COSRX AC Collection Calming Liquid Intensive Versus Smuuti Skin Kiwi Clear Serum
Updated on June 26, 2024
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe . They have a total of 8 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain AHA, BHA and hyaluronic acid
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 common allergens, 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
COSRX AC Collection Calming Liquid Intensive 24 ingredients
Smuuti Skin Kiwi Clear Serum 44 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
COSRX AC Collection Calming Liquid Intensive 24 ingredients
Smuuti Skin Kiwi Clear Serum 44 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Propolis Extract
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Ethyl Hexanediol
SolventAsiaticoside
Antioxidant
Asiatic Acid
Skin ConditioningMadecassic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Cassia Obtusifolia Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Betaine
Humectant
Dimethyl Sulfone
Solvent
Betaine Salicylate
Antimicrobial
Zinc PCA
Humectant
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Lactate
BufferingWater
Skin ConditioningLactic Acid
Buffering
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
Antioxidant
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Propolis Extract, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Ethyl Hexanediol, Asiaticoside, Asiatic Acid, Madecassic Acid, Cassia Obtusifolia Seed Extract, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Panthenol, Betaine, Dimethyl Sulfone, Betaine Salicylate, Zinc PCA, Polysorbate 20, Allantoin, Sodium Lactate, Water, Lactic Acid, Alcohol, Glycolic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Polysorbate 60
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Lactate
BufferingMethylpropanediol
SolventGluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningActinidia Chinensis Fruit Extract
EmollientButylene Glycol
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Dipropylene Glycol
MaskingDiphenyl Dimethicone
Emollient
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingSaccharum Officinarum Extract
MoisturisingTriethylhexanoin
MaskingSorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Eclipta Prostrata Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningLaminaria Japonica Extract
Skin Protecting
Squalane
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
Emulsifying
Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate
Citric Acid
Buffering
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract
MaskingCitrus Limon Fruit Extract
Masking
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Polyglyceryl-10 Oleate
Skin Conditioning
Fructooligosaccharides
Humectant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAcer Saccharum Extract
Skin ConditioningBeta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningTheobroma Cacao Seed Extract
Antioxidant
Dextrin
AbsorbentTocopherol
Antioxidant
Water, Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sodium Lactate, Methylpropanediol, Gluconolactone, Niacinamide, Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Extract, Actinidia Chinensis Fruit Extract, Butylene Glycol, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Glycolic Acid, Lactic Acid, Salicylic Acid, Dipropylene Glycol, Diphenyl Dimethicone, Panthenol, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Saccharum Officinarum Extract, Triethylhexanoin, Sorbitan Isostearate, Eclipta Prostrata Leaf Extract, Laminaria Japonica Extract, Squalane, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate, Citric Acid, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Polyglyceryl-10 Oleate, Fructooligosaccharides, Ethylhexylglycerin, Acer Saccharum Extract, Beta-Glucan, Polysorbate 60, Adenosine, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Disodium EDTA, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Theobroma Cacao Seed Extract, Dextrin, Tocopherol
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 GlycolGlycolic Acid is arguably the most famous AHA with a ton of research to back up its benefits.
Its main role is to remove the top layer of dead skin cells, allowing newer skin cells to emerge.
Specifically, AHAs work by breaking down the structural "glue" holding the old skin cells in place. Getting rid of the old skin cells allows skin to regenerate newer skin cells in its place. A build up of dead skin cells can lead to tired and dull looking skin.
Due to this, glycolic acid helps with:
Fun fact: Glycolic acid increases skin hydration by playing a role in creating molecules that create hyaluronic acid naturally.
When starting 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. Concentrations between 5-20% glycolic acid have been shown to be effective in clinical studies.
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 AcidLactic Acid is an AHA that is derived from fermenting lactose, a carbohydrate from milk. It removes the top layer of old and dead skin cells and helps increase cell turnover.
Benefits of Lactic Acid are that it can help to reduce large pores and reduce the effects of aging. Some potential downsides are that it can be bad for dry skin, cause irritation, worsen eczema, and worsen rosacea.
Not only does it help exfoliate the skin, it helps strengthen the skin's barrier. When applied, lactic acid helps the skin create ceramides.
Lactic acid is an over-the-counter chemical exfoliant that comes from the fermentation of lactose — a carbohydrate found in milk.
Legend has it that Cleopatra used to bathe in sour milk to help reduce wrinkles.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Lactic AcidPanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolPolysorbate 60 is used to help stabilize products. It is a surfactant and emulsifier. These properties help keep ingredients together in a product. Surfactants help reduce surface tension between ingredients with different states, such as liquids and solids. Emulsifiers help prevent oils and waters from separating.
Polysorbate 60 is sorbitol-based and created from the ethoxylation of sorbitan. Ethoxylation is a chemical reaction used to add ethylene oxide. Sorbitan is a the dehydrated version of sorbitol, a sugar found in fruits.
In this case, the 60 comes from reacting 60 units of ethylene oxide with sorbitan.
Polysorbates are commonly used in medicine and foods.
Learn more about Polysorbate 60Sodium Lactate is the sodium salt of lactic acid, an AHA. It is a humectant and sometimes used to adjust the pH of a product.
This ingredient 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. NMF also influences our skin's natural acid mantle and pH, which protects our skin from harmful bacteria.
High percentages of Sodium Lactate can have an exfoliating effect.
Fun fact: Sodium Lactate is produced from fermented sugar.
Learn more about Sodium LactateWater. 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 WaterIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
