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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Best Face Forward Balancing Serum versus Some By Mi AHA, BHA, PHA 30 Days Miracle Serum .

Last updated on July 18, 2023. Published on October 10, 2022

Overview

What they are

These products are both reef safe serums. They have a total of 17 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain AHA 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, dark spots and better texture

Free From

They both do not contain any parabens, silicones or sulfates

What's Inside

They both contain fragrances and oils

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

Serum American Brand United States
Serum South Korean Brand South Korea

Serum

Serums are highly concentrated with ingredients to provide skin with benefits. They should be used after cleansing and before moisturizing.

Serum

Serums are highly concentrated with ingredients to provide skin with benefits. They should be used after cleansing and before moisturizing.

Price

Shop

Buy Balancing Serum

Shop

Buy AHA, BHA, PHA 30 Days Miracle Serum

Starts at $17.69

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
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-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

AHA (3)
BHA
Niacinamide
Hyaluronic Acid (4)

Benefits

Hydrating (3)
Good For Oily Skin (3)
Redness Reducing (5)
Reduces Irritation (5)
Skin Texture (5)
Reduces Large Pores (6)
Anti-Aging (4)
Dark Spots (3)
Scar Healing (8)
Acne Fighting (3)
Brightening (7)

Concerns

Drying
Irritating (5)
Rosacea (6)
Eczema (3)

Notable Ingredients

AHA (5)
PHA
Niacinamide

Benefits

Hydrating
Good For Oily Skin (3)
Redness Reducing (5)
Reduces Irritation (4)
Skin Texture (5)
Reduces Large Pores (7)
Anti-Aging (3)
Dark Spots (4)
Scar Healing (7)
Acne Fighting (2)
Brightening (7)

Concerns

Drying (2)
May Worsen Oily Skin
Acne Trigger
Irritating (6)
Rosacea (7)
Eczema (2)
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Ingredients Compared

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

WaterCentella Asiatica Extract 77%Cetyl EthylhexanoateCaprylic/Capric TriglycerideGlycerinOlea Europaea Fruit OilPropanediolAlcoholButylene Glycol1,2-HexanediolNiacinamideMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf WaterCamellia Sinensis Leaf ExtractScutellaria Baicalensis Root ExtractPolygonum Cuspidatum Root ExtractGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root ExtractChamomilla Recutita Flower ExtractRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf ExtractSodium LactateSodium PCA Citric AcidLactic AcidMalic AcidGlycolic AcidPyruvic AcidTartaric AcidGaultheria Procumbens Leaf ExtractLactobionic AcidPentylene GlycolVaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit ExtractLavandula Angustifolia ExtractOcimum Basilicum Leaf ExtractSyringa Vulgaris ExtractHouttuynia Cordata ExtractAngelica Keiskei ExtractAlthaea Officinalis Root ExtractRosmarinus Officinalis ExtractMadecassosideCamellia Oleifera Seed OilOryza Sativa Bran OilCamellia Sinensis Seed OilRosa Canina Fruit OilPrunus Amygdalus Dulcis OilLimnanthes Alba Seed OilSodium ChlorideCitrus Paradisi Peel OilCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel OilCurcuma Longa Root ExtractMelia Azadirachta Leaf ExtractMelia Azadirachta Flower ExtractXanthan GumPelargonium Graveolens Flower OilBoswellia Carterii OilMelia Azadirachta Bark ExtractPearl PowderAmyris Balsamifera Bark OilMoringa Oleifera Seed OilOcimum Sanctum Leaf ExtractOcimum Basilicum Flower/Leaf ExtractDisodium EDTACaprylyl GlycolEthylhexylglycerin

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: 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

Best Face Forward Balancing Serum contains this as ingredient number 1.

Some By Mi AHA, BHA, PHA 30 Days Miracle Serum contains this as ingredient number 1.

2
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.

Best Face Forward Balancing Serum contains this as ingredient number 2.

Some By Mi AHA, BHA, PHA 30 Days Miracle Serum contains this as ingredient number 9.

3
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

Best Face Forward Balancing Serum contains this as ingredient number 3.

