Versus

Celimax Pore + Dark Spot Brightening Serum Versus Merit Beauty Great Skin Instant Glow Serum

Serum
Serum
Korean Brand South Korea
American Brand United States

Updated on April 24, 2024

Overview

What they are

These products are both reef safe serums. 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, scar healing and dark spots

Free From

They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, fragrances, oils, parabens 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

About this product

About this product

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Ingredients Side-by-side

found in both products
Pore + Dark Spot Brightening Serum

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, Masking, Skin Conditioning

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.
  • It has mild preservative properties.

Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.

Smoothing

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
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 
Emollient, Skin Conditioning

Isononyl Isononanoate is a synthetic skin-conditioner and texture enhancer. It is created from nonanoic acid, a fatty acid found in cocoa and lavender oil.

As an emollient, Isononyl Isononanoate helps keep your skin soft and smooth. This is because emollients create a barrier on the skin to trap moisture in.

Isononyl Isononanoate helps give products a velvet feel and improves spreadability.

Learn more about Isononyl Isononanoate
Humectant, Skin Conditioning

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
Solvent

Propanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin. 

It’s often used to:

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

When to use

30 Routines
60% use in am
40% use in pm
97% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->
99 Routines
79% use in am
21% use in pm
96% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Celimax Pore + Dark Spot Brightening Serum 29 ingredients

5.0 /5
from 2 ratings
Absorbs Well (2) Works Well (2) Hydrating (1)
wemizzz's avatar

Emi An

8 months ago
Review

I love this!!! 😭😭😭 While clearing acne is not its main goal, my skin started going soooo much better after I began using this serum 🫶 I originally bought it to fade dark spots on my face and I think it does work too! It also feel super hydrating, love this sm!!!! 💓💓

#hydrating
#absorbs well
#works well
tsukidoki's avatar

tsuki

6 months ago
Review

SO gentle for my damaged skin barrier!! love that it has niacinamide at its most effective studied percentage.

#absorbs well
#no scent
#works well

Merit Beauty Great Skin Instant Glow Serum 20 ingredients

3.0 /5
from 2 ratings
Expensive (1) Irritating (1)
a.b.c.d.e's avatar

a.b.c.d.e

1 year ago
Review

Makes u SO glowy in the morning as and helps skin feel moisturized

jade13's avatar

Jade

5 months ago
Review

burns my skin, not severely but enough that I noticed redness immediately after applying the product.

#expensive
#irritating