Serum
Essence
Korean South Korea
Korean South Korea

What's inside

What's inside

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

Show highlights for:

Water

Skin Conditioning

Glycerin

Humectant
0 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps brighten skin IconGood for Scar Healing IconGood for Barrier Repair Icon

Dipropylene Glycol

Humectant

Alcohol Denat.

Antimicrobial
Alcohol IconCan worsen Dry Skin IconMay worsen Eczema IconMay cause irritation IconMay worsen Oily Skin IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

1,2-Hexanediol

Skin Conditioning
Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Biosaccharide Gum-1

Humectant
Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Triethylhexanoin

Masking

Dimethicone

Emollient
1 / 0 Silicon Icon

Cyclopentasiloxane

Emollient
Silicon Icon

PEG-150

Humectant

Hydrogenated Lecithin

Emulsifying
Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Panthenol

Skin Conditioning
0 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps reduce irritation IconHelps reduce Skin Redness IconGood for Scar Healing IconGood for Barrier Repair Icon

Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer

Sorbitol

Humectant
0 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconGood for Barrier Repair Icon

Hydrogenated Polyisobutene

Emollient
1 / 2

PEG-5 Glyceryl Stearate

Emulsifying
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Panax Ginseng Root Extract

Emollient
Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps reduce irritation IconHelps reduce Skin Redness IconGood for Scar Healing Icon

Stearyl Alcohol

Emollient
2 / 2 Fatty Alcohol IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride

Masking
Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Butylene Glycol

Humectant
1 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Ophiopogon Japonicus Root Extract

Skin Conditioning

C14-22 Alcohols

Emulsion Stabilising
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Squalane

Emollient
1 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconGood for Barrier Repair Icon

Behenic Acid

Cleansing
0 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Rehmannia Glutinosa Root Extract

Skin Conditioning

Parfum

Masking
Fragrance IconMay worsen Eczema IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Lactobacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract

Skin Conditioning

Behenyl Alcohol

Emollient
Fatty Alcohol Icon

Polygonum Multiflorum Root Extract

Skin Conditioning

Stearic Acid

Cleansing
2-3 / 0 May worsen Oily Skin IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Theobroma Grandiflorum Seed Butter

Skin Conditioning
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Carbomer

Emulsion Stabilising
1 / 0

Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil

Emollient
Oil IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Asparagus Cochinchinensis Root Extract

Skin Conditioning

Polygonatum Officinale Rhizome/Root Extract

Skin Conditioning

Acanthopanax Senticosus Root Extract

Skin Conditioning

Arachidyl Glucoside

Emulsifying

Butyrospermum Parkii Butter

Skin Conditioning
Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconBad for Acne Prone Skin IconMay worsen Oily Skin IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Potassium Hydroxide

Buffering

Saccharomyces/Barley Seed Ferment Filtrate

Humectant

Saccharomyces/Potato Extract Ferment Filtrate

Humectant

Angelica Gigas Root Extract

Skin Conditioning

Glyceryl Stearate

Emollient
1 / 0 Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Myristic Acid

Cleansing
3 / 0 Bad for Acne Prone Skin IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Xanthan Gum

Emulsifying

Allium Tuberosum Seed Extract

Skin Conditioning

Poria Cocos Sclerotium Extract

Astringent

PEG-100 Stearate

0 / 0 Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Cornus Officinalis Fruit Extract

Skin Conditioning

Eucommia Ulmoides Bark Extract

Antioxidant
Antioxidant Icon

Lycium Chinense Fruit Extract

Antioxidant
Antioxidant IconHelps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

PEG-10 Phytosterol

Emulsifying

Schisandra Chinensis Fruit Extract

Skin Conditioning

Velvet Extract

Humectant

Achyranthes Bidentata Root Extract

Skin Conditioning

Angelica Acutiloba Root Extract

Skin Conditioning

Lecithin

Emollient
Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Polygala Tenuifolia Root Extract

Skin Conditioning

Thymus Vulgaris Extract

Perfuming
Fragrance Icon

Tribulus Terrestris Fruit Extract

Skin Conditioning

Trisodium EDTA

Angelica Tenuissima Root Extract

Skin Conditioning

Bupleurum Falcatum Root Extract

Skin Conditioning

Epimedium Koreanum Extract

Antimicrobial

Silica

Abrasive
Exfoliant IconMay worsen Eczema IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Ceramide NP

Skin Conditioning
Ceramide IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconHelps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps reduce irritation IconGood for Barrier Repair Icon

Cholesterol

Emollient
0 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconGood for Barrier Repair Icon

Cnidium Officinale Root Extract

Skin Conditioning

PEG-10 Rapeseed Sterol

Cleansing
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Platycodon Grandiflorus Root Extract

