Versus

COSRX The Vitamin C 13 Serum Versus Ariul Expert Gold Vitamin C 13% Ampoule

Serum
Ampoule
Korean Brand South Korea
Korean Brand South Korea

Updated on June 28, 2024

Overview

Cool Features

They both contain hyaluronic acid, Vitamin C and Vitamin E

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, oily skin, reducing pores, scar healing, dark spots and better texture

Free From

They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, parabens, silicones 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 needs an update? Let us know.

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and see relevant ingredients

About this product

About this product

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

found in both products
Expert Gold Vitamin C 13% Ampoule

Water

Skin Conditioning

Ascorbic Acid 13%

Antioxidant
Vitamin C IconAntioxidant IconHelps reduce Skin Redness IconGood for Skin Texture IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconGood for Dark Spots IconGood for Scar Healing IconHelps brighten skin Icon

Butylene Glycol

Humectant
1 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Propanediol

Solvent

2,3-Butanediol

Humectant

Diethyl Sebacate

Emollient

Propylene Carbonate

Solvent

Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane

Emollient

Angelica Keiskei Leaf/Stem Extract

Skin Conditioning

Salix Alba Bark Extract

Astringent
Good for Oily Skin Icon

Ilex Rotunda Leaf Extract

Skin Protecting

Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract

Astringent

Glycerin

Humectant
0 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps brighten skin Icon

Gold

Cosmetic Colorant

Hordeum Vulgare Seed Extract

Skin Conditioning

Morus Alba Leaf Extract

Skin Conditioning

Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract

Antimicrobial
Antioxidant IconHelps reduce Skin Redness IconHelps reduce irritation IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconHelps with Anti-Aging Icon

Equisetum Arvense Extract

Astringent

Madecassoside

Antioxidant
Antioxidant IconHelps reduce irritation IconHelps with Anti-Aging Icon

Ammonium Glycyrrhizate

Masking

Panthenol

Skin Conditioning
0 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps reduce Skin Redness IconHelps reduce irritation Icon

Caffeine

Skin Conditioning

Allantoin

Skin Conditioning
0 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps reduce Skin Redness IconHelps reduce irritation IconGood for Scar Healing Icon

Ubiquinone

Antioxidant
Antioxidant IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconGood for Dark Spots Icon

Hydroxydecyl Ubiquinone

Antioxidant
Antioxidant Icon

Ellagic Acid

Skin Conditioning

Quercetin

Antioxidant
Antioxidant Icon

Fullerenes

Antimicrobial

Ferulic Acid

Antimicrobial
Antioxidant IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconGood for Dark Spots Icon

Xanthophylls

Skin Conditioning

Resveratrol

Antioxidant
Antioxidant IconHelps reduce irritation IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconGood for Dark Spots Icon

Glutathione

Good for Dark Spots Icon

Bupleurum Falcatum Root Extract

Skin Conditioning

Sodium Hyaluronate

Humectant
0 / 0 Hyaluronic Acid Icon

Beta-Glucan

Skin Conditioning
Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps reduce Skin Redness IconHelps reduce irritation Icon

Tocopherol

Antioxidant
0-3 / 0-3 Vitamin E IconAntioxidant IconHelps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconGood for Scar Healing Icon

Gallic Acid

Antioxidant
Antioxidant Icon

Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil

Masking
0-2 / 0 Oil IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Tremella Fuciformis Sporocarp Extract

Antioxidant
Antioxidant Icon

Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract

Masking
Fragrance IconHelps reduce Skin Redness IconHelps reduce irritation Icon

Cocos Nucifera Fruit Extract

Emollient

Picea Abies Extract

Skin Conditioning

Quercus Acutissima Extract

Antimicrobial

Oligopeptide-33

Skin Conditioning
Peptide Icon

Lycium Chinense Fruit Extract

Antioxidant
Antioxidant Icon

Vaccinium Vitis-Idaea Fruit Extract

Antioxidant
Antioxidant Icon

Inonotus Obliquus Extract

Skin Conditioning

Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract

Antimicrobial

Morus Alba Twig Extract

Skin Conditioning

Cnidium Officinale Root Extract

Skin Conditioning

Superoxide Dismutase

Antioxidant
Antioxidant IconHelps with Anti-Aging Icon

Sh-Polypeptide-10

Skin Conditioning
Peptide Icon

Oligopeptide-1

Skin Conditioning
Peptide Icon

Oligopeptide-2

Skin Conditioning
Peptide Icon

Sodium Phosphate

Buffering

Lecithin

Emollient

Pentylene Glycol

Skin Conditioning

Adenosine

Skin Conditioning
Good for Minimizing Pores IconGood for Scar Healing Icon

1,2-Hexanediol

Skin Conditioning

Olive Oil PEG-7 Esters

Emollient
Oil IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Polysorbate 60

