Versus

Cos De BAHA Retinol 2.5% Facial Serum With Vitamin E Versus iUNIK Propolis Vitamin Synergy Serum

Serum
Serum
Korean Brand South Korea
Korean Brand South Korea

Updated on October 10, 2024

Overview

What they are

These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe serums. They have a total of 4 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, brightening skin, sensitive skin, oily skin, reducing pores, scar healing and dark spots

Free From

They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, 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

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
Propolis Vitamin Synergy Serum

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

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

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
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 
Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, Astringent

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.

This ingredient has many skin benefits:

This ingredient contains polyphenols, a strong antioxidant. Antioxidants help fight off molecules that damage skin cells.

On top of that, 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. The caffeine in Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract helps calm inflamed blood vessels.

Other compounds found in tea include: Vitamin Bs, linoleic acid, magnesium, calcium, iron, and zinc.

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

When to use

33 Routines
9% use in am
91% use in pm
58% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->
237 Routines
56% use in am
44% use in pm
86% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Cos De BAHA Retinol 2.5% Facial Serum With Vitamin E 14 ingredients

2.7 /5
from 3 ratings
Doesn't Work (2) Great Value (2) Hydrating (1)
AshN.'s avatar

AshN.

6 months ago
Review

This was genuinely one of those products that I'm not sure if I noticed any results. Aside from the uncertainty of this product and the ingredients. I also did not enjoy the consistency of this serum. It felt as if it never fully absorbed and made my skin feel rather oily. Not sure about the other products from this brand, but I feel unlikely to repurchase this.

#great value
#heavy
#oily
#doesn't work
Elapidae's avatar

Ela

4 months ago
Review

UPDATE: their homepage actually says that it’s not retinol 2.5% but only 0.13%. That low percentage does nothing for your skin 😂 For me it’s misleading advertising and I have read they do that a lot with their products. Hence I m not buying anything more from them. Also in Germany a product that contains over 1% Retinol is considered medical care and usually needs prescription (EU regulations). So Show more

#doesn't work

iUNIK Propolis Vitamin Synergy Serum 31 ingredients

4.0 /5
from 5 ratings
Hydrating (2) Light (2) No Scent (2)
Klebeauty's avatar

Klebeauty

3 years ago
Review

Light serum that radiates skin
I have dehydrated, sensitive-combo skin with random dry patches. I have issues of heavy products struggling to absorb or get deeper and instead break me out. Other times, light products would get in but nothing would hold it in.
With this moisturizing light serum, I did notice a difference immediately. My skin become supple, plump, and just be glowing and that's Show more

MiroslavaBedrozova_812's avatar
Review

Makes the skin supple and Hydrated. If I use it in the evening it makes my skin soft in the morning. It could be used instead of moisturizer in the morning.

#hydrating
#light
#no scent
#works well