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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Some By Mi Aha Bha Pha Real Cica 92% Cool Calming Soothing Gel versus Skin&Lab Vitamin C Brightening Serum .

Published on October 14, 2022

Overview

What they are

These products are both reef safe . They have a total of 14 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, common allergens, parabens, silicones or sulfates

What's Inside

They both contain fragrances

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
Serum South Korean Brand South Korea

General Moisturizer

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

Serum

Serums are highly concentrated with ingredients to provide skin with benefits. They should be used after cleansing and before moisturizing.

Price

Shop

Buy Aha Bha Pha Real Cica 92% Cool Calming Soothing Gel

Starts at $17.08
Shop

Buy Vitamin C Brightening Serum

Starts at $17.79

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

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Notable Ingredients

BHA
PHA
Niacinamide
Hyaluronic Acid (3)

Benefits

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

Concerns

Drying
May Worsen Oily Skin
Irritating
Rosacea
Eczema

Notable Ingredients

Retinoid
Vitamin C (2)
Vitamin E (2)
Niacinamide
Hyaluronic Acid (4)
Peptides (2)

Benefits

Hydrating (3)
Good For Oily Skin
Redness Reducing (4)
Reduces Irritation (2)
Skin Texture (3)
Reduces Large Pores
Anti-Aging (5)
Dark Spots (3)
Scar Healing (4)
Acne Fighting (2)
Brightening (7)

Concerns

Irritating
Eczema
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Ingredients Compared

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

Ingredients Side-by-side

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

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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

Some By Mi Aha Bha Pha Real Cica 92% Cool Calming Soothing Gel contains this as ingredient number 2.

Skin&Lab Vitamin C Brightening Serum contains this as ingredient number 1.

2
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

Some By Mi Aha Bha Pha Real Cica 92% Cool Calming Soothing Gel contains this as ingredient number 3.

Skin&Lab Vitamin C Brightening Serum contains this as ingredient number 6.

3
What it does: Humectant, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Liked

We don't have a description for Hydroxyethyl Urea.

Some By Mi Aha Bha Pha Real Cica 92% Cool Calming Soothing Gel contains this as ingredient number 5.

Skin&Lab Vitamin C Brightening Serum contains this as ingredient number 23.

4
What it does: Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Liked

Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract is extract from the neem plant.

Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract is an antioxidant. Antioxidants help fight free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells, such as pollution.

The leaves of this tree contain flavonoids and polyphenols. These two compounds are antioxidants, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial. Further research is needed as to their effects when applied on skin.

Learn more about Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract

Some By Mi Aha Bha Pha Real Cica 92% Cool Calming Soothing Gel contains this as ingredient number 8.

Skin&Lab Vitamin C Brightening Serum contains this as ingredient number 15.

5
What it does: Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Liked

Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract is from the Neem tree. Neem trees originate from India.

Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract contains antioxidants. Antioxidants help fight free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells, such as pollution.

The flowers of this tree are lilac colored.

Learn more about Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract

Some By Mi Aha Bha Pha Real Cica 92% Cool Calming Soothing Gel contains this as ingredient number 9.

Skin&Lab Vitamin C Brightening Serum contains this as ingredient number 14.

6
What it does: Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Liked

Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract comes from the Holy Basil plant. Holy Basil is native to India.

Holy Basil is rich in antioxidants due to its high romarinic acid, ferulic acid, and rutin content. The ferulic acid may help with skin brightening and help soothe the skin.

Antioxidants may help with anti-aging due to its ability to neutralize free-radical molecules. These molecules may damage skin cells and DNA.

While Holy Basil has many claims to help fight acne, more research is needed.

One thing to note is the presence of tannins. Tannins are naturally found in nature. This compound may be skin-sensitizing.

Learn more about Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract

Some By Mi Aha Bha Pha Real Cica 92% Cool Calming Soothing Gel contains this as ingredient number 11.

Skin&Lab Vitamin C Brightening Serum contains this as ingredient number 18.

7
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

Some By Mi Aha Bha Pha Real Cica 92% Cool Calming Soothing Gel contains this as ingredient number 13.

Skin&Lab Vitamin C Brightening Serum contains this as ingredient number 13.

8
What it does: Humectant, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Liked

Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid is a form of hyaluronic acid. It is created by the hydrolysis of hyaluronic acid with a high molecular weight. Once created, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid has a low molecular weight.

Low molecular weight HA has been shown to hydrate and increase elasticity of the skin. Increasing elasticity is also associated with reduction of wrinkle depth.

One study found topical low molecular weight hyaluronic acid may be considered for the treatment of rosacea in the adult population. However, we always recommend speaking with a professional about your skin concerns.

Hyaluronic acids are a humectant. This means they draw moisture from the air. Hyaluronic acids help moisturize, soothe, and protect the skin.

Read more about other common forms of hyaluronic acid:

Learn more about Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid

Some By Mi Aha Bha Pha Real Cica 92% Cool Calming Soothing Gel contains this as ingredient number 14.

Skin&Lab Vitamin C Brightening Serum contains this as ingredient number 16.

9
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

Some By Mi Aha Bha Pha Real Cica 92% Cool Calming Soothing Gel contains this as ingredient number 22.

Skin&Lab Vitamin C Brightening Serum contains this as ingredient number 32.

10
What it does: Buffering, Masking
Community Rating: Disliked

Citric Acid is an AHA derived from citrus fruits (think oranges, lemons, and limes!).

If you spot Citric Acid near the end of an ingredient list, it's likely there as a pH adjuster rather than an active ingredient.

As an AHA, Citric Acid removes the top layer of skin cells from the newer layer of skin underneath. This helps skin to remove dark spots and look more even.

Read more about some other popular AHA's here:

Learn more about Citric Acid

Some By Mi Aha Bha Pha Real Cica 92% Cool Calming Soothing Gel contains this as ingredient number 25.

Skin&Lab Vitamin C Brightening Serum contains this as ingredient number 35.

11
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.

Some By Mi Aha Bha Pha Real Cica 92% Cool Calming Soothing Gel contains this as ingredient number 27.

Skin&Lab Vitamin C Brightening Serum contains this as ingredient number 54.

12
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.

Some By Mi Aha Bha Pha Real Cica 92% Cool Calming Soothing Gel contains this as ingredient number 28.

Skin&Lab Vitamin C Brightening Serum contains this as ingredient number 5.

13
What it does: Solvent
Community Rating: Mixed

We don't have a description for Benzyl Glycol.

Some By Mi Aha Bha Pha Real Cica 92% Cool Calming Soothing Gel contains this as ingredient number 29.

Skin&Lab Vitamin C Brightening Serum contains this as ingredient number 31.

14
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.

Some By Mi Aha Bha Pha Real Cica 92% Cool Calming Soothing Gel contains this as ingredient number 30.

Skin&Lab Vitamin C Brightening Serum contains this as ingredient number 36.

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

63% are loved or liked
13% have mixed ratings
19% are disliked or very disliked
6% have no rating yet
71% are loved or liked
13% have mixed ratings
7% are disliked or very disliked
9% have no rating yet

Usage

Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.

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Alternatives

Our Dupe Finder has found 19 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Some By Mi Aha Bha Pha Real Cica 92% Cool Calming Soothing Gel.

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