Versus

Beauty of Joseon Green Plum Refreshing Cleanser Versus Mary & May Vegan Low pH Hyaluronic Gel Cleanser

Face Cleanser
Face Cleanser
Korean Brand South Korea
Korean Brand South Korea

Updated on September 07, 2024

Overview

What they are

These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe face cleansers. They have a total of 10 ingredients in common

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, reducing pores and scar healing

Free From

They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, 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

Benefits

Concerns

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

found in both products
Green Plum Refreshing Cleanser
Vegan Low pH Hyaluronic Gel Cleanser

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

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

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
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
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.

Buffering, Masking

Citric Acid is an AHA derived from citrus fruits (think oranges, lemons, and limes!).

As an AHA, Citric Acid removes the top layer of skin cells from the newer layer of skin underneath. This helps skin to remove dark spots and even out skin tone.

If you spot Citric Acid near the end of an ingredient list, it's likely there as a pH adjuster rather than an active ingredient.

Read more about some other popular AHA's here:

Learn more about Citric Acid
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.

Absorbent

Dextrin is used to thicken a product and helps bind ingredients together. It is created from starch and glycogen.

As an emulsifier, dextrin prevents ingredients from separating. This helps elongate a product's shelf life.

Studies show coating UV filters with dextrin prevents these ingredients from being absorbed. This helps UV ingredients last longer on the skin.

Learn more about Dextrin
Skin Conditioning

We don't have a description for Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract yet.

Buffering, Masking

Sodium Citrate is the sodium salts of citric acid. In skincare, it is used to alter pH levels and acts as a preservative.

Its main functions are to maintain the pH of a product and neutralize metal ions.

The acidity of our skin is maintained by our glands and skin biome; normal pH level of skin is slightly acidic (~4.75-5.5).

Being slightly acidic allows our skin to create an "acid mantle". This acid mantle is a thin barrier that protects our skin from bacteria and contaminants.

Learn more about Sodium Citrate

When to use

812 Routines
44% use in am
56% use in pm
96% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->
18 Routines
44% use in am
56% use in pm
94% use every day

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Beauty of Joseon Green Plum Refreshing Cleanser 29 ingredients

3.5 /5
from 16 ratings
No Scent (7) Light (6) Works Well (6)
b3lla's avatar

b3lla

10 months ago
Review

not a bad cleanser, maybe too stripping. it has the same gel consistency as haruharu wonder's cleanser except more hydrating

#no scent
meii's avatar

meii

2 months ago
Review

lovee, just repurchased my second tube. my skin usually gets so red and tight with gel cleansers but this seems to take off oils, sunscreen, silicones well while leaving my skin hydrated and plump. my skin's also smoother and brighter, the green plum water and mung bean exfoliates just enough for everyday use. a little goes a long way too; 3-5 drops is enough.

#great value
#hydrating
#no scent
#works well

Mary & May Vegan Low pH Hyaluronic Gel Cleanser 35 ingredients

2.5 /5
from 2 ratings
Strong Scent (2) Hydrating (1) Light (1)
ichigoluvah's avatar

ichigoluvah

4 months ago
Review

It's not bad it's just- basic. Not too drying but nothing special. It doesn't have that luxurious feeling I usually get from a gel cleanser. Has a weird natural grape smell to it.

#hydrating
#light
#strong scent
#works well
frostshine13's avatar

frostshine13

2 months ago
Review

It cleans, doesn't dry out too much - but oh god the smell. I brought it on a trip as it was the only bottle of cleanser under 100ml I had, and god did I regret it. It is PERFUMY as hell, and I'm not usually one to complain about it. It's unfortunately going in the trash, as I cannot make myself finish it.

#strong scent