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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of COSRX AHA/BHA Refresh Vitamin C Daily Cream versus COSRX AHA/BHA Refresh Vitamin C Booster Serum .

Published on February 24, 2022

Overview

What they are

These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe . They have a total of 19 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain AHA, BHA, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide and Vitamin C

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, parabens, silicones or sulfates

What's Inside

They both contain fragrances and oils

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

Day Moisturizer South Korean Brand South Korea
Serum South Korean Brand South Korea

Day Moisturizer

Day Moisturizers are marketed to hydrate the skin during the daytime.

Serum

Serums are highly concentrated with ingredients to provide skin with benefits. They should be used after cleansing and before moisturizing.

Price

Shop

Buy AHA/BHA Refresh Vitamin C Daily Cream

Starts at $12.35
Shop

Buy AHA/BHA Refresh Vitamin C Booster Serum

Starts at $16.25

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
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
5

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Notable Ingredients

AHA
BHA
PHA
Vitamin C
Vitamin E
Niacinamide
Hyaluronic Acid

Benefits

Hydrating (2)
Good For Oily Skin (2)
Redness Reducing (3)
Reduces Irritation (3)
Reduces Large Pores (2)
Anti-Aging (2)
Dark Spots (2)
Scar Healing (4)
Acne Fighting
Brightening (4)

Concerns

May Worsen Oily Skin
Acne Trigger
Irritating
Rosacea (2)

Notable Ingredients

AHA
BHA
Vitamin C
Niacinamide
Hyaluronic Acid

Benefits

Hydrating (2)
Good For Oily Skin (3)
Redness Reducing (4)
Reduces Irritation (3)
Skin Texture (2)
Reduces Large Pores (3)
Anti-Aging (3)
Dark Spots (3)
Scar Healing (4)
Acne Fighting
Brightening (4)

Concerns

Irritating
Rosacea (2)
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Ingredients Compared

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

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: Emollient, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Liked

Actinidia Chinensis is the extract from kiwi fruit. It contains antioxidants in the forms of Vitamin C and polyphenols.

Antioxidants help protect your skin against free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin.

COSRX AHA/BHA Refresh Vitamin C Daily Cream contains this as ingredient number 1.

COSRX AHA/BHA Refresh Vitamin C Booster Serum contains this as ingredient number 1.

2
What it does: Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting

We don't have a description for Hylocereus Undatus Fruit Extract.

COSRX AHA/BHA Refresh Vitamin C Daily Cream contains this as ingredient number 2.

COSRX AHA/BHA Refresh Vitamin C Booster Serum contains this as ingredient number 2.

3
What it does: Masking, Perfuming, Skin Conditioning

Hippophae Rhamnoides Water is created by distilling parts of the seabuckthorn plant.

COSRX AHA/BHA Refresh Vitamin C Daily Cream contains this as ingredient number 3.

COSRX AHA/BHA Refresh Vitamin C Booster Serum contains this as ingredient number 3.

4
What it does: Humectant, Masking, Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Mixed

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.

Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient. It is unlikely to irritate skin, and works well with pretty much all other ingredients.

COSRX AHA/BHA Refresh Vitamin C Daily Cream contains this as ingredient number 4.

COSRX AHA/BHA Refresh Vitamin C Booster Serum contains this as ingredient number 4.

5
What it does: Smoothing
Community Rating: Loved

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

COSRX AHA/BHA Refresh Vitamin C Daily Cream contains this as ingredient number 6.

COSRX AHA/BHA Refresh Vitamin C Booster Serum contains this as ingredient number 5.

6
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 AHA/BHA Refresh Vitamin C Daily Cream contains this as ingredient number 7.

COSRX AHA/BHA Refresh Vitamin C Booster Serum contains this as ingredient number 6.

7
What it does: Humectant, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Loved

Betaine is a common humectant (a substance that promotes retention of moisture). It's known to be gentle on the skin and can help balance hydration.

Betaine is best for improving hydration and soothing irritated skin. Studies show betaine may help with uneven skin tones.

Betaine is naturally created in the skin and body. The form found within cosmetic products can be either plant-dervied or synthetic.

Learn more about Betaine

COSRX AHA/BHA Refresh Vitamin C Daily Cream contains this as ingredient number 10.

COSRX AHA/BHA Refresh Vitamin C Booster Serum contains this as ingredient number 8.

8
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 AHA/BHA Refresh Vitamin C Daily Cream contains this as ingredient number 15.

COSRX AHA/BHA Refresh Vitamin C Booster Serum contains this as ingredient number 11.

9
What it does: Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting, Soothing
Community Rating: Loved

Allantoin plays a role in soothing and moisturizing the skin. Because of this, it is often added to products with strong active ingredients.

Some studies have shown this ingredient can promote wound healing with higher concentrations.

Allantoin is derived from the comfrey plant but produced synthetically for cosmetic products to ensure purity.

Learn more about Allantoin

COSRX AHA/BHA Refresh Vitamin C Daily Cream contains this as ingredient number 18.

COSRX AHA/BHA Refresh Vitamin C Booster Serum contains this as ingredient number 12.

10
What it does: Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Loved

Adenosine is in every living organism. It is one of four components in nucleic acids that helps store our DNA.

Adenosine has many benefits when used. These benefits include hydrating the skin, smoothing skin, and reducing wrinkles. Once applied, adenosine increases collagen production. It also helps with improving firmness and tissue repair.

