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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of The Plant Base AC Clear Magic Cica Cream versus Pyunkang Yul Calming Moisture Barrier Cream .

Last updated on September 20, 2023. Published on August 27, 2021

Overview

What they are

These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe general moisturizers. They have a total of 16 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain hyaluronic acid and Vitamin E

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, oily skin and scar healing

Free From

They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, 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.

General Moisturizer South Korean Brand South Korea

General Moisturizer

All-purpose moisturizers hydrate the top layer of skin cells.

General Moisturizer

All-purpose moisturizers hydrate the top layer of skin cells.

Price

Shop

Buy AC Clear Magic Cica Cream

Starts at $2.02
Shop

Buy Calming Moisture Barrier Cream

Starts at $10.34

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
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 (2)
Niacinamide
Hyaluronic Acid
Peptides

Benefits

Hydrating (2)
Good For Oily Skin (3)
Redness Reducing (2)
Reduces Large Pores
Anti-Aging (3)
Dark Spots (2)
Scar Healing (2)
Acne Fighting
Brightening (3)

Concerns

May Worsen Oily Skin (4)
Acne Trigger
Irritating (2)
Eczema

Notable Ingredients

Vitamin E
Ceramides
Hyaluronic Acid (4)

Benefits

Hydrating (5)
Good For Oily Skin
Redness Reducing (2)
Reduces Irritation (3)
Anti-Aging (2)
Scar Healing
Brightening (2)

Concerns

May Worsen Oily Skin (6)
Acne Trigger (3)
Irritating
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Ingredients Compared

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract 55%Dipropylene GlycolAstrocaryum Murumuru Seed ButterCyclopentasiloxaneSqualaneGlyceryl Stearate SeTrimethylolpropane TriisostearateBeeswaxDiphenylsiloxy Phenyl TrimethiconeNiacinamideCaprylic/Capric TriglycerideCyclohexasiloxane1,2-HexanediolCetyl AlcoholGlyceryl StearateLimnanthes Alba Seed OilWaterLauryl AlcoholStearyl AlcoholXanthan Gum Stearic AcidDimethiconePhytosteryl/Behenyl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl GlutamatePhenoxyethanolPalmitic AcidCamellia Sinensis LeafTocopheryl AcetateSodium Methyl Stearoyl TaurateButylene GlycolPeg-100 StearateTromethamineMyristyl AlcoholMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf OilGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root ExtractDisodium EDTAAdenosinePolysorbate 80Propylene GlycolMorus Alba Bark ExtractOpuntia Coccinellifera Fruit ExtractDiospyros Kaki Leaf ExtractVaccinium Myrtillus Fruit ExtractSalix Nigra Bark ExtractPropanediolSaccharum Officinarum ExtractCapryloyl GlycineCapryloyl Salicylic AcidAllium Cepa Bulb ExtractCarbomerSodium Tocopheryl PhosphateSophora Angustifolia Root ExtractAloe Barbadensis Leaf ExtractCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit ExtractCitrus Limon Fruit ExtractChenopodium Quinoa ExtractTocopherolSalix Alba Bark ExtractChamaecyparis Obtusa Leaf ExtractOriganum Vulgare Leaf ExtractArachidic AcidAcer Saccharum ExtractMyristic AcidHydrogenated LecithinScutellaria Baicalensis Root ExtractCinnamomum Zeylanicum Bark ExtractPortulaca Oleracea ExtractLactobacillusEthylhexylglycerinHydrolyzed Hyaluronic AcidCaprylyl GlycolSh-Decapeptide-9

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: Masking, Solvent
Community Rating: Disliked

Dipropylene Glycol is a synthetically created stabilizer and solvent. It is a part of the glycol class in the alcohol family.

Dipropylene Glycol helps dissolve and evenly distribute ingredients. It also helps decrease viscosity and thin out texture.

As a masking agent, Dipropylene Glycol can be used to cover the smell of other ingredients. However, it does not have a scent.

Studies show Dipropylene Glycol is considered safe to use in skincare.

Learn more about Dipropylene Glycol

The Plant Base AC Clear Magic Cica Cream contains this as ingredient number 2.

Pyunkang Yul Calming Moisture Barrier Cream contains this as ingredient number 2.

2
What it does: Emollient, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Loved

Squalane is an emollient that helps the skin hold onto moisture. It's an oily liquid that occurs naturally in certain types of fish and plant oils.

