Versus

Dr. Althea Gentle Vitamin C Serum Versus Glad2Glow Propolis 5% Hyaluronic Acid Barrier Essence Toner

Serum
Toner
Korean Brand South Korea
Indonesian Brand Indonesia

Updated on May 05, 2025

Overview

What they are

These products are both reef safe . They have a total of 6 ingredients in common

Suited For

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

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.

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and see relevant ingredients

What's inside (and what isn't)

What's inside (and what isn't)

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Benefits

Ingredients Side-by-side

found in both products
Propolis 5% Hyaluronic Acid Barrier Essence Toner

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
Skin Conditioning, Solvent

1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse. 

It is a:

  • Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
  • Emollient, helping to soften skin
  • Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
  • Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservatives 

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
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
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, Masking, Skin Conditioning

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

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

Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.

Learn more about Butylene Glycol

When to use

377 Routines
79% use in am
21% use in pm
89% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->
56 Routines
46% use in am
54% use in pm
98% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Dr. Althea Gentle Vitamin C Serum 20 ingredients

3.5 /5
from 10 ratings
Absorbs Well (7) No Scent (5) Light (5)
skincarewithmilan's avatar

Milan

10 months ago
Review

I’ve been using this product for the past couple of days and noticed that it’s making my skin break out with a few small closed comedones and pimples on my cheeks and nose. I highly doubt that my skin is purging since this serum contains ethyl ascorbic acid which is a more gentle alternative to L-ascorbic acid and vitamin C isn’t supposed to make the skin purge. I’m assuming the breakouts were Show more

#broke me out
#light
#absorbs well
#no scent
dajannamata's avatar

Dajanna Mata

8 months ago
Review

*This is a review for both Vitamin C Serums* This vitamin C serum for sensitive skin is a good product but didn’t have a good experience with the boosting vitamin C serum. Was applying the orange vitamin C serum for just 2-3 days straight and suddenly I started getting acne on my chin, forehead , which I never got acne on those places. Did not feel no irritation while applying the vitamin C , but Show more

#expensive
#broke me out
#light
#no scent

Glad2Glow Propolis 5% Hyaluronic Acid Barrier Essence Toner 34 ingredients

4.5 /5
from 2 ratings
Absorbs Well (2) Great Value (2) Hydrating (2)
lindivina's avatar

lin divina

6 months ago
Review

FA safe, doesnt break me out, also very hydrating but not clogging pores, i uses this at night, just not a fan of the packagjng

#great value
#hydrating
#light
#absorbs well
alyafatini's avatar

aura

8 months ago
Review

its good on my skin, feel like water, and doesn't make my skin breakout

#great value
#hydrating
#light
#absorbs well