This calming serum is formulated around Propolis Extract and Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract to calm redness and brighten dull-looking skin.
This hydrating serum is formulated around Niacinamide and Honey Extract to hydrate skin and calm redness.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Propolis Extract
Skin Conditioning
Methylpropanediol
SolventCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Water
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Oryza Sativa Bran Water
Masking
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Betaine
Humectant
Honey Extract
Humectant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingGlycyrrhiza Uralensis Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin Conditioning
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCurcuma Longa Root Extract
Antioxidant
Ocimum Basilicum Flower/Leaf Extract
TonicLawsonia Inermis Flower/Fruit/Leaf Extract
MaskingOcimum Sanctum Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCorallina Officinalis Extract
Skin Conditioning
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Bee Venom
Astringent
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Propolis Extract, Methylpropanediol, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Water, 1,2-Hexanediol, Oryza Sativa Bran Water, Butylene Glycol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Betaine, Honey Extract, Xanthan Gum, Glycyrrhiza Uralensis Root Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, Phenoxyethanol, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Ocimum Basilicum Flower/Leaf Extract, Lawsonia Inermis Flower/Fruit/Leaf Extract, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Allantoin, Bee Venom, Tocopherol
Glycerin
Humectant
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Niacinamide
Smoothing
PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Undecane
EmollientCyclohexasiloxane
Emollient
Tridecane
Perfuming
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Chloride
MaskingDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
PEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Disteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingBoswellia Serrata Resin Extract
SmoothingHoney Extract
Humectant
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Cinnamomum Cassia Bark Extract
Masking
Curcuma Longa Root Extract
Antioxidant
Levan
Skin ProtectingDecyl Glucoside
Cleansing
Olea Europaea Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Pollen Extract
EmollientPhenethyl Alcohol
MaskingZiziphus Jujuba Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Royal Jelly Extract
Skin Conditioning
Propolis Extract
Skin Conditioning
Bee Venom
Astringent
Citric Acid
Buffering
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Madecassoside
Antioxidant
Parfum
Masking
Butylphenyl Methylpropional
Perfuming
Geraniol
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Citral
Perfuming
Glycerin, Water, Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Cyclopentasiloxane, Niacinamide, PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone, Undecane, Cyclohexasiloxane, Tridecane, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sodium Chloride, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Boswellia Serrata Resin Extract, Honey Extract, Adenosine, Cinnamomum Cassia Bark Extract, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Levan, Decyl Glucoside, Olea Europaea Leaf Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA, Pollen Extract, Phenethyl Alcohol, Ziziphus Jujuba Seed Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Royal Jelly Extract, Propolis Extract, Bee Venom, Citric Acid, Ascorbic Acid, Madecassoside, Parfum, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Geraniol, Limonene, Citral
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
Adenosine is a purine nucleoside that your body already makes in every cell. In skincare, it acts mainly as a skin conditioning and anti-aging agent.
The way it works is fairly well mapped out:
Your skin has cells called fibroblasts that build collagen (the stuff that keeps skin firm and smooth). Adenosine basically flips a switch on these cells that tells them to get to work making more collagen and other proteins. These cells slow down on their own as skin ages, so Adenosine helps give them a little nudge to keep going.
The clinical backing is pretty solid too.
A blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial of 126 women aged 45-65 tested a 0.1% cream twice daily and found real improvements in crow's feet and frown lines using a precise 3D skin-mapping technique; these changes showed up by week 3 and held at 2 months.
A later study using Adenosine-loaded dissolving microneedle patches reported gains in wrinkle depth, dermal density, elasticity, and hydration.
On concentrations, South Korea's Ministry of Food and Drug Safety has set 0.04% as the approved functional anti-wrinkle level. You'll typically see this ingredient used somewhere in the 0.04-0.1% range since it works at low doses.
This ingredient has been found safe for cosmetics with the data showing no irritation or sensitization.
Overall, this is a great ingredient for any anti-aging routine and has no photosensitizing effect, so it suits both AM and PM use.
Learn more about AdenosineBee venom comes from bees (of course!).
There are many claims about bee venom being anti-aging. It is often called "natural botox". This is because it causes inflammation and tightening when applied to the skin. However, further studies are needed to look into the benefits of this ingredient.
Bee venom contains peptides, amino acids, and enzymes. It's main peptide is called melittin. Bee venom and its components are being studied for their antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties.
While cosmetics usually do not contain enough bee venom to cause an allergic reaction (unless you have an extreme allergy), we recommend you speaking with a professional if you have concerns.
Being cruelty-free means a brand does not experiment on animals.
If you're worried about the well-being of the bees, we recommend looking more into the company of the product.
Since bee venom is a product from bees, it is not considered vegan. However, there is much debate about this and many brands claim their bee products to be vegan.
Here at SkinSort, we are asking everyone to be kind to bees. They are important for many ecosystems and are endangered.
Learn more about Bee VenomButylene 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 GlycolCurcuma Longa Root Extract comes from the rhizome (underground stem) of the turmeric plant.
While the official EU Cosing Database lists this ingredient as a fragrance, it actually does more than give products a scent.
This ingredient contains a group of yellow pigments called curcuminoids (mostly curcumin) that give it genuine antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity in skin.
Reviews of topical clinical studies have found turmeric/curcumin to be generally well-tolerated and useful across conditions like eczema and mild inflammation.
One thing working in its favor is that curcumin barely penetrates; in lab skin-permeation testing, the curcuminoids mostly stayed in the outermost layer of skin. This is a good thing because its soothing and antioxidant activity is a surface-level job anyway.
At this time, industry data shows there's no single "correct" cosmetic percentage. It's used across a wide range depending on the product and varies from tiny fractions of a percent up to a few percent.
Allergy-wise, curcumin is a documented (but uncommon) contact allergen. It can also cross react with related plants, so anyone with a turmeric/ginger/cinnamon allergy or reactive skin should patch test first.
Learn more about Curcuma Longa Root ExtractEthylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinThis ingredient comes from honey made by bees. It is hydrating, antibacterial, anti-aging, and skin soothing.
Honey also contains amino acids, peptides, Vitamins A, C, and E.
The humectant property of honey draws moisture from the air to your skin. This makes it great at helping to hydrate the skin.
Honey may help reduce the signs of aging due to its antioxidant properties. Fun fact: darker honey has more antioxidants than light honey. The antibacterial property of honey may make it effective at helping to treat acne by killing acne-causing bacteria.
Many people wonder if honey extract is vegan. It is technically a byproduct from bees. This is because honey is created from the digestive enzymes in a bee's stomach.
Remember to be kind to bees :) They are important for many ecosystems and are endangered.
Learn more about Honey ExtractPropolis Extract is a natural ingredient derived from propolis (also known as bee glue). Bees make propolis by mixing their saliva and beeswax with resins collected from tree buds and plants.
This ingredient is packed with bioactive compounds like flavonoids, phenolic acids, and amino acids that give it antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
Research shows it can help:
It also pairs nicely with hydrating ingredients like niacinamide and ceramides.
Just so you know, Propolis Extract is recognized as a contact allergen. In patch tests done in the EU, roughly 1-6% of patients react to it. Be sure to steer clear of this ingredient if you have a known allergy to bee products.
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 ExtractWater. 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. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water
