Etude House SoonJung Cica Calming Ampoule Essence Versus Celimax Cica Serum
Updated on December 09, 2023
Overview
What they are
These products are both fungal acne (malassezia) safe and reef safe . They have a total of 13 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain hyaluronic acid and Vitamin E
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, reducing pores and scar healing
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, fragrances, oils, 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
Etude House SoonJung Cica Calming Ampoule Essence 18 ingredients
Celimax Cica Serum 39 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Etude House SoonJung Cica Calming Ampoule Essence 18 ingredients
Celimax Cica Serum 39 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventGlycerin
Humectant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningSodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Madecassoside
Antioxidant
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Centella Asiatica Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin Conditioning
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Artemisia Capillaris Extract
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Beta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Water, Propanediol, Glycerin, Panthenol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Allantoin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA, Butylene Glycol, Madecassoside, Hyaluronic Acid, Centella Asiatica Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Artemisia Capillaris Extract, Tocopherol, Beta-Glucan
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Water
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
MaskingNiacinamide 5%
Smoothing
Glycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningHydroxyethyl Urea
HumectantCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
BufferingHydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentPolygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract
Antioxidant
Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningPortulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Glycyrrhiza Uralensis Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Disodium EDTA
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Trehalose
HumectantGlyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
HumectantRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningPvm/Ma Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingBeta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Biosaccharide Gum-1
Skin ConditioningDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Madecassoside
Antioxidant
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Asiatic Acid
Skin ConditioningMadecassic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Asiaticoside
Antioxidant
Centella Asiatica Extract, Water, Dipropylene Glycol, Niacinamide 5%, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydroxyethyl Urea, Carbomer, Tromethamine, Hydroxyacetophenone, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylyl Glycol, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Allantoin, Glycyrrhiza Uralensis Root Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Disodium EDTA, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Trehalose, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Panthenol, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Pvm/Ma Copolymer, Beta-Glucan, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopherol, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Madecassoside, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Asiatic Acid, Madecassic Acid, Asiaticoside
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 WaterGlycerin 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 GlycerinPanthenol 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 Panthenol1,2-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
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 HyaluronateAllantoin 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 AllantoinEthylhexylglycerin (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.
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 EDTAButylene 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.
Madecassoside comes from the super popular skin-soothing ingredient, Centella asiatica. It is one of four active compounds found in the extract of Centella Asiatica.
Madecassoside has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and hydrating properties. It contains fatty acids, amino acids, beta-carotene, and phytochemicals.
One study found using Madecassoside with ascorbic acid helped reduce the signs of aging and improved skin hydration.
Learn more about MadecassosideCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract is derived from the leaves of the tea plant. Black tea, green tea, and oolong tea are all harvested from this plant.
This ingredient has many skin benefits:
This ingredient contains polyphenols, a strong antioxidant. Antioxidants help fight off molecules that damage skin cells.
On top of that, the antioxidants in green tea neutralize free-radicals from the sun. This gives the skin some extra UV protection, but should not replace sunscreen.
Many components of tea have anti-inflammatory properties.
Polyphenols and L-theanine help soothe the skin and reduce irritation. The caffeine in Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract helps calm inflamed blood vessels.
Other compounds found in tea include: Vitamin Bs, linoleic acid, magnesium, calcium, iron, and zinc.
Research has shown both drinking Camellia Sinensis Leaf Tea and applying it to the skin can help boost skin elasticity and hydration. Studies also show using tea extract may reduce sebum, or oil, production.
Learn more about Camellia Sinensis Leaf ExtractTocopherol (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 TocopherolBeta-Glucan is a polysaccharide. It can be derived from the cell walls of seaweed, oats, yeast, and fungi. It hydrates the skin and helps boost your skin's natural barrier.
As an antioxidant, beta-glucan helps fight free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells, such as pollution.
Studies show this ingredient may be an effective wrinkle reducer as it can deeply penetrate into skin. It has also been show to help with wound healing.
Learn more about Beta-GlucanIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Etude House SoonJung Cica Calming Ampoule Essence 18 ingredients
Celimax Cica Serum 39 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Etude House SoonJung Cica Calming Ampoule Essence 18 ingredients
Celimax Cica Serum 39 ingredients
This became my safe-zone product right after the second use. It’s a solid calming serum with simple but effective ingredients—really helped soothe my irritation.
Lightweight, absorbs like water, and it’s fungal acne safe too!
The 5% niacinamide didn’t do much for my dark spots, but it definitely helped reduce redness and PIE. Highly recommend.
this is literally the best serum i’ve ever used, my redness disappeared, also today i got a tiny whitehead on my chin, i applied this serum and after like 7 hours it was gone…… (also i used tiam vita toner and purito oat in cream) im literally in shock how is this product unpopular on tiktok but we are still forcing anua and axis-y products… highly recommend this for someone who needs moisturising Show more