Because squalane boosts hydration in the skin, it also comes with plenty of benefits: it is an antioxidant and can help fight free radicals and skin damage. Squalane is also found to have a detoxifying effect when applied.

Squalane comes from squalene, which occurs naturally within the sebum of our skin. It is one of the oils our skin produces to keep itself hydrated. Squalane is the hydrogenated version of squalene and has a longer shelf life.

Research shows that squalane is non-irritating (even at 100% concentration).

In general, it's a fantastic ingredient. It does a great job at hydrating the skin, and it's suitable for those with sensitive skin.

The source of squalane may impact malassezia / fungal acne. This is because olive oil derived squalane can contain impurities such as fatty acids and plant waxes. Sugarcane derived squalane is recommended for anyone with malassezia concerns.

Is squalane vegan? This depends on the source. Squalane can be derived from both plants and animals. Most squalane used in skincare comes from plants.

Please note: the source of squalane is only known if disclosed by the brand. We recommend reaching out to the brand if you have any questions about their squalane.

Read more about squalene with an "e".

Learn more about Squalane

The Plant Base AC Clear Magic Cica Cream contains this as ingredient number 5.

Pyunkang Yul Calming Moisture Barrier Cream contains this as ingredient number 31.

3
What it does: Masking, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Mixed

Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride is an emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.

Within a product, Caprylic Triglyceride can thicken the product and make spreadability easier by dissolving clumping compounds. An added benefit of Caprylic Triglyceride is its antioxidant properties.

Caprylic Triglyceride is made by combining glycerin with coconut oil, forming a clear liquid. Caprylic Triglyceride has not been found to be toxic for human use in concentrations under 50%.

While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this.

Learn more about Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride

The Plant Base AC Clear Magic Cica Cream contains this as ingredient number 11.

Pyunkang Yul Calming Moisture Barrier Cream contains this as ingredient number 4.

4
What it does: Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Mixed

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.

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.

The Plant Base AC Clear Magic Cica Cream contains this as ingredient number 13.

Pyunkang Yul Calming Moisture Barrier Cream contains this as ingredient number 41.

5
What it does: Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Loved

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. Talk about multi-purpose! If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!

Learn more about Water

The Plant Base AC Clear Magic Cica Cream contains this as ingredient number 17.

Pyunkang Yul Calming Moisture Barrier Cream contains this as ingredient number 1.

6
What it does: Cleansing, Emulsifying, Emulsion Stabilising, Masking
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Stearic Acid is a fatty acid. It is an emollient, emulsifier, and texture enhancer.

As an emollient, stearic acid helps soften skin. It aids the skin's protective barrier by preventing water loss. It also provides a gentle cleansing effect without stripping away natural oils.

Stearic acid may also be used to enhance the texture of products. It can add volume and stabilize ingredients such as water and oil. This can help water and oil ingredients from separating.

Sources of stearic acid include animal or vegetable fats/oils such as coconut or shea. It can be naturally found in butter, cocoa butter, shea butter, vegetable fats, and animal tallow.

This ingredient may not be Malassezia folliculitis, or fungal-acne safe.

Learn more about Stearic Acid

The Plant Base AC Clear Magic Cica Cream contains this as ingredient number 21.

Pyunkang Yul Calming Moisture Barrier Cream contains this as ingredient number 9.

7
What it does: Emollient, Emulsifying
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Palmitic Acid is a fatty acid found in our skin. In cosmetics, it is usually derived from palm oil. It is a cleanser, emollient, and emulsifier.

As an emollient, it helps hydrate the skin. The emulsifying properties keep ingredients together in a product.

Palmitic Acid may not be fungal-acne safe. It can worsen oily skin and cause breakouts due to its emollient nature.

Learn more about Palmitic Acid

The Plant Base AC Clear Magic Cica Cream contains this as ingredient number 25.

Pyunkang Yul Calming Moisture Barrier Cream contains this as ingredient number 24.

8
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.

The Plant Base AC Clear Magic Cica Cream contains this as ingredient number 29.

Pyunkang Yul Calming Moisture Barrier Cream contains this as ingredient number 37.

9
What it does: Buffering, Masking
Community Rating: Liked

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 Tromethamine

The Plant Base AC Clear Magic Cica Cream contains this as ingredient number 31.

