Hourglass Cosmetics Equilibrium Restoring Essence Versus Fresh Kombucha Antioxidant Facial Treatment Essence
Overview
What they are
These products are both reef safe essences. They have a total of 9 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain hyaluronic acid
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, reducing pores and scar healing
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, parabens, silicones or sulfates
We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that needs an update? Let us know.
Ingredient Info
Hourglass Cosmetics Equilibrium Restoring Essence 19 ingredients
Fresh Kombucha Antioxidant Facial Treatment Essence 28 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Hourglass Cosmetics Equilibrium Restoring Essence 19 ingredients
Fresh Kombucha Antioxidant Facial Treatment Essence 28 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningAlteromonas Ferment Extract
Skin ConditioningCalcium Gluconate
HumectantCalcium PCA
Humectant
Capryloyl Glycine
CleansingCitric Acid
Buffering
Ectoin
Skin Conditioning
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Hydroxyectoin
BufferingLecithin
EmollientPhosphatidylglycerol
Sodium Citrate
BufferingSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Water
Skin ConditioningSaccharomyces Ferment Filtrate
HumectantGlycerin
Humectant
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPolyglycerin-3
HumectantKigelia Africana Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Unshiu Peel Extract
MaskingSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Diglycerin
HumectantPEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Parfum
Masking
Disodium EDTA
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Citrate
BufferingBHT
Antioxidant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Biotin
AntiseborrhoeicPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Linalool
Perfuming
Citronellol
Perfuming
Geraniol
Perfuming
Water, Saccharomyces Ferment Filtrate, Glycerin, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Pentylene Glycol, Polyglycerin-3, Kigelia Africana Fruit Extract, Citrus Unshiu Peel Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Adenosine, Tocopheryl Acetate, Tocopherol, Butylene Glycol, Diglycerin, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Sodium Benzoate, Parfum, Disodium EDTA, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Sodium Citrate, BHT, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Biotin, Phenoxyethanol, Linalool, Citronellol, Geraniol
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 WaterButylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
- It is a solvent, meaning that it helps to dissolve other ingredients. This also enhances the absorption of the product into one's skin.
- It is a humectant, which means that it helps attract moisture into the skin.
- It helps improve product application.
- It has mild preservative properties.
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Pentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.
The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.
This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can also help thicken or stabilize a product.
Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.
Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.
Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolCitric 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 AcidGlycerin 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 GlycerinSodium Citrate is the sodium salts of citric acid. In skincare, it is used to alter pH levels and acts as a preservative.
Its main functions are to maintain the pH of a product and neutralize metal ions.
The acidity of our skin is maintained by our glands and skin biome; normal pH level of skin is slightly acidic (~4.75-5.5).
Being slightly acidic allows our skin to create an "acid mantle". This acid mantle is a thin barrier that protects our skin from bacteria and contaminants.
Learn more about Sodium CitrateSodium Hyaluronate is hyaluronic acid's salt form. It is commonly derived from the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid.
Like hyaluronic acid, it is great at holding water and acts as a humectant. This makes it a great skin hydrating ingredient.
Sodium Hyaluronate is naturally occurring in our bodies and is mostly found in eye fluid and joints.
These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronatePhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Sodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Hourglass Cosmetics Equilibrium Restoring Essence 19 ingredients
Fresh Kombucha Antioxidant Facial Treatment Essence 28 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Hourglass Cosmetics Equilibrium Restoring Essence 19 ingredients
I really love this product and would have given it a higher rating if not for the price increase since I last purchased it. I paid approx $76CDN a year and a half ago and it has gone up to $90CDN; that’s a huge increase in my opinion. The packing is solid and feels great in my hand; it’s not flimsy and easy to drop. The essence is not quite water and not quite gel… it’s a viscous liquid that Show more
Fresh Kombucha Antioxidant Facial Treatment Essence 28 ingredients
This essence was okay. For the price point, I definitely believe that there are better FTEs out there with more competitive pricing.
I can’t figure this one out. There isn’t anything that should irritate me besides the perfume, but every time i use this, i get little white heads on my chin. Will possibly circle back and try again with other products.
