COSRX The Vitamin C 23 Serum Versus La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo[+] Unifiant
Updated on June 28, 2024
Overview
Cool Features
They both contain niacinamide
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 common allergens, parabens or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain harsh alcohols and silicones
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 Vitamin C 23 Serum 34 ingredients
La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo[+] Unifiant 38 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
COSRX The Vitamin C 23 Serum 34 ingredients
La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo[+] Unifiant 38 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningAscorbic Acid 23%
Antioxidant
Propanediol
SolventDimethicone
Emollient
Tromethamine
BufferingPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Ethyl Ether
SolventSqualane
Emollient
Caffeine
Skin ConditioningSodium Chloride
Masking
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Sulfite
Preservative
Disodium EDTA
Glutathione
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Glucosamine
Skin ConditioningGardenia Florida Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Dextrin
AbsorbentTocotrienols
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
Antioxidant
Elaeis Guineensis Oil
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Arginine
Masking
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningAlcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Methyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
Masking
Camellia Japonica Seed Oil
Emollient
Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract
Skin ConditioningBeta-Carotene
Skin ConditioningWater, Ascorbic Acid 23%, Propanediol, Dimethicone, Tromethamine, Panthenol, Ethyl Ether, Squalane, Caffeine, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Sulfite, Disodium EDTA, Glutathione, Adenosine, Acetyl Glucosamine, Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract, Allantoin, Dextrin, Tocotrienols, Tocopherol, Elaeis Guineensis Oil, Butylene Glycol, Arginine, Niacinamide, Pentylene Glycol, Alcohol Denat., Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Methyl Trimethicone, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Camellia Japonica Seed Oil, Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract, Beta-Carotene
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Dimethicone
Emollient
Isocetyl Stearate
Emollient
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Isopropyl Lauroyl Sarcosinate
Skin ConditioningAmmonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingMethyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
T-Butyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingOleic Acid
Emollient
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Silica Silylate
EmollientPoloxamer 338
EmulsifyingNylon-12
Polysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Zinc PCA
Humectant
Linoleic Acid
Cleansing
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Isohexadecane
EmollientOleamide
Octanediol
Capryloyl Salicylic Acid
Exfoliating
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientPiroctone Olamine
Preservative
Myristyl Myristate
Emollient
Acrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingParfum
Masking
Sorbitan Oleate
Emulsifying
Disodium EDTA
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingBHT
Antioxidant
Glyceryl Stearate Se
Emulsifying
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantMica
Cosmetic Colorant
Water, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Isocetyl Stearate, Niacinamide, Isopropyl Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, T-Butyl Alcohol, Sodium Hydroxide, Oleic Acid, Salicylic Acid, Silica Silylate, Poloxamer 338, Nylon-12, Polysorbate 80, Zinc PCA, Linoleic Acid, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Isohexadecane, Oleamide, Octanediol, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, Piroctone Olamine, Myristyl Myristate, Acrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer, Parfum, Sorbitan Oleate, Disodium EDTA, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, BHT, Glyceryl Stearate Se, CI 77891, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499, Mica
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 WaterDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeDisodium 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 EDTANiacinamide has emerged as an all-star ingredient due to its many benefits.
It is known to treat acne by reducing inflammation. It also helps fade dark-spots and strengthen the skin by promoting the growth of the ceramide barrier.
Other benefits include smoothing wrinkles and minimizing redness.
The cherry on top? Niacinamide can also help build keratin, a protein that keeps skin firm.
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.
Niacinamide can be mixed with other ingredients to boost benefits. For instance, it has shown to be effective when used with copper, folic acid, and zinc to treat acne.
Learn more about NiacinamideIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
COSRX The Vitamin C 23 Serum 34 ingredients
La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo[+] Unifiant 38 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
COSRX The Vitamin C 23 Serum 34 ingredients
I didn't like the consistency of this serum at all.
It felt like I was putting oil to my face, but since I always use the whole product to see results this did nothing to me other than feeling uncomfortable.
Cured my acne scars
I had mix feelings when I first bought this as I read that the smell can be off-putting. But I am glad I bought it. My acne scars faded a lot more after 3 days of using it and saw great results in one week. It also didn't break me out despite containing alcohols and oils. It does sting a little on the first application but doesn't irritate my skin. The smell can be quite strong Show more
