Versus

D'Alba White Truffle Double Layer Revitalizing Serum Versus Sulwhasoo First Care Activating Serum

Serum
Serum
Korean Brand South Korea
Korean Brand South Korea

Updated on February 26, 2025

Overview

What they are

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

Cool Features

They both contain Vitamin E

Suited For

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

Free From

They both do not contain any parabens or sulfates

What's Inside

They both contain common allergens, fragrances and 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

Concerns

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

found in both products
White Truffle Double Layer Revitalizing Serum

Water

Skin Conditioning

Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil

Emollient
0 / 0 Oil IconHelps hydrate Dry Skin IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Butylene Glycol

Humectant
1 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Dipropylene Glycol

Masking

1,2-Hexanediol

Skin Conditioning

Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil

Emollient
Oil IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Tuber Magnatum Extract

Skin Conditioning

Tocopherol

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

Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride

Masking

Camellia Japonica Seed Oil

Emollient
Oil IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Oenothera Biennis Oil

Emollient
3 / 2 Oil IconHelps reduce irritation IconBad for Acne Prone Skin IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Olea Europaea Fruit Oil

Masking
0-2 / 0 Fragrance IconOil IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Persea Gratissima Oil

Skin Conditioning
0-3 / 0 Oil IconHelps hydrate Dry Skin IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil

Skin Conditioning
Oil IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Arginine

Masking
Good for Scar Healing IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Carbomer

Emulsion Stabilising
1 / 0

Betaine

Humectant
Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps reduce irritation IconGood for Dark Spots Icon

Panthenol

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

Tocopheryl Acetate

Antioxidant
0 / 0 Vitamin E IconAntioxidant Icon

Betula Platyphylla Japonica Juice

Skin Conditioning

Rosa Centifolia Flower Water

Skin Conditioning

Ethylhexylglycerin

Skin Conditioning

Glycerin

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

Glycine Soja Oil

Emollient
3 / 0 Oil IconBad for Acne Prone Skin IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate

Humectant
Helps reduce Skin Redness IconHelps reduce irritation IconGood for Dark Spots Icon

Disodium EDTA

Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Oil

Skin Protecting
Oil IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Hydroxyethyl Urea

Humectant

Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract

Emollient
Helps reduce Skin Redness IconHelps reduce irritation Icon

Adenosine

Skin Conditioning
Good for Minimizing Pores IconGood for Scar Healing Icon

Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate

Antioxidant
Antioxidant Icon

Bifida Ferment Lysate

Skin Conditioning
Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Hibiscus Esculentus Fruit Extract

Skin Conditioning

Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid

Humectant
Hyaluronic Acid IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconGood for Scar Healing IconHelps brighten skin Icon

Sodium Hyaluronate

Humectant
0 / 0 Hyaluronic Acid Icon

Sodium Palmitoyl Proline

Skin Conditioning

Bixa Orellana Seed Oil

Emollient
Oil IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Ocimum Basilicum Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract

Tonic

Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract

Masking
Helps reduce Skin Redness IconHelps reduce irritation Icon

Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract

Skin Conditioning

Lavandula Angustifolia Flower Extract

Cleansing
May cause irritation IconEU Allergen Icon

Melissa Officinalis Leaf Extract

Skin Conditioning

Mentha Piperita Leaf Extract

Skin Conditioning

Mentha Rotundifolia Leaf Extract

Tonic

Monarda Didyma Leaf Extract

Skin Conditioning

Rosa Centifolia Flower Extract

Astringent

Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract

Antimicrobial

Salvia Officinalis Leaf Extract

Cleansing

Centella Asiatica Extract

Cleansing
Helps reduce Skin Redness IconHelps reduce irritation Icon

Potassium Sorbate

Preservative
Preservative Icon

Bellis Perennis Flower Extract

Skin Conditioning

Chlorphenesin

Antimicrobial
Preservative Icon

Freesia Refracta Extract

Skin Conditioning

Houttuynia Cordata Extract

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

Leontopodium Alpinum Extract

Skin Conditioning

Lilium Candidum Flower Extract

Skin Conditioning

Morus Alba Bark Extract

Skin Conditioning

Nelumbo Nucifera Flower Extract

Skin Conditioning

Panax Ginseng Root Extract

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

Saussurea Involucrata Extract

Humectant

Avena Sativa Kernel Extract

Abrasive
Exfoliant IconAntioxidant IconHelps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps reduce Skin Redness IconHelps reduce irritation Icon

