Updated on June 28, 2024
Overview
What they are
These products are both fungal acne (malassezia) safe and reef safe serums. They have a total of 8 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain niacinamide
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, 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 or silicones
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 Snail Truecica Miracle Repair Serum 42 ingredients
COSRX The Niacinamide 15 Serum 15 ingredients
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Some By Mi Snail Truecica Miracle Repair Serum 42 ingredients
COSRX The Niacinamide 15 Serum 15 ingredients
Notable Ingredients
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Benefits
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This product contains 3 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
Notable Ingredients
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
Benefits
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
Ingredients Side-by-side
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.
Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
6 Benefits
Niacinamide has emerged as an all-star ingredient due to its many benefits.
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.
Snail Secretion Filtrate is the excretion from snails. It is an effective moisturizer and promotes collagen production.
C12-14 Pareth-12 is created from a mixture of synthetic C12-14 alcohols that have about 12 moles of ethylene oxide.
Carbomer is a polymer of acrylic acid. Its main role is to create gel consistency within products.
Tromethamine is an aliphatic compound. An aliphatic compound is an organic compound with open-chained carbon atoms. It is synthetically created. Tromethamine is used to balance pH and improve texture.
Dioscorea Japonica Root Extract comes from the Asian Mountain Yam. It contains antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
Trehalose is a disaccharide made of two glucose molecules (glucose is sugar!). Trehalose is used to help moisturize skin. It also has antioxidant properties.
Ethylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
Beta-Glucan is a polysaccharide. It can be derived from the cell walls of seaweed, oats, yeast, and fungi.
Oil
Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil is the oil from the bergamot orange. This bergamot is native to Italy.
Allantoin plays a role in soothing and moisturizing the skin. Because of this, it is often added to products with strong active ingredients.
Adenosine is in every living organism. It is one of four components in nucleic acids that helps store our DNA.
Disodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.
Sucrose is a natural sugar found in fruits, vegetables, and nuts. It is the main constituent of white sugar.
Good for Oily Skin
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract comes from the Tea Tree, Melaleuca alternifolia, Myrtaceae. This tea tree is native to Australia.
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract is an extract of the roots of Licorice. It has been found to have several benefits such as skin hydrating, conditioning, and soothing.
Centella Asiatica Extract (Centella) is derived from an herb native to Southeast Asia. It is famous for its anti-inflammatory and soothing properties.
5 Benefits
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract is derived from the leaves of the tea plant. Black tea, green tea, and oolong tea are all harvested from this plant.
Salix Alba Bark Extract comes from the white willow tree, which is native to Europe and Central Asia.
Pentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.
Helps reduce irritation
Madecassoside 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 comes from the super popular skin-soothing ingredient, Centella asiatica. It is one of four active compounds found in the extract of Centella Asiatica.
Asiatic Acid is a major component of Centella Asiatica Extract. It has wound-healing, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties.
Madecassic Acid is a major component of Centella Asiatica Extract. It has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
Phenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
Water, Butylene Glycol, Niacinamide, 1,2-Hexanediol, Snail Secretion Filtrate, C12-14 Pareth-12, C12-14 Pareth-7, Carbomer, Tromethamine, Dioscorea Japonica Root Extract, Trehalose, Ethylhexylglycerin, Beta-Glucan, Hydrolyzed Corn Starch, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Allantoin, Adenosine, Disodium EDTA, Sucrose, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Agrimonia Eupatoria Extract, Salvia Officinalis Oil, Centella Asiatica Extract, Salvia Officinalis Leaf Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Chamaecyparis Obtusa Leaf Extract, Silybum Marianum Seed Extract, Perilla Frutescens Leaf Extract, Sodium Chondroitin Sulfate, Broussonetia Kazinoki Root Extract, Propolis Extract, Artemisia Capillaris Extract, Cimicifuga Dahurica Root Extract, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Pentylene Glycol, Madecassoside, Oenothera Biennis Flower Extract, Asiaticoside, Asiatic Acid, Madecassic Acid, Phenoxyethanol
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.
Pentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.
6 Benefits
Niacinamide has emerged as an all-star ingredient due to its many benefits.
Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Acetyl Glucosamine is an antioxidant and humectant. It is a form of Vitamin C.
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.
Zinc PCA (or "zinc salt") differs slightly from zinc itself. PCA stands for pyrrolidone carboxylic acid. However, Zinc PCA comes from zinc.
Trehalose is a disaccharide made of two glucose molecules (glucose is sugar!). Trehalose is used to help moisturize skin. It also has antioxidant properties.
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.
Allantoin plays a role in soothing and moisturizing the skin. Because of this, it is often added to products with strong active ingredients.
Ethylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
Sodium Phytate is the synthetic salt form of phytic acid. Phytic acid is an antioxidant and can be found in plant seeds.
4 Benefits 2 Concerns
Citric Acid is an AHA derived from citrus fruits (think oranges, lemons, and limes!).
Antioxidant 4 Benefits May cause irritation
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.
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 WaterButylene 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.
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 Niacinamide1,2-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.
Trehalose is a disaccharide made of two glucose molecules (glucose is sugar!). Trehalose is used to help moisturize skin. It also has antioxidant properties.
As a humectant, trehalose helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This helps keep your skin hydrated.
Due to its antioxidant properties, trehalose may help with signs of aging. Antioxidants help fight free-radical molecules, unstable molecules that may damage your skin.
In medicine, trehalose and hyaluronic acid are used to help treat dry eyes.
Some animals, plants, and bacteria create trehalose as a source of energy to survive freeze or lack of water.
Learn more about TrehaloseEthylhexylglycerin (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.
Allantoin 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 AllantoinPentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.
The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.
This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can help thicken or emulsify a product. Emulsifiers help stabilize a product. It does this by preventing certain ingredients from separating.
Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.
Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.
Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.
When to use
Some By Mi Snail Truecica Miracle Repair Serum 42 ingredients
COSRX The Niacinamide 15 Serum 15 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Some By Mi Snail Truecica Miracle Repair Serum 42 ingredients
MarYar
Not really showing immediate effects for my ice-picked scars but seems like my skin look better due to niacinamide. Most of my dark spots faded...
Not really showing immediate effects for my ice-picked scars but seems like my skin look better due to niacinamide. Most of my dark spots faded away and it also relieved my break outs.
centacent
nope
the whole snail truecica line was NOT for my dry to combo skin girls 🙏 skin started looking worse after i used it for like a month
COSRX The Niacinamide 15 Serum 15 ingredients
ChienYun_CY
HG acne scar serum
Initially, this serum had helped fade away most of my old acne scars. After while, I thought it didn't do anything more for my...
HG acne scar serum
Initially, this serum had helped fade away most of my old acne scars. After while, I thought it didn't do anything more for my new acne growth. So I ditched this serum for about 3 months and tried other new niacinamide products. I REGRET it. Soon after, I got more and more whiteheads and acne. My skin texture becomes uneven and dry. The new acne scars couldn't fade away at all. I decided to repurchase this serum, and almost immediately, my scars cleared and had reduced inflammation on new cystic acne. It also helped to control sebum production and I have lesser acne growth. One of the products I cannot live without.
