Sulwhasoo Concentrated Ginseng Brightening Serum Versus COSRX The Vitamin C 23 Serum
Updated on June 28, 2024
Overview
What they are
These products are both reef safe serums. They have a total of 10 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain niacinamide and Vitamin E
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 parabens or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain harsh alcohols and 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
Sulwhasoo Concentrated Ginseng Brightening Serum 54 ingredients
COSRX The Vitamin C 23 Serum 34 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Sulwhasoo Concentrated Ginseng Brightening Serum 54 ingredients
COSRX The Vitamin C 23 Serum 34 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningAlcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Propanediol
SolventPEG/PPG-17/6 Copolymer
SolventPolyglycerin-3
HumectantDimethicone
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientNiacinamide
Smoothing
Phytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Methicone
Skin Conditioning
C14-22 Alcohols
Emulsion StabilisingGlyceryl Stearate
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
Polymethyl Methacrylate
Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer
Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingParfum
Masking
C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingThymol Trimethoxycinnamate
Antioxidant
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Tromethamine
BufferingGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientDimethiconol
Emollient
Synthetic Fluorphlogopite
Disodium EDTA
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin Conditioning
Mica
Cosmetic Colorant
Methoxy PEG-114/Polyepsilon Caprolactone
BufferingMorus Alba Root Extract
BleachingLinalool
Perfuming
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Tranexamic Acid
Astringent
Panax Ginseng Root Extract
Emollient
Limonene
Perfuming
Honey
Humectant
Rehmannia Glutinosa Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Hydrolyzed Ginseng Saponins
Skin ConditioningPaeonia Lactiflora Root Extract
Skin ConditioningLilium Candidum Bulb Extract
Skin ConditioningPolygonatum Odoratum Rhizome Extract
Skin ConditioningTin Oxide
Abrasive
Glucose
HumectantNelumbo Nucifera Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
Antioxidant
Water, Alcohol Denat., Propanediol, PEG/PPG-17/6 Copolymer, Polyglycerin-3, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Niacinamide, Phytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Butylene Glycol, Phenyl Trimethicone, Caprylyl Methicone, C14-22 Alcohols, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Carbomer, Parfum, C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside, Thymol Trimethoxycinnamate, CI 77891, Cetearyl Alcohol, Tromethamine, Glyceryl Caprylate, Dimethiconol, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, Mica, Methoxy PEG-114/Polyepsilon Caprolactone, Morus Alba Root Extract, Linalool, Sorbitan Isostearate, Polysorbate 60, Tranexamic Acid, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Limonene, Honey, Rehmannia Glutinosa Root Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Hydrolyzed Ginseng Saponins, Paeonia Lactiflora Root Extract, Lilium Candidum Bulb Extract, Polygonatum Odoratum Rhizome Extract, Tin Oxide, Glucose, Nelumbo Nucifera Flower Extract, Tocopherol
Water
Skin ConditioningAscorbic Acid 23%
Antioxidant
Propanediol
SolventDimethicone
Emollient
Tromethamine
BufferingPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Ethyl Ether
SolventSqualane
Emollient
Caffeine
Skin ConditioningSodium Chloride
Masking
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Sulfite
Preservative
Disodium EDTA
Glutathione
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Glucosamine
Skin ConditioningGardenia Florida Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Dextrin
AbsorbentTocotrienols
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
Antioxidant
Elaeis Guineensis Oil
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Arginine
Masking
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningAlcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Methyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
Masking
Camellia Japonica Seed Oil
Emollient
Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract
Skin ConditioningBeta-Carotene
Skin ConditioningWater, Ascorbic Acid 23%, Propanediol, Dimethicone, Tromethamine, Panthenol, Ethyl Ether, Squalane, Caffeine, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Sulfite, Disodium EDTA, Glutathione, Adenosine, Acetyl Glucosamine, Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract, Allantoin, Dextrin, Tocotrienols, Tocopherol, Elaeis Guineensis Oil, Butylene Glycol, Arginine, Niacinamide, Pentylene Glycol, Alcohol Denat., Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Methyl Trimethicone, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Camellia Japonica Seed Oil, Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract, Beta-Carotene
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 WaterAlcohol Denat. is an alcohol with a denaturant property. It is created by mixing ethanol with other additives.
This ingredient gets a bad rep because it is irritating and drying - mostly due to its astringent property. Astringents draw out natural oils in tissue, constricting pores and leaving your skin dried out.
However, alcohol denat. is not all that bad.
Due to its low molecular weight, alcohol denat. tends to evaporate quickly. One study on pig skin found half of applied alcohol evaporated in 10 seconds and less than 3% stayed on skin.
This also helps other ingredients become better absorbed upon application.
Studies are conflicted about whether this ingredient causes skin dehydration. One study from 2005 found adding emollients to propanol-based sanitizer decreased skin dryness and irritation. Another study found irritation only occurs if your skin is already damaged.
Small amounts of alcohol are generally tolerated by oily skin or people who live in humid environments.
The rule of thumb is if this alcohol is near the end of an ingredients list, it will probably not affect your skin much.
Also...
This ingredient has antimicrobial and solvent properties.
The antimicrobial property helps preserve products and increase their shelf life. As a solvent, it helps dissolve other ingredients.
Other types of astringent alcohols include:
Learn more about Alcohol Denat.Propanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeNiacinamide 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 NiacinamideButylene 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.
- It has mild preservative properties.
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Tromethamine helps balance the pH and improve the texture of a product. It is synthetically created.
As an emulsifier, Tromethamine prevents oil and water ingredients from separating. This helps stabilize the product and elongate a product's shelf life. Tromethamine also makes a product thicker.
Tromethamine helps balance the pH level of a product. Normal pH level of skin is slightly acidic (~4.75-5.5). The acidity of our skin is maintained by our glands and skin biome. Being slightly acidic allows our skin to create an "acid mantle". This acid mantle is a thin barrier that protects our skin from bacteria and contaminants.
Oral Tromethanmine is an anti-inflammatory drug but plays the role of masking, adding fragrance, and/or balancing pH in skincare.
1,3-Propanediol, 2-amino-2-(hydroxymethyl)-
Learn more about TromethamineDisodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.
It is a chelating agent, meaning it neutralizes metal ions that may be found in a product.
Disodium EDTA is a salt of edetic acid and is found to be safe in cosmetic ingredients.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAAdenosine 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 AdenosineTocopherol (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.
Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skin’s lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.
Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.
You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.
There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.
Learn more about TocopherolIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Sulwhasoo Concentrated Ginseng Brightening Serum 54 ingredients
COSRX The Vitamin C 23 Serum 34 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Sulwhasoo Concentrated Ginseng Brightening Serum 54 ingredients
COSRX The Vitamin C 23 Serum 34 ingredients
I didn't like the consistency of this serum at all.
It felt like I was putting oil to my face, but since I always use the whole product to see results this did nothing to me other than feeling uncomfortable.
Cured my acne scars
I had mix feelings when I first bought this as I read that the smell can be off-putting. But I am glad I bought it. My acne scars faded a lot more after 3 days of using it and saw great results in one week. It also didn't break me out despite containing alcohols and oils. It does sting a little on the first application but doesn't irritate my skin. The smell can be quite strong Show more