Salvia Hispanica Seed Extract

Emollient

Nymphaea Alba Flower Extract

Skin Conditioning

Parfum

Masking
Fragrance IconMay worsen Eczema IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Water, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Butylene Glycol, Dipropylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Tuber Magnatum Extract, Tocopherol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Camellia Japonica Seed Oil, Oenothera Biennis Oil, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Persea Gratissima Oil, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Arginine, Carbomer, Betaine, Panthenol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Betula Platyphylla Japonica Juice, Rosa Centifolia Flower Water, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glycerin, Glycine Soja Oil, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Disodium EDTA, Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Oil, Hydroxyethyl Urea, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Adenosine, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Bifida Ferment Lysate, Hibiscus Esculentus Fruit Extract, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Palmitoyl Proline, Bixa Orellana Seed Oil, Ocimum Basilicum Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower Extract, Melissa Officinalis Leaf Extract, Mentha Piperita Leaf Extract, Mentha Rotundifolia Leaf Extract, Monarda Didyma Leaf Extract, Rosa Centifolia Flower Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Salvia Officinalis Leaf Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Potassium Sorbate, Bellis Perennis Flower Extract, Chlorphenesin, Freesia Refracta Extract, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Leontopodium Alpinum Extract, Lilium Candidum Flower Extract, Morus Alba Bark Extract, Nelumbo Nucifera Flower Extract, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Saussurea Involucrata Extract, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Salvia Hispanica Seed Extract, Nymphaea Alba Flower Extract, Parfum

First Care Activating Serum

Water

Skin Conditioning

Butylene Glycol

Humectant
1 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Alcohol

Antimicrobial
Alcohol IconCan worsen Dry Skin IconMay worsen Oily Skin IconMay cause irritation IconMay worsen Eczema IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Glycerin

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

Betaine

Humectant
Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps reduce irritation IconGood for Dark Spots Icon

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
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.

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
Emulsion Stabilising, Gel Forming

Carbomer is a polymer of acrylic acid. Its main role is to create a gel consistency.

A high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Don't worry, most products contain 1% or less of carbomer.

Humectant, Skin Conditioning

Betaine is a common humectant (a substance that promotes retention of moisture). It's known to be gentle on the skin and can help balance hydration.

This ingredient is best for improving hydration and soothing irritated skin. Studies also show it helps even out skin tone.

Fun fact: Betaine is naturally created in the skin and body. The kind found within cosmetic products can be either plant-derived or synthetic.

Learn more about Betaine
Skin Conditioning

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

You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.

Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting

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

A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.

As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.

Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.

Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.

In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.

This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.

Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.

Learn more about Glycerin

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
Preservative

Potassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.

This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.

Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.

You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.

Learn more about Potassium Sorbate
Antimicrobial, Preservative

Chlorphenesin is a synthetic preservative. It helps protect a product against bacteria in order to extend shelf life. In most cases, Chlorphenesin is paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol and caprylyl glycol.

Chlorphenesin is a biocide. This means it is able to help fight the microorganisms on our skin. It is also able to fight odor-releasing bacteria.

Chlorphenesin is soluble in both water and glycerin.

Studies show Chlorphenesin is easily absorbed by our skin. You should speak with a skincare professional if you have concerns about using Chlorphenesin.

Learn more about Chlorphenesin

Nelumbium Speciosum Flower Extract comes from the Lotus Flower. It is rich in antioxidants.

The antioxidant properties in lotus flower come from compounds such as flavonoids.

In traditional Asian medicine, Lotus flower seeds were used to help treat inflammation.

Learn more about Nelumbo Nucifera Flower Extract
Masking, Perfuming

Parfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.

Also called "fragrance", this ingredient can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.

For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of “FRAGRANCE” or “PARFUM” according to EU and US regulations.

The term 'parfum' or 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term.

For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance by INCI standards.

One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.

Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.

Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.

The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.

Learn more about Parfum

When to use

5 Routines
40% use in am
60% use in pm
100% use every day
248 Routines
48% use in am
52% use in pm
92% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

D'Alba White Truffle Double Layer Revitalizing Serum 64 ingredients

White Truffle Double Layer Revitalizing Serum hasn't been rated yet.
Rate it now

Sulwhasoo First Care Activating Serum 48 ingredients

2.8 /5
from 4 ratings
Expensive (2) Absorbs Well (1) Hydrating (1)
patriciacain's avatar

Wendy

4 days ago
Review

I have sensitive skin and should have known better with the alcohol and fragrance in this product. It caused an immediate rosacea flare. This is a hard no for me and I would say any sensitive skin folks though I know it works well for many people.

#expensive
#irritating
Lunar's avatar

Lunar K

6 months ago
Review

I love using this serum right after cleansing my skin. It feels amazing on my skin, and it makes it feel so calm and ready for the next step of my routine. It’s a bit on the pricey side.

#expensive
#hydrating
#absorbs well
#light scent