Pyunkang Yul Calming Moisture Barrier Cream contains this as ingredient number 42.

10
What it does:
Community Rating: Disliked

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

The Plant Base AC Clear Magic Cica Cream contains this as ingredient number 35.

Pyunkang Yul Calming Moisture Barrier Cream contains this as ingredient number 40.

11
What it does: Antioxidant, Masking, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Liked

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 Tocopherol

The Plant Base AC Clear Magic Cica Cream contains this as ingredient number 56.

Pyunkang Yul Calming Moisture Barrier Cream contains this as ingredient number 39.

12
What it does: Cleansing, Emulsifying
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Arachidic Acid is a fatty acid naturally found in peanut oil and cocoa butter. Like other fatty acids, arachidic acid moisturizes the skin.

Synthetically created arachidic acid comes from linoleic acid.

This ingredient may not be safe for Malassezia Folliculitis, or fungal acne.

Learn more about Arachidic Acid

The Plant Base AC Clear Magic Cica Cream contains this as ingredient number 60.

Pyunkang Yul Calming Moisture Barrier Cream contains this as ingredient number 22.

13
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

The Plant Base AC Clear Magic Cica Cream contains this as ingredient number 63.

Pyunkang Yul Calming Moisture Barrier Cream contains this as ingredient number 43.

14
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.

The Plant Base AC Clear Magic Cica Cream contains this as ingredient number 68.

Pyunkang Yul Calming Moisture Barrier Cream contains this as ingredient number 44.

15
What it does: Humectant, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Liked

Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid is a form of hyaluronic acid. It is created by the hydrolysis of hyaluronic acid with a high molecular weight. Once created, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid has a low molecular weight.

Low molecular weight HA has been shown to hydrate and increase elasticity of the skin. Increasing elasticity is also associated with reduction of wrinkle depth.

One study found topical low molecular weight hyaluronic acid may be considered for the treatment of rosacea in the adult population. However, we always recommend speaking with a professional about your skin concerns.

Hyaluronic acids are a humectant. This means they draw moisture from the air. Hyaluronic acids help moisturize, soothe, and protect the skin.

Read more about other common forms of hyaluronic acid:

Learn more about Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid

The Plant Base AC Clear Magic Cica Cream contains this as ingredient number 69.

Pyunkang Yul Calming Moisture Barrier Cream contains this as ingredient number 11.

16
What it does: Emollient, Humectant, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Liked

Caprylyl Glycol is a humectant and emollient, meaning it attracts and preserves moisture.

It is a common ingredient in many products, especially those designed to hydrate skin. The primary benefits are retaining moisture, skin softening, and promoting a healthy skin barrier.

Though Caprylyl Glycol is an alcohol derived from fatty acids, it is not the kind that can dry out skin.

This ingredient is also used as a preservative to extend the life of products. It has slight antimicrobial properties.

Learn more about Caprylyl Glycol

The Plant Base AC Clear Magic Cica Cream contains this as ingredient number 70.

Pyunkang Yul Calming Moisture Barrier Cream contains this as ingredient number 38.

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

35% are loved or liked
11% have mixed ratings
34% are disliked or very disliked
20% have no rating yet
52% are loved or liked
18% have mixed ratings
27% are disliked or very disliked
2% 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

The Plant Base AC Clear Magic Cica Cream 71 ingredients

AC Clear Magic Cica Cream hasn't been rated yet.
Rate it now

Pyunkang Yul Calming Moisture Barrier Cream 44 ingredients

2.3 /5
from 4 ratings
Absorbs Well (1) Hydrating (1) No Scent (1)
Julesaus's avatar

Julesaus

8 months ago · Combination Skin
Review

A no for oily skin
No, this one has given me skin bumps. That's so sad, because it sounds so gently for the skin.

kusatsuri's avatar

kusatsuri

8 months ago · Combination Skin
Review

Did not help me in any way
So it starts with the application. The skin absorbs it really slow and I really need to massage it in besides the fact...

Did not help me in any way
So it starts with the application. The skin absorbs it really slow and I really need to massage it in besides the fact that I am not using a lot of it ... And in the morning I really don't have the time t owait for my cream to be absorbed...
Secondly, it feels really heavy on my skin and does not benefit me in any way. I even think I got more pimples again but can't garantee that it is because of this cream. I started a few other new products at the same time.
Therefore I don't think it is a bad product but it is just not fitting for my skintype.

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