Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of iUNIK Propolis Vitamin Synergy Serum versus Beauty of Joseon Glow Serum: Propolis + Niacinamide .

Last updated on February 26, 2024. Published on February 28, 2021

Overview

What they are

These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe serums. They have a total of 10 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain hyaluronic acid and niacinamide

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, oily skin, reducing pores and dark spots

Free From

They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, parabens, silicones or sulfates

What's Inside

They both contain fragrances and 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
Serum 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.

Serum

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

Price

Shop

Buy Propolis Vitamin Synergy Serum

Shop

Buy Glow Serum: Propolis + Niacinamide

Starts at $13.60

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
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
6.3

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Notable Ingredients

Niacinamide
Hyaluronic Acid

Benefits

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

Notable Ingredients

BHA
Vitamin E
Niacinamide
Hyaluronic Acid

Benefits

Hydrating
Good For Oily Skin (3)
Redness Reducing (2)
Reduces Irritation
Reduces Large Pores (2)
Dark Spots
Acne Fighting (2)
Brightening (3)

Concerns

Rosacea
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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.

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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

iUNIK Propolis Vitamin Synergy Serum contains this as ingredient number 1.

Beauty of Joseon Glow Serum: Propolis + Niacinamide contains this as ingredient number 5.

2
What it does: Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting, Solvent
Community Rating: Loved

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

iUNIK Propolis Vitamin Synergy Serum contains this as ingredient number 2.

Beauty of Joseon Glow Serum: Propolis + Niacinamide contains this as ingredient number 3.

3
What it does: Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Mixed

1,2-Hexanediol is a multi-tasker ingredient. It acts as a preservative to increase shelf-life and can aid other preservatives in preventing microbe growth. 1,2-Hexanediol also helps the skin retain moisture as a humectant.

In products that are water-based, this ingredient can help stabilize perfumes and fragrances. It can also help make the texture of products softer and more smooth.

iUNIK Propolis Vitamin Synergy Serum contains this as ingredient number 4.

Beauty of Joseon Glow Serum: Propolis + Niacinamide contains this as ingredient number 7.

4
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

iUNIK Propolis Vitamin Synergy Serum contains this as ingredient number 5.

Beauty of Joseon Glow Serum: Propolis + Niacinamide contains this as ingredient number 6.

5
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.

iUNIK Propolis Vitamin Synergy Serum contains this as ingredient number 6.

Beauty of Joseon Glow Serum: Propolis + Niacinamide contains this as ingredient number 4.

6
What it does: Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Liked

Propolis Extract is also known as bee glue. It is a resinous mixture created from beeswax, bee saliva, and parts of trees.

Propolis Extract has antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, wound healing, and antioxidant properties. Studies show propolis helps fight against bacteria, viruses, and fungi. This may help with reducing acne and accelerate wound healing.

The flavonoids found in propolis extract are potent antioxidants. Antioxidants may help with reducing the signs of aging.

A study from 2020 found propolis to help reverse skin damage from UV.

Bees use propolis as a sealant to close any gaps in their hives.

speeding up new healthy cell growth.

Learn more about Propolis Extract

iUNIK Propolis Vitamin Synergy Serum contains this as ingredient number 7.

Beauty of Joseon Glow Serum: Propolis + Niacinamide contains this as ingredient number 1.

7
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

iUNIK Propolis Vitamin Synergy Serum contains this as ingredient number 8.

Beauty of Joseon Glow Serum: Propolis + Niacinamide contains this as ingredient number 10.

8
What it does: Masking, Solvent
Community Rating: Disliked

Dipropylene Glycol is a synthetically created stabilizer and solvent. It is a part of the glycol class in the alcohol family.

Dipropylene Glycol helps dissolve and evenly distribute ingredients. It also helps decrease viscosity and thin out texture.

As a masking agent, Dipropylene Glycol can be used to cover the smell of other ingredients. However, it does not have a scent.

Studies show Dipropylene Glycol is considered safe to use in skincare.

Learn more about Dipropylene Glycol

iUNIK Propolis Vitamin Synergy Serum contains this as ingredient number 11.

Beauty of Joseon Glow Serum: Propolis + Niacinamide contains this as ingredient number 2.

9
What it does: Cleansing, Skin Conditioning, Smoothing, Soothing, Tonic
Community Rating: Loved

Centella Asiatica Extract is derived from an herb plant native to Southeast Asia. It is rich in antioxidants and amino acids. In skincare products, Centella Asiatica Extract is used for its anti-inflammatory and soothing properties.

