PRODUCT REVIEW
COSRX Refresh AHA BHA Vitamin C Booster Serum
Add to Compare
Cheaper alternatives
Product summary
What can the product work for?
Exfoliation
What does the product description say?
Cosrx Refresh AHA BHA Vitamin C Booster Serum is a daily booster serum that contains a patented ingredient made from fruit peels to gently exfoliate skin.
glycolic acid
1.4% -
2.2%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
An alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) that helps to remove the dead skin cells on the surface of the skin reveling a more even, smoother complexation. It is also able to stimulate collagen production with long-term use. Could help to reduce pore congestion. It can be irritating to the skin. Apply sunscreen daily if using products with glycolic acid
betaine salicylate
0.15% -
0.65%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
Exfoliating acid, a "relative" of salicylic acid
allantoin
0.4% -
0.9%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Insufficient!
Helps calm down inflammation in skin and can help reduce itching. Helps to repair the skin barrier and keep skin hydrated
Anti-blemish
betaine salicylate
0.15% -
0.65%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
Exfoliating acid, a "relative" of salicylic acid
niacinamide
2.7% -
4%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
Is proven to be effective in reducing blemishes, evening out skin tone and helping to improve lines and wrinkles. It helps the skin to repair sun damage, calm down inflammation and keep maintain good levels of moisture.
The concentration of about 2% is effective for supporting the skin barrier and evening out the skin tone. Concentration of 4-6% is better for helping with acne and balancing the sebum production
glycolic acid
1.4% -
2.2%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness:
MEDIUM
An alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) that helps to remove the dead skin cells on the surface of the skin reveling a more even, smoother complexation. It is also able to stimulate collagen production with long-term use. Could help to reduce pore congestion. It can be irritating to the skin. Apply sunscreen daily if using products with glycolic acid
Show more
Anti-aging
glycolic acid
1.4% -
2.2%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
An alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) that helps to remove the dead skin cells on the surface of the skin reveling a more even, smoother complexation. It is also able to stimulate collagen production with long-term use. Could help to reduce pore congestion. It can be irritating to the skin. Apply sunscreen daily if using products with glycolic acid
niacinamide
2.7% -
4%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
Is proven to be effective in reducing blemishes, evening out skin tone and helping to improve lines and wrinkles. It helps the skin to repair sun damage, calm down inflammation and keep maintain good levels of moisture.
The concentration of about 2% is effective for supporting the skin barrier and evening out the skin tone. Concentration of 4-6% is better for helping with acne and balancing the sebum production
adenosine
0.2% -
0.75%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
Might help improve cell turnover and reduce inflammation in skin. One study shows that the ingredients might be able to help reduce dynamic wrinkles (for example, in the corners of the eyes or on the forehead)
Show more
Evens skin tone
alpha-arbutin
0.15% -
0.5%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
Might help reduce hyperpigmentation when used regularly over a long period of time. Is more effective than beta-arbutin
glycolic acid
1.4% -
2.2%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
An alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) that helps to remove the dead skin cells on the surface of the skin reveling a more even, smoother complexation. It is also able to stimulate collagen production with long-term use. Could help to reduce pore congestion. It can be irritating to the skin. Apply sunscreen daily if using products with glycolic acid
niacinamide
2.7% -
4%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
Is proven to be effective in reducing blemishes, evening out skin tone and helping to improve lines and wrinkles. It helps the skin to repair sun damage, calm down inflammation and keep maintain good levels of moisture.
The concentration of about 2% is effective for supporting the skin barrier and evening out the skin tone. Concentration of 4-6% is better for helping with acne and balancing the sebum production
Show more
Moisturizing
panthenol
0.55% -
1.35%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help improve skin barrier function
glycerin
0.45% -
1%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant
betaine
1.2% -
1.8%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improves the product texture
Show more
Honesty check
How honest is this product?
| Promise | Can it deliver? |
|---|---|
| Exfoliation |
Total Promises Fulfilled score:
100/100.
Buy now
We receive a small commission for purchases made through these links at no cost for you. Thank you for your support! Learn more
Can it cause trouble?
