COSRX Galactomyces 95 Tone Balancing Essence vs SK-II GenOptics Aura Essence

COSRX

Galactomyces 95 Tone Balancing Essence

SK-II

GenOptics Aura Essence

An essence built around Niacinamide and Panthenol, for hydration and barrier repair.

Essence

12 ingredients

41 ingredients

Brand price

USD 24.00 · checked 25 Sept 2026 · brand's site

Brand price

Not recorded · brand's site

No retailer listed yet

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Brand from South Korea

Brand from Japan

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At a Glance

They come out differently on Fragrance-free, EU-allergen-free, Paraben-free, Silicone-free, Fungal-acne-safe and Pore-clogger-free; those rows are shaded. Tap any answer to see why.

Key Ingredients

Panthenol (provitamin B5)1
Provitamin B5 — a humectant and soother.
Panthenol
Hyaluronic acid1
Hyaluronic acid and its salts; a humectant that binds water to the skin.
Sodium Hyaluronate
Niacinamide1
Vitamin B3 — supports the barrier and evens tone.
Niacinamide

Mineral sunscreen1
Uses zinc oxide or titanium dioxide to absorb and scatter UV rays.
Titanium Dioxide
Sunscreen1
Any ingredient acting as a UV filter.
Titanium Dioxide
Vitamin E1
Tocopherols — fat-soluble antioxidants.
Tocopherol
Vitamin C derivative (stable)1
Stable derivatives of ascorbic acid.
Ascorbyl Glucoside

Benefits

Hydrating6
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Betaine, Butylene Glycol, Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate, Glycerin, Panthenol, Sodium Hyaluronate
Barrier Repair5
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Allantoin, Betaine, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Panthenol
Reduces Irritation2
Eases discomfort and supports skin resilience.
Allantoin, Panthenol
Redness Reducing2
Soothes visible redness and calms irritation.
Allantoin, Niacinamide

Hydrating8
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Butylene Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate, Glycerin, Inositol, Panthenol, Prunus Mume Fruit Extract, Tocopherol
Barrier Repair7
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
C13-14 Isoparaffin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Hexyldecanol, Niacinamide, Panthenol, Tocopherol
Reduces Irritation1
Eases discomfort and supports skin resilience.
Panthenol
Redness Reducing1
Soothes visible redness and calms irritation.
Niacinamide

Concerns

No concerns found

May Trigger Acne1
Can clog pores or trigger breakouts.
Tocopherol
May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis6
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Hexyldecanol, Laureth-7, PEG-20 Sorbitan Cocoate, Phytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate, Undecylenoyl Phenylalanine
May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris1
May clog follicles or strip skin prone to keratosis pilaris.
Tocopherol
May Worsen Irritation7
May cause stinging, redness or sensitivity.
Benzyl Alcohol, Citronellol, Geraniol, Limonene, Linalool, Parfum, Tocopherol

Ingredients Side-by-side

Show highlights for:

Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate (in both products)
Humectant
0 / —
Niacinamide (in both products)
Smoothing
0 / —
- Niacinamide
- Acne Fighting
- Barrier Repair
- Brightening
- Dark Spots
- Even Tone
- Oil Control
- Pore Refining
- Redness Reducing
Panthenol (in both products)
Skin Conditioning
0 / 0
- Panthenol (provitamin B5)
- Barrier Repair
- Hydrating
- Reduces Irritation
Glycerin (in both products)
Humectant
0 / 0
- Possibly animal-derived
- Hydrating
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol (in both products)
Humectant
1 / 0
- Hydrating
Betaine
Humectant
0 / —
- Hydrating
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
0 / 0
- Hyaluronic acid
- Hydrating
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
0 / 0
- Reduces Irritation
- Smoothing
Xanthan Gum (in both products)
Cleansing
0-1 / —

Aqua
Solvent
0 / —
Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate (in both products)
Humectant
0 / —
Niacinamide (in both products)
Smoothing
0 / —
- Niacinamide
- Acne Fighting
- Barrier Repair
- Brightening
- Dark Spots
- Even Tone
- Oil Control
- Pore Refining
- Redness Reducing
Butylene Glycol (in both products)
Humectant
1 / 0
- Hydrating
Triethylhexanoin
Skin Conditioning
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
0-1 / —
Glycerin (in both products)
Humectant
0 / 0
- Possibly animal-derived
- Hydrating
Nylon-12
Viscosity Controlling
0-1 / —
Phytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate
Skin Conditioning
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Opacifying
0-1 / —
- Silicones

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

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

Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate
Humectant
Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate is a filtrate of the product obtained by the fermentation of the microorganism Galactomyces
Learn more about Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate →
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Niacinamide is niacinamide.
Learn more about Niacinamide →
Panthenol
Antistatic, Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning
Panthenol is panthenol (provitamin B5).
Learn more about Panthenol →
Glycerin
Denaturant, Fragrance, Hair Conditioning, Humectant, Oral Care, Perfuming, Humectant, Skin Protecting, Solvent, Viscosity Controlling
Glycerin may be plant, synthetic or animal depending on the supplier.
Learn more about Glycerin →
Butylene Glycol
Fragrance, Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Solvent, Viscosity Controlling
Butane-1,3-diol (CAS No. 107-88-0/ EC No. 203-529-7) (R)-(-)-butane-1,3-diol” (CAS No. 6290-03-5/ EC No. 228-532-0)
Learn more about Butylene Glycol →
Xanthan Gum
Binding, Emulsion Stabilising, Gel Forming, Skin Conditioning, Cleansing, Emulsifying, Viscosity Controlling
Xanthan gum
Learn more about Xanthan Gum →