Versus

Merit Beauty Great Skin Instant Glow Serum Versus Laneige Glowy Makeup Serum

Serum
Face Primer
American Brand United States
Korean Brand South Korea

Updated on April 16, 2025

Overview

What they are

These products are both reef safe . They have a total of 6 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain Vitamin E

Suited For

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

Free From

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

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

found in both products
Glowy Makeup Serum

Water

Skin Conditioning

Glycerin

Humectant
0 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconGood for Scar Healing IconHelps brighten skin Icon

PEG/PPG-17/6 Copolymer

Solvent

Diglycerin

Humectant
Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Methyl Gluceth-20

Humectant
Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Propanediol

Solvent
Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Dimethicone

Emollient
1 / 0 Silicon Icon

1,2-Hexanediol

Skin Conditioning
Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Betaine

Humectant
Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps reduce irritation IconGood for Dark Spots Icon

Undecane

Emollient

Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer

Emulsion Stabilising

Tromethamine

Buffering

Caprylyl Methicone

Skin Conditioning
Silicon Icon

Tridecane

Perfuming
Fragrance Icon

Saccharide Hydrolysate

Humectant

Fructooligosaccharides

Humectant
Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Silica Dimethyl Silylate

Emollient

Mica

Cosmetic Colorant
May worsen Eczema Icon

Xanthan Gum

Emulsifying

C30-45 Alkyl Cetearyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer

Emollient

Pullulan

CI 77891

Cosmetic Colorant

Eclipta Prostrata Extract

Skin Conditioning

Olea Europaea Fruit Oil

Masking
0-2 / 0 Fragrance IconOil IconHelps hydrate Dry Skin IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Lauryl Dimethicone

Skin Conditioning
Silicon Icon

Synthetic Fluorphlogopite

Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract

Skin Conditioning

CI 75470

Cosmetic Colorant
0 / 0

Diamond Powder

Abrasive
Exfoliant Icon

Caesalpinia Spinosa Fruit Extract

Skin Protecting

Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract

Skin Conditioning

Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil

Emollient
Oil IconHelps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps reduce irritation IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Butylene Glycol

Humectant
1 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract

Skin Conditioning

Kappaphycus Alvarezii Extract

Skin Conditioning

Tocopherol

Antioxidant
0-3 / 0-3 Vitamin E IconAntioxidant IconHelps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconGood for Scar Healing Icon

Tin Oxide

Abrasive
Exfoliant Icon

Aloe Barbadensis Flower Extract

Emollient

Solanum Melongena Fruit Extract

Skin Conditioning

Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride

Masking
Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil

Emollient
0-2 / 0 Oil IconHelps hydrate Dry Skin IconGood for Scar Healing IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Phosphatidylcholine

Emulsifying

Corallina Officinalis Extract

Skin Conditioning
Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract

Skin Conditioning
Good for Dark Spots Icon

Curcuma Longa Root Extract

Masking
Fragrance Icon

Ceramide NP

Skin Conditioning
Ceramide IconHelps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps reduce irritation IconHelps with Anti-Aging Icon

Glycine

Buffering
Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Serine

Masking
Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Glutamic Acid

Humectant
Helps reduce Skin Redness IconHelps reduce irritation IconGood for Scar Healing Icon

Lysine

Skin Conditioning

Alanine

Masking

Proline

Skin Conditioning

Threonine

Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

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

Skin Conditioning, Solvent

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 Water
Solvent

Propanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin. 

It’s often used to:

Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.

Learn more about Propanediol
Masking, Skin Conditioning

This ingredient is an emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.

It helps thicken a product's formula and makes it easier to spread by dissolving clumping compounds.

Caprylic Triglyceride is made by combining glycerin with coconut oil, forming a clear liquid.

While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this.

Learn more about Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
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 
Antioxidant, Masking, Skin Conditioning

Tocopherol (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 Tocopherol
Humectant, Masking, Skin Conditioning

Butylene 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 Glycol

When to use

112 Routines
76% use in am
24% use in pm
95% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->
29 Routines
86% use in am
14% use in pm
69% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Merit Beauty Great Skin Instant Glow Serum 20 ingredients

3.0 /5
from 3 ratings
Expensive (2) Absorbs Well (1) Hydrating (1)
a.b.c.d.e's avatar

a.b.c.d.e

2 years ago
Review

Makes u SO glowy in the morning as and helps skin feel moisturized

jade13's avatar

Jade

6 months ago
Review

burns my skin, not severely but enough that I noticed redness immediately after applying the product.

#expensive
#irritating

Laneige Glowy Makeup Serum 53 ingredients

4.5 /5
from 2 ratings