Explore Routine Login

Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of COSRX The Vitamin C 23 Serum versus Missha Vita C Plus Spot Correcting & Firming Ampoule .

Last updated on July 18, 2023. Published on September 06, 2022

Overview

What they are

These products are both reef safe . They have a total of 12 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, 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, oily skin, reducing pores, scar healing, dark spots and better texture

Free From

They both do not contain any 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.

Serum South Korean Brand South Korea
Ampoule South Korean Brand South Korea

Serum

Serums are highly concentrated with ingredients to provide skin with benefits. They should be used after cleansing and before moisturizing.

Ampoule

Ampoules are created to target one area of concern. They are usually highly concentrated with active or beneficial ingredients.

Price

Shop

Buy The Vitamin C 23 Serum

Starts at $14.90
Shop

Buy Vita C Plus Spot Correcting & Firming Ampoule

Starts at $17.08

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and view relevant ingredients.
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free
ph level
4
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Notable Ingredients

Vitamin C
Vitamin E
Niacinamide
Hyaluronic Acid

Benefits

Hydrating (3)
Good For Oily Skin
Redness Reducing (3)
Reduces Irritation (2)
Skin Texture
Reduces Large Pores
Anti-Aging (3)
Dark Spots (3)
Scar Healing (4)
Acne Fighting
Brightening (3)

Concerns

Drying (2)
May Worsen Oily Skin (2)
Acne Trigger
Irritating (2)
Rosacea (2)
Eczema

Notable Ingredients

AHA
Vitamin C (3)
Vitamin E (2)
Niacinamide
Ceramides
Hyaluronic Acid (3)
Peptides (2)

Benefits

Hydrating (4)
Good For Oily Skin
Redness Reducing (6)
Reduces Irritation (4)
Skin Texture (4)
Reduces Large Pores (2)
Anti-Aging (7)
Dark Spots (5)
Scar Healing (8)
Acne Fighting
Brightening (8)

Concerns

Irritating (3)
Rosacea
Join our community

Build your routine, track which ingredients work for you, and much more with your free account.

Join SkinSort

Ingredients Compared

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

Ingredients Side-by-side

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

Learn more about what what Com. / Irr. ratings are

Loading ingredients...

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

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

1
What it does: Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Loved

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 Water

COSRX The Vitamin C 23 Serum contains this as ingredient number 1.

Missha Vita C Plus Spot Correcting & Firming Ampoule contains this as ingredient number 1.

2
What it does: Antioxidant, Buffering, Masking, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Loved

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

COSRX The Vitamin C 23 Serum contains this as ingredient number 2.

Missha Vita C Plus Spot Correcting & Firming Ampoule contains this as ingredient number 45.

3
What it does: Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Loved

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 Panthenol

COSRX The Vitamin C 23 Serum contains this as ingredient number 6.

Missha Vita C Plus Spot Correcting & Firming Ampoule contains this as ingredient number 23.

4
What it does: Humectant, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Loved

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

COSRX The Vitamin C 23 Serum contains this as ingredient number 11.

Missha Vita C Plus Spot Correcting & Firming Ampoule contains this as ingredient number 52.

5
What it does: Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Loved

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

COSRX The Vitamin C 23 Serum contains this as ingredient number 15.

Missha Vita C Plus Spot Correcting & Firming Ampoule contains this as ingredient number 26.

6
What it does: Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting, Soothing
Community Rating: Loved

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

COSRX The Vitamin C 23 Serum contains this as ingredient number 18.

Missha Vita C Plus Spot Correcting & Firming Ampoule contains this as ingredient number 40.

7
What it does: Antioxidant, Masking, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Liked

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

COSRX The Vitamin C 23 Serum contains this as ingredient number 21.

Missha Vita C Plus Spot Correcting & Firming Ampoule contains this as ingredient number 38.

8
What it does: Humectant, Masking, Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Mixed

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.

Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient. It is unlikely to irritate skin, and works well with pretty much all other ingredients.

COSRX The Vitamin C 23 Serum contains this as ingredient number 23.

Missha Vita C Plus Spot Correcting & Firming Ampoule contains this as ingredient number 6.

9
What it does: Smoothing
Community Rating: Loved

Niacinamide 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 Niacinamide

COSRX The Vitamin C 23 Serum contains this as ingredient number 25.

Missha Vita C Plus Spot Correcting & Firming Ampoule contains this as ingredient number 7.

10
What it does: Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Mixed

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 help thicken or emulsify a product. Emulsifiers help stabilize a product. It does this by preventing certain ingredients from separating.

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

COSRX The Vitamin C 23 Serum contains this as ingredient number 26.

Missha Vita C Plus Spot Correcting & Firming Ampoule contains this as ingredient number 48.

11
What it does: Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Liked

Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract comes from the root commonly known as carrot (the orange kind we eat!).

This extract contains beta-carotene, a pigment responsible for giving plants the orange color. Beta-carotene is a potent antioxidant. Antioxidants may help reduce the signs of aging.

Beta-carotene is the reason we turn orange if we eat too many carrots.

It should be noted coming into contact with the leaves of wild carrots can cause skin irritation. The sap causes phytophotodermatitis, or sensitivity when the sap comes in contact with sunlight.

This ingredient is created using the edible parts of the carrot.

Learn more about Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract

COSRX The Vitamin C 23 Serum contains this as ingredient number 33.

Missha Vita C Plus Spot Correcting & Firming Ampoule contains this as ingredient number 36.

12
What it does: Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Loved

Beta-Carotene is a carotenoid. It is an antioxidant that converts to Vitamin A. Antioxidants help fight free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells, such as pollution.

It gives plants the red, orange, and yellow color. Some foods with Beta-Carotene include sweet potatoes, carrots, apricots, and cantaloupe.

COSRX The Vitamin C 23 Serum contains this as ingredient number 34.

Missha Vita C Plus Spot Correcting & Firming Ampoule contains this as ingredient number 37.

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

56% are loved or liked
12% have mixed ratings
26% are disliked or very disliked
6% have no rating yet
62% are loved or liked
13% have mixed ratings
15% are disliked or very disliked
11% have no rating yet

Usage

Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.

When to use

Loading routine usage...
Loading routine usage...

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

COSRX The Vitamin C 23 Serum 34 ingredients

3.3 /5
from 7 ratings
Strong Scent (2) Doesn't Work (1) Expensive (1) Absorbs Well (1) Sticky (1) Works Well (1)
laila.21's avatar

laila.21

4 months ago · Combination Skin
Review

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...

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.

ChienYun_CY's avatar

ChienYun_CY

10 months ago · Combination Skin
Review

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...

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 when you first spread it on, but it slowly goes away after awhile.

Missha Vita C Plus Spot Correcting & Firming Ampoule 55 ingredients

3.0 /5
from 2 ratings
YSLDave's avatar

YSLDave

6 months ago · Oily Skin
Review

Nothing Special
Pro:
- Quick Absortion
- Good Texture
- Well Formulated
- Ampoule to preserve Vit. C

overall i think that although it...

Nothing Special
Pro:
- Quick Absortion
- Good Texture
- Well Formulated
- Ampoule to preserve Vit. C

overall i think that although it wasn't bad, there are certainly better Vit. C Serum

Alternatives

Our Dupe Finder has found 37 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to COSRX The Vitamin C 23 Serum.

See 37 alternatives

Our Dupe Finder has found 20 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Missha Vita C Plus Spot Correcting & Firming Ampoule.

See 20 alternatives
Loading similar comparisons...