Korean Cica Cream Marketing: How 4 Key Ingredients Challenge Premium Pricing
BeauticsLab
November 10, 2025
Table of Contents
"5,000 won at Daiso, 23,200 won at Olive Young. Same cica cream - same ingredients?"
The price difference is 4.6x. However, both products contain the same 4 key ingredients: madecassoside, ceramide NP, panthenol, and peptides.
Analysis Data:
- Period: Week 45, 2025 (Second week of November)
- Products: Dr. Oracle Curesona Recovering Relaxing Cream (Daiso), The Haruhynai Cica-Aid Cream (Olive Young)
- Method: Product ingredient list + BeauticsLab AI database
Product Overview: Daiso vs Olive Young🔗
Both products are in the soothing cream category and contain 4 key ingredients.
Basic Information Comparison🔗
| Category | Daiso Dr. Oracle | Olive Young The Haruhynai |
|---|---|---|
| Retailer | Daiso | Olive Young |
| Brand | Dr. Oracle | The Haruhynai |
| Product Name | Curesona Recovering Relaxing Cream | Cica-Aid Cream (#1 Cream) |
| Price/Volume | 5,000 won / 60ml | 23,200 won / 130ml (100ml+30ml set) |
| Per-Unit Price | 83 won/ml | 178 won/ml |
| Concept | Rapid care for irritated, tired skin | Skin barrier strengthening |
The Daiso product is 2.1x cheaper per ml. The total price difference (5,000 won vs 23,200 won) reflects both volume difference and brand value.
Price Comparison: Looking at Per-ml Cost🔗
Volume-adjusted Pricing🔗
If we adjust the Daiso product (60ml) to match the Olive Young volume (130ml):
- Daiso 130ml equivalent price: approx. 10,790 won
- Olive Young 130ml actual price: 23,200 won
The Daiso product is 2.1x cheaper on a volume-equivalent basis.
BeauticsLab AI Database Results🔗
Among face creams containing all four ingredients (madecassoside, ceramide NP, panthenol, peptides):
| Rank | Brand | Product | Volume | Price | Per-ml Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Daiso | Dr. Oracle | Curesona Recovering Relaxing Cream | 60ml | 5,000 won | 83 won/ml |
| OY #1 | The Haruhynai | Cica-Aid Cream | 130ml | 23,200 won | 178 won/ml |
| #2 | NEULAM | Derma Cream MD | 120g | 23,220 won | 194 won/g |
| #3 | Centellian24 | Madeca Cream Time Reverse | 80ml | 20,900 won | 261 won/ml |
| #4 | Dr.G | Red Blemish Soothing Cream | 100ml | 27,600 won | 276 won/ml |
Conclusion: The Daiso product is 2.1x cheaper than the comparable Olive Young product (The Haruhynai).
Core Ingredient Analysis: All 4 Key Ingredients Included🔗
Both products contain core ingredients for soothing + moisturizing + barrier strengthening + elasticity.
Common Ingredients (Verified by Olive Young DB)🔗
| Ingredient Name | EWG Grade | Function (DB) | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Madecassoside | 1 | Antioxidant, Skin protectant, Skin conditioning | Soothing |
| Ceramide NP | 1 | Hair conditioning, Skin conditioning | Barrier Strengthening |
| Panthenol | 1 | Hair conditioning, Solvent, Skin conditioning (Humectant) | Moisturizing |
| Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 | 1-2 | Skin conditioning (Humectant) | Elasticity |
All core ingredients are EWG grade 1-2, confirming their safety profile.
Other Key Ingredients🔗
| Category | Dr. Oracle | The Haruhynai |
|---|---|---|
| Antioxidant | Tocopherol (EWG 1-2) | Tocopherol (EWG 1-2) |
| Moisturizing Base | Glycerin, Dipropylene Glycol | Glycerin, Butylene Glycol |
| Emulsion System | Cetearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate | Glyceryl Stearate |
| Preservative | Phenoxyethanol | Phenoxyethanol |
Key Difference: Fragrance🔗
Dr. Oracle - Contains 10 Essential Oils🔗
Includes 10 natural essential oils:
- Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil
- Coriander Fruit Oil
- Spearmint Leaf Oil
- Eucalyptus Leaf Oil
- Salvia Oil
- Cornmint Oil
- Patchouli Oil
- Bergamot Oil
- Cymbopogon Martini Oil
- Orange Peel Oil
Caution: Patch test recommended for those sensitive to fragrances
The Haruhynai - Minimal Fragrance🔗
According to Olive Young DB, The Haruhynai has no explicit essential oils.
