 days and I loved it.
Not only did it hydrate my skin, but it brightened my old acne Show more

#hydrating
#light
#light scent
#doesn't work
rachaelolivia's avatar

rachael

1 year ago
Review

love this!!! <3 i got this about a year ago and it helped my skin a lot, it’s so hydrating for me and gives me a nice glow without being oily. it also has great ingredients! i have very oily + blemished skin but also sensitive and can get dry patches and this never breaks me out. i stopped using this after a while and tried other things but have gone back to this as it’s the best for my skin. it Show more

#great value
#hydrating
#light
#absorbs well

NU Formula Pro White Essence Lotion 87 ingredients

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