Versus

Beauty of Joseon Ginseng Essence Water Versus Skinmade Phyto Nutritive Essence

Essence
Essence
Korean Brand South Korea
Malaysian Brand Malaysia

Updated on March 26, 2025

Overview

What they are

These products are both fungal acne (malassezia) safe and reef safe essences. They have a total of 8 ingredients in common

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, anti aging, dry 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

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

found in both products
Phyto Nutritive Essence

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

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

Masking, Skin Protecting, Tonic

Panax Ginseng Root Water is created by distilling ginseng, popular herb from Asia. This root contains antioxidants, favonoids, and vitamins B12 and D.

Ginseng Root helps increase skin hydration, even out texture and tone, and helps improve wrinkles.

Ginseng root helps improve blood circulation and oxygen flow. This in turn helps nourish the skin and improve wrinkles. By speeding up circulation, ginseng root can also help drain fluids.

Ginseng root contains both Vitamin D and B12. Both of these vitamins help boost collagen production in your skin. Collagen gives you skin the appearance of looking plump and firm.

Ginseng Root can also aid in decreasing inflammation.

Studies also show ginseng may help with hyperpigmentation. Ginseng disrupts the production of tyrosinase, an enzyme that starts the process of skin darkening.

Historically, people in East Asia have used ginseng as both food and medicine.

Learn more about Panax Ginseng Root Water
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
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 
Antioxidant

Hydroxyacetophenone is antioxidant with skin conditioning and soothing properties. It also boosts the efficiency of preservatives.

This ingredient is not irritating or sensitizing.

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

This ingredient comes from the callus cells of ginseng.

Ginseng is rich in antioxidants, favonoids, and vitamins B12 and D.

Skin Conditioning

This ingredient is extracted from the seeds of the cocoa tree.

Cacao seeds contain antioxidants known as polyphenols. These include flavonoids, procyanidins, and epicatechins.

Studies show these polyphenols help improve skin health.

The more famous ingredient from cocoa tree is cocoa butter.

Learn more about Theobroma Cacao Extract

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

5,249 Routines
50% use in am
50% use in pm
96% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->
42 Routines
50% use in am
50% use in pm
98% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Beauty of Joseon Ginseng Essence Water 24 ingredients

4.1 /5
from 98 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

Skinmade Phyto Nutritive Essence 33 ingredients

5.0 /5
from 3 ratings
Works Well (2) Great Value (1) Hydrating (1)
nadinekerosene's avatar

Nadine

14 days ago
Review

Loaded with soothing ingredients, this essence is a great option for anyone dealing with painful or cystic acne. It helps calm irritation, reduce inflammation, and ease overall discomfort. I’ve been using it consistently, and my acne is now almost completely gone <3

#great value
#light scent
#works well
Cpl_rhwo_820's avatar

Cpl_rhwo_820

7 months ago
Review

My skin used to have more acne last time. At that time I notice this essence really help to calm down my skin and make the acne go away faster. I have finished a few bottles now before I review.

#hydrating
#light
#works well