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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of COSRX The Hyaluronic Acid 3 Serum versus The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA for Scalp .

Published on February 25, 2023

Overview

What they are

These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe serums. They have a total of 12 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain AHA

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for anti aging, dry skin and brightening skin

Free From

They both do not contain any common allergens, fragrances, oils, parabens 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.

Serum South Korean Brand South Korea
Serum Canadian Brand Canada

Serum

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

Serum

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

Price

Shop

Buy The Hyaluronic Acid 3 Serum

Starts at $14.99
Shop

Buy Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA for Scalp

Starts at $14.20

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
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

Notable Ingredients

AHA
Vitamin E
Ceramides
Hyaluronic Acid

Benefits

Hydrating (5)
Redness Reducing (3)
Reduces Irritation (2)
Anti-Aging
Brightening (3)

Concerns

May Worsen Oily Skin (2)
Acne Trigger
Rosacea (2)
Eczema (2)

Notable Ingredients

AHA

Benefits

Hydrating (3)
Skin Texture (2)
Reduces Large Pores
Anti-Aging
Dark Spots
Scar Healing (2)
Acne Fighting
Brightening

Concerns

Irritating (2)
Rosacea (2)
Eczema (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: 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 The Hyaluronic Acid 3 Serum contains this as ingredient number 1.

The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA for Scalp contains this as ingredient number 1.

2
What it does: Humectant, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Loved

Sodium PCA is the sodium salt of pyroglutamic acid and is naturally occurring on human skin.

The PCA stands for pyrrolidone carboxylic acid, a natural amino acid derivative.

Sodium PCA is a has conditioning, anti-inflammatory, and humectant properties. Humectants help hydrate your skin by drawing moisture from the air. This helps keep your skin moisturized.

Learn more about Sodium PCA

COSRX The Hyaluronic Acid 3 Serum contains this as ingredient number 14.

The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA for Scalp contains this as ingredient number 20.

3
What it does: Buffering, Humectant
Community Rating: Liked

Sodium Lactate is the sodium salt of lactic acid, an AHA. It is a humectant and used to adjust the pH of a product.

Sodium Lactate is part of our skin's NMF, or natural moisturizing factor. Our NMF is essential for the hydration of our top skin layers and plasticity of skin.

It also influences our skin's natural acid mantle and pH, which protects our skin from harmful bacteria.

Our NMF is formed from amino acids, lactic acid, sugars, minerals, peptides, and electrolytes. As we age, our NMF naturally depletes. Other sources of NMF depletion include harsh and drying ingredients such as denatured alcohol. Sodium lactate can help replenish our NMF, leading to more hydrated and plump skin.

High percentages of Sodium Lactate can have an exfoliating effect.

Sodium Lactate is produced from fermented sugar.

Learn more about Sodium Lactate

COSRX The Hyaluronic Acid 3 Serum contains this as ingredient number 15.

The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA for Scalp contains this as ingredient number 25.

4
What it does: Humectant, Moisturising
Community Rating: Loved

PCA is derived from amino acids and is naturally found in our skin's barrier.

As a humectant, PCA helps draw and hold moisture to the skin. Studies show it is effective at helping the skin stay hydrated long-term.

COSRX The Hyaluronic Acid 3 Serum contains this as ingredient number 16.

The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA for Scalp contains this as ingredient number 19.

5
What it does: Masking, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Loved

Serine is an amino acid naturally found in our body. Our bodies use amino acids to create protein.

Amino-acids help give keep our skin hydrated. They play an important role in the skin barrier, which keeps the skin plump and firm.

Serine is a non-essential amino acid, meaning we don't need to obtain it from eating foods.

Learn more about Serine

COSRX The Hyaluronic Acid 3 Serum contains this as ingredient number 20.

The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA for Scalp contains this as ingredient number 8.

6
What it does: Masking, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Loved

Alanine is an amino acid and is already found in the human body.

Alanine has antioxidant properties and can help with anti-aging.

Alanine is used by fibrous proteins such as collagen, elastin, and keratin. These three help make a strong skin barrier. Having a healthy skin barrier leads to more plump and youthful skin.

Learn more about Alanine

COSRX The Hyaluronic Acid 3 Serum contains this as ingredient number 21.

The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA for Scalp contains this as ingredient number 7.

7
What it does: Buffering, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Liked

Glycine is an amino acid that helps build proteins. It is already present in our skin as our bodies produce them naturally.

Glycine helps keep skin hydrated and reduce signs of aging. Amino acids help transport moisture throughout our skin; glycine already plays a role in helping keep our skin moisturized.

As collagen is made up of glycine and other amino acids, it is believed Glycine may help our skin produce more collagen. Collagen helps keep skin plump and firm.

Learn more about Glycine

COSRX The Hyaluronic Acid 3 Serum contains this as ingredient number 22.

