Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Sulwhasoo Concentrated Ginseng Brightening Serum versus COSRX The Vitamin C 23 Serum .
Last updated on July 18, 2023. Published on September 28, 2023
Overview
What they are
These products are both reef safe serums. They have a total of 9 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, 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 need an update? Let us know.
Price
Ingredient Info
Sulwhasoo Concentrated Ginseng Brightening Serum 54 ingredients
COSRX The Vitamin C 23 Serum 34 ingredients
Contains Alcohol
Ingredients in this product that are types of alcohol:
Contains Silicon
Ingredients in this product that are types of silicon:
Sulfate Free
This product is free of sulfates 🎉
Paraben Free
This product is free of parabens 🎉
Oil Free
This product is free of oils 🎉
Not Malassezia Safe
Ingredients in this product that are not malassezia safe:
Reef Safe
This product is free of ingredients that damage reefs 🎉
Contains EU Allergens
Ingredients in this product that are EU allergens:
Non Vegan
This product is not vegan 😥
Not Cruelty Free
This product is not cruelty-free 😥
Contains Alcohol
Ingredients in this product that are types of alcohol:
Contains Silicon
Ingredients in this product that are types of silicon:
Fragrance Free
This product is free of fragrances 🎉
Sulfate Free
This product is free of sulfates 🎉
Paraben Free
This product is free of parabens 🎉
Contains Oils
Ingredients in this product that are types of oil:
Not Malassezia Safe
Ingredients in this product that are not malassezia safe:
Reef Safe
This product is free of ingredients that damage reefs 🎉
EU Allergen Free
This product is free of EU allergens 🎉
Non Vegan
This product is not vegan 😥
Cruelty Free
This product is cruelty-free 🎉
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
Notable Ingredients
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Benefits
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Concerns
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
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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:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
Benefits
This product contains 3 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
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This product contains 3 ingredients that may have this attribute:
Concerns
This product contains 2 ingredients 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 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
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Join SkinSortIngredients Compared
Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.
Sulwhasoo Concentrated Ginseng Brightening Serum 54 ingredients
COSRX The Vitamin C 23 Serum 34 ingredients
Rosa Damascena Flower 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 • 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 Side-by-side
Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.
Learn more about what what Com. / Irr. ratings are
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Alcohol Denat. is an alcohol with a denaturant property. It is created by mixing ethanol and other additives. It has a low molecular weight and will evaporate quickly. This helps other ingredients become better absorbed and dry once applied.
Alcohol Denat. is volatile and may cause irritation. It helps draw out natural oils in skin and dry out your skin.
One study from 2005 found adding emollients to propanol-based sanitizer decreased irritation.
Alcohol is antibacterial by nature. This can help preserve products and increase their shelf life.
Other types of astringent alcohols include:
Learn more about Alcohol Denat.Sulwhasoo Concentrated Ginseng Brightening Serum contains this as ingredient number 2.
COSRX The Vitamin C 23 Serum contains this as ingredient number 27.
Propanediol helps absorb ingredients into your skin, boosting their benefits. It can act as an emollient, making your skin softer. Propanediol can help products last longer by boosting the properties of preservatives within the formulation.
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 PropanediolSulwhasoo Concentrated Ginseng Brightening Serum contains this as ingredient number 3.
COSRX The Vitamin C 23 Serum contains this as ingredient number 3.
Dimethicone is a silicone used for making products smooth and silky. It also has the added benefit of sealing in hydration. The amount of dimethicone found in beauty products is considered safe and non-comedogenic, meaning it won't clog pores.
Dimethicone has been found increase absorption in skin, boosting the benefits of other ingredients. While there is concern for the safety of dimethicone, the levels used in skincare are safe for use.
Sulwhasoo Concentrated Ginseng Brightening Serum contains this as ingredient number 6.
COSRX The Vitamin C 23 Serum contains this as ingredient number 4.
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 NiacinamideSulwhasoo Concentrated Ginseng Brightening Serum contains this as ingredient number 9.
COSRX The Vitamin C 23 Serum contains this as ingredient number 25.
Butylene 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.
Sulwhasoo Concentrated Ginseng Brightening Serum contains this as ingredient number 12.
COSRX The Vitamin C 23 Serum contains this as ingredient number 23.
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.
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 TromethamineSulwhasoo Concentrated Ginseng Brightening Serum contains this as ingredient number 28.
COSRX The Vitamin C 23 Serum contains this as ingredient number 5.
Disodium 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 EDTASulwhasoo Concentrated Ginseng Brightening Serum contains this as ingredient number 32.
COSRX The Vitamin C 23 Serum contains this as ingredient number 13.
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 AdenosineSulwhasoo Concentrated Ginseng Brightening Serum contains this as ingredient number 34.
COSRX The Vitamin C 23 Serum contains this as ingredient number 15.
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.
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 TocopherolSulwhasoo Concentrated Ginseng Brightening Serum contains this as ingredient number 54.
COSRX The Vitamin C 23 Serum contains this as ingredient number 21.
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.
Sulwhasoo Concentrated Ginseng Brightening Serum 54 ingredients
COSRX The Vitamin C 23 Serum 34 ingredients
Usage
Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.
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
laila.21
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...
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.
ChienYun_CY
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...
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 when you first spread it on, but it slowly goes away after awhile.
Alternatives
Our Dupe Finder has found 20 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Sulwhasoo Concentrated Ginseng Brightening Serum.
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