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Updated on June 19, 2024

Overview

What they are

These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe . They have a total of 0 ingredients in common

Suited For

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

We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that needs an update? Let us know.

COSRX The Retinol 0.5 Oil
Beauty of Joseon Glow Deep Serum: Rice + Arbutin

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and see relevant ingredients
ph level
7.87

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Notable Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Notable Ingredients

Benefits

Ingredients Side-by-side

found in both products
The Retinol 0.5 Oil
Squalane Emollient, Skin Conditioning
1 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon
Helps hydrate Dry SkinHelps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Squalane is an emollient that helps the skin hold onto moisture. It's an oily liquid that occurs naturally in certain types of fish and plant oils.

1 Com. / 0 Irr.
Glycine Soja Oil Emollient, Skin Conditioning
3 / 0 Oil IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon
OilOil Icon Not safe for Fungal AcneNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Glycine Soja Oil comes from the soybean. Glycine Soja is native to eastern Asia.

3 Com. / 0 Irr.
Very Disliked Full details ->
Di-C12-13 Alkyl Malate Emollient, Skin Conditioning

We don't have a description for Di-C12-13 Alkyl Malate.

Unknown Full details ->
Retinol Skin Conditioning
Retinoid IconGood for Oily Skin IconGood for Skin Texture IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconGood for Dark Spots IconGood for Scar Healing IconHelps fight Acne IconHelps brighten skin IconCan worsen Dry Skin IconMay cause irritation IconMay worsen Eczema Icon
RetinoidRetinoid Icon 8 Benefits 3 Concerns

Retinol is a gold-standard ingredient for anti-aging. It is a form of Vitamin A and belongs to the class of retinoids that also includes tretinoin.

Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride Masking, Skin Conditioning

Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride is an emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.

BHT Antioxidant, Masking
Antioxidant Icon
AntioxidantAntioxidant Icon

BHT is a synthetic antioxidant. As an antioxidant, it helps your body fight off free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells.

Very Disliked Full details ->
Tocotrienols Skin Conditioning, UV Absorber

We don't have a description for Tocotrienols.

Tocopherol Antioxidant, Masking, Skin Conditioning
0-3 / 0-3 Vitamin E IconAntioxidant IconHelps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconGood for Scar Healing IconHelps brighten skin IconMay cause irritation Icon
Vitamin EVitamin E Icon AntioxidantAntioxidant Icon 4 Benefits May cause irritationMay cause irritation Icon

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.

0-3 Com. / 0-3 Irr.
Elaeis Guineensis Oil Emollient
Oil IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon
OilOil Icon Not safe for Fungal AcneNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Elaeis Guineensis Oil comes from the African Palm tree. This tree is native to Western and Southwestern Africa.

Very Disliked Full details ->
Hydroxymethoxyphenyl Decanone Skin Conditioning

Hydroxymethoxyphenyl Decanone is a synthetically created molecule made to mimic ginger extract.

Glow Deep Serum: Rice + Arbutin
Oryza Sativa Bran Water Masking, Perfuming
Fragrance Icon
FragranceFragrance Icon

Oryza Sativa Bran Water comes from the outer layer of a rice kernel. It is a byproduct of milling rice, or the operation to produce a whole grain rice product.

Water Skin Conditioning, Solvent

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.

Glycerin Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting
0 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps brighten skin Icon
2 Benefits

Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.

0 Com. / 0 Irr.
Butylene Glycol Humectant, Masking, Skin Conditioning
1 / 0

Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:

1 Com. / 0 Irr.
1,2-Hexanediol Skin Conditioning, Solvent

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.

Dipropylene Glycol Masking, Solvent

Dipropylene Glycol is a synthetically created stabilizer and solvent. It is a part of the glycol class in the alcohol family.

Disliked Full details ->
Alpha-Arbutin Antioxidant, Bleaching, Skin Conditioning
Antioxidant IconGood for Dark Spots IconGood for Scar Healing Icon
AntioxidantAntioxidant Icon 2 Benefits

Alpha-Arbutin is made from hydroquinone and glucose. It may also be derived from the fermentation of soybeans.

Niacinamide Smoothing
Niacinamide IconGood for Oily Skin IconHelps reduce Skin Redness IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconGood for Dark Spots IconHelps fight Acne IconHelps brighten skin Icon
NiacinamideNiacinamide Icon 6 Benefits

Niacinamide has emerged as an all-star ingredient due to its many benefits.

Methyl Gluceth-20 Humectant, Moisturising

Methyl Gluceth-20 is a humectant. Humectants help draw moisture from the air to your skin.

Panthenol Skin Conditioning
0 / 0 Helps reduce irritation Icon
Helps reduce irritationHelps reduce irritation Icon

Panthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It can be found naturally in our skin and hair.

0 Com. / 0 Irr.
Polyglycerin-3 Humectant

Polyglycerin-3 is a 3-unit glycerin polymer.

Trehalose Humectant, Moisturising

Trehalose is a disaccharide made of two glucose molecules (glucose is sugar!). Trehalose is used to help moisturize skin. It also has antioxidant properties.

Glyceryl Glucoside Humectant, Skin Conditioning

Glyceryl Glucoside is made from glycerol and glucose.

Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters Skin Conditioning
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon
Not safe for Fungal AcneNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters isn't fungal acne safe.

Disliked Full details ->
2-Hydroxyethyl Acrylate

We don't have a description for 2-Hydroxyethyl Acrylate.

Disliked Full details ->
Ethylhexylglycerin Skin Conditioning

Ethylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.

Hydroxyethylcellulose Emulsion Stabilising, Stabilising

Hydroxyethylcellulose is used to improve the texture of products. It is created from a chemical reaction involving ethylene oxide and alkali-cellulose. Cellulose is a sugar found in plant cell walls and help give plants structure.

Xanthan Gum Emulsifying, Emulsion Stabilising, Gel Forming

Xanthan 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.

Disliked Full details ->
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer Emulsion Stabilising

Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer is a synthetic polymer. It is used to thicken and improve the texture of products.

Disliked Full details ->
Arginine Masking, Skin Conditioning
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon
Not safe for Fungal AcneNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

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

Disodium EDTA

Disodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.

Disliked Full details ->
Coptis Japonica Root Extract Skin Conditioning

We don't have a description for Coptis Japonica Root Extract.

Sorbitan Isostearate Emulsifying
1-2 / 0 Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon
Not safe for Fungal AcneNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Sorbitan Isostearate is an emulsifer and cleaning agent. It is created from isostearic acid and sorbitol.

1-2 Com. / 0 Irr.
Very Disliked Full details ->
Glucose Humectant

Glucose is a simple sugar and is the most important source of energy in all organisms.

Coix Lacryma-Jobi Ma-Yuen Seed Extract Skin Conditioning

You might know this plant as Job's Tears or Chinese pearl barley. It is a grain native to Southeast Asia.

Glycine Soja Seed Extract Skin Conditioning

Glycine Soja Seed Extract comes from the seed of the wild soybean plant. Wild soybean extract contains fatty acids (linoleic, oleic, linolenic), vitamin E, and antioxidants.

Hordeum Distichon Extract Skin Protecting

We don't have a description for Hordeum Distichon Extract.

Unknown Full details ->
Oryza Sativa Extract Absorbent, Skin Conditioning
Helps with Anti-Aging IconGood for Dark Spots Icon
2 Benefits

Oryza Sativa Extract comes from the rice grain, Oryza sativa. Rice extract has wound healing, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and hydrating properties.

Disliked Full details ->
Sesamum Indicum Seed Extract Skin Conditioning, Smoothing, Soothing

We don't have a description for Sesamum Indicum Seed Extract.

Unknown Full details ->
Triticum Vulgare Seed Extract Buffering, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting

We don't have a description for Triticum Vulgare Seed Extract.

Unknown Full details ->
Vigna Radiata Seed Extract Skin Conditioning

Vigna Radiata Seed Extract comes from the mung bean. Mung beans are an edible legume from Asia. It is commonly used in Asian desserts.

Unknown Full details ->
Zea Mays Kernel Extract

We don't have a description for Zea Mays Kernel Extract.

Unknown Full details ->

Ingredient Ratings

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

The Retinol 0.5 Oil
5
1
3
1
liked
mixed
disliked
not rated
Glow Deep Serum: Rice + Arbutin
13
6
8
5
liked
mixed
disliked
not rated

When to use

98 Routines
2% use in am
98% use in pm
55% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->
912 Routines
48% use in am
52% use in pm
93% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

COSRX The Retinol 0.5 Oil 10 ingredients

1.5 /5
from 2 ratings
Absorbs Well (1) Expensive (1) Hydrating (1)
SpaceyTrxsh's avatar

SpaceyTrxsh

6 months ago · Oily Skin
Review

Bought this for my face but saw zero results. Now I'm using this for my uner eyes.

JohnnyLeeZongHeng_352's avatar

JohnnyLeeZongHeng_352

1 year ago · Oily Skin
Review

Broke me out
I have oily and acne prone skin and my face was on the road to recovery. I thought adding a retinol was a good idea and they marketed...

Broke me out
I have oily and acne prone skin and my face was on the road to recovery. I thought adding a retinol was a good idea and they marketed that this retinol oil is good for any skin type even though it is oily. It broke me out and gave me a scar within a week. It gave me an acne that was deep inside of my skin. I wouldnt recommend it to oily and acne prone skin people.

Beauty of Joseon Glow Deep Serum: Rice + Arbutin 32 ingredients

2.8 /5
from 5 ratings
Doesn't Work (1)
SamanthaTan_417's avatar

SamanthaTan_417

1 year ago · Normal Skin
Review

Fine, but not amazing
It was okay. No biggie, and definitely won't be buying this again.

Nothing wrong with it per se, I just didn't notice any...

Fine, but not amazing
It was okay. No biggie, and definitely won't be buying this again.

Nothing wrong with it per se, I just didn't notice any difference/improvement in my skin.

It has a really nice, light texture though, so application was always pleasant.

AnaG's avatar

AnaG

3 months ago · Dry Skin
Review

Nice texture, hydrating, good for sensitive skin. But I didn't see any improvements so I won't repurchase. This is very personal, this may work for...

Nice texture, hydrating, good for sensitive skin. But I didn't see any improvements so I won't repurchase. This is very personal, this may work for you.