The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA for Scalp contains this as ingredient number 6.

8
What it does: Humectant
Community Rating: Loved

Glutamic Acid is an amino acid that is found in all living organisms. Humans use this glutamic acid to help nerve cells in the brain communicate with other cells.

As a humectant, glutamic acid helps moisturize the skin. Humectants draw moisture from the air to your skin.

COSRX The Hyaluronic Acid 3 Serum contains this as ingredient number 26.

The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA for Scalp contains this as ingredient number 15.

9
What it does:
Community Rating: Loved

Threonine is an amino-acid. It helps hydrate the skin and has antioxidant benefits.

Threonine is vital for creating collagen and elastin. Collagen and elastin support youthful and firm skin. Our bodies decrease collagen production naturally with age.

Humans are not able to create threonine and must get it through eating foods such as fish, lentils, poultry, sesame seeds, and more.

Learn more about Threonine

COSRX The Hyaluronic Acid 3 Serum contains this as ingredient number 29.

The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA for Scalp contains this as ingredient number 12.

10
What it does: Masking, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Mixed

Arginine is an amino acid that is important for human development. Your body uses is it to produce hair keratin and skin collagen.

As a cosmetic ingredient, Arginine has antioxidant properties and can also help repair damaged skin. This ingredient is derived either synthetically or from animals.

Arginine isn't fungal acne safe when used in the presence of other lipids (fats, fatty acids, oils, esters, etc). Oils and fats occur naturally within the skin, so take caution when using Arginine if you're prone to fungal acne.

Learn more about Arginine

COSRX The Hyaluronic Acid 3 Serum contains this as ingredient number 30.

The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA for Scalp contains this as ingredient number 4.

11
What it does: Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Loved

Proline is an amino-acid. It helps moisturize the skin and plays an important role in creating proteins.

Proline is one of the building blocks for producing collagen. As we age, our bodies produce less collagen. Collagen helps the skin look plump and firm.

In medicine, proline is used as an osmoprotectant. This means it helps prevent oxidative degradation in other drugs.

Our bodies are able to produce proline naturally, but certain conditions may inhibit this production. In that case, proline can be obtained from eating egg whites, soy protein, dairy products, asparagus, mushrooms, and seaweed.

Learn more about Proline

COSRX The Hyaluronic Acid 3 Serum contains this as ingredient number 32.

The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA for Scalp contains this as ingredient number 11.

12
What it does: Buffering, Humectant, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Loved

Lactic Acid is an AHA that is derived from fermenting lactose, a carbohydrate from milk. It removes the top layer of old and dead skin cells and helps increase cell turnover.

Benefits of Lactic Acid are that it can help to reduce large pores and reduce the effects of aging. Some potential downsides are that it can be bad for dry skin, cause irritation, worsen eczema, and worsen rosacea.

Not only does it help exfoliate the skin, it helps strengthen the skin's barrier. When applied, lactic acid helps the skin create ceramides.

Lactic acid is an over-the-counter chemical exfoliant that comes from the fermentation of lactose — a carbohydrate found in milk.

Legend has it that Cleopatra used to bathe in sour milk to help reduce wrinkles.

Read more about some other popular AHA's here:

Learn more about Lactic Acid

COSRX The Hyaluronic Acid 3 Serum contains this as ingredient number 41.

The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA for Scalp contains this as ingredient number 26.

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

56% are loved or liked
14% have mixed ratings
21% are disliked or very disliked
9% have no rating yet
61% are loved or liked
8% have mixed ratings
17% are disliked or very disliked
14% 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 The Hyaluronic Acid 3 Serum 43 ingredients

5.0 /5
from 1 review

The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA for Scalp 36 ingredients

3.7 /5
from 3 reviews
Yoshikage_Kira04's Avatar'
Jun 11, 2023

Excellent For Dry Scalp
For someone who has had a dry scalp condition since birth, this product works extremely well. I put it on at nighttime and when I wake up, my scalp has far less flakes than it had last night. I do this daily and...

Excellent For Dry Scalp
For someone who has had a dry scalp condition since birth, this product works extremely well. I put it on at nighttime and when I wake up, my scalp has far less flakes than it had last night. I do this daily and there has been a huge reduction in itching, redness and flakiness.

Just don't put this on your face, since it causes fungal acne.

CaroleD's Avatar'
Dec 26, 2023

Absolutely terrible for me, personally.

It must feed the type of fungus I have on my scalp because it made my dandruff sooo much worse, like huge flakes formed overnight.

I possibly have fungal acne, so if you have it I would...

Absolutely terrible for me, personally.

It must feed the type of fungus I have on my scalp because it made my dandruff sooo much worse, like huge flakes formed overnight.

I possibly have fungal acne, so if you have it I would definitely avoid it. Coconut oil does the same thing to me.

Great Value
Broke Me Out
Heavy
No Scent

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