Water. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.

So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.

You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!

Learn more about Water

Propanediol

Solvent

Propanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.

It’s often used to:

Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.

Learn more about Propanediol

1,2-Hexanediol

Skin Conditioning, Solvent

1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.

It is a:

Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
Emollient, helping to soften skin
Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservatives

Glycerin

Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting

Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.

A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.

As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.

Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.

Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.

In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.

This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.

Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.

Learn more about Glycerin

Hydrogenated Lecithin

Emulsifying, Skin Conditioning

Hydrogenated Lecithin is created from the hydrogenation of lecithin (a group of phospholipids). Hydrogenation is a chemical reaction between hydrogen and another element.

This ingredient is an emollient and emulsifier. As an emollient, it helps soften skin by trapping moisture within. As an emulsifier, it prevents oil and water ingredients from separating.

Panthenol

Skin Conditioning

Panthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.

There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.

D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.

Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):

Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.

This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.

Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.

This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.

Learn more about Panthenol

Citric Acid

Buffering, Masking

Citric Acid is an AHA derived from citrus fruits (think oranges, lemons, and limes!).

As an AHA, Citric Acid removes the top layer of skin cells from the newer layer of skin underneath. This helps skin to remove dark spots and even out skin tone.

If you spot Citric Acid near the end of an ingredient list, it's likely there as a pH adjuster rather than an active ingredient.

Read more about some other popular AHA's here:

Learn more about Citric Acid

Ceramide NP

Skin Conditioning

Ceramide NP is a type of ceramide.

Ceramides are intercellular lipids naturally found in our skin that bonds dead skin cells together to create a barrier. They are known for their ability to hold water and thus are a great ingredient for dry skin.

Ceramides are an important building block for our skin barrier. A stronger barrier helps the skin look more firm and hydrated. By bolstering the skin ceramides act as a barrier against irritating ingredients. This can help with inflammation as well.

If you would like to eat ceramides, sweet potatoes contain a small amount.

Read more about other common types of ceramides here: Ceramide AP Ceramide EOP

Learn more about Ceramide NP

Ingredient Ratings

Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.

Glow Replenishing Rice Milk

Honey Milk Hydrating Essence

When to use

Beauty of Joseon Glow Replenishing Rice Milk 30 ingredients

Farmacy Honey Milk Hydrating Essence 27 ingredients

997 Routines

54% use in am

46% use in pm

95% use every day

When to use See routines that use it ->

131 Routines

48% use in am

52% use in pm

97% use every day

When to use See routines that use it ->

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Beauty of Joseon Glow Replenishing Rice Milk 30 ingredients

3.7 /5

from 23 ratings

Light (13) Works Well (11) Hydrating (11)

Kira

9 months ago

Review

One of the best hydrating and tightening toner. Helped with hyperpigmentation to. Brighten my skin and made my skin feel amazing. I really recommed it

#great value

#hydrating

#light

#absorbs well

Beauty of Joseon

Glow Replenishing Rice Milk

Charley Pennington

10 months ago

Review

In love with korean cos, so many magical creams, serums, toners, etc. I myself had to experiment for quite a while to hrmonize this amount of products, now I combine better and understabd my skin. Thank you so much for magical products!!!

#great value

#hydrating

#works well

Beauty of Joseon

Glow Replenishing Rice Milk

Farmacy Honey Milk Hydrating Essence 27 ingredients

4.5 /5

from 2 ratings

No Scent (2) Hydrating (2) Works Well (2)

Dorothy Gommel

1 month ago

Review

So I think this feels fabulous as it goes on the skin. It does feel tacky as it dries down,almost like a primer. So I actually haven’t had to use anything but this to get the same effect! If you are a dry skin girly you will enjoy, however oily girls may want to beware and don’t overdo. It does have a bit of sheen to it as it dries but looks great. (Again..mature dry girl here!) there is no scent Show more

#hydrating

#heavy

#sticky

#no scent

Farmacy

Honey Milk Hydrating Essence

A W

3 months ago

Review

Super hydrating, yet oil free and only one ingredient that's not quite fungal acne safe. I'm super impressed. I'll probably use this forever. It's really difficult to find any product like this. My skin is combo (leaning towards oily), acne-prone, and dehydrated during the winter.

#great value

#hydrating

#light

#absorbs well

Farmacy

Honey Milk Hydrating Essence