Explore Routine Login
Versus

Some By Mi Propolis B5 Glow Barrier Calming Serum Versus Skinfood Royal Honey Propolis Enrich Essence

Serum
Essence
Korean Brand South Korea
Korean Brand South Korea

Overview

What they are

These products are both reef safe . They have a total of 8 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain hyaluronic acid

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, dry skin and brightening skin

Free From

They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, oils, 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

Click any item below to learn more and see relevant ingredients
ph level
4.5

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Notable Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Benefits

Ingredients Side-by-side

found in both products
Propolis B5 Glow Barrier Calming Serum
Propolis Extract Skin Conditioning
Helps fight Acne Icon
Helps fight AcneHelps fight Acne Icon

Propolis Extract is also known as bee glue.

Honey Extract Humectant, Skin Conditioning

We don't have a description for Honey Extract.

Glycerin Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting
0 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps brighten skin Icon
2 Benefits

Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.

0 Com. / 0 Irr.
Niacinamide Smoothing
Niacinamide IconGood for Oily Skin IconHelps reduce Skin Redness IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconGood for Dark Spots IconHelps fight Acne IconHelps brighten skin Icon
NiacinamideNiacinamide Icon 6 Benefits

Niacinamide has emerged as an all-star ingredient due to its many benefits.

1,2-Hexanediol Skin Conditioning, Solvent

1,2-Hexanediol is a multi-tasker ingredient. It acts as a preservative to increase shelf-life and can aid other preservatives in preventing microbe growth. 1,2-Hexanediol also helps the skin retain moisture as a humectant.

Centella Asiatica Extract Cleansing, Skin Conditioning, Smoothing
Helps reduce Skin Redness IconHelps reduce irritation Icon
2 Benefits

Centella Asiatica Extract (Centella) is derived from an herb native to Southeast Asia. It is famous for its anti-inflammatory and soothing properties.

Panthenol Skin Conditioning
0 / 0 Helps reduce irritation Icon
Helps reduce irritationHelps reduce irritation Icon

Panthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It can be found naturally in our skin and hair.

0 Com. / 0 Irr.
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Water Antimicrobial, Antiseborrhoeic, Astringent
Good for Oily Skin Icon
Good for Oily SkinGood for Oily Skin Icon

This ingredient is created by distilling parts of the tea tree plant. The bark and leaves of the tea tree plant are rich in Terpinen, an antioxidant, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory ingredient.

Lactobacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract Skin Conditioning

This ingredient is created by fermenting soybean extract with the bacteria, lactobacillus.

Lactobacillus/Punica Granatum Fruit Ferment Extract Skin Conditioning

This ingredient comes from fermenting pomegranate with lactobacillus.

Saccharomyces/Barley Seed Ferment Filtrate Humectant

We don't have a description for Saccharomyces/Barley Seed Ferment Filtrate.

Lactobacillus/Pear Juice Ferment Filtrate Skin Conditioning

We don't have a description for Lactobacillus/Pear Juice Ferment Filtrate.

Royal Jelly Extract Skin Conditioning

Royal Jelly Extract comes from a secretion made by worker honeybees. This secretion is white and described as creamy.

Artemisia Princeps Leaf Extract Skin Conditioning

We don't have a description for Artemisia Princeps Leaf Extract.

Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract Skin Conditioning
Helps reduce Skin Redness Icon
Helps reduce Skin RednessHelps reduce Skin Redness Icon

Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract comes from the leaves of an herb plant native to Southeast Asia. Centella Asiatica is rich in antioxidants and amino acids. It can help reduce irritation and soothe the skin.

Coptis Japonica Extract Antimicrobial, Skin Conditioning

We don't have a description for Coptis Japonica Extract.

Malt Extract Skin Protecting, Tonic

We don't have a description for Malt Extract.

Disliked Full details ->
CI 77480 Cosmetic Colorant

We don't have a description for CI 77480.

