COSRX Galactomyces 95 Tone Balancing Essence Versus Haruharu Wonder Black Rice Probiotics Barrier Essence
This brightening essence is formulated around Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate and Niacinamide to brighten dull-looking skin and strengthen the skin barrier.
This barrier-repair essence is formulated around Oryza Sativa Extract and Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate to strengthen the skin barrier and hydrate skin.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientLimnanthes Alba Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Glycerin
Humectant
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Oryza Sativa Extract
Absorbent
Phyllostachys Pubescens Shoot Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin Conditioning
Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
Emulsifying
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingGalactomyces Ferment Filtrate
Humectant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Bifida Ferment Filtrate
Skin Conditioning
Aspergillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCeramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Disodium EDTA
ChelatingPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Tromethamine
BufferingButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Phytosterols
Skin Conditioning
Oryza Sativa Lees Extract
Skin ConditioningPanax Ginseng Root Extract
Emollient
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Palmitic Acid
Emollient
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Squalane
Emollient
Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein
Skin ConditioningCyclodextrin
AbsorbentArachidic Acid
Cleansing
Myristic Acid
Cleansing
Oleic Acid
Emollient
Ceramide Ns
Skin Conditioning
Phytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Cholesterol
Emollient
Ceramide As
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide EOP
Skin Conditioning
Water, Butylene Glycol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Glycerin, Glyceryl Stearate, Oryza Sativa Extract, Phyllostachys Pubescens Shoot Bark Extract, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Xanthan Gum, Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate, Panthenol, Bifida Ferment Filtrate, Aspergillus Ferment, Ethylhexylglycerin, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Ceramide NP, Disodium EDTA, Pentylene Glycol, Tromethamine, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Phytosterols, Oryza Sativa Lees Extract, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Stearic Acid, Palmitic Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, Squalane, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Cyclodextrin, Arachidic Acid, Myristic Acid, Oleic Acid, Ceramide Ns, Phytosphingosine, Cholesterol, Ceramide As, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP
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
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 GlycolGalactomyces Ferment Filtrate (GFF) is a byproduct of fermenting Galactomyces yeast (the same yeast traditionally used to brew sake, Japan's beloved rice wine).
Sake brewers have long been known for their remarkably youthful hands. This is what actually first sparked scientific interest in GFF's skin benefits.
GFF works by stimulating filaggrin production in the skin. Filaggrin is a protein that binds structural proteins in the outer skin layer together to form a tight barrier that shields against allergens, bacteria, and moisture loss.
It's also a key building block of our natural moisturizing factors (NMF), or the network of compounds that keep skin plump and hydrated.
By boosting filaggrin, GFF helps strengthen both our barrier and our skin's ability to retain moisture.
Beyond hydration, GFF has notable antioxidant properties that help protect against oxidative stress and UV-induced inflammation.
Research also suggests it may help regulate sebum and keratin production. This could be an interesting option for those concerned about oiliness or skin texture.
Fungal acne:
This ingredient doesn't contain fatty acids or oils that could feed Malassezia, and the yeast used to make it (Galactomyces) is a different genera of fungi from Malassezia. The presence of one doesn't stimulate the other.
However, there is a concern raised by some communities that this ingredient could trigger a reaction in people who are broadly sensitive to yeast/fungal-derived ingredients.
Learn more about Galactomyces Ferment FiltrateGlycerin (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum.
Topically, glycerin does several things at once:
Your skin makes glycerin on its own (mostly from sebaceous oil breakdown) and shuttles it to your outermost layer of skin, or your epidermis, via aquaporin-3.
Aquaporin-3 is a transporter that is essential for normal skin hydration, elasticity, and repair. Interestingly, mice lacking in AQP3 have dry and less elastic skin that can be fully corrected with glycerin.
This ingredient is non-irritating, plays well with almost every ingredient, and works across all skin types. Typical use is anywhere between 3-10% but can go up to 79% in some leave-on products.
Just know very high concentrations (>40%) can feel tacky in low humidity.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinPanthenol 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 PanthenolXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum
