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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Beauty of Joseon Ginseng Essence Water versus Su:m37 Secret Essence Fundamental Treatment .

Last updated on July 18, 2023. Published on January 01, 2024

Overview

What they are

These products are both reef safe . They have a total of 7 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 and dark spots

Free From

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

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

Essence South Korean Brand South Korea
Facial Treatment Singaporean Brand Singapore

Essence

Essences are used to prep skin for further treatment and may provide extra skin benefits. They are usually used before serum and moisturizers. Essences are thought to have originated in either Japan or Korea and is an essential step in K-Beauty.

Facial Treatment

Facial treatments are specially designed to treat a skin concern. Acne treatments and anti-aging products are common examples of facial treatments.

Price

Shop

Buy Ginseng Essence Water

Starts at $13.50
Shop

Buy Secret Essence Fundamental Treatment

Starts at $79.00

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and view relevant ingredients.
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free
ph level
5.84
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Notable Ingredients

Niacinamide
Hyaluronic Acid

Benefits

Hydrating (2)
Good For Oily Skin
Redness Reducing (4)
Reduces Irritation (3)
Reduces Large Pores
Anti-Aging
Dark Spots (2)
Scar Healing (2)
Acne Fighting
Brightening (2)

Notable Ingredients

Exfoliators
Niacinamide
Ceramides
Hyaluronic Acid

Benefits

Hydrating (4)
Good For Oily Skin
Redness Reducing (6)
Reduces Irritation (4)
Reduces Large Pores
Anti-Aging (2)
Dark Spots (2)
Acne Fighting
Brightening (2)
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Ingredients Compared

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

WaterDipropylene GlycolGlycereth-26Spiraea Ulmaria Flower Extract1,2-HexanediolButylene GlycolGlycerinMethyl Gluceth-20Ferulic AcidLactobacillus/Pear Juice Ferment FiltrateSaccharomyces/Barley Seed Ferment FiltrateLactobacillus/Wasabia Japonica Root Ferment ExtractLactobacillus/Water Hyacinth FermentLactobacillusLactobacillus/Soybean Ferment ExtractLactobacillus/Rye Flour FermentMonascus/Rice FermentSaccharomyces/Potato Extract Ferment FiltrateSaccharomyces/Xylinum/Black Tea FermentSaccharomyces/Grape Ferment Extract Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root ExtractDiospyros Kaki Fruit ExtractCurcuma Longa Root ExtractActinidia Polygama Fruit ExtractCassia Tora Seed ExtractIpomoea Batatas Root ExtractTrichosanthes Kirilowii Root ExtractLycium Chinense Fruit ExtractCitrus Unshiu Peel ExtractLonicera Japonica Flower ExtractPanicum Miliaceum Seed ExtractGlechoma Hederacea ExtractPlatycodon Grandiflorus Root ExtractAcer Palmatum Leaf ExtractDaucus Carota Sativa Root ExtractCodonopsis Lanceolata Root ExtractCamellia Japonica Leaf ExtractRubus Idaeus Fruit ExtractMelissa Officinalis Leaf ExtractLippia Citriodora Leaf ExtractRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf ExtractAllium Sativum Bulb ExtractPortulaca Oleracea ExtractChaenomeles Sinensis Fruit ExtractRaphanus Sativus Root ExtractFicus Carica Fruit ExtractMusa Sapientum Fruit ExtractOcimum Basilicum Leaf ExtractCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Leaf ExtractCentella Asiatica ExtractPrunus Persica Fruit ExtractBeta Vulgaris Root ExtractEriobotrya Japonica Leaf ExtractPyrus Malus Fruit ExtractMorus Bombycis Leaf ExtractPrunus Armeniaca Fruit ExtractZingiber Officinale Root ExtractTaraxacum Officinale Leaf ExtractThymus Vulgaris Leaf ExtractSalvia Officinalis Leaf ExtractEquisetum Arvense ExtractCitrullus Lanatus Fruit ExtractBrassica Rapa Leaf ExtractSpinacia Oleracea Leaf ExtractArtemisia Princeps Leaf ExtractBrassica Oleracea Capitata Leaf ExtractAllium Cepa Bulb ExtractHouttuynia Cordata ExtractSasa Veitchii Leaf ExtractNelumbo Nucifera Root ExtractCucumis Sativus Fruit ExtractPlantago Major Seed ExtractHemerocallis Fulva Flower ExtractCitrus Junos Fruit ExtractAkebia Quinata ExtractGinkgo Biloba Nut ExtractCrataegus Cuneata Fruit ExtractGrifola Frondosa Fruiting Body ExtractPrunus Salicina Fruit ExtractPerilla Frutescens Leaf ExtractGeranium Robertianum ExtractAnemarrhena Asphodeloides Root ExtractRehmannia Chinensis Root ExtractSesamum Indicum Seed ExtractUndaria Pinnatifida ExtractAcorus Calamus Root ExtractAnthemis Nobilis Flower ExtractCarica Papaya Fruit ExtractPhaseolus Angularis Seed ExtractMentha Piperita Flower/Leaf/Stem ExtractLentinus Edodes ExtractHelianthus Annuus Seed ExtractSchizonepeta Tenuifolia ExtractCarthamus Tinctorius Flower ExtractCichorium Intybus Root ExtractVanilla Tahitensis Fruit ExtractPoloxamer 234BetaineGlycosphingolipidsPhospholipidsNiacinamideSodium HyaluronateCeramide NPPolyquaternium-51Lauryl Dimethicone/Polyglycerin-3 CrosspolymerCholesterolPolymethylsilsesquioxaneHydroxyethylcelluloseCetearyl AlcoholAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate CrosspolymerPeg/Ppg-17/6 CopolymerTromethamineLavandula Angustifolia OilCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit OilAnthemis Nobilis Flower OilPelargonium Graveolens Flower OilCitrus Aurantifolia OilLimoneneLinaloolCitronellol