Unknown Full details ->
Sodium Hyaluronate Humectant, Skin Conditioning
0 / 0 Hyaluronic Acid Icon
Hyaluronic AcidHyaluronic Acid Icon

Sodium Hyaluronate is hyaluronic acid's salt form. It is commonly derived from the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid.

0 Com. / 0 Irr.
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid Humectant, Skin Conditioning
Hyaluronic Acid Icon
Hyaluronic AcidHyaluronic Acid Icon

Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid is a form of hyaluronic acid. It is created by the hydrolysis of hyaluronic acid with a high molecular weight. Once created, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid has a low molecular weight.

Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate Humectant
Hyaluronic Acid Icon
Hyaluronic AcidHyaluronic Acid Icon

Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate is a type of Hyaluronic Acid.

Hydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans Humectant, Skin Conditioning

We don't have a description for Hydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans.

Allantoin Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting, Soothing
0 / 0 Helps reduce Skin Redness IconHelps reduce irritation IconGood for Scar Healing Icon
3 Benefits

Allantoin plays a role in soothing and moisturizing the skin. Because of this, it is often added to products with strong active ingredients.

0 Com. / 0 Irr.
Adenosine Skin Conditioning
Helps with Anti-Aging IconGood for Scar Healing Icon
2 Benefits

Adenosine is in every living organism. It is one of four components in nucleic acids that helps store our DNA.

Madecassoside Antioxidant, Skin Conditioning
Antioxidant IconHelps reduce irritation Icon
AntioxidantAntioxidant Icon Helps reduce irritationHelps reduce irritation Icon

Madecassoside comes from the super popular skin-soothing ingredient, Centella asiatica. It is one of four active compounds found in the extract of Centella Asiatica.

Madecassic Acid Skin Conditioning

Madecassic Acid is a major component of Centella Asiatica Extract. It has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.

Asiaticoside Antioxidant, Skin Conditioning
Antioxidant Icon
AntioxidantAntioxidant Icon

Asiaticoside comes from the super popular skin-soothing ingredient, Centella asiatica. It is one of four active compounds found in the extract of Centella Asiatica.

Asiatic Acid Skin Conditioning, Stabilising

Asiatic Acid is a major component of Centella Asiatica Extract. It has wound-healing, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties.

Arginine Masking, Skin Conditioning
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon
Not safe for Fungal AcneNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Arginine is an amino acid that is important for human development. Your body uses is it to produce hair keratin and skin collagen.

Ceramide NP Skin Conditioning
Ceramide IconHelps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps reduce Skin Redness IconHelps reduce irritation IconHelps with Anti-Aging Icon
CeramideCeramide Icon 4 Benefits

Ceramide NP is a type of ceramide.

Citric Acid Buffering, Masking
AHA IconGood for Skin Texture IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconGood for Scar Healing IconHelps brighten skin IconMay cause irritation IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon
AHAAHA Icon 4 Benefits 2 Concerns

Citric Acid is an AHA derived from citrus fruits (think oranges, lemons, and limes!).

Disliked Full details ->
Sodium Citrate Buffering, Masking

Sodium Citrate is the sodium salts of citric acid. In skincare, it is used to alter pH levels and acts as a preservative.

C12-13 Pareth-9 Emulsifying

We don't have a description for C12-13 Pareth-9.

Unknown Full details ->
Hydrolyzed Sclerotium Gum Humectant, Skin Protecting

We don't have a description for Hydrolyzed Sclerotium Gum.

Unknown Full details ->
Carbomer Emulsion Stabilising, Gel Forming
1 / 0

Carbomer is a polymer of acrylic acid. Its main role is to create gel consistency within products.

1 Com. / 0 Irr.
Disliked Full details ->
Water 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.

Benzyl Glycol Solvent

We don't have a description for Benzyl Glycol.

Ethylhexylglycerin Skin Conditioning

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

Raspberry Ketone Masking, Perfuming, Skin Conditioning
Fragrance Icon
FragranceFragrance Icon

Raspberry Ketone is a fragrance.

Disliked Full details ->
Disodium EDTA

Disodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.

