Versus

Sulwhasoo First Care Activating Serum Versus Tatcha Violet-C Brightening Serum 20% Vitamin C + 10% AHA

Serum
Serum
Korean Brand South Korea
American Brand United States

Updated on October 27, 2023

Overview

What they are

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

Suited For

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

Click any item below to learn more and see relevant ingredients

About this product

About this product

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

found in both products
First Care Activating Serum

Water

Skin Conditioning

Butylene Glycol

Humectant
1 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Alcohol

Antimicrobial
Alcohol IconCan worsen Dry Skin IconMay worsen Oily Skin IconMay cause irritation IconMay worsen Eczema IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Glycerin

Humectant
0 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps brighten skin Icon

Betaine

Humectant
Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps reduce irritation IconGood for Dark Spots Icon
Violet-C Brightening Serum 20% Vitamin C + 10% AHA

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

Skin Conditioning, Solvent

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 Water
Humectant, Masking, Skin Conditioning

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.
  • It has mild preservative properties.

Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.

Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting

Glycerin 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 Glycerin
Preservative

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.

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

Skin Conditioning

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.

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 EDTA
Skin Conditioning

We don't have a description for Ziziphus Jujuba Fruit Extract yet.

When to use

246 Routines
49% use in am
51% use in pm
92% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->
75 Routines
68% use in am
32% use in pm
89% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Sulwhasoo First Care Activating Serum 48 ingredients

2.8 /5
from 4 ratings
Expensive (2) Absorbs Well (1) Hydrating (1)
patriciacain's avatar

Wendy

16 hours ago
Review

I have sensitive skin and should have known better with the alcohol and fragrance in this product. It caused an immediate rosacea flare. This is a hard no for me and I would say any sensitive skin folks though I know it works well for many people.

#expensive
#irritating
Lunar's avatar

Lunar K

6 months ago
Review

I love using this serum right after cleansing my skin. It feels amazing on my skin, and it makes it feel so calm and ready for the next step of my routine. It’s a bit on the pricey side.

#expensive
#hydrating
#absorbs well
#light scent

Tatcha Violet-C Brightening Serum 20% Vitamin C + 10% AHA 30 ingredients

3.0 /5
from 2 ratings
Expensive (1)
skylarnorris's avatar

Skylar Norris

6 months ago
Review

It’s okay I guess. It’s very expensive and doesn’t do anything a much cheaper serum can’t do. I’d recommend cosrx vitamin c 23 serum for the same benefits at a fraction of the cost.

#expensive