Compare Products: The Niacinamide 15 Serum vs Vitamin Illuminating Cream

COSRX

The Niacinamide 15 Serum

Mid-range15%
$25 / 20ml — $1.25/ml
EQQUALBERRY

Vitamin Illuminating Cream

Mid-range
$25.99 / 50ml — $0.52/ml

Who It's Designed For

COSRX
  • Oily and acne-prone skin seeking serious oil control
  • Post-acne marks and hyperpigmentation
  • Enlarged pores and textured skin
  • Users ready to step up from 10% to higher-strength niacinamide
  • Those who prefer minimal-ingredient formulas
EQQUALBERRY
  • Those targeting dark spots and hyperpigmentation with a cream format
  • Users who want tranexamic acid alongside niacinamide for enhanced brightening
  • Sensitive skin types seeking fragrance-free dark spot care
  • People who prefer a richer texture than serums for brightening
  • Those using the Vitamin Illuminating Serum who want a matching cream

Key Ingredients

COSRX

Niacinamide (15%), Acetyl Glucosamine (2%), Zinc PCA (1%), Allantoin (0.1%)

EQQUALBERRY

67.3% Acerola Vitamin Water, 5% Niacinamide (50,000ppm), 3% Tranexamic Acid (30,000ppm), Liposomal Vitamin C, Ceramides

Product Composition

19% similarity (7 ingredients in common)

Shared Ingredients
waterpentylene glycolniacinamide12-hexanediolethylhexylglycerinsodium phytate
Only in COSRX (9)
butylene glycolacetyl glucosaminezinc pcatrehalosexanthan gumpullulanallantoincitric acidtocopherol
Only in EQQUALBERRY (20)
dipropylene glycoltranexamic aciddiglycerinlimnanthes alba (meadowfoam) seed oilcoptis japonica root extracteriobotrya japonica leaf extractmentha viridis (spearmint) extractlithospermum officinale root extractchitosanrubus fruticosus (blackberry) fruit extractrubus idaeus (raspberry) fruit extractsambucus nigra fruit extractvaccinium angustifolium (blueberry) fruit extractvaccinium macrocarpon (cranberry) fruit extracthyaluronic acidhydrolyzed hyaluronic acidvinyl dimethiconepropanediolsilicaammonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/vp copolymer

User Feedback Patterns

COSRX
Oil control standout

Users consistently report significant reduction in daytime oil and shine. Many describe it as the best niacinamide serum they have tried for sebum control.

Lightweight texture praised

Unlike some high-concentration serums, this absorbs quickly without tackiness or residue. Layers well under other products.

Small bottle concern

The 20ml size (vs. 30ml standard) is a common gripe, especially given the price point.

Pore improvement takes time

Users report visible pore improvement around the 3-4 week mark with consistent twice-daily use.

EQQUALBERRY
Gentle on skin

Users report no irritation despite the active-heavy formula. Tranexamic acid is generally well tolerated even by sensitive skin types.

Mixed efficacy for dark spots

Some users see visible improvement in dark spots within weeks. Others report the cream did not deliver as advertised for their specific pigmentation concerns.

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