- Overall product irritation risk
- Acne & comedogenic risk ingredients: 0
Potential irritants
actinidia chinensis fruit extract
23% -
34%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Anti-oxidation
A plant extract that might have some anti-oxidant properties, but evidence of effectiveness in skin is lacking
glycolic acid
1.4% -
2.2%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Anti-aging,
Exfoliation,
Evens skin tone,
Anti-blemish
An alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) that helps to remove the dead skin cells on the surface of the skin reveling a more even, smoother complexation. It is also able to stimulate collagen production with long-term use. Could help to reduce pore congestion. It can be irritating to the skin. Apply sunscreen daily if using products with glycolic acid
Show more
Comodogenic ingredients
No comodogenic ingredients detected
User reviews (0)
Similar products & dupes
| COSRX - Refresh AHA BHA Vitamin C Booster Serum |  Beplain - Multi Vitamin Ampoule Sponsored |  Beplain - Vitamin Brightening Ampoule |  Carenology 95 - RE:BLUE Deep Concentrate Ampoule |  TONYMOLY - Vital Vita 12 Poresole Ampoule |  Saturday Skin - Pore Active Treatment Serum |  Tree To Tub - Ginseng Green Tea Anti-Aging Retinol Night Serum |  MEDI-PEEL - Luminous Silk Oil Serum |  NACIFIC - Pink AHA BHA Serum |  TOSOWOONG - Squalane Ampoule |  BLANC DIVA - Rebirth Serum |  skinmade - Azelaic Acid + Salicylic Acid serum | |
| Price | ||||||||||||
| WIMJ similarity score |
84%
|
84%
|
83%
|
82%
|
82%
|
82%
|
82%
|
81%
|
81%
|
81%
|
81%
| |
| Key ingredients |
| Common:
Other: | Common:
Other: | Common:
Other:
| Common:
Other:
| Common:
Other:
| Common:
Other: | Common:
Other:
| Common:
Other:
| Common:
Other:
| Common:
Other:
| Common:
Other:
|
| Irritancy | IRRITANCY
HIGH
| IRRITANCY
MEDIUM
| IRRITANCY
MEDIUM
| IRRITANCY
MEDIUM
| IRRITANCY
HIGH
| IRRITANCY
HIGH
| IRRITANCY
HIGH
| IRRITANCY
MEDIUM
| IRRITANCY
MEDIUM
| IRRITANCY
MEDIUM
| IRRITANCY
MEDIUM
| IRRITANCY
MEDIUM
|
| Potential Irritants |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| All ingredients |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ingredients & concentrations
All ingredients
Key Actives
niacinamide
2.7% -
4%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Evens skin tone,
Anti-blemish,
Moisturizing,
Anti-aging,
Reduces irritation,
Antibacterial,
Reduces redness,
Anti-inflammatory
Is proven to be effective in reducing blemishes, evening out skin tone and helping to improve lines and wrinkles. It helps the skin to repair sun damage, calm down inflammation and keep maintain good levels of moisture.
The concentration of about 2% is effective for supporting the skin barrier and evening out the skin tone. Concentration of 4-6% is better for helping with acne and balancing the sebum production
allantoin
0.4% -
0.9%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Moisturizing,
Anti-inflammatory,
Reduces irritation,
Reduces redness,
Anti-blemish,
Exfoliation
Helps calm down inflammation in skin and can help reduce itching. Helps to repair the skin barrier and keep skin hydrated
Show more
Potential irritants
actinidia chinensis fruit extract
23% -
34%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Anti-oxidation
A plant extract that might have some anti-oxidant properties, but evidence of effectiveness in skin is lacking
glycolic acid
1.4% -
2.2%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Anti-aging,
Exfoliation,
Evens skin tone,
Anti-blemish
An alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) that helps to remove the dead skin cells on the surface of the skin reveling a more even, smoother complexation. It is also able to stimulate collagen production with long-term use. Could help to reduce pore congestion. It can be irritating to the skin. Apply sunscreen daily if using products with glycolic acid
Show more
Comodogenic ingredients
We couldn't find any comodogenic ingredients in this product
All ingredients
actinidia chinensis fruit extract
23% -
34%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Anti-oxidation
A plant extract that might have some anti-oxidant properties, but evidence of effectiveness in skin is lacking
hippophae rhamnoides water
4.4% -
6.7%
Irritation risk:
A plant-infused water. The concentration of compounds with potential skin benefits is unlikely to be effective
Show more
Ingredient list view
Actinidia chinensis fruit extract, Hylocereus undatus fruit extract, Hippophae rhamnoides water, Butylene glycol, Niacinamide, 1,2-hexanediol, Glycolic acid, Betaine, Sodium hydroxide, Water, Panthenol, Allantoin, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Glycerin, Polyglyceryl-10 myristate, Polyglyceryl-10 laurate, Sodium hyaluronate, Adenosine, Ascorbyl glucoside, Betaine salicylate, Limonene, Citrus aurantium bergamia fruit oil, Alpha-arbutin, Linalool, Menthyl lactate, Mentha haplocalix extract
Sources
- Niacinamide - mechanisms of action and its topical use in dermatology
- Gehring, W. (2004). Nicotinic acid/niacinamide and the skin. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 3(2), 88–93. doi:10.1111/j.1473-2130.2004.00115.x
- The influence of alkane chain length on the skin irritation potential of 1,2-alkanediols
- Photoprotective and antiinflammatory effects of topical glycolic acid
- Glycolic acid peel therapy – a current review
- Dual Effects of Alpha-Hydroxy Acids on the Skin
- Skin moisturizing effects of panthenol-based formulations
- Safety Assessment of Panthenol, Pantothenic Acid, and Derivatives as Used in Cosmetics
- Profile of wound healing process induced by allantoin
- Glycerol and the skin: holistic approach to its origin and functions
- In Vitro Assessment of Skin Irritation Potential of Surfactant-based Formulations by Using a 3-D Skin Reconstructed Tissue Model and Cytokine Response
- Hyaluronic acid: A key molecule in skin aging
- Hyaluronan (Hyaluronic Acid): a natural moisturizer for skin care
- Evaluation of anti-wrinkle efficacy of adenosine-containing products using the FOITS technique
- The Roles of Vitamin C in Skin Health
- Stability, transdermal penetration, and cutaneous effects of ascorbic acid and its derivatives
- Safety Assessment of Citrus-Derived Peel Oils as Used in Cosmetics
- Oxidized citrus oil (R-limonene): A frequent skin sensitizer in Europe