Many active components found in Centella Asiatica Extract, such as Madecassic Acid and Asiaticoside, encourage the skin to naturally produce hyaluronic acid. This helps keep our skin hydrated. Many of these components also show antioxidant activity and may help reduce the signs of aging.

Research shows Centella Asiatica can help increase Type I collagen production by increasing fibroblast production. Fibroblast helps form connective tissue.

The combination of all these properties makes Centella Asiatica Extract effective at soothing the skin.

Other components of Centella Asiatic Extract include Vitamin A, vitamin C, several B vitamins, and Asiatic Acid.

Recent studies found madecassoside may help prevent damage from UV rays by preventing UV-induced inflammation. Further research is needed.

This plant has been used as a medicine and in food for many centuries. As a medicine, it is used to treat burns, scratches, and wounds.

Learn more about Centella Asiatica Extract

iUNIK Propolis Vitamin Synergy Serum contains this as ingredient number 12.

Beauty of Joseon Glow Serum: Propolis + Niacinamide contains this as ingredient number 15.

10
What it does: Emulsion Stabilising, Gel Forming
Community Rating: Disliked

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

Carbomer is commonly found in many types of cosmetics products. It is found to be safe in concentrations up to 15%. However, a high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Most products contain 1% of less of carbomer.

iUNIK Propolis Vitamin Synergy Serum contains this as ingredient number 26.

Beauty of Joseon Glow Serum: Propolis + Niacinamide contains this as ingredient number 30.

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

58% are loved or liked
16% have mixed ratings
10% are disliked or very disliked
16% have no rating yet
60% are loved or liked
17% have mixed ratings
13% are disliked or very disliked
10% have no rating yet

Usage

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

When to use

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Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

iUNIK Propolis Vitamin Synergy Serum 31 ingredients

3.8 /5
from 4 reviews
Klebeauty's Avatar'
May 19, 2022

Light serum that radiates skin
I have dehydrated, sensitive-combo skin with random dry patches. I have issues of heavy products struggling to absorb or get deeper and instead break me out. Other times, light products would get in but...

Light serum that radiates skin
I have dehydrated, sensitive-combo skin with random dry patches. I have issues of heavy products struggling to absorb or get deeper and instead break me out. Other times, light products would get in but nothing would hold it in.
With this moisturizing light serum, I did notice a difference immediately. My skin become supple, plump, and just be glowing and that's throughout the day. After a week, i found my skin clear, healthy, and stayed radiant. && to add, it didn't clog my pores!

MiroslavaBedrozova_812's Avatar'
Mar 14, 2024

Makes the skin supple and Hydrated. If I use it in the evening it makes my skin soft in the morning. It could be used instead of moisturizer in the morning.

Makes the skin supple and Hydrated. If I use it in the evening it makes my skin soft in the morning. It could be used instead of moisturizer in the morning.

Hydrating
Light
No Scent
Works Well

Beauty of Joseon Glow Serum: Propolis + Niacinamide 30 ingredients

3.3 /5
from 23 reviews
TarteEcole_113's Avatar'
Apr 6, 2023

Glow yes acne no
Well it's my first time trying niacinamide and I don't like it (new red spots appeared) , or maybe I am allergic to propolis idkn tbh, but it does give glow

Glow yes acne no
Well it's my first time trying niacinamide and I don't like it (new red spots appeared) , or maybe I am allergic to propolis idkn tbh, but it does give glow

enecr's Avatar'
Apr 18, 2023

I also got acne from this
Like others have said, I also got acne from using this (never seen such reviews on other websites). It's VERY hydrating and it repairs your skin barrier, but it caused a lot of acne on my forehead. I stopped...

I also got acne from this
Like others have said, I also got acne from using this (never seen such reviews on other websites). It's VERY hydrating and it repairs your skin barrier, but it caused a lot of acne on my forehead. I stopped using it on my forehead after about 3 weeks and the acne went away. I used other niacinamide products without an issue before but I tried propolis for the first time. I'm not sure if that's the cause of acne. Before using this, though, my cheeks were very dry due to the cold dry weather and previous retinol attempts. I can say that it seems to have helped with that. So, I kept using it below my forehead, but I wouldn't purchase it again.

tabby_274's Avatar'
Apr 17, 2023

not for me
i like the consistency but that’s about it. really tried to like this product as i went through two bottles of it. everytime i used this product it would leave a shiny film on my skin that would pill under makeup and/or...

not for me
i like the consistency but that’s about it. really tried to like this product as i went through two bottles of it. everytime i used this product it would leave a shiny film on my skin that would pill under makeup and/or moisturizer no matter what i did. i suspect it also caused closed comedones from product buildup. after i ceased use the pilling and cc’s went away. didn’t improve my skin in any way.

Alternatives

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