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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Sulwhasoo First Care Activating Serum versus Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Recovery Complex II .

Last updated on October 27, 2023. Published on August 08, 2021

Overview

What they are

These products are both serums. They have a total of 7 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain Vitamin E

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for dry skin, brightening skin and sensitive skin

Free From

They both do not contain any parabens or sulfates

What's Inside

They both contain fragrances and oils

We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that need an update? Let us know.

Serum South Korean Brand South Korea
Serum American Brand United States

Serum

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

Serum

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

Price

Shop

Buy First Care Activating Serum

Starts at $3.69
Shop

Buy Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Recovery Complex II

Starts at $41.89

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
ph level
5
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

Vitamin E

Benefits

Hydrating (2)
Redness Reducing (3)
Reduces Irritation (3)
Reduces Large Pores
Anti-Aging
Scar Healing
Acne Fighting
Brightening (2)

Concerns

Drying
May Worsen Oily Skin
Irritating (2)
Rosacea (2)
Eczema (4)

Notable Ingredients

Vitamin E
Hyaluronic Acid
Peptides

Benefits

Hydrating (2)
Reduces Irritation
Brightening

Concerns

Irritating
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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: Humectant, Masking, Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Mixed

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 First Care Activating Serum contains this as ingredient number 2.

Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Recovery Complex II contains this as ingredient number 6.

2
What it does: Preservative
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Phenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent germ and microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.

It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.

Sulwhasoo First Care Activating Serum contains this as ingredient number 9.

Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Recovery Complex II contains this as ingredient number 38.

3
What it does: Emollient, Humectant, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Disliked

Bis-Peg-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane belongs to the siloxanes and silicones classes. It is synthetically created and has a waxy composition.

Bis-Peg-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane is a humectant and emollient, meaning it helps hydrate the skin. Humectants draw moisture to your skin, while emollients prevent moisture from escaping.

Sulwhasoo First Care Activating Serum contains this as ingredient number 10.

Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Recovery Complex II contains this as ingredient number 5.

4
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.

Sulwhasoo First Care Activating Serum contains this as ingredient number 12.

Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Recovery Complex II contains this as ingredient number 33.

5
What it does: Emulsifying, Emulsion Stabilising, Gel Forming, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Disliked

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.

On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.

Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.

Learn more about Xanthan Gum

Sulwhasoo First Care Activating Serum contains this as ingredient number 25.

Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Recovery Complex II contains this as ingredient number 37.

6
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.

Sulwhasoo First Care Activating Serum contains this as ingredient number 26.

Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Recovery Complex II contains this as ingredient number 14.

7
What it does: Emulsifying, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Liked

Hydrogenated Lecithin is created from the hydrogenation of lecithin. Hydrogenation is a chemical reaction between molecule hydrogen and another element.

Hydrogenated Lecithin is an emollient and emulsifier. As an emollient, it helps soften skin by trapping moisture within.

The phospholipids in Hydrogenated Lecithin can produce liposomes. Liposomes help other ingredients get through the skin barrier to be better absorbed.

As an emulsifier, it prevents oil and water ingredients from separating.

Learn more about Hydrogenated Lecithin

Sulwhasoo First Care Activating Serum contains this as ingredient number 42.

Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Recovery Complex II contains this as ingredient number 28.

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

33% are loved or liked
6% have mixed ratings
42% are disliked or very disliked
19% have no rating yet
35% are loved or liked
13% have mixed ratings
23% are disliked or very disliked
30% have no rating yet

Usage

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

When to use

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Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Sulwhasoo First Care Activating Serum 48 ingredients

3.0 /5
from 2 ratings

Alternatives

Our Dupe Finder has found 19 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Sulwhasoo First Care Activating Serum.

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Our Dupe Finder has found 3 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Recovery Complex II.

See 3 alternatives
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