Antioxidant
Antioxidant Icon

Polysorbate 80

Emulsifying
0 / 0 May worsen Oily Skin IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Schizonepeta Tenuifolia Extract

Skin Conditioning

Tromethamine

Buffering

Glycolipids

Skin Conditioning

Saccharomyces/Xylinum/Black Tea Ferment

Skin Conditioning
Helps reduce irritation IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Tocopherol

Antioxidant
0-3 / 0-3 Vitamin E IconAntioxidant IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconHelps hydrate Dry Skin IconGood for Scar Healing IconGood for Barrier Repair Icon

Propagermanium

Skin Conditioning

Water, Glycerin, Dipropylene Glycol, Alcohol Denat., 1,2-Hexanediol, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Triethylhexanoin, Dimethicone, Cyclopentasiloxane, PEG-150, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Panthenol, Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, Sorbitol, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, PEG-5 Glyceryl Stearate, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Stearyl Alcohol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Butylene Glycol, Ophiopogon Japonicus Root Extract, C14-22 Alcohols, Squalane, Behenic Acid, Rehmannia Glutinosa Root Extract, Parfum, Lactobacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract, Behenyl Alcohol, Polygonum Multiflorum Root Extract, Stearic Acid, Theobroma Grandiflorum Seed Butter, Carbomer, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Asparagus Cochinchinensis Root Extract, Polygonatum Officinale Rhizome/Root Extract, Acanthopanax Senticosus Root Extract, Arachidyl Glucoside, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Potassium Hydroxide, Saccharomyces/Barley Seed Ferment Filtrate, Saccharomyces/Potato Extract Ferment Filtrate, Angelica Gigas Root Extract, Glyceryl Stearate, Myristic Acid, Xanthan Gum, Allium Tuberosum Seed Extract, Poria Cocos Sclerotium Extract, PEG-100 Stearate, Cornus Officinalis Fruit Extract, Eucommia Ulmoides Bark Extract, Lycium Chinense Fruit Extract, PEG-10 Phytosterol, Schisandra Chinensis Fruit Extract, Velvet Extract, Achyranthes Bidentata Root Extract, Angelica Acutiloba Root Extract, Lecithin, Polygala Tenuifolia Root Extract, Thymus Vulgaris Extract, Tribulus Terrestris Fruit Extract, Trisodium EDTA, Angelica Tenuissima Root Extract, Bupleurum Falcatum Root Extract, Epimedium Koreanum Extract, Silica, Ceramide NP, Cholesterol, Cnidium Officinale Root Extract, PEG-10 Rapeseed Sterol, Platycodon Grandiflorus Root Extract, Polysorbate 80, Schizonepeta Tenuifolia Extract, Tromethamine, Glycolipids, Saccharomyces/Xylinum/Black Tea Ferment, Tocopherol, Propagermanium

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

Skin Conditioning, Solvent

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

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 preservativesĀ 
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
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
Emollient, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting

Dimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz.

What it does:

Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:

Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.

Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.

This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.

Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.

Learn more about Dimethicone
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
Emollient, Skin Conditioning

Hydrogenated Polyisobutene is a synthetic polymer. Polymers are compounds with high molecular weight. Hydrogenated Polyisobutene is an emollient and texture enhancer.

In one study, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene showed better skin hydration levels than Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride. As an emollient, it helps keep your skin soft and hydrated by trapping moisture in.

Hydrogenated Polyisobutene is often used as a mineral oil replacement.

Learn more about Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
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
Masking, Perfuming

Parfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.

Also called "fragrance", this ingredient can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.

For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of ā€œFRAGRANCEā€ or ā€œPARFUMā€ according to EU and US regulations.

The term 'parfum' or 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term.

For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance by INCI standards.

One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.

Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.

Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.

The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.

Learn more about Parfum
Antioxidant, Masking, Skin Conditioning

Tocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.

Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skin’s lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.

Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.

You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.

There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.

Learn more about Tocopherol
Buffering, Masking

Tromethamine helps balance the pH and improve the texture of a product. It is synthetically created.

As an emulsifier, Tromethamine prevents oil and water ingredients from separating. This helps stabilize the product and elongate a product's shelf life. Tromethamine also makes a product thicker.

Tromethamine helps balance the pH level of a product. Normal pH level of skin is slightly acidic (~4.75-5.5). The acidity of our skin is maintained by our glands and skin biome. 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.

Oral Tromethanmine is an anti-inflammatory drug but plays the role of masking, adding fragrance, and/or balancing pH in skincare.

1,3-Propanediol, 2-amino-2-(hydroxymethyl)-

Learn more about Tromethamine
Skin Conditioning, Solvent

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
Emulsifying, Emulsion Stabilising, Gel Forming

Xanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.

On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.

Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.

Learn more about Xanthan Gum

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