Some By Mi AHA, BHA, PHA 30 Days Miracle Serum contains this as ingredient number 5.

4
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

Best Face Forward Balancing Serum contains this as ingredient number 4.

Some By Mi AHA, BHA, PHA 30 Days Miracle Serum contains this as ingredient number 11.

5
What it does: Buffering
Community Rating: Loved

Glycolic Acid is arguably the most famous AHA with research to back up its benefits. Its main role is to peel the top layer of skin cells from the newer layer of skin underneath. This helps skin to remove dark spots and look more even.

Glycolic Acid has shown to boost collage production, a protein that helps skin stay firm. Overall, Glycolic Acid helps with improving uneven tone, rough patches of skin, fine lines, wrinkles, and sun damage. It also increases skin hydration by playing a role in creating molecules that create hyaluronic acid naturally.

When applying Glycolic Acid, it is normal to feel slight stinging. The pH value and concentration of glycolic acid play a role in the effectiveness of the product.

Recent studies have shown Glycolic Acid may protect the skin against UV damage. However, you should always wear SPF, especially when using exfoliants.

Read more about some other popular AHA's here:

Learn more about Glycolic Acid

Best Face Forward Balancing Serum contains this as ingredient number 5.

Some By Mi AHA, BHA, PHA 30 Days Miracle Serum contains this as ingredient number 24.

6
What it does: Buffering
Community Rating: Mixed

Malic Acid is an AHA derived from unripe fruit. The word "Malic" comes from the word "Malum". In Latin, "Malum" means apple.

Malic Acid has both AHA and BHA properties, but is considered an AHA because its AHA properties are stronger. Like other AHAs, it removes the top layer of old and dead skin to reveal the newer layer underneath. It also helps with improving fine lines, wrinkles, skin tone, skin texture, and acne blemishes.

Due to its exfoliating properties, you should wear SPF when using Malic Acid.

Read more about some other popular AHA's here:

Learn more about Malic Acid

Best Face Forward Balancing Serum contains this as ingredient number 6.

Some By Mi AHA, BHA, PHA 30 Days Miracle Serum contains this as ingredient number 23.

7
What it does: Buffering, Masking
Community Rating: Mixed

Tartaric Acid is an AHA. It can help to improve skin texture, reduce large pores, heal scars, and brighten skin. It can cause irritation and worsen rosacea.

Best Face Forward Balancing Serum contains this as ingredient number 7.

Some By Mi AHA, BHA, PHA 30 Days Miracle Serum contains this as ingredient number 26.

8
What it does: Solvent
Community Rating: Liked

Propanediol helps absorb ingredients into your skin, boosting their benefits. It can act as an emollient, making your skin softer. Propanediol can help products last longer by boosting the properties of preservatives within the formulation.

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

Best Face Forward Balancing Serum contains this as ingredient number 10.

Some By Mi AHA, BHA, PHA 30 Days Miracle Serum contains this as ingredient number 7.

9
What it does: Buffering, Humectant
Community Rating: Liked

Sodium Lactate is the sodium salt of lactic acid, an AHA. It is a humectant and used to adjust the pH of a product.

Sodium Lactate is part of our skin's NMF, or natural moisturizing factor. Our NMF is essential for the hydration of our top skin layers and plasticity of skin.

It also influences our skin's natural acid mantle and pH, which protects our skin from harmful bacteria.

Our NMF is formed from amino acids, lactic acid, sugars, minerals, peptides, and electrolytes. As we age, our NMF naturally depletes. Other sources of NMF depletion include harsh and drying ingredients such as denatured alcohol. Sodium lactate can help replenish our NMF, leading to more hydrated and plump skin.

High percentages of Sodium Lactate can have an exfoliating effect.

Sodium Lactate is produced from fermented sugar.

Learn more about Sodium Lactate

Best Face Forward Balancing Serum contains this as ingredient number 11.

Some By Mi AHA, BHA, PHA 30 Days Miracle Serum contains this as ingredient number 19.