Disliked Full details ->
Parfum Masking, Perfuming
Fragrance IconMay worsen Eczema IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon
FragranceFragrance Icon 2 Concerns

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

Very Disliked Full details ->
Royal Honey Propolis Enrich Essence
Propolis Extract Skin Conditioning
Helps fight Acne Icon
Helps fight AcneHelps fight Acne Icon

Propolis Extract is also known as bee glue.

Honey Extract Humectant, Skin Conditioning

We don't have a description for Honey Extract.

Royal Jelly Extract Skin Conditioning

Royal Jelly Extract comes from a secretion made by worker honeybees. This secretion is white and described as creamy.

Butylene Glycol Humectant, Masking, Skin Conditioning
1 / 0

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

1 Com. / 0 Irr.
Dipropylene Glycol Masking, Solvent

Dipropylene Glycol is a synthetically created stabilizer and solvent. It is a part of the glycol class in the alcohol family.

Disliked Full details ->
Portulaca Oleracea Extract Skin Conditioning

Portulaca Oleracea Extract is an extract of the whole plant of the Purslane, Portulaca oleracea L., Portulacaceae. It has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and hydrating properties.

Glycerin Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting
0 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps brighten skin Icon
2 Benefits

Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.

0 Com. / 0 Irr.
Beta-Glucan Skin Conditioning
Helps reduce Skin Redness Icon
Helps reduce Skin RednessHelps reduce Skin Redness Icon

Beta-Glucan is a polysaccharide. It can be derived from the cell walls of seaweed, oats, yeast, and fungi.

Lactobacillus Ferment Skin Conditioning

Lactobacillus Ferment is created by fermenting the Lactobacillus bacteria. It helps keep our skin's natural barrier and microbiome healthy.

Saccharomyces Ferment Skin Conditioning

Saccharomyces Ferment is created from fermenting and filtering saccharomyces, a group of fungus that includes yeasts. It is a humectant and helps hydrate the skin.

Sodium Hyaluronate Humectant, Skin Conditioning
0 / 0 Hyaluronic Acid Icon
Hyaluronic AcidHyaluronic Acid Icon

Sodium Hyaluronate is hyaluronic acid's salt form. It is commonly derived from the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid.

0 Com. / 0 Irr.
Hydroxyethylcellulose Emulsion Stabilising, Stabilising

Hydroxyethylcellulose is used to improve the texture of products. It is created from a chemical reaction involving ethylene oxide and alkali-cellulose. Cellulose is a sugar found in plant cell walls and help give plants structure.

Disodium EDTA

Disodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.

Disliked Full details ->
Carbomer Emulsion Stabilising, Gel Forming
1 / 0

Carbomer is a polymer of acrylic acid. Its main role is to create gel consistency within products.

1 Com. / 0 Irr.
Disliked Full details ->
Arginine Masking, Skin Conditioning
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon
Not safe for Fungal AcneNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Arginine is an amino acid that is important for human development. Your body uses is it to produce hair keratin and skin collagen.

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
Liked

Propolis Extract is also known as bee glue.

This ingredient has antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, wound healing, and antioxidant properties.

Studies show propolis helps fight against bacteria, viruses, and fungi. This may help with reducing acne and accelerate wound healing.

The flavonoids found in propolis extract are potent antioxidants. Antioxidants may help with reducing the signs of aging.

A study from 2020 found propolis to help reverse skin damage from UV.

Fun facts: This ingredient is created by mixing beeswax, bee saliva, and parts of trees. Bees use propolis as a sealant to close any gaps in their hives.

Since it is an animal-derived product, this ingredient is not considered vegan. For vegan alternatives, check out Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate or Centella Asiatica Extract.

Learn more about Propolis Extract
Humectant, Skin Conditioning
Liked

We don't have a description for Honey Extract.

Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting
Loved

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
Skin Conditioning
Liked

Royal Jelly Extract comes from a secretion made by worker honeybees. This secretion is white and described as creamy.

Royal Jelly contains antibacterial, anti-aging, and anti-inflammatory properties.

