Korean Skincare Mystery: Why Two 'Partion' Products Cost 7X Different - Manufacturer & Ingredient Analysis

The Same "Partion" Brand, But Completely Different Products🔗

"Why does Olive Young's Partion cost ₩34,000 while Daiso's Partion costs only ₩5,000?"

This question went viral on Twitter with 1.8 million views. However, these are completely different products. They only share the brand name - the manufacturers, ingredients, and purposes are entirely different.

Product Overview: Same "Partion" Name, Different Companies🔗

Many consumers are confused by this. Olive Young's Partion and Daiso's Partion are separate products from entirely different manufacturers, sharing only the brand name.

Basic Product Comparison🔗

Key Difference #1: Completely Different Product Purposes🔗

While both products fall under the broad category of trouble care, they address different skin concerns.

Olive Young Partion: Hyperpigmentation & Trace Improvement Specialist🔗

Partion Noscanine's product name explicitly states "Trace Ampoule". Its primary purpose is improving post-acne hyperpigmentation after blemishes have healed.

Core Functional Ingredients (out of 61 total ingredients)🔗

Additional Ingredients: Niacinamide (whitening·pores), Panthenol (soothing), Mugwort Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Green Tea Extract, and numerous hydration·soothing ingredients

Cosmax's Technical Expertise: Formulating Tranexamic Acid + Arbutin + Vitamin C in one product requires advanced technology. These ingredients can oxidize or lose effectiveness due to pH changes, making the formulation ratio and stabilization system critical.

Daiso Partion: Overall Brightening, Hydration & Soothing Focus🔗

Daiso Partion First Step focuses on overall brightening with high niacinamide content, along with hydration and soothing.

Core Ingredients (based on full ingredient list)🔗

• Niacinamide (4th position): MFDS-notified whitening functional ingredient, high concentration (estimated 1-3%) - Whitening, pore improvement, skin barrier repair
• 5 Types of Hyaluronic Acid: Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Potassium Hyaluronate, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
• Ferulic Acid (28th position): Antioxidant, whitening synergy
• Glutathione (29th position): Antioxidant, whitening
• Mugwort Extract: Soothing, antioxidant
• Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract: Soothing, regeneration
• Green Tea Extract: Antioxidant, soothing
• White Willow Bark Extract: Exfoliation care
• Panthenol: Soothing, hydration
• Zinc PCA: Sebum control

Characteristics: While lacking hyperpigmentation-specific ingredients (Tranexamic Acid, Arbutin, Vitamin C derivatives), it offers overall brightening effects through high niacinamide content. Ferulic Acid and Glutathione are positioned earlier than in Olive Young's product.

Ingredient Comparison Summary🔗

Key Difference #2: Why the Price Difference?🔗

It's not simply "expensive manufacturing = expensive price." Multiple factors are at play.

1. Ingredient Cost Difference🔗

2. Manufacturer Capability Difference🔗

Cosmax Co., Ltd.: Manufactures premium brands like Sulwhasoo, Whoo, and Laneige. Specializes in high-functional cosmetics manufacturing.

CosmoCos: Budget-friendly product specialist manufacturer. Handles Daiso and select mid-to-low price brands.

3. Volume Difference🔗

• Olive Young: 45ml (30ml main product + 15ml promotional product)
• Daiso: 30ml

4. Distribution Channel Difference🔗

Actual User Response Analysis🔗

Analysis of 5,083 reviews for Olive Young Partion Noscanine.

Positive Reviews (Rating 4.8/5.0)🔗

Efficacy:

• "The traces from trouble also improved. You can really see it getting better with continued use"
• "I saw effects on both soothing and trace improvement"
• "My son had trouble and acne, and it really helped after using this product"

Irritation:

• "Gentle with no irritation" (multiple reviews)
• "No problems for sensitive skin"

Negative Reviews🔗

Price:

• "The price is too expensive ㅠㅠ" (most common complaint)
• "Repurchasing makes my hands tremble"
• "Seems effective but the price is too high"

Efficacy:

• "Didn't feel significant changes, maybe need to apply more consistently"
• "Questionable effect on traces.. Can't use in winter, summer product only"

Twitter Comment Analysis🔗

Daiso Version Users:

1. "Functional ingredients sometimes irritate skin, but Daiso is worry-free in that aspect"
2. "Settled as my go-to product when hormonal acne flares up"