Emulsifying
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Ethylhexyl Salicylate

UV Absorber
0 / 0 Chemical UV Filter IconNon-Reef-Safe IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Sodium Bicarbonate

Abrasive
Exfoliant Icon

Pvp

Emulsion Stabilising
0 / 0

Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer

Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6

Emulsion Stabilising

PEG-240/Hdi Copolymer Bis-Decyltetradeceth-20 Ether

Stabilising

Polyglyceryl-10 Decaoleate

Skin Conditioning
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Disodium EDTA

Sodium Hydroxide

Buffering

PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil

Emulsifying
Oil IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Octyldodeceth-16

Emulsifying

Ethylhexylglycerin

Skin Conditioning

Caprylyl Glycol

Emollient

Sodium Metabisulfite

Antioxidant
Antioxidant IconPreservative Icon

Parfum

Masking
Fragrance IconMay worsen Eczema IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Water, Ascorbic Acid 13%, Butylene Glycol, Propanediol, 2,3-Butanediol, Diethyl Sebacate, Propylene Carbonate, Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane, Angelica Keiskei Leaf/Stem Extract, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Ilex Rotunda Leaf Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Glycerin, Gold, Hordeum Vulgare Seed Extract, Morus Alba Leaf Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Equisetum Arvense Extract, Madecassoside, Ammonium Glycyrrhizate, Panthenol, Caffeine, Allantoin, Ubiquinone, Hydroxydecyl Ubiquinone, Ellagic Acid, Quercetin, Fullerenes, Ferulic Acid, Xanthophylls, Resveratrol, Glutathione, Bupleurum Falcatum Root Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Beta-Glucan, Tocopherol, Gallic Acid, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Tremella Fuciformis Sporocarp Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Cocos Nucifera Fruit Extract, Picea Abies Extract, Quercus Acutissima Extract, Oligopeptide-33, Lycium Chinense Fruit Extract, Vaccinium Vitis-Idaea Fruit Extract, Inonotus Obliquus Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Morus Alba Twig Extract, Cnidium Officinale Root Extract, Superoxide Dismutase, Sh-Polypeptide-10, Oligopeptide-1, Oligopeptide-2, Sodium Phosphate, Lecithin, Pentylene Glycol, Adenosine, 1,2-Hexanediol, Olive Oil PEG-7 Esters, Polysorbate 60, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Sodium Bicarbonate, Pvp, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, PEG-240/Hdi Copolymer Bis-Decyltetradeceth-20 Ether, Polyglyceryl-10 Decaoleate, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Hydroxide, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Octyldodeceth-16, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Metabisulfite, Parfum

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

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.

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 Water
Antioxidant, Buffering, Masking

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 Acid
Humectant, Masking, Skin Conditioning

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

  • It is a solvent, meaning that it helps to dissolve other ingredients. This also enhances the absorption of the product into one's skin.
  • It is a humectant, which means that it helps attract moisture into the skin.
  • It helps improve product application.
  • It has mild preservative properties.

Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.

Skin Conditioning

Panthenol 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 Panthenol
Skin Conditioning

Caffeine is most associated with coffee, tea, and cacao. In skincare, it helps with calming inflammation and is rich in antioxidants.

While caffeine is used to treat cellulite and and dark circles, further studies are needed to prove this. It has been believed to help with these skin conditions due to its ability to dilate blood vessels and increase blood flow.

Some studies are looking into caffeine's ability to protect against UV rays.

Learn more about Caffeine
Humectant, Skin Conditioning

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 Hyaluronate

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 EDTA

Glutathione is an antioxidant naturally found in our bodies. It is made up of three amino acids: glycine, cysteine, and glutamic acid.

As an antioxidant, it prevents oxidative damage to parts of our cell.

While glutathione is said to help with fading dark spots, the results from research are inconclusive. Further studies are needed. With that said, gluthatione has been shown to protect our skin from UV-B induced damage.

This ingredient is naturally occurring in plants, animals, fungi, and some bacteria.

Learn more about Glutathione
Skin Conditioning

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 Adenosine
Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting, Soothing

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 Allantoin
Antioxidant, Masking, Skin Conditioning

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 Tocopherol
Skin Conditioning, Solvent

Pentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.

The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.

This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can also help thicken or stabilize a product.

Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.

Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.

Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.

Learn more about Pentylene Glycol

When to use

234 Routines
81% use in am
19% use in pm
90% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->
2 Routines
100% use in am
0% use in pm
100% use every day