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What's inside
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Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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.
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