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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Neogen Dermalogy Black Energy Cream versus COSRX AHA/BHA Refresh Vitamin C Daily Cream .

Published on June 25, 2023

Overview

What they are

These products are both reef safe . They have a total of 9 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain hyaluronic acid and 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, 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.

General Moisturizer South Korean Brand South Korea
Day Moisturizer South Korean Brand South Korea

General Moisturizer

All-purpose moisturizers hydrate the top layer of skin cells.

Day Moisturizer

Day Moisturizers are marketed to hydrate the skin during the daytime.

Price

Shop

Buy Dermalogy Black Energy Cream

Shop

Buy AHA/BHA Refresh Vitamin C Daily Cream

Starts at $12.35

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

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Notable Ingredients

Exfoliators (4)
Niacinamide
Ceramides
Hyaluronic Acid (3)

Benefits

Hydrating (4)
Good For Oily Skin
Redness Reducing (6)
Reduces Irritation (2)
Skin Texture
Reduces Large Pores
Anti-Aging (3)
Dark Spots
Scar Healing (2)
Acne Fighting (3)
Brightening (3)

Concerns

Irritating

Notable Ingredients

AHA
BHA
PHA
Vitamin C
Vitamin E
Niacinamide
Hyaluronic Acid

Benefits

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

Concerns

May Worsen Oily Skin
Acne Trigger
Irritating
Rosacea (2)
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Ingredients Compared

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

WaterButylene Glycol1,2-HexanediolNiacinamideAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate CrosspolymerTromethaminePolyglyceryl-4 CaprateAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate CrosspolymerCarbomerEthylhexylglycerinAdenosineCharcoal PowderLavandula Angustifolia OilCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit OilCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel OilTrehaloseAniba Rosaeodora Wood OilGardenia Florida Fruit ExtractRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf OilEucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil Dipropylene GlycolMaltodextrinRibes Nigrum Fruit ExtractInonotus Obliquus ExtractSambucus Nigra Fruit ExtractRhus Semialata Gall ExtractPaeonia Suffruticosa Root ExtractRubus Fruticosus Fruit ExtractSolanum Melongena Fruit ExtractSesamum Indicum Seed ExtractGlycine Soja Seed ExtractCassia Obtusifolia Seed ExtractFagus Sylvatica Seed ExtractAllium Sativum Bulb ExtractPrunus Mume Fruit ExtractEuterpe Oleracea Fruit ExtractMorus Alba Fruit ExtractCinnamomum Cassia Bark ExtractRose ExtractUndaria Pinnatifida ExtractAnnona Cherimola Fruit ExtractTheobroma Cacao ExtractVitis Vinifera Fruit ExtractCorthellus Shiitake ExtractPiper Nigrum Seed ExtractPorphyra Yezoensis ExtractCoffea Arabica Seed ExtractFish ExtractPrunus Mume Seed ExtractPortulaca Oleracea ExtractLilium Tigrinum ExtractNelumbo Nucifera Flower ExtractDioscorea Japonica Root ExtractPassiflora Edulis Fruit ExtractPsidium Guajava Fruit ExtractSwiftlet Nest ExtractHoney ExtractLaminaria Japonica ExtractAngelica Gigas Root ExtractLepidium Meyenii Root ExtractMalva Sylvestris ExtractGarcinia Mangostana Peel ExtractMangifera Indica Fruit ExtractMalt ExtractChaenomeles Sinensis Fruit ExtractMusa Sapientum Fruit ExtractCornus Officinalis Fruit ExtractHippophae Rhamnoides ExtractAchillea Millefolium ExtractAcer Saccharum ExtractOryza Sativa Bran ExtractJania Rubens ExtractArgania Spinosa Kernel ExtractLinum Usitatissimum Seed ExtractAngelica Archangelica Root ExtractAloe Barbadensis Leaf ExtractForsythia Suspensa Fruit ExtractCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Flower ExtractSchisandra Chinensis Fruit ExtractCucumis Sativus Fruit ExtractHibiscus Esculentus Fruit ExtractLaurus Nobilis Leaf ExtractHamamelis Virginiana Leaf ExtractCitrus Junos Fruit ExtractLithospermum Erythrorhizon Root ExtractMagnolia Liliflora Flower ExtractAcorus Calamus Root ExtractCnidium Officinale Root ExtractAsparagus Cochinchinensis Root ExtractAverrhoa Carambola Fruit ExtractUncaria Tomentosa ExtractCocos Nucifera Fruit ExtractChenopodium Quinoa Seed ExtractSalicornia Herbacea ExtractPlumeria Rubra Flower ExtractHydrolyzed CoralLaminaria Digitata ExtractPanax Ginseng Root ExtractPaeonia Lactiflora Root ExtractAgaricus Blazei ExtractSaposhnikovia Divaricata Root ExtractChrysanthemum Zawadskii ExtractOpuntia Ficus-Indica Fruit ExtractPinus Densiflora Leaf ExtractCucurbita Pepo Fruit ExtractRubus Fruticosus Leaf ExtractAgaricus Bisporus ExtractAtractylodes Japonica Rhizome ExtractAcetyl GlucosamineThioctic AcidCholesterolHyaluronic AcidYeast Ferment ExtractGlycerinAdansonia Digitata Leaf ExtractLactobacillusChrysanthellum Indicum ExtractOenothera Biennis Flower ExtractCamellia Japonica Seed ExtractFragaria Chiloensis Fruit ExtractMelissa Officinalis Leaf ExtractAesculus Hippocastanum ExtractFicus Carica Fruit ExtractPrunus Persica Fruit ExtractAchillea Millefolium Flower ExtractPersea Gratissima Fruit ExtractGypsophila Paniculata Root ExtractMentha Rotundifolia Leaf ExtractNelumbo Nucifera Seed ExtractCananga Odorata Flower ExtractJasminum Officinale Flower ExtractSymphytum Officinale Leaf ExtractSimmondsia Chinensis Seed ExtractNelumbium Speciosum Flower ExtractLactobacillus/Soybean Ferment ExtractLens Esculenta Fruit ExtractOctyldodecanolCeramide NPPhellinus Linteus ExtractCentella Asiatica ExtractHouttuynia Cordata ExtractCaprylic/Capric TriglycerideHydrogenated LecithinOryza Sativa ExtractPolygonum Cuspidatum Root ExtractScutellaria Baicalensis Root ExtractGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root ExtractCamellia Sinensis Leaf ExtractVaccinium Angustifolium Fruit ExtractPunica Granatum Flower ExtractSodium HyaluronatePearl ExtractPropolis ExtractHydrolyzed Hyaluronic AcidRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf ExtractChamomilla Recutita Flower ExtractBeta-GlucanLimoneneLinalool

