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, brightening skin, oily skin, reducing pores 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
Mary & May Niacinamide + Chaenomeles Sinensis Serum 8 ingredients
COSRX Galactomyces 95 Tone Balancing Essence 12 ingredients
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Mary & May Niacinamide + Chaenomeles Sinensis Serum 8 ingredients
COSRX Galactomyces 95 Tone Balancing Essence 12 ingredients
Notable Ingredients
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
Benefits
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
Notable Ingredients
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
Benefits
This product contains 3 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 3 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
Ingredients Side-by-side
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 Niacinamide1,2-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.
Ingredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.
When to use
Mary & May Niacinamide + Chaenomeles Sinensis Serum 8 ingredients
COSRX Galactomyces 95 Tone Balancing Essence 12 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Mary & May Niacinamide + Chaenomeles Sinensis Serum 8 ingredients
COSRX Galactomyces 95 Tone Balancing Essence 12 ingredients
screamadelica
love this!
i love how hydrating and soothing this product is. if your skin can handle fermented ingredients, then this essence is a great...
love this!
i love how hydrating and soothing this product is. if your skin can handle fermented ingredients, then this essence is a great alternative to their snail essence (unfortunately, there are a ridiculous number of fakes of the snail essence on the internet, but i don’t see as many counterfeits of this one).
this product actually contains more galactomyces (ahem sorry i meant PITERA™) than the significantly more costly SK-II essence. interesting, huh?
sioloisiol
At first, it seemed like it wasn't doing much, but after consistently using it every night for about 5 months, I noticed a significant improvement...
At first, it seemed like it wasn't doing much, but after consistently using it every night for about 5 months, I noticed a significant improvement in my skin! While I still have visible pores and sebaceous filaments, I believe my skin texture has gotten better.
As for my PIH, I haven't really noticed any big changes just using this product on its own. I don't think the 2% niacinamide is strong enough to make a noticeable difference. But, when I started adding TO Alpha Arbutin to my routine after using this essence, that's when I saw some real progress in lightening my hyperpigmentation!