Objective Evaluations:

1. "These two products are clearly different in ingredients and usage experience"
2. "Choice seems to vary based on individual skin concerns and budget"

Economic Perspective:

1. "No matter how good and expensive the manufacturing, my wallet situation is difficult"
2. "May not appeal to oily teen/early 20s demographics if unnecessary"

Who Should Use Which? Target Recommendations🔗

Olive Young Partion Noscanine - Recommended For:🔗

✅ Recommended if you:

• Have acne traces·hyperpigmentation as main concern
• Want whitening·brightening effects
• Have skin that tolerates functional ingredients well
• Prioritize efficacy over price

❌ Not recommended if you:

• Want value-for-money products (₩34,000 burden)
• Want immediate effects (requires consistent use)
• Have experienced irritation from functional ingredients
• Only need basic hydration·soothing

Daiso Partion First Step - Recommended For:🔗

✅ Recommended if you:

• Have trouble redness·soothing as main concern
• Want overall brightening effects (high niacinamide content)
• Prioritize value-for-money
• Have oily skin (intensive 5 types hyaluronic acid hydration)
• Need hormonal acne soothing
• Prefer "easy-to-apply" texture (high hyaluronic acid concentration)

❌ Not recommended if you:

• Want intensive hyperpigmentation·trace improvement (lacks Tranexamic Acid, Arbutin)
• Have experienced flushing with niacinamide
• Want multi-layered whitening mechanism

Frequently Asked Questions🔗

Q. Why are two products called "Partion" made by different manufacturers?

A. Olive Young's Partion Noscanine is manufactured by Cosmax Co., Ltd. and Dong-A Pharmaceutical, while Daiso's Partion First Step is manufactured by CosmoCos. Same brand name doesn't mean same company product. It's presumed that different companies are using the "Partion" brand separately.

Q. Why is the Olive Young product expensive?

A. It contains 5 types of premium whitening functional ingredients including Tranexamic Acid, Arbutin, and Vitamin C derivatives, and requires technical expertise to formulate them stably. Also, the volume is 45ml (30+15 promotional set), more than Daiso's 30ml.

Q. Is the Daiso product effective?

A. Daiso Partion is effective for hydration, soothing, and overall brightening. High niacinamide content (4th position) helps with skin tone improvement and pore care, while 5 types of Hyaluronic Acid and Centella Asiatica Extract reduce trouble redness and provide moisture. However, without intensive hyperpigmentation ingredients (Tranexamic Acid, Arbutin, Vitamin C derivatives), specialized effects for pigmented marks are lower compared to Olive Young's product.

Q. What does "easy to apply" mean in the Twitter thread?

A. Daiso Partion's "easy-to-apply" texture comes from high concentration Hyaluronic Acid + high molecular thickeners. Hyaluronic Acid absorbs water to form a gel, creating a smooth, gliding sensation when applied to skin. This is a natural difference in product design, not a matter of better or worse.

Q. Can I use both?

A. Yes, possible. For example:

• Morning: Daiso Partion (hydration·soothing)
• Evening: Olive Young Partion (trace improvement)

Or based on skin condition:

• During active trouble: Daiso (non-irritating soothing)
• After trouble subsides: Olive Young (trace improvement)

Q. Are all Cosmax products expensive?

A. No. Cosmax manufactures premium products like Sulwhasoo and Whoo, but also mid-to-low price products. Product price is determined by the formula and ingredient quality set by the brand company. Even products from the same manufacturer can have significant price differences based on ingredient composition.

Conclusion: Not "Expensive vs Cheap" but "What Are My Skin Concerns?"🔗

Olive Young Partion Noscanine and Daiso Partion First Step are entirely different products.

Key Summary🔗

Final Selection Guide🔗

1. What are my skin concerns?

• Intensive hyperpigmentation·trace improvement → Olive Young
• Overall brightening·redness·hydration → Daiso

2. What's my budget?

• Efficacy-focused (₩34,000 acceptable) → Olive Young
• Value-focused (₩5,000 preferred) → Daiso

3. Niacinamide experience?

• Niacinamide tolerant + want multi-layered functional → Olive Young
• Experienced flushing with niacinamide → Caution for both

There's no one right answer. Both products are well-made for their respective purposes. What matters is choosing based on your skin concerns and budget.

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