10
What it does: Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, Astringent, Emollient, Humectant, Masking, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting, Tonic
Community Rating: Loved

Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract is derived from the leaves of the tea plant. Black tea, green tea, and oolong tea are all harvested from this plant.

Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract has many benefits. It contains polyphenols, a strong antioxidant. Antioxidants help fight off free-radical molecules that damage skin cells. The antioxidants in green tea neutralize free-radicals from the sun. This gives the skin some extra UV protection, but should not replace sunscreen.

Many components of tea have anti-inflammatory properties. Polyphenols and L-theanine help soothe the skin and reduce irritation. L-theanine is an amino acid that makes up most of the amino acids found in tea leaves. The caffeine in Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract helps calm inflamed blood vessels.

Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract also contains Vitamin Bs, linoleic acid, magnesium, calcium, iron, and zinc.

Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract also has antimicrobial properties.

Research has shown both drinking Camellia Sinensis Leaf Tea and applying it to the skin can help boost skin elasticity and hydration. Studies also show using tea extract may reduce sebum, or oil, production.

Learn more about Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract

Best Face Forward Balancing Serum contains this as ingredient number 15.

Some By Mi AHA, BHA, PHA 30 Days Miracle Serum contains this as ingredient number 13.

11
What it does: Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Liked

Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract is extract from the neem plant.

Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract is an antioxidant. Antioxidants help fight free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells, such as pollution.

The leaves of this tree contain flavonoids and polyphenols. These two compounds are antioxidants, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial. Further research is needed as to their effects when applied on skin.

Learn more about Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract

Best Face Forward Balancing Serum contains this as ingredient number 16.

Some By Mi AHA, BHA, PHA 30 Days Miracle Serum contains this as ingredient number 49.

12
What it does: Cleansing, Skin Conditioning, Smoothing, Soothing, Tonic
Community Rating: Loved

Centella Asiatica Extract is derived from an herb plant native to Southeast Asia. It is rich in antioxidants and amino acids. In skincare products, Centella Asiatica Extract is used for its anti-inflammatory and soothing properties.

Many active components found in Centella Asiatica Extract, such as Madecassic Acid and Asiaticoside, encourage the skin to naturally produce hyaluronic acid. This helps keep our skin hydrated. Many of these components also show antioxidant activity and may help reduce the signs of aging.

Research shows Centella Asiatica can help increase Type I collagen production by increasing fibroblast production. Fibroblast helps form connective tissue.

The combination of all these properties makes Centella Asiatica Extract effective at soothing the skin.

Other components of Centella Asiatic Extract include Vitamin A, vitamin C, several B vitamins, and Asiatic Acid.

Recent studies found madecassoside may help prevent damage from UV rays by preventing UV-induced inflammation. Further research is needed.

This plant has been used as a medicine and in food for many centuries. As a medicine, it is used to treat burns, scratches, and wounds.

Learn more about Centella Asiatica Extract

Best Face Forward Balancing Serum contains this as ingredient number 17.

Some By Mi AHA, BHA, PHA 30 Days Miracle Serum contains this as ingredient number 2.

13
What it does: Antioxidant
Community Rating: Loved

Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract comes from the Japanese Knotweed plant native to Japan, Korea, and China.

This plant contains anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. It contains high amounts of resveratrol, a potent antioxidant.

The root of the plant has been used in traditional folk medicine throughout Asia.

Learn more about Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract

Best Face Forward Balancing Serum contains this as ingredient number 18.

Some By Mi AHA, BHA, PHA 30 Days Miracle Serum contains this as ingredient number 15.

14
What it does: Astringent, Humectant, Soothing
Community Rating: Loved

Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract comes from the Baikal skullcap or Chinese skullcap plant. This plant is native to Northeast Asia and can be found in China, Mongolia, Korea, and Siberia.

In cosmetics, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract provides antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits. This is due to the flavonoid composition of Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract.

In Chinese traditional folk medicine, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract is used to help treat lung and hypertension.

Learn more about Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract

Best Face Forward Balancing Serum contains this as ingredient number 19.

