Overview
What it is
Face cleanser with 34 ingredients
Cool Features
It is reef safe
Suited For
It has ingredients that are good for dry skin, sensitive skin and scar healing
Free From
It doesn't contain any harsh alcohols, parabens, silicones or sulfates
Fun facts
Phymongshe is from South Korea.
We independently verify ingredients and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Does this product need an update? Let us know.
What's inside
Ingredients List
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantDipropylene Glycol
HumectantPolyglyceryl-4 Caprate
EmulsifyingButylene Glycol
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-10 Myristate
Skin ConditioningChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingCitrus Aurantium Peel Oil
Potassium Hydroxide
BufferingCitrus Paradisi Peel Oil
MaskingEucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil
PerfumingDisodium EDTA
Cedrus Atlantica Bark Oil
MaskingOenothera Biennis Flower Extract
AstringentPrunus Serrulata Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningPelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil
MaskingPogostemon Cablin Leaf Oil
MaskingLavandula Angustifolia Oil
MaskingMusa Sapientum Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningMalus Domestica Fruit Extract
AntioxidantPyrus Communis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract
MaskingVitis Vinifera Vine Extract
Skin ConditioningMichelia Alba Flower Oil
MaskingRosa Damascena Flower Oil
MaskingAnthemis Nobilis Flower Oil
MaskingViola Odorata Leaf Extract
MaskingSantalum Album Oil
MaskingVanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningLimonene
PerfumingWater, Glycerin, Dipropylene Glycol, Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Polyglyceryl-10 Myristate, Chlorphenesin, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Carbomer, Citrus Aurantium Peel Oil, Potassium Hydroxide, Citrus Paradisi Peel Oil, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Disodium EDTA, Cedrus Atlantica Bark Oil, Oenothera Biennis Flower Extract, Prunus Serrulata Flower Extract, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Pogostemon Cablin Leaf Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Musa Sapientum Fruit Extract, Malus Domestica Fruit Extract, Pyrus Communis Fruit Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract, Vitis Vinifera Vine Extract, Michelia Alba Flower Oil, Rosa Damascena Flower Oil, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil, Viola Odorata Leaf Extract, Santalum Album Oil, Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract, Limonene
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Explained
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. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterGlycerin (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 GlycerinDipropylene Glycol is a synthetically created humectant, stabilizer, and solvent.
This ingredient helps:
Dipropylene glycol is technically an alcohol, but it belongs to the glycol family (often considered part of the โgoodโ alcohols). This means it is hydrating and gentle on skin unlike drying solvent alcohols like denatured alcohol.
As a masking agent, Dipropylene Glycol can be used to cover the smell of other ingredients. However, it does not have a scent.
Studies show Dipropylene Glycol is considered safe to use in skincare.
Learn more about Dipropylene GlycolPolyglyceryl-4 Caprate comes from Capric Acid and Polyglycerin-4. It is an emulsifier.
Emulsifiers help stabilize a product. They do this by preventing ingredients from separating, such as oils and water which do not mix naturally.
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 Glycol1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.ย
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 preservativesย
Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate is a cleansing agent and emulsifier.
It rounds up dirt, oil, and grime, so they can be rinsed off easily as a cleanser. On the emulsifier side, it keeps your formula smooth and well-mixed by playing peacekeeper for ingredients that don't naturally get along (like oil and water).
Because it has a C12 (lauric acid) fatty acid chain, this ingredient can potentially feed the Malassezia yeast that causes fungal acne. The Malassezia yeast prefers esters with C11-C24 fatty acids If you're prone to flare-ups, you might want to patch-test or skip this one.
This ingredient is an ester of lauric acid and Polyglycerin-10.
Learn more about Polyglyceryl-10 LauratePolyglyceryl-10 Myristate is a nonionic emulsifier and skin conditioner made from Polyglycerin-10 and Myristic Acid.
As a skin conditioning agent, this ingredient leaves skin feeling soft without a greasy finish. As an emulsifier, it helps stabilize oil-in-water emulsions.
You'll likely see this ingredient in "clean" formulations because it's considered a natural alternative to PEGs.
Patch testing at concentration 0.1-1% showed no reactions and this ingredient is considered to be well-tolerated across skin types.
