Some By Mi Propolis B5 Glow Barrier Calming Serum Versus COSRX AC Collection Blemish Spot Clearing Serum
Updated on June 26, 2024
Overview
What they are
These products are both reef safe serums. They have a total of 12 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain ceramides, 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 needs an update? Let us know.
Ingredient Info
Some By Mi Propolis B5 Glow Barrier Calming Serum 41 ingredients
COSRX AC Collection Blemish Spot Clearing Serum 24 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Some By Mi Propolis B5 Glow Barrier Calming Serum 41 ingredients
COSRX AC Collection Blemish Spot Clearing Serum 24 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Propolis Extract
Skin Conditioning
Honey Extract
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Water
Antimicrobial
Lactobacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus/Punica Granatum Fruit Ferment Extract
Skin ConditioningSaccharomyces/Barley Seed Ferment Filtrate
HumectantLactobacillus/Pear Juice Ferment Filtrate
Skin ConditioningRoyal Jelly Extract
Skin Conditioning
Artemisia Princeps Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Coptis Japonica Extract
AntimicrobialMalt Extract
Skin ProtectingCI 77480
Cosmetic ColorantSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans
HumectantAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Madecassoside
Antioxidant
Madecassic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Asiaticoside
Antioxidant
Asiatic Acid
Skin ConditioningArginine
Masking
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Citrate
BufferingC12-13 Pareth-9
EmulsifyingHydrolyzed Sclerotium Gum
HumectantCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingWater
Skin ConditioningBenzyl Glycol
SolventEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningRaspberry Ketone
Masking
Disodium EDTA
Parfum
Masking
Propolis Extract, Honey Extract, Glycerin, Niacinamide, 1,2-Hexanediol, Centella Asiatica Extract, Panthenol, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Water, Lactobacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract, Lactobacillus/Punica Granatum Fruit Ferment Extract, Saccharomyces/Barley Seed Ferment Filtrate, Lactobacillus/Pear Juice Ferment Filtrate, Royal Jelly Extract, Artemisia Princeps Leaf Extract, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Coptis Japonica Extract, Malt Extract, CI 77480, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans, Allantoin, Adenosine, Madecassoside, Madecassic Acid, Asiaticoside, Asiatic Acid, Arginine, Ceramide NP, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, C12-13 Pareth-9, Hydrolyzed Sclerotium Gum, Carbomer, Water, Benzyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Raspberry Ketone, Disodium EDTA, Parfum
Propolis Extract
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingEctoin
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin Conditioning
Polyglyceryl-10 Myristate
Skin Conditioning
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Asiaticoside
Antioxidant
Asiatic Acid
Skin ConditioningMadecassic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
Emollient
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
Antioxidant
Sucrose Distearate
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Hydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingDipropylene Glycol
MaskingCeramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Propolis Extract, Butylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Panthenol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Ectoin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glycerin, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Polyglyceryl-10 Myristate, Allantoin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Asiaticoside, Asiatic Acid, Madecassic Acid, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Sucrose Distearate, Glyceryl Stearate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Dipropylene Glycol, Ceramide NP
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Propolis Extract is also known as bee glue.
This ingredient has antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, wound healing, and antioxidant properties.
Studies show propolis helps fight against bacteria, viruses, and fungi. This may help with reducing acne and accelerate wound healing.
The flavonoids found in propolis extract are potent antioxidants. Antioxidants may help with reducing the signs of aging.
A study from 2020 found propolis to help reverse skin damage from UV.
Fun facts: This ingredient is created by mixing beeswax, bee saliva, and parts of trees. Bees use propolis as a sealant to close any gaps in their hives.
Since it is an animal-derived product, this ingredient is not considered vegan. For vegan alternatives, check out Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate or Centella Asiatica Extract.
Learn more about Propolis ExtractGlycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinNiacinamide 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 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
Panthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolSodium 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 HyaluronateAllantoin plays a role in soothing and moisturizing the skin. Because of this, it is often added to products with strong active ingredients.
Some studies have shown this ingredient can promote wound healing with higher concentrations.
Allantoin is derived from the comfrey plant but produced synthetically for cosmetic products to ensure purity.
Learn more about AllantoinMadecassic Acid is a major component of Centella Asiatica Extract. It has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
It is a triterpenoid, meaning it naturally acts as an antioxidant. Antioxidants protect your skin against damage from environmental factors such as pollution and UV.
Studies show Madecassic Acid helps soothe the skin due to its ability to block inflammation pathways.
Learn more about Madecassic AcidAsiaticoside comes from the super popular skin-soothing ingredient, Centella asiatica. It is one of four active compounds found in the extract of Centella Asiatica.
Asiaticoside is an antioxidant and helps with wound healing. It has been shown to increase antioxidant activity during the wound healing process.
Asiatic Acid is a major component of Centella Asiatica Extract. It has wound-healing, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties.
Studies show Asiatic Acid is able to block the pathway for skin inflammation receptors, helping to soothe skin.
As an antioxidant, asiatic acid helps protect our skin against damaging environmental factors.
Learn more about Asiatic AcidCeramide NP is a type of ceramide.
Ceramides are intercellular lipids naturally found in our skin that bonds dead skin cells together to create a barrier. They are known for their ability to hold water and thus are a great ingredient for dry skin.
Ceramides are an important building block for our skin barrier. A stronger barrier helps the skin look more firm and hydrated. By bolstering the skin ceramides act as a barrier against irritating ingredients. This can help with inflammation as well.
If you would like to eat ceramides, sweet potatoes contain a small amount.
Read more about other common types of ceramides here: Ceramide AP Ceramide EOP
Learn more about Ceramide NPEthylhexylglycerin (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.
Ingredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Some By Mi Propolis B5 Glow Barrier Calming Serum 41 ingredients
COSRX AC Collection Blemish Spot Clearing Serum 24 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Some By Mi Propolis B5 Glow Barrier Calming Serum 41 ingredients
One of the most hydrating serums I’ve tried!
Propolis, honey, fermented ingredients, and centella tend to work well for my skin, so when I saw the ingredient list for this product I just had to try it. This serum has a light gel consistency and is a lifesaver for dehydrated skin. I recommend it for anyone whose skin struggles with water retention (just remember to top it with a moisturizer to Show more
I love this serum, it absorbs fast, doesn’t cause any break out, oil free, silicon free, heals, moisturizes and prevents acne…
It doesn’t burn and has 73% propolis so I think it’s suitable for sensible skin.
BUT beware of honey… some might react allergic to it (a lot of people are allergic to honey on skin without knowing it).
Also, spray water before any use due HA! And just a tip, on Amazon Show more