Some By Mi AHA, BHA, PHA 30 Days Miracle Serum contains this as ingredient number 14.

15
What it does: Bleaching, Emollient, Skin Conditioning, Smoothing, Soothing
Community Rating: Liked

Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract is an extract of the roots of Licorice. It has been found to have several benefits such as skin hydrating, conditioning, and soothing.

One component, glabridin, has extra potent antioxidant and soothing properties. It has also been found to block pigmentation from UVB rays in guinea pigs.

Licorice Root also contains a flavonoid. Flavonoids are a natural substance from in plants. Flavonoids also have antioxidant properties.

Another component, glycyrrhizin, has been found to have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial benefits. This may make licorice root extract effective at treating acne. However, more research is needed to support this.

Liquiritin is one of the flavone compounds found in licorice. It has been found to help lighten skin by preventing tyrosinase from reacting with tyrosine. When the two react, protein is converted to melanin. Melanin is the substance in your body that gives your features pigmentation.

Learn more about Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract

Best Face Forward Balancing Serum contains this as ingredient number 20.

Some By Mi AHA, BHA, PHA 30 Days Miracle Serum contains this as ingredient number 16.

16
What it does: Antimicrobial, Masking, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Mixed

Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract comes from rosemary. Rosemary is native to the Mediterranean.

While Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil can be volatile due to its fragrant properties, this component is usually removed in the leaf extract.

Rosemary Leaf Extract can help protect your skin against damage from free-radical molecules. It contains many antioxidants such as rosmarinic acid and caffeic acid. Rosemarinic acid has been found to help soothe skin conditions such as eczema and acne.

Learn more about Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract

Best Face Forward Balancing Serum contains this as ingredient number 22.

Some By Mi AHA, BHA, PHA 30 Days Miracle Serum contains this as ingredient number 18.

17
What it does: Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Mixed

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.

Best Face Forward Balancing Serum contains this as ingredient number 37.

Some By Mi AHA, BHA, PHA 30 Days Miracle Serum contains this as ingredient number 62.

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

67% are loved or liked
21% have mixed ratings
10% are disliked or very disliked
3% have no rating yet
45% are loved or liked
21% have mixed ratings
21% are disliked or very disliked
13% have no rating yet

Usage

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

When to use

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Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Best Face Forward Balancing Serum 39 ingredients

Balancing Serum hasn't been rated yet.
Rate it now

Some By Mi AHA, BHA, PHA 30 Days Miracle Serum 62 ingredients

3.6 /5
from 5 ratings
Heavy (1) Oily (1)
Azrin's avatar

Azrin

3 years ago · Combination Skin
Review

Caused irration but gave me a glass skin for a while
I brought the SOS Acne Miracle set, not the product itself alone. It's because I've a lot of...

Caused irration but gave me a glass skin for a while
I brought the SOS Acne Miracle set, not the product itself alone. It's because I've a lot of skin concerns and not every treatement for these concerns are suitable for sensitive skin. My skin is very dry except the T-zone. So, I was very glad to find this serum. After the first use it made my skin come to live. Like my skin is so dull and dry most of the time, I never glow. It was hard not to like this product. It was also my first time using a serum & it made me glow. I felt like I got my money's worth. Then why is the 2 star?
After literally 2 minutes, I had an unbearable urge to scratch my skin. Like it was so itchy. I just used 2-3 drops, why was my face itching so much? It clamed down after a while.
I put the blame on other things. But do you know what? It caused me so much itchiness, it tore my skin. It slso caused me redness.

This serum has a very lemon like citrusy smell. And that's how I found I'm allergic to citrus acid. My skin never took well to this particular acid. And it made my fungal acne to flare up. All this problems stopped when I stopped using this one one but I kept using other products from this line. I wish I had done more research before buying this product cause a lot of the people in google said this happened to them too. Not suitable for sensitive skin. And I know I brought the real deal.

sarahcasier_844's avatar

sarahcasier_844

8 months ago · Combination Skin
Review

It works great! Reduces the scars (red and the darker ones) after a breakout. I feel like it also prevents it. I use it with a cosrx cleanser.

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