Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence versus The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 .

Last updated on March 07, 2024. Published on March 03, 2021

Overview

What they are

These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe . They have a total of 4 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain hyaluronic acid

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for dry skin and sensitive skin

Free From

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

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

Essence South Korean Brand South Korea
Facial Treatment Canadian Brand Canada

Essence

Essences are used to prep skin for further treatment and may provide extra skin benefits. They are usually used before serum and moisturizers. Essences are thought to have originated in either Japan or Korea and is an essential step in K-Beauty.

Facial Treatment

Facial treatments are specially designed to treat a skin concern. Acne treatments and anti-aging products are common examples of facial treatments.

Price

Shop

Buy Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence

Starts at $12.87
Shop

Buy Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5

Starts at $8.90

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
ph level
6.5
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-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

Benefits

Hydrating (2)
Redness Reducing (3)
Reduces Irritation (3)
Scar Healing

Benefits

Hydrating
Reduces Irritation
Brightening

Concerns

Irritating
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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: Mixed

1,2-Hexanediol is a multi-tasker ingredient. It acts as a preservative to increase shelf-life and can aid other preservatives in preventing microbe growth. 1,2-Hexanediol also helps the skin retain moisture as a humectant.

In products that are water-based, this ingredient can help stabilize perfumes and fragrances. It can also help make the texture of products softer and more smooth.

COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence contains this as ingredient number 4.

The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 contains this as ingredient number 15.

2
What it does: Preservative
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Phenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent germ and microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.

It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.

COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence contains this as ingredient number 6.

The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 contains this as ingredient number 16.

3
What it does: Humectant, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Loved

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

COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence contains this as ingredient number 7.

The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 contains this as ingredient number 2.

4
What it does: Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Loved

Panthenol (also referred to as pro-vitamin B5) is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin.

lt is a humectant, meaning that it helps the skin attract and retain moisture.

Another benefit is the anti-inflammatory abilities. This means that it's great for sensitive, irritation-prone skin.

Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.

Learn more about Panthenol

COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence contains this as ingredient number 11.

The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 contains this as ingredient number 6.

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

42% are loved or liked
33% have mixed ratings
17% are disliked or very disliked
8% have no rating yet
47% are loved or liked
29% have mixed ratings
24% are disliked or very disliked
0% 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

COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence 12 ingredients

4.1 /5
from 162 reviews
cgi's Avatar'
Jan 28, 2024

this snail mucin essence really is one of the best ones out there— it's a holy grail. this product was my very first impression of cosrx, and the short ingredient list is very surprising with how effective it is. i've been using it for...

this snail mucin essence really is one of the best ones out there— it's a holy grail. this product was my very first impression of cosrx, and the short ingredient list is very surprising with how effective it is. i've been using it for about a year now, and it's become a staple in my routine. after my first couple weeks of use, a lot of my dark spots disappeared and calmed down my hormonal acne & redness like magic. makes my skin looks like glass, so smooth and supple. it has a sticky texture (obviously), but it immediately absorbs like water and leaves my skin feeling so soft. i only need one pump for my whole face and pat it in. i don't use too much not only to save product but also because it'll feel a bit heavy on my oily skin. i love how hydrating it is for my dehydrated oily skin and has hyaluronic acid as an ingredient, locking in moisture. doesn't leave a greasy feeling or oily film, just pure hydration. i use it daily, morning and night. my only con is how expensive it is, which is why i'm glad i only need to use a little amount each time. absolutely in love, never taking this out of my routine.

Expensive
Hydrating
Light
Absorbs Well
Sticky
No Scent
elinstrandh's Avatar'
Feb 1, 2024

I enjoy the super hydrated glowy effect that this gives on the skin, also that it is unscented.
However, over time my skin does not appreciate this product. After a few days my skin feels like it’s thinning and getting more and more...

I enjoy the super hydrated glowy effect that this gives on the skin, also that it is unscented.
However, over time my skin does not appreciate this product. After a few days my skin feels like it’s thinning and getting more and more responsive. Also contains phenyoxyethanol, something to watch out for if you use a lot of products containing it in your routine.

Irritating
No Scent
Zenoviah_679's Avatar'
Oct 25, 2023

Fungal Acne Discovery
didn’t realize i had fungal acne until using this and then also found out i was allergic to snail mucin after purchasing the whole snail line for COSRX 🥲 face completely broke out in pimples and super itchy… never...

Fungal Acne Discovery
didn’t realize i had fungal acne until using this and then also found out i was allergic to snail mucin after purchasing the whole snail line for COSRX 🥲 face completely broke out in pimples and super itchy… never again.. so expensive too wish i didn’t waste my time and money

The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 17 ingredients

4.3 /5
from 3 reviews

Alternatives

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