Due to its myristic acid base, this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Polyglyceryl-10 MyristateChlorphenesin is a synthetic preservative. It helps protect a product against bacteria in order to extend shelf life. In most cases, Chlorphenesin is paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol and caprylyl glycol.
Chlorphenesin is a biocide. This means it is able to help fight the microorganisms on our skin. It is also able to fight odor-releasing bacteria.
Chlorphenesin is soluble in both water and glycerin.
Studies show Chlorphenesin is easily absorbed by our skin. You should speak with a skincare professional if you have concerns about using Chlorphenesin.
Learn more about ChlorphenesinAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer is a synthetic polymer. It is used to thicken, emulsify, and improve the texture of products.
As an emulsifier, it helps stabilize oil-in-water emulsions to give products an elegant feel when applied.
It can also form a thin protective film on skin. One study found that a formula using this polymer helped slow down how quickly other ingredients (like DEET) were absorbed through skin.
A 2024 study of over 1,300 patients confirmed that sensitization to this ingredient is rare. It is also non-mutagenic and has a clean track record.
Learn more about Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate CrosspolymerCarbomer is a high-molecular weight polymer of acrylic acid. It is used to form gels and thicken formulas.
Due to its large molecular size, carbomer has minimal skin penetration and is considered an inert ingredient.
A high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Don't worry, most products contain 1% or less of carbomer.
Learn more about CarbomerCitrus Aurantium Peel Oil is an oil.
Potassium hydroxide is commonly known as caustic potash. It is used to fix the pH of a product or as a cleaning agent in soap. In cleansers, it is used for the saponification of oils.
Sapnification is the process of creating fatty acid metal salts from triglycerides and a strong base. During this process, Potassium Hydroxide is used up and is not present in the final product.
Using high concentrations of Potassium Hydroxide have shown to irritate the skin.
Learn more about Potassium HydroxideThis ingredient is also known as grapefruit peel oil. It is mainly used as a fragrance/perfuming ingredient and is made up of about 99-92% limonene.
Though in vitro or food science has shown this oil to be antibacterial, possess antioxidant activity, and be anti-inflammatory, there's very little research testing it directly on human skin or in cosmetics.
Limonene is a known skin sensitizer. Because grapefruit peel oil can contain furanocoumarins, this ingredient can also cause phototoxicity. It is possible to created furanocoumarin-free versions that are not phototoxic; it is best to reach out to the brand if you have questions about this ingredient in your cosmetics.
Learn more about Citrus Paradisi Peel OilThis oil is derived from the leaves of Eucalyptus Globulus, a type of Eucalyptus tree native to Australia.
Though this oil shows antibacterial and antioxidant activity, it is also a known skin-irritant due to its fragrance components.
Disodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAThis ingredient comes from the bark of the Cedarwood tree.
Though this oil exhibits antibacterial and antioxidant activity, it is also contains skin-irritating fragrances such as limonene.
In 2023, it was listed as an EU known-allergen.
Learn more about Cedrus Atlantica Bark OilWe don't have a description for Oenothera Biennis Flower Extract yet.
This ingredient comes from the flowers of the cherry blossom tree native to Japan, Korea, China, and Vietnam.
Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil is the pressed oil of the Rose Geranium plant. It is volatile, meaning it evaporates off the skin.
Fragrant components of Rose Geranium include citronellol and geraniol. These may cause allergies and skin-sensitivity. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have any concerns.
The scent of Rose Geranium closely resembles traditional roses.
Learn more about Pelargonium Graveolens Flower OilThis ingredient is commonly known as Patchouli oil.
Patchouli exhibits slight antibacterial and antifungal activity from its patchoulol and alpha-patchoulene content.
However, it also contains known skin-irritating fragrances. A study from 2015 found limonene and camphor as active components of this ingredient.
Limonene and camphor are both known EU allergens.
Learn more about Pogostemon Cablin Leaf OilLavandula Angustifolia Oil is more commonly known as lavender essential oil. It is considered a fragrancing ingredient.
Lavender imparts a famous scent. While the smell is lovely, this ingredient and may sensitize skin in topical products. This is because about 85% of the oil is made up of linalool and linalyl acetate.
When exposed to air, these two compounds become strong allergens. This ingredient exhibits cytotoxicity at low concentrations; amounts of 0.25% have been shown to damage skin cells.
