Beauty of Joseon Glow Serum: Propolis + Niacinamide Versus Round Lab Vita Niacinamide Dark Spot Serum Mask
This acne serum is formulated around Propolis Extract and Niacinamide to clear breakouts and brighten dull-looking skin.
This brightening sheet mask is formulated around Niacinamide and Tranexamic Acid to fade the look of dark spots and brighten dull-looking skin.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Propolis Extract
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantWater
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
Smoothing1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantCurcuma Longa Root Extract
AntioxidantOcimum Sanctum Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningTheobroma Cacao Seed Extract
AntioxidantMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract
PerfumingCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingCorallina Officinalis Extract
Skin ConditioningLotus Corniculatus Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningCalophyllum Inophyllum Seed Oil
AntimicrobialBetaine Salicylate
AntimicrobialSodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
BufferingPolyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDextrin
AbsorbentPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningOctanediol
Tocopherol
AntioxidantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPropolis Extract, Dipropylene Glycol, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Water, Niacinamide, 1,2-Hexanediol, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Theobroma Cacao Seed Extract, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Lotus Corniculatus Seed Extract, Calophyllum Inophyllum Seed Oil, Betaine Salicylate, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Tromethamine, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Dextrin, Pentylene Glycol, Octanediol, Tocopherol, Xanthan Gum, Carbomer
Water
Skin ConditioningHippophae Rhamnoides Water
MaskingButylene Glycol
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingBetaine
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPolyglycerin-3
HumectantArginine
MaskingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingHippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCoptis Japonica Root Extract
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Bisabolol
AntioxidantGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningSodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin ConditioningGlutathione
Tranexamic Acid
AstringentCapryloyl Salicylic Acid
ExfoliatingWater, Hippophae Rhamnoides Water, Butylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Betaine, 1,2-Hexanediol, Polyglycerin-3, Arginine, Carbomer, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Extract, Coptis Japonica Root Extract, Allantoin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, Disodium EDTA, Bisabolol, Gluconolactone, Panthenol, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Glutathione, Tranexamic Acid, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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
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 GlycolCarbomer 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 CarbomerEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinNiacinamide 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 NiacinamideWater. 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