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

Butylene Glycol

Humectant, Masking, Skin Conditioning

Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:

Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.

Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.

Learn more about Butylene Glycol

Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride

Masking, Skin Conditioning

This ingredient is an emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.

It helps thicken a product's formula and makes it easier to spread by dissolving clumping compounds.

Caprylic Triglyceride is made by combining glycerin with coconut oil, forming a clear liquid.

While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this.

Learn more about Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride

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

Glyceryl Stearate

Emollient, Emulsifying

Glyceryl Stearate is a mix of glycerin and stearic acid.

It is used to stabilize the mixing of water and oil ingredients. By preventing these ingredients from separating, it can help elongate shelf life. It can also help thicken the product's texture.

As an emollient, it helps soften skin and supports barrier-replenishing ingredients.

In cosmetics, Glyceryl Stearate is often made from vegetable oils or synthetically produced.

This ingredient may not be fungal-acne safe

Fun fact: The human body also creates Glyceryl Stearate naturally.

Learn more about Glyceryl Stearate

Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate

Skin Conditioning

Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate is an ester of lauric acid and Polyglycerin-10.

Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate is a cleansing agent and emulsifier. It helps gather dirt, oil, and other pollutants to be rinsed away. As an emulsifier, it helps prevent ingredients from separating, such as oil and water.

Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate may not be fungal acne safe.

Learn more about Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate

Ethylhexylglycerin

Skin Conditioning

Ethylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.

You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.

Ingredient Ratings

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

Black Rice Probiotics Barrier Essence

Skin Barrier Calming Lotion

When to use

Haruharu Wonder Black Rice Probiotics Barrier Essence 48 ingredients

ongredients Skin Barrier Calming Lotion 32 ingredients

340 Routines

45% use in am

55% use in pm

93% use every day

When to use See routines that use it ->

111 Routines

50% use in am

50% use in pm

88% use every day

When to use See routines that use it ->

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Haruharu Wonder Black Rice Probiotics Barrier Essence 48 ingredients

4.3 /5

from 7 ratings

Works Well (4) Absorbs Well (3) No Scent (3)

mikey

7 months ago

Review

This product was so good for keeping my skin hydrated during the day that i tested it but straight away the morning after I noticed an angry spot on my chin, I knew it would happen but just wanted to see how it performed as its intended.

left my skin not greasy, but hydrated looking, and didn’t exert any more oil production than i expected throughout the day.

once again this product is such Show more

Haruharu Wonder

Black Rice Probiotics Barrier Essence

verenski

8 months ago

Review

Absolutely wonderful for damaged or dry skin. The milky texture is great and it soaks into the skin very well.

#absorbs well

#no scent

#works well

Haruharu Wonder

Black Rice Probiotics Barrier Essence

ongredients Skin Barrier Calming Lotion 32 ingredients

3.0 /5

from 1 rating

Absorbs Well (1) Hydrating (1) Light (1)

judith yeoh

2 months ago

Review

Scentless, quick to absorb, non sticky. I'm not sure why this was rated 2/100 for me, but I've been using this for more than a month and I've seen my skin improve. Will keep using it to see what happens.

Update: I've been using this product since late January and at first I thought it was doing a good job, but I noticed little bumps on my cheeks and forehead recently. I will continue to Show more

#hydrating

#light

#absorbs well

#light scent