Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of COSRX The Retinol 0.1 Cream versus COSRX The Vitamin C 13 Serum .
Published on August 15, 2023
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe . They have a total of 13 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain hyaluronic acid, Vitamin C and Vitamin E
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, scar healing, dark spots and better texture
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, fragrances, parabens or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain oils
We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that need an update? Let us know.
Facial Treatment
Facial treatments are specially designed to treat a skin concern. Acne treatments and anti-aging products are common examples of facial treatments.
Serum
Serums are highly concentrated with ingredients to provide skin with benefits. They should be used after cleansing and before moisturizing.
Ingredient Info
COSRX The Retinol 0.1 Cream 51 ingredients
COSRX The Vitamin C 13 Serum 24 ingredients
Alcohol Free
This product is free of harsh alcohols 🎉
Contains Silicon
Ingredients in this product that are types of silicon:
Fragrance Free
This product is free of fragrances 🎉
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:
- Cetearyl Alcohol
- Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
- Glycine Soja Oil
- Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
- Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate
- Glyceryl Stearate
- Oryza Sativa Bran Wax
- Stearic Acid
- Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
- Palmitic Acid
- Sorbitan Isostearate
- Elaeis Guineensis Oil
- Myristic Acid
- Lauric Acid
- Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil
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 🎉
Fragrance Free
This product is free of fragrances 🎉
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 The Retinol 0.1 Cream 51 ingredients
COSRX The Vitamin C 13 Serum 24 ingredients
Notable Ingredients
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 5 ingredients that may have this attribute:
Benefits
This product contains 4 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 3 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 3 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 5 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 3 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 6 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 6 ingredients that may have this attribute:
Concerns
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 6 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 3 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
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:
Benefits
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 3 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 4 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 3 ingredients that may have this attribute:
Concerns
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
Build your routine, track which ingredients work for you, and much more with your free account.
Join SkinSortIngredients Compared
Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.
COSRX The Retinol 0.1 Cream 51 ingredients
COSRX The Vitamin C 13 Serum 24 ingredients
Water • Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride • Propanediol • Glycerin • Tocopheryl Acetate • Cetearyl Alcohol • Butyrospermum Parkii Butter • Panthenol • Trehalose • Glycine Soja Oil • Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer • Dimethicone • Glyceryl Polymethacrylate • Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil • Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate • Hydrogenated Lecithin • Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer • Carbomer • Tromethamine • Glyceryl Stearate • Polysilicone-11 • Sodium Sulfite • Tocopherol • Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract • Allantoin • Glyceryl Caprylate • Oryza Sativa Bran Wax • Retinol • Tocotrienols • Stearic Acid • Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate • Palmitic Acid • Disodium EDTA • Ethylhexylglycerin • Adenosine • Sorbitan Isostearate • Elaeis Guineensis Oil • BHT • Beta-Carotene • Myristic Acid • Lauric Acid • 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid • Ascorbic Acid • Glutathione • Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil • Sodium Hyaluronate • 1,2-Hexanediol • Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid • Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer • Hyaluronic Acid • Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Water • Ascorbic Acid 13% • Butylene Glycol • Dipropylene Glycol • Tromethamine • Panthenol • Acetyl Glucosamine • Caffeine • Sodium Hyaluronate • Sodium Sulfite • Disodium EDTA • Glutathione • Adenosine • Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract • Allantoin • Dextrin • Squalane • Tocotrienols • Tocopherol • Elaeis Guineensis Oil • Arginine • Niacinamide • Pentylene Glycol • Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root 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.
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 The Retinol 0.1 Cream contains this as ingredient number 1.
COSRX The Vitamin C 13 Serum contains this as ingredient number 1.
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 The Retinol 0.1 Cream contains this as ingredient number 8.
COSRX The Vitamin C 13 Serum contains this as ingredient number 7.
Tromethamine is an aliphatic compound. An aliphatic compound is an organic compound with open-chained carbon atoms. It is synthetically created. Tromethamine is used to balance pH and improve texture.
As an emulsifier, Tromethamine prevents oil and water ingredients from separating. This helps stabilize the product and elongate a product's shelf life. Tromethamine also makes a product thicker.
Tromethamine helps balance the pH level of a product. Normal pH level of skin is slightly acidic (~4.75-5.5). The acidity of our skin is maintained by our glands and skin biome. Being slightly acidic allows our skin to create an "acid mantle". This acid mantle is a thin barrier that protects our skin from bacteria and contaminants.
Oral Tromethanmine is an anti-inflammatory drug but plays the role of masking, adding fragrance, and/or balancing pH in skincare.
1,3-Propanediol, 2-amino-2-(hydroxymethyl)-
Learn more about TromethamineCOSRX The Retinol 0.1 Cream contains this as ingredient number 19.
COSRX The Vitamin C 13 Serum contains this as ingredient number 5.
Sodium Sulfite is a preservative. Preservatives help prevent mold and bacteria from growing in cosmetics.
This ingredient has been shown to break the bonds in hair, acting as a natural straightener.
It is commonly used in food. It should be noted sodium sulfite degrades both vitamins B1 and E.
Fun fact: Sulfites are naturally occuring in wine.
Learn more about Sodium SulfiteCOSRX The Retinol 0.1 Cream contains this as ingredient number 22.
COSRX The Vitamin C 13 Serum contains this as ingredient number 11.
Tocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.
Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skin’s lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.
Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.
You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.
There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.
Learn more about TocopherolCOSRX The Retinol 0.1 Cream contains this as ingredient number 23.
COSRX The Vitamin C 13 Serum contains this as ingredient number 20.
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 The Retinol 0.1 Cream contains this as ingredient number 25.
COSRX The Vitamin C 13 Serum contains this as ingredient number 16.