Ingredients Side-by-side

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

Learn more about what what Com. / Irr. ratings are

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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

Neogen Dermalogy Black Energy Cream contains this as ingredient number 1.

COSRX AHA/BHA Refresh Vitamin C Daily Cream contains this as ingredient number 30.

2
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.

Neogen Dermalogy Black Energy Cream contains this as ingredient number 2.

COSRX AHA/BHA Refresh Vitamin C Daily Cream contains this as ingredient number 4.

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.

Neogen Dermalogy Black Energy Cream contains this as ingredient number 3.

COSRX AHA/BHA Refresh Vitamin C Daily Cream 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

Neogen Dermalogy Black Energy Cream contains this as ingredient number 4.

COSRX AHA/BHA Refresh Vitamin C Daily Cream contains this as ingredient number 6.

5
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.

Neogen Dermalogy Black Energy Cream contains this as ingredient number 9.

COSRX AHA/BHA Refresh Vitamin C Daily Cream contains this as ingredient number 13.

6
What it does: Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Mixed

Ethylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.

You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.

Neogen Dermalogy Black Energy Cream contains this as ingredient number 10.

COSRX AHA/BHA Refresh Vitamin C Daily Cream contains this as ingredient number 12.

7
What it does: Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Loved

Adenosine is in every living organism. It is one of four components in nucleic acids that helps store our DNA.

Adenosine has many benefits when used. These benefits include hydrating the skin, smoothing skin, and reducing wrinkles. Once applied, adenosine increases collagen production. It also helps with improving firmness and tissue repair.

Studies have found adenosine may also help with wound healing.

In skincare products, Adenosine is usually derived from yeast.

Learn more about Adenosine

Neogen Dermalogy Black Energy Cream contains this as ingredient number 11.

COSRX AHA/BHA Refresh Vitamin C Daily Cream contains this as ingredient number 19.

8
What it does: Masking, Perfuming
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil is the oil from the bergamot orange. This bergamot is native to Italy.

Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil is used to add fragrance to products. It contains limonene, linalool, and linalyl acetate.

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 its furanocoumarins. Photosensitizers make the skin and eyes much more sensitive to sunlight. Photosensitizers are linked to skin cancer.

However, more cosmetics using Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil are removing the furanocoumarins.

Bergamot oil was also found to have anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antifungal properties.

Learn more about Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil

Neogen Dermalogy Black Energy Cream contains this as ingredient number 14.

COSRX AHA/BHA Refresh Vitamin C Daily Cream contains this as ingredient number 26.

9
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

Neogen Dermalogy Black Energy Cream contains this as ingredient number 152.

COSRX AHA/BHA Refresh Vitamin C Daily Cream contains this as ingredient number 20.

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

35% are loved or liked
7% have mixed ratings
11% are disliked or very disliked
47% have no rating yet
47% are loved or liked
17% have mixed ratings
23% are disliked or very disliked
13% 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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