COSRX The Niacinamide 15 Serum Versus NU Formula Pro White Essence Lotion
Updated on August 27, 2024
Overview
What they are
These products are both reef safe . They have a total of 9 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain niacinamide and Vitamin E
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, fragrances, oils, parabens, silicones or sulfates
We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that needs an update? Let us know.
Ingredient Info
COSRX The Niacinamide 15 Serum 15 ingredients
NU Formula Pro White Essence Lotion 87 ingredients
What's inside (and what isn't)
What's inside (and what isn't)
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
COSRX The Niacinamide 15 Serum 15 ingredients
NU Formula Pro White Essence Lotion 87 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
PEG/PPG-17/6 Copolymer
SolventPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Glycerin
Humectant
Trehalose
Humectant
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingNiacinamide
Smoothing
Disodium EDTA
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingBenzotriazolyl Dodecyl P-Cresol
UV AbsorberTris(Tetramethylhydroxypiperidinol) Citrate
UV Absorber1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Citrate
Buffering3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Tranexamic Acid
Astringent
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Cystoseira Tamariscifolia Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Reticulata Peel Extract
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingZinc PCA
Humectant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Alpha-Arbutin
Antioxidant
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientLeontopodium Alpinum Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningGlucose
Humectant
Magnesium PCA
Humectant
Sodium Lactate
BufferingSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Copper Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Glutathione
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Chondrus Crispus Extract
Skin Conditioning
Serine
Masking
Sucrose
Humectant
Urea
Buffering
Glycine
Buffering
Calcium Chloride
AstringentPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingOrnithine
Skin ConditioningMaris Sal
Skin ConditioningAlanine
MaskingMagnesium Chloride
Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Threonine
Histidine
Humectant
Aspartic Acid
Masking
Valine
MaskingProline
Skin ConditioningDipotassium Phosphate
BufferingLysine
Skin ConditioningLeucine
Skin ConditioningTyrosine
MaskingIsoleucine
Skin ConditioningMagnesium Citrate
Skin ConditioningGlucosamine Hcl
Phenylalanine
Masking
Glutamic Acid
Humectant
Arginine
Masking
1-Methylhydantoin-2-Imide
Skin ConditioningAsparagine
MaskingCitrulline
Skin ConditioningUric Acid
BufferingMethionine
Skin ConditioningTaurine
BufferingHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Tryptophan
MaskingFormic Acid
Preservative
Ammonia
Buffering
Glutamine
Skin ConditioningCysteine
Antioxidant
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin Conditioning
Potassium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningWater, Butylene Glycol, Propylene Glycol, Propanediol, PEG/PPG-17/6 Copolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Glycerin, Trehalose, Polysorbate 20, Chlorphenesin, Carbomer, Niacinamide, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Hydroxide, Benzotriazolyl Dodecyl P-Cresol, Tris(Tetramethylhydroxypiperidinol) Citrate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sodium Citrate, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Tranexamic Acid, Panthenol, Cystoseira Tamariscifolia Extract, Citrus Reticulata Peel Extract, Xanthan Gum, Zinc PCA, Tocopheryl Acetate, Allantoin, Alpha-Arbutin, Centella Asiatica Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylyl Glycol, Leontopodium Alpinum Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract, Glucose, Magnesium PCA, Sodium Lactate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Copper Tripeptide-1, Glutathione, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Serine, Sucrose, Urea, Glycine, Calcium Chloride, Potassium Hydroxide, Ornithine, Maris Sal, Alanine, Magnesium Chloride, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Threonine, Histidine, Aspartic Acid, Valine, Proline, Dipotassium Phosphate, Lysine, Leucine, Tyrosine, Isoleucine, Magnesium Citrate, Glucosamine Hcl, Phenylalanine, Glutamic Acid, Arginine, 1-Methylhydantoin-2-Imide, Asparagine, Citrulline, Uric Acid, Methionine, Taurine, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Tryptophan, Formic Acid, Ammonia, Glutamine, Cysteine, Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Potassium Hyaluronate
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterNiacinamide is a multitasking form of vitamin B3 that strengthens the skin barrier, reduces pores and dark spots, regulates oil, and improves signs of aging.
And the best part? It's gentle and well-tolerated by most skin types, including sensitive and reactive skin.
You might have heard of "niacin flush", or the reddening of skin that causes itchiness. Niacinamide has not been found to cause this.
In very rare cases, some individuals may not be able to tolerate niacinamide at all or experience an allergic reaction to it.
If you are experiencing flaking, irritation, and dryness with this ingredient, be sure to double check all your products as this ingredient can be found in all categories of skincare.
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.
When you apply niacinamide to your skin, your body converts it into nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD). NAD is an essential coenzyme that is already found in your cells as "fuel" and powers countless biological processes.
In your skin, NAD helps repair cell damage, produce new healthy cells, support collagen production, strengthen the skin barrier, and fight environmental stressors (like UV and pollution).
Our natural NAD levels start to decline with age, leading to slower skin repair, visible aging, and a weaker skin barrier. By providing your skin niacinamide, you're recharging your skin's NAD levels. This leads to stronger, healthier, and younger looking skin.
Another name for vitamin B3 is nicotinamide. This vitamin is water-soluble and our bodies don't store it. We obtain Vitamin B3 from either food or skincare. Meat, fish, wheat, yeast, and leafy greens contain vitamin B3.
The type of niacinamide used in skincare is synthetically created.
Learn more about NiacinamideButylene 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 Glycol1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.Â
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 preservativesÂ
Zinc PCA (or "zinc salt") differs slightly from zinc itself. PCA stands for pyrrolidone carboxylic acid. However, Zinc PCA comes from zinc.
It can help reduce redness, regulate sebum, and promote the general healing process of the skin.
Zinc PCA tends to be especially useful for those with oily, acne-prone skin. It's certainly an ingredient worth trying out!
Learn more about Zinc PCATrehalose is a disaccharide made of two glucose molecules (glucose is sugar!). Trehalose is used to help moisturize skin. It also has antioxidant properties.
As a humectant, trehalose helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This helps keep your skin hydrated.
Due to its antioxidant properties, trehalose may help with signs of aging. Antioxidants help fight free-radical molecules, unstable molecules that may damage your skin.
In medicine, trehalose and hyaluronic acid are used to help treat dry eyes.
Some animals, plants, and bacteria create trehalose as a source of energy to survive freeze or lack of water.
Learn more about TrehaloseXanthan 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 GumAllantoin 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 AllantoinEthylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
Ingredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
COSRX The Niacinamide 15 Serum 15 ingredients
NU Formula Pro White Essence Lotion 87 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
COSRX The Niacinamide 15 Serum 15 ingredients
warning!!! this can be SO irritating *if you use it wrong*
do not use with
-ahas
-bhas
-vit c
-other niacinamide products
-start on dry skin first as wet skin absorbs more
tip: sandwich it. i put a little centella ampoule before and after this serum to prevent irritation. if used properly, this serum is a life changer! i struggle with closed comedones and acne scars and this helped Show more
HG acne scar serum
Initially, this serum had helped fade away most of my old acne scars. After while, I thought it didn't do anything more for my new acne growth. So I ditched this serum for about 3 months and tried other new niacinamide products. I REGRET it. Soon after, I got more and more whiteheads and acne. My skin texture becomes uneven and dry. The new acne scars couldn't fade away at all. Show more
