It's Skin Power 10 Formula VB Effector Cera Guard Versus Some By Mi Snail Truecica Miracle Repair Serum
This barrier-repair serum is formulated around Panthenol and Ceramide NP to strengthen the skin barrier and hydrate skin.
This barrier-repair serum is formulated around Niacinamide and Snail Secretion Filtrate to strengthen the skin barrier and calm redness.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventGlycerin
HumectantGlycereth-26
HumectantMethyl Gluceth-20
HumectantCetyl Ethylhexanoate
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
EmulsifyingPisum Sativum Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientHydrogenated Coco-Glycerides
EmollientAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientTromethamine
BufferingLecithin
EmollientAdenosine
Skin ConditioningLimonene
PerfumingCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
MaskingDisodium EDTA
Panthenol
Skin ConditioningLinalool
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningPelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil
MaskingNiacinamide
SmoothingAmylodextrin
AbsorbentCalcium Pantothenate
Maltodextrin
AbsorbentButylene Glycol
HumectantPropylene Glycol
HumectantSodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
AntioxidantPyridoxine Hcl
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantGlycine
BufferingSerine
MaskingGlutamic Acid
HumectantAspartic Acid
MaskingLeucine
Skin ConditioningAlanine
MaskingLysine
Skin ConditioningArginine
MaskingPhenylalanine
MaskingProline
Skin ConditioningThreonine
Valine
MaskingIsoleucine
Skin ConditioningSilica
AbrasiveHistidine
HumectantCysteine
AntioxidantMethionine
Skin ConditioningPCA
HumectantWater, Propanediol, Glycerin, Glycereth-26, Methyl Gluceth-20, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Pisum Sativum Seed Extract, Glyceryl Stearate, Hydrogenated Coco-Glycerides, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Cetearyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Tromethamine, Lecithin, Adenosine, Limonene, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Disodium EDTA, Panthenol, Linalool, Citronellol, Ceramide NP, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Niacinamide, Amylodextrin, Calcium Pantothenate, Maltodextrin, Butylene Glycol, Propylene Glycol, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Pyridoxine Hcl, Tocopheryl Acetate, Glycine, Serine, Glutamic Acid, Aspartic Acid, Leucine, Alanine, Lysine, Arginine, Phenylalanine, Proline, Threonine, Valine, Isoleucine, Silica, Histidine, Cysteine, Methionine, PCA
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantNiacinamide
Smoothing1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningSnail Secretion Filtrate
Skin ConditioningC12-14 Pareth-12
EmulsifyingC12-14 Pareth-7
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
BufferingDioscorea Japonica Root Extract
Skin ConditioningTrehalose
HumectantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningBeta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Corn Starch
HumectantCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
MaskingAllantoin
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Sucrose
HumectantMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract
PerfumingGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingAgrimonia Eupatoria Extract
AstringentSalvia Officinalis Oil
MaskingCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingSalvia Officinalis Leaf Extract
CleansingCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialChamaecyparis Obtusa Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningSilybum Marianum Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningPerilla Frutescens Leaf Extract
MaskingSodium Chondroitin Sulfate
Skin ConditioningBroussonetia Kazinoki Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPropolis Extract
Skin ConditioningArtemisia Capillaris Extract
Cimicifuga Dahurica Root Extract
AntioxidantSalix Alba Bark Extract
AstringentPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningMadecassoside
AntioxidantOenothera Biennis Flower Extract
AstringentAsiaticoside
AntioxidantAsiatic Acid
Skin ConditioningMadecassic Acid
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeWater, Butylene Glycol, Niacinamide, 1,2-Hexanediol, Snail Secretion Filtrate, C12-14 Pareth-12, C12-14 Pareth-7, Carbomer, Tromethamine, Dioscorea Japonica Root Extract, Trehalose, Ethylhexylglycerin, Beta-Glucan, Hydrolyzed Corn Starch, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Allantoin, Adenosine, Disodium EDTA, Sucrose, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Agrimonia Eupatoria Extract, Salvia Officinalis Oil, Centella Asiatica Extract, Salvia Officinalis Leaf Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Chamaecyparis Obtusa Leaf Extract, Silybum Marianum Seed Extract, Perilla Frutescens Leaf Extract, Sodium Chondroitin Sulfate, Broussonetia Kazinoki Root Extract, Propolis Extract, Artemisia Capillaris Extract, Cimicifuga Dahurica Root Extract, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Pentylene Glycol, Madecassoside, Oenothera Biennis Flower Extract, Asiaticoside, Asiatic Acid, Madecassic Acid, Phenoxyethanol
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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
Adenosine is a purine nucleoside that your body already makes in every cell. In skincare, it acts mainly as a skin conditioning and anti-aging agent.
