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
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
Ingredient Info
COSRX AHA/BHA Refresh Vitamin C Daily Cream 30 ingredients
COSRX AHA/BHA Refresh Vitamin C Booster Serum 24 ingredients
Alcohol Free
This product is free of harsh alcohols 🎉
Silicon Free
This product is free of silicons 🎉
Contains Fragrance
Ingredients in this product that are forms of fragrance:
Sulfate Free
This product is free of sulfates 🎉
Paraben Free
This product is free of parabens 🎉
Contains Oils
Ingredients in this product that are types of oil:
Not Malassezia Safe
Ingredients in this product that are not malassezia safe:
Reef Safe
This product is free of ingredients that damage reefs 🎉
EU Allergen Free
This product is free of EU allergens 🎉
Non Vegan
This product is not vegan 😥
Cruelty Free
This product is cruelty-free 🎉
Alcohol Free
This product is free of harsh alcohols 🎉
Silicon Free
This product is free of silicons 🎉
Contains Fragrance
Ingredients in this product that are forms of fragrance:
Sulfate Free
This product is free of sulfates 🎉
Paraben Free
This product is free of parabens 🎉
Contains Oils
Ingredients in this product that are types of oil:
Not Malassezia Safe
Ingredients in this product that are not malassezia safe:
Reef Safe
This product is free of ingredients that damage reefs 🎉
EU Allergen Free
This product is free of EU allergens 🎉
Non Vegan
This product is not vegan 😥
Cruelty Free
This product is cruelty-free 🎉
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
COSRX AHA/BHA Refresh Vitamin C Daily Cream 30 ingredients
COSRX AHA/BHA Refresh Vitamin C Booster Serum 24 ingredients
Notable Ingredients
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Benefits
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Concerns
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Notable Ingredients
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
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Benefits
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Concerns
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
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Join SkinSortIngredients Compared
Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.
COSRX AHA/BHA Refresh Vitamin C Daily Cream 30 ingredients
COSRX AHA/BHA Refresh Vitamin C Booster Serum 24 ingredients
Actinidia Chinensis Fruit Extract • Hylocereus Undatus Fruit Extract • Hippophae Rhamnoides Water • Butylene Glycol • Cetyl Ethylhexanoate • Niacinamide • 1,2-Hexanediol • Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil • Cetearyl Alcohol • Betaine • Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer • Ethylhexylglycerin • Carbomer • Arginine • Panthenol • Cetearyl Olivate • Sorbitan Olivate • Allantoin • Adenosine • Sodium Hyaluronate • Alpha-Arbutin • Menthyl Lactate • Mentha Haplocalix Extract • Tocopherol • Lactobionic Acid • Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil • Betaine Salicylate • Ascorbyl Glucoside • Glycolic Acid • Water
Actinidia Chinensis Fruit Extract • Hylocereus Undatus Fruit Extract • Hippophae Rhamnoides Water • Butylene Glycol • Niacinamide • 1,2-Hexanediol • Glycolic Acid • Betaine • Sodium Hydroxide • Water • Panthenol • Allantoin • Hydroxyethylcellulose • Glycerin • Polyglyceryl-10 Myristate • Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate • Sodium Hyaluronate • Adenosine • Ascorbyl Glucoside • Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil • Betaine Salicylate • Alpha-Arbutin • Menthyl Lactate • Mentha Haplocalix Extract
Ingredients Side-by-side
Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.
Learn more about what what Com. / Irr. ratings are
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 NiacinamideCOSRX 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.
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.
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 BetaineCOSRX 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.
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 PanthenolCOSRX 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.
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 AllantoinCOSRX 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.
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 AdenosineCOSRX 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.
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 HyaluronateCOSRX 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.
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-ArbutinCOSRX 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.
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.
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.
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 OilCOSRX 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.
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 SalicylateCOSRX 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.
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 GlucosideCOSRX 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.
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 AcidCOSRX 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.
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 WaterCOSRX 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.
COSRX AHA/BHA Refresh Vitamin C Daily Cream 30 ingredients
COSRX AHA/BHA Refresh Vitamin C Booster Serum 24 ingredients
Usage
Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.
When to use
COSRX AHA/BHA Refresh Vitamin C Daily Cream 30 ingredients
COSRX AHA/BHA Refresh Vitamin C Booster Serum 24 ingredients
Alternatives
We haven't detected any alternatives for COSRX AHA/BHA Refresh Vitamin C Daily Cream.
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