Sulwhasoo Lumiwise Brightening Essence Water vs VT Cosmetics Cica Collagen Essence

Sulwhasoo

VT Cosmetics

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

An essence built around Niacinamide and Ceramide, for barrier repair and smoothing.

Essence

25 ingredients

55 ingredients

Brand price

USD 90.00 · checked 26 Sept 2026 · brand's site

Brand price

USD 20.16 · checked 26 Sept 2026 · brand's site

No retailer listed yet

Brand country not recorded

Brand from South Korea

At a Glance

They come out differently on EU-allergen-free, Silicone-free and Oil-free; those rows are shaded. Tap any answer to see why.

Vitamin E1
Tocopherols — fat-soluble antioxidants.
Tocopherol
PHA1
Polyhydroxy acids — larger and milder than AHAs.
Gluconolactone
Vitamin C derivative (stable)1
Stable derivatives of ascorbic acid.
3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Niacinamide1
Vitamin B3 — supports the barrier and evens tone.
Niacinamide

Ceramide3
Skin-identical lipids that hold the barrier together.
Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide NP
Centella asiatica (Cica)5
Centella asiatica (cica), used to calm irritation.
Asiatic Acid, Asiaticoside, Centella Asiatica Extract, Madecassic Acid, Madecassoside
Polysorbates (Tween emulsifiers)1
Polysorbate (Tween) emulsifiers.
Polysorbate 80
Hyaluronic acid1
Hyaluronic acid and its salts; a humectant that binds water to the skin.
Sodium Hyaluronate

Hydrating7
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Betaine, Butylene Glycol, Gluconolactone, Glycerin, Mannitol, Propanediol, Tocopherol
Barrier Repair5
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Betaine, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Tocopherol
Redness Reducing1
Soothes visible redness and calms irritation.
Niacinamide
Smoothing2
Refines rough or uneven texture.
Niacinamide, Panax Ginseng Root Extract

May Trigger Acne1
Can clog pores or trigger breakouts.
Tocopherol
May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis2
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, PPG-13-DECYLTETRADECETH-24
May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris1
May clog follicles or strip skin prone to keratosis pilaris.
Tocopherol
May Worsen Irritation7
May cause stinging, redness or sensitivity.
Citral, Citronellol, Fragrance, Geraniol, Limonene, Linalool, Tocopherol

Show highlights for:

Water
Skin Conditioning
Propanediol
Viscosity Controlling
0-1 / —
- Hydrating
Betaine
Humectant
0 / —
- Hydrating
Niacinamide (in both products)
Smoothing
0 / —
- Niacinamide
- Acne Fighting
- Barrier Repair
- Brightening
- Dark Spots
- Even Tone
- Oil Control
- Pore Refining
- Redness Reducing
1,2-Hexanediol (in both products)
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin (in both products)
Humectant
0 / 0
- Possibly animal-derived
- Hydrating
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
- PHA
- Exfoliating
- Hydrating
Butylene Glycol (in both products)
Humectant
1 / 0
- Hydrating
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion Stabilising
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Tromethamine (in both products)
Buffering
0 / —

Aqua
Solvent
0 / —
Glycerin (in both products)
Humectant
0 / 0
- Possibly animal-derived
- Hydrating
Dipropylene Glycol
Perfuming
0-1 / —
Methyl Gluceth-20
Humectant
Butylene Glycol (in both products)
Humectant
1 / 0
- Hydrating
Niacinamide (in both products)
Smoothing
0 / —
- Niacinamide
- Acne Fighting
- Barrier Repair
- Brightening
- Dark Spots
- Even Tone
- Oil Control
- Pore Refining
- Redness Reducing
Dimethicone
Emollient
1 / 0
- Silicones
- Barrier Repair
- Hydrating
- Smoothing
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Occlusive
1 / 1
Heptyl Undecylenate
Emollient
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis

These ingredients are found in both products.

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

Niacinamide
Smoothing
Niacinamide is niacinamide.
Learn more about Niacinamide →
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning, Solvent
We don't have a description for 1,2-Hexanediol yet.
Learn more about 1,2-Hexanediol →
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 →
Tromethamine
Buffering, Fragrance
1,3-Propanediol, 2-amino-2-(hydroxymethyl)-
Learn more about Tromethamine →
Xanthan Gum
Binding, Emulsion Stabilising, Gel Forming, Skin Conditioning, Cleansing, Emulsifying, Viscosity Controlling
Xanthan gum
Learn more about Xanthan Gum →