Ingredients Side-by-side

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

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Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

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

1
What it does: Humectant, Masking, Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: 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.

Beauty of Joseon Ginseng Essence Water contains this as ingredient number 2.

Su:m37 Secret Essence Fundamental Treatment contains this as ingredient number 6.

2
What it does: Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting, Solvent
Community Rating: 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

Beauty of Joseon Ginseng Essence Water contains this as ingredient number 3.

Su:m37 Secret Essence Fundamental Treatment contains this as ingredient number 7.

3
What it does: Smoothing
Community Rating: 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

Beauty of Joseon Ginseng Essence Water contains this as ingredient number 5.

Su:m37 Secret Essence Fundamental Treatment contains this as ingredient number 101.

4
What it does: Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: 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.

Beauty of Joseon Ginseng Essence Water contains this as ingredient number 6.

Su:m37 Secret Essence Fundamental Treatment contains this as ingredient number 5.

5
What it does: Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: 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

Beauty of Joseon Ginseng Essence Water contains this as ingredient number 7.

Su:m37 Secret Essence Fundamental Treatment contains this as ingredient number 1.

6
What it does: Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Liked

Lactobacillus is a type of bacteria. It makes up most of the food fermenting lactic acid bacteria. It is used to create wine, yogurt, cheese, sauerkraut, pickles, beer, cider, kimchi, cocoa, kefir.

Lactobacillus has antibacterial and antifungal properties (that's why we can eat the fermented foods above).

Lactobacillus is also skin conditioning and helps soothe the skin.

Read about lactobacillus ferment here.

Learn more about Lactobacillus

Beauty of Joseon Ginseng Essence Water contains this as ingredient number 21.

Su:m37 Secret Essence Fundamental Treatment contains this as ingredient number 14.

7
What it does: Humectant, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Loved

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

Beauty of Joseon Ginseng Essence Water contains this as ingredient number 22.

Su:m37 Secret Essence Fundamental Treatment contains this as ingredient number 102.

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

79% are loved or liked
13% have mixed ratings
8% are disliked or very disliked
0% have no rating yet
32% are loved or liked
10% have mixed ratings
9% are disliked or very disliked
49% have no rating yet

Usage

Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.

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Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Beauty of Joseon Ginseng Essence Water 24 ingredients

4.3 /5
from 37 ratings
Hydrating (12) Works Well (9) Absorbs Well (9) Light (9) Great Value (8) Light Scent (6)
laila.21's avatar

laila.21

4 months ago · Combination Skin
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...

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 marks and face in general.
But it was my mistake using it with the Anua toner as it burnt with it.
sorry for judging too early 😭 and I think I would repurchase it.

rachaelolivia's avatar

rachaelolivia

4 months ago · Oily Skin
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...

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 reduces sensitivity and helps brighten my dark spots from old spots and helps heal new ones :)

Su:m37 Secret Essence Fundamental Treatment 120 ingredients

Secret Essence Fundamental Treatment hasn't been rated yet.
Rate it now

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