What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Ingredients Side-by-side
Artemisia Princeps Extract
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycereth-26
Humectant
Erythritol
Humectant
Betaine
Humectant
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract
Masking
Piper Methysticum Leaf/Root/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Propanediol
Solvent
Beta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
Buffering1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Artemisia Princeps Extract, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Glycereth-26, Erythritol, Betaine, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Piper Methysticum Leaf/Root/Stem Extract, Panthenol, Propanediol, Beta-Glucan, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Ceramide NP, Allantoin, Carbomer, Tromethamine, 1,2-Hexanediol
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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
Artemisia Princeps Extract comes from the Japanese mugwort. This plant has been used in East Asian medicine for a long time and it earns its place in modern formulas as a soothing and barrier-supporting ingredient.
Lab studies show its flavonoid compounds (like eupatilin and jaceosidin) can calm inflammation by switching off one of the main "alarm" signals inside skin cells (NF-kB) and turning down several of the chemicals that drive redness and swelling.
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.
Learn more about Artemisia Princeps ExtractButylene 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 GlycolGlycerin (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum.
Topically, glycerin does several things at once:
Your skin makes glycerin on its own (mostly from sebaceous oil breakdown) and shuttles it to your outermost layer of skin, or your epidermis, via aquaporin-3.
Aquaporin-3 is a transporter that is essential for normal skin hydration, elasticity, and repair. Interestingly, mice lacking in AQP3 have dry and less elastic skin that can be fully corrected with glycerin.
This ingredient is non-irritating, plays well with almost every ingredient, and works across all skin types. Typical use is anywhere between 3-10% but can go up to 79% in some leave-on products.
Just know very high concentrations (>40%) can feel tacky in low humidity.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinPropanediol 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