Studies show Royal Jelly to contain amino acids, fatty acids, and a variety of vitamins, including Vitamin Bs. Many of these components are antioxidants, which help with anti-aging. The fatty acids in Royal Jelly make it a hydrating ingredient.

Several animal studies show Royal Jelly to boost collagen production and reduce inflammation.

The Vitamin Bs found in Royal Jelly include:

Learn more about Royal Jelly Extract
Humectant, Skin Conditioning
Loved

Sodium 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 Hyaluronate
Masking, Skin Conditioning
Mixed

Arginine is an amino acid that is important for human development. Your body uses is it to produce hair keratin and skin collagen.

As a cosmetic ingredient, Arginine has antioxidant properties and can also help repair damaged skin. This ingredient is derived either synthetically or from animals.

Arginine isn't fungal acne safe when used in the presence of other lipids (fats, fatty acids, oils, esters, etc). Oils and fats occur naturally within the skin, so take caution when using Arginine if you're prone to fungal acne.

Learn more about Arginine
Emulsion Stabilising, Gel Forming
Disliked

Carbomer is a polymer of acrylic acid. Its main role is to create gel consistency within products.

Carbomer is commonly found in many types of cosmetics products. It is found to be safe in concentrations up to 15%. However, a high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Most products contain 1% of less of carbomer.

Disliked

Disodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.

It is a chelating agent, meaning it neutralizes metal ions that may be found in a product.

Disodium EDTA is a salt of edetic acid and is found to be safe in cosmetic ingredients.

Learn more about Disodium EDTA

Ingredient Ratings

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

Propolis B5 Glow Barrier Calming Serum
26
6
6
3
liked
mixed
disliked
not rated
Royal Honey Propolis Enrich Essence
8
4
3
liked
mixed
disliked
not rated

When to use

59 Routines
39% use in am
61% use in pm
92% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->
133 Routines
46% use in am
54% use in pm
89% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Some By Mi Propolis B5 Glow Barrier Calming Serum 41 ingredients

3.5 /5
from 2 ratings
jnlaohoo's avatar

jnlaohoo

3 years ago · Normal Skin
Review

Good quality and light on the pockets too!
Some By Mi Propolis Serum does the job of helping brighten old acne dark spots. I find that this product...

Good quality and light on the pockets too!
Some By Mi Propolis Serum does the job of helping brighten old acne dark spots. I find that this product worked better for my skin that TO's Niacinamide + Zinc. The consistency is just right, thick enough for my dry skin, but still lightweight enough for humid climates. Good value for money!

CustardBunny's avatar

CustardBunny

11 months ago · Sensitive Skin
Review

Felt good first..
I really liked the scent and feeling of this set at first but 2 weeks in and my face has never been so broken before. I have more...

Felt good first..
I really liked the scent and feeling of this set at first but 2 weeks in and my face has never been so broken before. I have more acne now than i have had in months! I will try this Companys other product line.. but this set was not for sensitive acne prone skin!

Skinfood Royal Honey Propolis Enrich Essence 15 ingredients

3.3 /5
from 4 ratings
Absorbs Well (2) Broke Me Out (1) Expensive (1)
Butter's avatar

Butter

8 months ago · Sensitive Skin
Review

Another holygrail product! My skin type has changed recently and I'm a lot more acne-prone than I used to be but I still have issues with...

Another holygrail product! My skin type has changed recently and I'm a lot more acne-prone than I used to be but I still have issues with dryness/dry patches this product helps to treat both. Quite often as I've found things that treat acne, dry out my skin and things that treat dryness break me out. This product is one of few that does neither. With 63% propolis extract, 10% honey extract, and 10% royal jelly extract to help hydrate the skin. Both propolis and honey extract have anti-bacterial properties with help to treat acne. The only downside is it's a little expensive so I made sure to get the Black Fridays deals! 😅

mimi83077's avatar

mimi83077

6 months ago · Combination Skin
Review

I was very excited to try this product. While it was very hydrating it left a waxy film and ended up causing fungal acne on my cheeks.