Lately, I've been leaning into more mindful skincare choices, and I’m excited to share two vegan serums that I’ve added to my routine, the Vegreen Skin Barrier Reishi Serum and Fragrance-Free Cica Serum. Since I’ve been alternating them for the past few weeks, I wanted to do a side-by-side comparison to help you decide which one might be right for your skin.

Skin Context

Skin type : Dry, tight, and occasionally acne-prone (especially clogged pores and breakouts)

Climate : Seasonal, currently a bit dry and slightly warm

Routine : Water rinse → Ma:nyo Cleanser → Isntree Hyaluronic Acid Toner → Either Serum → Ceramide Cream

Side-by-side Comparison

The Vegreen Reishi Serum and Cica Serum serve different primary purposes, though they share the same clean, vegan approach. The Reishi Serum is designed with skin barrier repair and early anti-aging in mind, making it a great option if you’re looking to improve skin resilience or gently begin wrinkle care. In contrast, the Cica Serum focuses more on soothing and calming irritated skin, offering lightweight hydration that's ideal for those dealing with redness or sensitivity.

In terms of hero ingredients, the Reishi Serum features 65% Ganoderma Lucidum (Reishi Mushroom) extract, known for its antioxidant and barrier-supportive properties. Meanwhile, the Cica Serum contains a higher 70.7% concentration of Centella Asiatica Leaf Water, which is widely loved for its calming and anti-inflammatory benefits.

Texture-wise, the Reishi Serum is slightly thicker than the Cica one, though both are lightweight and absorb easily into the skin. The Reishi has a mildly earthy scent, reminiscent of dried mushrooms or leaves that fades quickly and isn’t overpowering. On the other hand, the Cica Serum is completely fragrance-free, which makes it a better pick for those with fragrance sensitivities or highly reactive skin.

When applied, the Reishi Serum feels a bit more emollient, with a silky finish that still isn’t sticky. The Cica Serum feels incredibly light and refreshing, absorbing almost instantly and leaving no residue at all. Both come in 50ml pump bottles, but the Reishi Serum has a taller design while the Cica version is slightly wider, a small difference, but both are far more convenient than droppers.

If you're looking to start anti-aging or need something nourishing for drier days, the Reishi Serum would be a better fit. If you're more focused on calming irritated skin or dealing with frequent breakouts and redness, the Cica Serum is likely the more effective and gentle option.

My Experience

 Cica Serum, Calming Comfort in a Bottle

The Fragrance-Free Cica Serum was a standout during days when my skin felt irritated or when I had active breakouts. I loved how light and refreshing it felt perfect for both morning and night. I could layer it without any stickiness, and when I applied it multiple times during a breakout, it noticeably reduced redness and inflammation.

It didn’t clog my pores or feel heavy under moisturizer, and I appreciated its fragrance-free formulation. It became my go-to for daily soothing, especially in transitional weather when my skin tends to act up.

Reishi Serum, Gentle Barrier Support & Beginner Wrinkle Care

On the other hand, the Skin Barrier Reishi Serum has a slightly richer texture, which I actually welcomed on drier days. It contains fermented extracts and multiple types of mushrooms, which made it feel a bit more nourishing and subtly hydrating. While I didn’t see dramatic wrinkle improvement (to be fair, I’m just starting to explore anti-aging), I felt like it gave my skin a stronger, bouncier feel after a few weeks of use.

Though it has a mild earthy scent, it didn’t linger or irritate my skin. It’s also a good introduction to barrier-repairing, antioxidant-rich products if you’re starting to think about preventative aging care.

Final Thoughts : Which One Wins?

If I had to choose just one, I’d probably reach for the Cica Serum more often simply because it fits so seamlessly into my current routine and handles my acne-prone, sensitive skin beautifully. It’s great for morning use and layering without feeling greasy.

However, I still reach for the Reishi Serum when my skin feels particularly dry, tight, or in need of reinforcement, especially at night when I want something a little richer but still light.

The Verdict

Choose Cica if : Your skin is sensitive, acne-prone, or you’re after a lightweight everyday hydrator that soothes redness.

Choose Reishi if : You want to strengthen your skin barrier, start gentle anti-aging care, or need a light oil-free serum for dry days.

Both are vegan, mild, and thoughtfully formulated, and I love that they come in pump bottles (so much better than droppers!). These might be the first vegan serums I’ve used, but they’ve definitely made me curious to try more.