| Comparison | Dr. Oracle | The Haruhynai |
|---|---|---|
| Essential Oils | 10 types | Minimal |
| Fragrance Sensitive | Patch test required | Relatively safe |
| Fragrance-free Preference | Not recommended | Recommended |
Selection Guide🔗
| Selection Criteria | Daiso Product Recommended | Olive Young Product Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| Price Priority | 5,000 won (83 won/ml) | 23,200 won (178 won/ml) |
| Fragrance Preference | Natural essential oil scent preferred | Fragrance-free preferred |
| Fragrance Sensitivity | Caution needed | Relatively safe |
| Brand Trust | Limited verified data | Olive Young #1 cream |
| Volume Preference | Small volume (60ml) | Large volume (130ml) |
Considerations When Choosing🔗
1. If you have fragrance sensitivity- Dr. Oracle: 10 essential oils → Patch test essential
- The Haruhynai: Minimal fragrance → Relatively safe
- Daiso Dr. Oracle: 83 won/ml (2.1x cheaper than The Haruhynai)
- Olive Young The Haruhynai: 178 won/ml
- Dr. Oracle: Limited review data
- The Haruhynai: Olive Young #1 cream
- Dr. Oracle: Try at 5,000 won with minimal commitment
- The Haruhynai: 23,200 won
Conclusion🔗
Daiso Dr. Oracle Curesona Cream and Olive Young The Haruhynai Cica-Aid Cream both contain all 4 key ingredients, but ingredient concentrations and fragrance compositions differ.
Key Summary🔗
| Comparison Basis | Daiso Dr. Oracle | Olive Young The Haruhynai |
|---|---|---|
| Core 4 Ingredients | ✅ Madecassoside, Ceramide NP, Panthenol, Peptides | ✅ Madecassoside, Ceramide NP, Panthenol, Peptides |
| Price Difference | 83 won/ml (2.1x cheaper) | 178 won/ml (comparable product) |
| Fragrance | 10 essential oils | Minimal fragrance |
| Recommended For | Price-conscious, natural scent preferred | Fragrance-sensitive, brand trust |
If you prioritize cost-effectiveness over ingredients and don't mind natural essential oil scents, Dr. Oracle is suitable. If you have fragrance sensitivity or prefer verified brands, The Haruhynai is suitable.
Important Note: Both products contain the same 4 key ingredients, but ingredient concentrations and overall formulations may differ. Ingredient presence alone cannot determine product efficacy, so individual testing based on personal skin conditions is necessary.
FAQ🔗
Q. Does a 5,000 won product actually work?A. The 4 core ingredients (madecassoside, ceramide NP, panthenol, peptides) are verified ingredients. All are EWG grade 1-2, with scientifically proven efficacy. However, due to limited review data for the overall product, individual testing is necessary to determine personal effectiveness.
Q. What's the actual difference between Olive Young and Daiso products?A. Both products contain the 4 core ingredients, but the following differences exist:
- Ingredient concentrations: Concentration and amounts of each ingredient may vary
- Fragrance: Daiso product has 10 essential oils, Olive Young product has minimal fragrance
- Price: Daiso product is 2.1x cheaper per ml (83 won vs 178 won)
- Brand: Olive Young product is verified as OY's #1 cream
A. If you don't have fragrance sensitivity, they're not problematic. In fact, they're an advantage for those who prefer natural scents. However, if you have fragrance allergies or sensitive skin:
- Patch test essential
- Or choose The Haruhynai with minimal fragrance
A. They handle the core functions of cica creams:
- Madecassoside: Soothing (skin protectant)
- Ceramide NP: Barrier strengthening (skin conditioning)
- Panthenol: Moisturizing (humectant)
- Peptides: Elasticity (skin conditioning)
According to Olive Young DB, only 27 products contain all 4 ingredients, and the Daiso product is the cheapest.
Q. Can I use both?A. Yes, you can alternate depending on the situation:
- Daily use: Daiso product (cost-effective)
- Sensitive skin: Olive Young product (minimal fragrance)
Alternatively, you could test with the Daiso product first, then purchase the larger-volume Olive Young product if satisfied.
This article is based on Week 45 (second week of November) 2025 data. Dr. Oracle product information was verified from product images and provided ingredient lists, while The Haruhynai data utilized the Olive Young official database. Please verify your skin condition and any allergies when selecting products.
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