Versus

Papa Recipe Retinol Bakuchiol Serum Versus COSRX AHA 7 Whitehead Power Liquid

Serum
Essence
Korean Brand South Korea
Korean Brand South Korea

Updated on March 21, 2025

Overview

What they are

These products are both vegan, cruelty-free, fungal acne (malassezia) safe, and reef safe . They have a total of 4 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain hyaluronic acid

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, dark spots and better texture

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

Concerns

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

found in both products
Retinol Bakuchiol Serum

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

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

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
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 
Humectant, Skin Conditioning

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
Emulsifying, Emulsion Stabilising, Gel Forming

Xanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.

On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.

Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.

Learn more about Xanthan Gum

When to use

59 Routines
8% use in am
92% use in pm
66% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->
795 Routines
22% use in am
78% use in pm
58% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Papa Recipe Retinol Bakuchiol Serum 34 ingredients

5.0 /5
from 1 rating
Absorbs Well (1) Great Value (1) Light Scent (1)
AnastasiaMotiti_792's avatar

AnastasiaMotiti_792

10 months ago
Review

I like it and I believe it helps me

#great value
#absorbs well
#light scent
#works well

COSRX AHA 7 Whitehead Power Liquid 10 ingredients

3.2 /5
from 22 ratings
Absorbs Well (9) Great Value (7) Light (6)
SpaceyTrxsh's avatar

SpaceyTrxsh

1 year ago
Review

Seeing forever to see results

#light
#absorbs well
#no scent
Zienn's avatar

Zienn

1 year ago
Review

oily skin nothing change or happend when use
not working at all. but kinda clean my dead skin off.

#expensive
#irritating
#light
#absorbs well