We don't have a description for Tocotrienols.
COSRX The Retinol 0.1 Cream contains this as ingredient number 29.
COSRX The Vitamin C 13 Serum contains this as ingredient number 19.
Disodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.
It is a chelating agent, meaning it neutralizes metal ions that may be found in a product.
Disodium EDTA is a salt of edetic acid and is found to be safe in cosmetic ingredients.
Learn more about Disodium EDTACOSRX The Retinol 0.1 Cream contains this as ingredient number 33.
COSRX The Vitamin C 13 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 The Retinol 0.1 Cream contains this as ingredient number 35.
COSRX The Vitamin C 13 Serum contains this as ingredient number 14.
Elaeis Guineensis Oil comes from the African Palm tree. This tree is native to Western and Southwestern Africa.
This oil is rich in antioxidants such as Vitamin E. Antioxidants may help with anti-aging.
The Vitamin E and fatty acid content give palm oil a skin-hydrating property. Emollients help trap moisture in by creating a film on the skin.
Palm oil is created by either squeezing the fruit or crushing the kernel at the center of the fruit. In the 1800s, archaeologists discovered a 6000 year old Egyptian tomb containing palm oil.
Palm oil is controversial due to its social and environmental impacts. Several organizations are working to make palm oil harvest more sustainable, such as the RSPO.
Learn more about Elaeis Guineensis OilCOSRX The Retinol 0.1 Cream contains this as ingredient number 37.
COSRX The Vitamin C 13 Serum contains this as ingredient number 21.
Ascorbic Acid is is pure Vitamin C. This form makes up the largest amount of vitamin C found naturally in our skin.
Not only is vitamin C great for your overall health and immune system, it also has plenty of benefits on your skin.
Vitamin C is best used for brightening skin. It improves dark spots, acne scars, and hyperpigmentation. This is because it blocks the process of skin darkening when exposed to UV.
Remember: Vitamin C should not replace sunscreen!
Your skin uses vitamin C to build collagen. Collagen is one key component in having a strong skin barrier and plump skin. Vitamin C also plays a role in regulating collagen, thus making it effective in improving wrinkles and fine lines.
Ascorbic acid shows potent antioxidant activity. As an antioxidant, it helps fight free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells. These antioxidants also protect skin against UV damage.
The best formulations include Vitamin E and/or ferulic acid. These two ingredients help stabilize and provide a boost in the benefits of ascorbic acid. This is because ascorbic acid becomes unstable when exposed to UV and air. In fact, you can tell your ascorbic acid has oxidized when it turns an orange-yellow color.
Ascorbic acid is generally compatible with other ingredients. However, using ascorbic acid with other active ingredients might cause irritation. Two ingredients: copper ions and benzoyl peroxide, will inactivate ascorbic acid completely.
Read more about other types of Vitamin C:
Foods rich with vitamin C include oranges, strawberries, broccoli, bell peppers, and more. When consuming Vitamin C, your skin receives a portion of the nutrients.
Learn more about Ascorbic AcidCOSRX The Retinol 0.1 Cream contains this as ingredient number 43.
COSRX The Vitamin C 13 Serum contains this as ingredient number 2.
Glutathione is an antioxidant naturally found in our bodies. It is also naturally occurring in plants, animals, fungi, and some bacteria. As an antioxidant, Glutathione helps prevent oxidative damage to parts of our cell.
While Glutathione is said to help with skin lightening, the results from research are inconclusive. Further studies are needed.
COSRX The Retinol 0.1 Cream contains this as ingredient number 44.
COSRX The Vitamin C 13 Serum contains this as ingredient number 13.
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 The Retinol 0.1 Cream contains this as ingredient number 46.
COSRX The Vitamin C 13 Serum contains this as ingredient number 10.
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.
COSRX The Retinol 0.1 Cream 51 ingredients
COSRX The Vitamin C 13 Serum 24 ingredients
Usage
Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.
When to use
COSRX The Retinol 0.1 Cream 51 ingredients
COSRX The Vitamin C 13 Serum 24 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
COSRX The Retinol 0.1 Cream 51 ingredients
AshN.
(Started Dec 2023) This was a bit of an impulse buy with a friend, but I'm honestly glad I got it! I have previous experience with using retinoids...
(Started Dec 2023) This was a bit of an impulse buy with a friend, but I'm honestly glad I got it! I have previous experience with using retinoids (specifically from The Ordinary Line) and wanted to try something a bit stronger. On Amazon it is priced at $13, so I would say this is a wonderful budget buy. The formulation is very gentle given the strength and I experienced no problems with irritation! My skin actually ended up feeling smoother and softer the following morning with this. I would highly recommend this as a starter Retinol. Planning to get the .3 formulation after I go through another one.
sarahabma
Wonderful beginner retinol
Ny first ever retinol but 2nd time using a retinoid. for context I have highly acne-prone skin.
I've been using this...
Wonderful beginner retinol
Ny first ever retinol but 2nd time using a retinoid. for context I have highly acne-prone skin.
I've been using this every other night for a couple weeks now and I see that my acne is healing much faster than usual, i.e. less redness and irritation on acne that I would usually experience.
Though there are ingredients rated by SkinSort as not good for acne-prone skin (Cetearyl Alcohol, Myristic Acid and Lauric Acid), I have not noticed a negative reaction whatsoever. So, I would still recommend this product for other retinol beginners, especially those with acne-prone skin like me.
COSRX The Vitamin C 13 Serum 24 ingredients
Alternatives
Our Dupe Finder has found 43 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to COSRX The Retinol 0.1 Cream.
See 43 alternativesOur Dupe Finder has found 50 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to COSRX The Vitamin C 13 Serum.
See 50 alternatives