A study from Japan found this ingredient caused lavender sensitivity after widespread exposure.
Lavender essential oil has some antimicrobial, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties. However, the cons of this ingredient may outweight the pros.
More research is needed to confirm lavender essential oil's effects when used in aromatherapy.
Lavandula Angustifolia is known as the English Lavender and famous for creating purple fields in Provence, France.
Learn more about Lavandula Angustifolia OilThis ingredient is also known as banana fruit extract. It has moisturizing and antioxidant properties.
Bananas are nutrient rich in vitamins A, B, C, E, and minerals like magnesium.
Early studies suggest it may also help reduce hyperpigmentation by interrupting certain skin processes but more research is needed.
Learn more about Musa Sapientum Fruit ExtractThis ingredient comes from apples. It has antioxidant, moisturizing, and skin soothing benefits.
This ingredient comes from the common pear and has skin conditioning/skin protecting properties. Pears are rich in bioactive phenolic compounds, with the most notable ones being Arbutin, Chlorogenic Acid, and Catechin.
A small in-vivo study with 13 volunteers found using a 5% pear extract gel over 12 weeks significantly improved skin moisture and elasticity, and decreased melanin and sebum levels compared to placebo.
In phytochemical analysis, this extract has also demonstrated anti-tyrosinase activity which further supports its brightening properties.
Just so you know, individuals with birch pollen allergy should be careful and patch test this ingredient as pears belong to the same family. But topical use of this ingredient is generally well-tolerated.
Learn more about Pyrus Communis Fruit ExtractCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract is more commonly known as the bitter orange. Native to Southeast Asia, this extract is commonly found in both cosmetics and foods.
The bitter orange possesses antibacterial and antioxidant properties.
It can also be mildly exfoliating due to the citric acid, an AHA.
Citrus fruits are rich in flavonoids, alkaloids, and vitamin C.
Learn more about Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit ExtractVitis Vinifera Vine Extract comes from the grape vine. It helps hydrate and soften the skin.
Magnolia flowers is a hybrid flower found in East and Southeast Asia. It is used in traditional Chinese medicine.
This oil contains linalool.
Fun fact: This flower is worn by brides in Thailand.
Learn more about Michelia Alba Flower OilRosa Damascena Flower Oil is an essential oil made from the Damask Rose. It is often used as a fragrance in cosmetics.
Rose Oil has antibacterial and antioxidant properties due to its terpene, glycoside, flavonoid, anthocyanin, and Vitamin C content.
Other major parts of Rose Oil include citronellol and geraniol. Both of these are known EU allergens and cause contact-allergies.
The downsides of this ingredient outweight the positives.
Learn more about Rosa Damascena Flower OilThis oil is created by distilling the dried flower heads of the Roman Chamomile flower.
Chamomile is rich in antioxidants and has anti-inflammatory properties. Several compounds found in chamomile help with soothing, such as bisbolol.
We don't have a description for Viola Odorata Leaf Extract yet.
Santalum Album Oil is created from the Santalum album, or the East Indian sandalwood tree. This oil has fragrance and masking properties due to its unique scent.
Sandalwood may sensitize the skin for those sensitive to fragrances.
It has been used in traditional Indian Ayurvedic medicine for centuries.
Learn more about Santalum Album OilVanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract comes from the vanilla orchid native to central America. It is a skin-soothing ingredient.
This ingredient is skin-soothing and contains polyphenols that give it antioxidant properties.
This ingredient is not known to sensitize or irritate skin (unlike Vanilla Tahitensis). Vanilla tahitensis has shown to irritate skin in low amounts.
Learn more about Vanilla Planifolia Fruit ExtractLimonene is a fragrance that adds scent and taste to a formulation.
It's found in the peel oil of citrus fruits and other plants such as lavender and eucalyptus. The scent of limonene is generally described as "sweet citrus".
Limonene acts as an antioxidant, meaning it helps neutralize free radicals.
When exposed to air, oxidized limonene may sensitize the skin. Because of this, limonene is often avoided by people with sensitive skin.
The term '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.
Learn more about LimoneneReviews
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Where it's from
Phymongshe is a Korean brand
We're dedicated to providing you with the most up-to-date and science-backed ingredient info out there.
The data we've presented on this page has been verified by a member of the SkinSort Team.
Read more about usยท Published August 16, 2023