The way it works is fairly well mapped out:
Your skin has cells called fibroblasts that build collagen (the stuff that keeps skin firm and smooth). Adenosine basically flips a switch on these cells that tells them to get to work making more collagen and other proteins. These cells slow down on their own as skin ages, so Adenosine helps give them a little nudge to keep going.
The clinical backing is pretty solid too.
A blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial of 126 women aged 45-65 tested a 0.1% cream twice daily and found real improvements in crow's feet and frown lines using a precise 3D skin-mapping technique; these changes showed up by week 3 and held at 2 months.
A later study using Adenosine-loaded dissolving microneedle patches reported gains in wrinkle depth, dermal density, elasticity, and hydration.
On concentrations, South Korea's Ministry of Food and Drug Safety has set 0.04% as the approved functional anti-wrinkle level. You'll typically see this ingredient used somewhere in the 0.04-0.1% range since it works at low doses.
This ingredient has been found safe for cosmetics with the data showing no irritation or sensitization.
Overall, this is a great ingredient for any anti-aging routine and has no photosensitizing effect, so it suits both AM and PM use.
Learn more about AdenosineButylene 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 GlycolCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil is the oil from the bergamot orange and is primarily used as a fragrance. It has a "fresh" and "bright orange" scent.
The main aroma compounds found in this ingredient are limonene (~27-52%), linalool (~2-22%), and linalyl acetate (~27-40%). These are known EU fragrance allergens.
The term '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.
When used topically, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil is a photosensitizer due to the furanocoumarin content. Furanocoumarins absorb UV-A and cause phytophotodermatitis; this can look like redness, blistering, and lasting brown pigmentation on sun-exposed skin.
Due to this, this ingredient is capped at 0.4% in leave-on products applied to sun exposed skin.
Many modern formulas used a "furanocoumarin-free" version that sidesteps the phototoxicity issue, but still contains the fragrance allergens.
Learn more about Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit OilDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTANiacinamide is a multitasking form of vitamin B3 that strengthens the skin barrier, reduces pores and dark spots, regulates oil, and improves signs of aging.
And the best part? It's gentle and well-tolerated by most skin types, including sensitive and reactive skin.
You might have heard of "niacin flush", or the reddening of skin that causes itchiness. Niacinamide has not been found to cause this.
In very rare cases, some individuals may not be able to tolerate niacinamide at all or experience an allergic reaction to it.
If you are experiencing flaking, irritation, and dryness with this ingredient, be sure to double check all your products as this ingredient can be found in all categories of skincare.
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.
When you apply niacinamide to your skin, your body converts it into nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD). NAD is an essential coenzyme that is already found in your cells as "fuel" and powers countless biological processes.
In your skin, NAD helps repair cell damage, produce new healthy cells, support collagen production, strengthen the skin barrier, and fight environmental stressors (like UV and pollution).
Our natural NAD levels start to decline with age, leading to slower skin repair, visible aging, and a weaker skin barrier. By providing your skin niacinamide, you're recharging your skin's NAD levels. This leads to stronger, healthier, and younger looking skin.
Another name for vitamin B3 is nicotinamide. This vitamin is water-soluble and our bodies don't store it. We obtain Vitamin B3 from either food or skincare. Meat, fish, wheat, yeast, and leafy greens contain vitamin B3.
The type of niacinamide used in skincare is synthetically created.
Learn more about NiacinamideTromethamine (aka THAM) is a synthetic amino acid that shows up in skincare as a helper ingredient.
It functions as a pH adjuster to help neutralize acidic ingredients and set a formula's pH to the right spot.
This matters a lot because a lot of actives (like vitamin C) needs a specific pH to work well and feel comfortable on skin.
Concentration use ranges from 0.1-1.0% depending on the formula.
Learn more about TromethamineWater. 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. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water