COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence Versus Glad2Glow Pomegranate 10% Niacinamide Power Bright Serum
This hydrating essence is formulated around Snail Secretion Filtrate and Allantoin to hydrate skin and calm redness.
This brightening serum is formulated around Niacinamide and Alpha-Arbutin to fade the look of dark spots and brighten dull-looking skin.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Alpha-Arbutin
Antioxidant
PEG/PPG-14/7 Dimethyl Ether
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane
EmollientSodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingHydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Tranexamic Acid
Astringent
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPunica Granatum Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Gentiana Scabra Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Isohexadecane
EmollientFructose
Humectant
Chondrus Crispus Extract
Skin Conditioning
Propanediol
Solvent
Disodium EDTA
ChelatingCentella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Avena Sativa Kernel Extract
Abrasive
Aminomethyl Propanol
BufferingYeast Extract
Skin ConditioningPEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate
Emulsifying
Phosphatidylcholine
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Phytosterols
Skin Conditioning
Crocus Sativus Flower Extract
MaskingSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingGlycerin
Humectant
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Soy Amino Acids
Skin ConditioningAvena Sativa Kernel Oil
Skin Conditioning
Water, Butylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Propylene Glycol, Alpha-Arbutin, PEG/PPG-14/7 Dimethyl Ether, 1,2-Hexanediol, Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Allantoin, Tranexamic Acid, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Punica Granatum Fruit Extract, Gentiana Scabra Root Extract, Pentylene Glycol, Isohexadecane, Fructose, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Propanediol, Disodium EDTA, Centella Asiatica Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Aminomethyl Propanol, Yeast Extract, PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Phosphatidylcholine, Ethylhexylglycerin, Ceramide NP, Phytosterols, Crocus Sativus Flower Extract, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Glycerin, Hydroxyacetophenone, Citric Acid, Soy Amino Acids, Avena Sativa Kernel Oil
Reviews
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
Allantoin is a soothing ingredient known for its protective and moisturizing properties; it's basically a quiet workhorse ingredient you can find in a huge range of cosmetics.
Though it can be derived from the comfrey plant, allantoin is produced synthetically for cosmetic products to ensure purity.
Research shows it can encourage your skin cells to turn over and renew by stimulating keratinocyte and fibroblast proliferation.
It also has mild keratolytic properties to help loosen and shed dead skin cells without being harsh.
Studies also suggest allantoin can help calm inflammation by dialing down some of the chemical signals your skin sends out when it is irritated.
This ingredient is typically used in the 0.1-0.5% range, and the FDA recognizes it as a skin protectant in OTC products up to 2%.
Overall, allantoin is a wonderful addition to most routines; it is stable across a wide pH range (~4-8), works well with other ingredients, and is considered non-sensitizing/non-irritating.
Fun fact: Allantoin is naturally occurring in comfrey root, beets, chamomile, and wheat sprouts. Our bodies even produce it as a byproduct of uric acid metabolism.
Learn more about AllantoinButylene 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 GlycolSodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateWater. 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. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water
