COSRX One Step Green Hero Calming Pad Versus I'm from Mugwort Cream

Research shows it can encourage your skin cells to turn over and renew by stimulating keratinocyte and fibroblast proliferation.

It also has mild keratolytic properties to help loosen and shed dead skin cells without being harsh.

Studies also suggest allantoin can help calm inflammation by dialing down some of the chemical signals your skin sends out when it is irritated.

This ingredient is typically used in the 0.1-0.5% range, and the FDA recognizes it as a skin protectant in OTC products up to 2%.

Overall, allantoin is a wonderful addition to most routines; it is stable across a wide pH range (~4-8), works well with other ingredients, and is considered non-sensitizing/non-irritating.

Fun fact: Allantoin is naturally occurring in comfrey root, beets, chamomile, and wheat sprouts. Our bodies even produce it as a byproduct of uric acid metabolism.

It also acts as an antioxidant. It switched on the skin's own protective enzymes that help mop up free radicals in skin cells.

The barrier side is worth mentioning as well; a 2017 study found this extract boosted two proteins your skin needs for a strong, hydrated barrier (Filaggrin and Loricrin). This is likely why mugwort products tend to ease dryness and flaking in conditions like eczema.

Separate-skin moisture testing on volunteers showed a measurable jump in water content one hour after applying an Artemisia extract.

Just keep in mind most of this evidence sits at the cell-culture and animal-model level, and human data is stronger for Artemisia annua than Artemisia princeps.

This ingredient shows real promise and there's little downside to including it as a supporting player in your routine.

Controlled studies tested the extract roughly between 0.1-1% on cells and finished cosmetics generally use botanical extracts like this in low single digits.

Though this ingredient is generally well-tolerated, people with sensitivities toward mugwort or ragweed should patch test.