Versus

Mary & May Niacinamide + Chaenomeles Sinensis Serum Versus COSRX Galactomyces 95 Tone Balancing Essence

Serum
Essence
Korean Brand South Korea
Korean Brand South Korea

Updated on January 04, 2024

Overview

What they are

These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe . They have a total of 2 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain niacinamide

Suited For

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

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

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

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

Smoothing

Niacinamide 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 Niacinamide
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 

When to use

58 Routines
53% use in am
47% use in pm
83% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->
671 Routines
49% use in am
51% use in pm
96% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Mary & May Niacinamide + Chaenomeles Sinensis Serum 8 ingredients

4.0 /5
from 4 ratings
Absorbs Well (3) Great Value (3) Light Scent (3)
Lottie's avatar

Lottie

1 year ago
Review

really calmed my skin and inflammations!

#great value
#light
#absorbs well
#light scent
acelexa's avatar

acelexa

1 year ago
Review

Not sure how effective Chaenomeles Sinensis is or this formula is. Seems to have a light scent

#light scent

COSRX Galactomyces 95 Tone Balancing Essence 12 ingredients

4.1 /5
from 13 ratings
Great Value (5) No Scent (5) Hydrating (5)
Calyxna's avatar

Yuna Xyvene

10 months ago
Review

The best essence that I've ever had! Other than that, this makes my textured (bumps) forehead become less and smooth.

Update! After a month of using this, this product actually dried my skin out, it's giving me the painful acne, and breakouts weekly. It is not worth it, I don't see any progress at all, not worth it.

Update! It was my mistake for using the Neutrogena Gel Cleanser, and also Show more

#great value
#sticky
#no scent
#doesn't work
252's avatar

Emma Miller

10 months ago
Review

This is just glorious. I use it on my daily routine, am and pm after washing and toning, on my face and neck. Very hydrating and makes quite the difference in how the rest of my serums soak into my skin. I have never had any issues with makeup over it so far, no pilling no matter what I use after. It has made my skin glow and simply look lovely. One product I never want to be without. I would Show more

#great value
#hydrating
#light
#absorbs well