Studies have found adenosine may also help with wound healing.

In skincare products, Adenosine is usually derived from yeast.

Learn more about Adenosine

COSRX AHA/BHA Refresh Vitamin C Daily Cream contains this as ingredient number 19.

COSRX AHA/BHA Refresh Vitamin C Booster Serum contains this as ingredient number 18.

11
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 AHA/BHA Refresh Vitamin C Daily Cream contains this as ingredient number 20.

COSRX AHA/BHA Refresh Vitamin C Booster Serum contains this as ingredient number 17.

12
What it does: Antioxidant, Bleaching, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Loved

Alpha-Arbutin is made from hydroquinone and glucose. It may be derived from the fermentation of soybeans.

It is an antioxidant. Antioxidants help fight free-radicals, or molecules that may damage your skin cells.

Studies show this ingredient helps improve hyperpigmentation and fade discoloration.

Alpha-Arbutin may be used with other ingredients that help with hyperpigmentation. These ingredients include retinol, Vitamin C, niacinamide, and tranexamic acid.

Learn more about Alpha-Arbutin

COSRX AHA/BHA Refresh Vitamin C Daily Cream contains this as ingredient number 21.

COSRX AHA/BHA Refresh Vitamin C Booster Serum contains this as ingredient number 22.

13
What it does: Masking, Refreshing

We don't have a description for Menthyl Lactate.

COSRX AHA/BHA Refresh Vitamin C Daily Cream contains this as ingredient number 22.

COSRX AHA/BHA Refresh Vitamin C Booster Serum contains this as ingredient number 23.

14
What it does: Masking

We don't have a description for Mentha Haplocalix Extract.

COSRX AHA/BHA Refresh Vitamin C Daily Cream contains this as ingredient number 23.

COSRX AHA/BHA Refresh Vitamin C Booster Serum contains this as ingredient number 24.

15
What it does: Masking, Perfuming
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil is the oil from the bergamot orange. This bergamot is native to Italy.

Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil is used to add fragrance to products. It contains limonene, linalool, and linalyl acetate.

The term 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term. For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance.

When used topically, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil is a photosensitizer due to its furanocoumarins. Photosensitizers make the skin and eyes much more sensitive to sunlight. Photosensitizers are linked to skin cancer.

However, more cosmetics using Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil are removing the furanocoumarins.

Bergamot oil was also found to have anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antifungal properties.

Learn more about Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil

COSRX AHA/BHA Refresh Vitamin C Daily Cream contains this as ingredient number 26.

COSRX AHA/BHA Refresh Vitamin C Booster Serum contains this as ingredient number 20.

16
What it does: Antimicrobial
Community Rating: Liked

Betaine Salicylate is a salicylic acid alternative. It is created with betaine and salicylic acid.

Betain Salicylate is a keralytic ingredient. This means it breaks down the top layer of skin. Due to its similarity to salicylic acid, it can be considered a BHA alternative.

This ingredient is most effective at a pH range of 3.8-4.2.

Learn more about Betaine Salicylate

COSRX AHA/BHA Refresh Vitamin C Daily Cream contains this as ingredient number 27.

COSRX AHA/BHA Refresh Vitamin C Booster Serum contains this as ingredient number 21.

17
What it does: Antioxidant
Community Rating: Liked

Ascorbyl Glucoside is a stable form of Vitamin C. It is created by combining glucose from starch.

When applied to skin, Ascorbyl Glucoside turns into Ascorbic Acid.

Ascorbyl Glucoside is an antioxidant. Antioxidants help fight free-radicals, or molecules that may damage skin cells.

It can help to reduce redness, improve skin texture, reduce the effects of aging, reduce the visibility of dark spots, and brighten skin.

Read more about other types of Vitamin C:

Learn more about Ascorbyl Glucoside

COSRX AHA/BHA Refresh Vitamin C Daily Cream contains this as ingredient number 28.

COSRX AHA/BHA Refresh Vitamin C Booster Serum contains this as ingredient number 19.

18
What it does: Buffering
Community Rating: Loved

Glycolic Acid is arguably the most famous AHA with research to back up its benefits. Its main role is to peel the top layer of skin cells from the newer layer of skin underneath. This helps skin to remove dark spots and look more even.

Glycolic Acid has shown to boost collage production, a protein that helps skin stay firm. Overall, Glycolic Acid helps with improving uneven tone, rough patches of skin, fine lines, wrinkles, and sun damage. It also increases skin hydration by playing a role in creating molecules that create hyaluronic acid naturally.

When applying 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.

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 Acid

COSRX AHA/BHA Refresh Vitamin C Daily Cream contains this as ingredient number 29.

COSRX AHA/BHA Refresh Vitamin C Booster Serum contains this as ingredient number 7.

19
What it does: Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Loved

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. Talk about multi-purpose! If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!

Learn more about Water

COSRX AHA/BHA Refresh Vitamin C Daily Cream contains this as ingredient number 30.

COSRX AHA/BHA Refresh Vitamin C Booster Serum contains this as ingredient number 10.

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

47% are loved or liked
17% have mixed ratings
23% are disliked or very disliked
13% have no rating yet
54% are loved or liked
17% have mixed ratings
13% are disliked or very disliked
17% have no rating yet

Usage

Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.

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Alternatives

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