PRODUCT REVIEW

Etude House Real Propolis Emulsion

Works for:

based on ingredients and %

Moisturizing
Anti-aging
Anti-blemish
Evens skin tone

Can it cause trouble?

Key actives

Niacinamide 1.4% - 1.8%Centella asiatica extract 0.35% - 0.6%

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Product summary

"ETUDE - Real Propolis Emulsion" is a well-rounded moisturizing product. To work well, any moisturizer needs to include a combination of water-binding and emollient ingredients. ETUDE - Real Propolis Emulsion ticks this box. Humectants in this product (alanine, arginine, glutamic acid, glycerin and glyceryl acrylate/acrylic acid copolymer) help to increase the water content in the upper layer of the skin. (These ingredients do so by "capturing" water molecules from the outside air or from within the deeper layers of the skin). Emollients in this formulation (ceramide np, vinyl dimethicone, arginine, caprylic/capric triglyceride and squalane) help to reduce the moisture loss from the skin. They also soften the skin surface and relieve the feeling of dryness and tightness.

Ingredient callouts

As a plus, this moisturizer also contains Ceramides (ceramide np 0.30% - 0.55%). Ceramides are a type of lipids that our skin produces itself. They are a building block of the skin's barrier. Ceramides used in skincare are synthetic or extracted from plants. They work well for softening the skin surface and "patch holes" in the skin's barrier.
Adenosine 0.30% - 0.55%. It is a chemical present inside our skin cells. A clinical trial confirmed that topical application of Adenosine in a low concentration can reduce dynamic wrinkles (these are the wrinkles that appear with age in a places where our mimic is the most active, for example, in the corners of the eyes or on the forehead).

This product contains ingredients that could be beneficial, but their concentrations are too low in this formulation: allantoin and sodium ascorbyl phosphate

Irritation risk

There are some common irritants in this product, including ingredients that do not have benefits for the skin. We assess the overall irritancy of this moisturizer to be medium. For a detailed overview of all potential irritants: click here

You can see the detailed formula review with the breakdown of all actives in the product and the full ingredient list with estimated concentrations in the tables below.

Price

The product retails for 26.40$ in the United States.

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What can the product work for?

Anti-aging

What does the product description say?

Contains 8 different types of Ceramide Amino Acids and free with mineral oil, Imidazolidinyl Urea, Triethanolamine and tar color to improve wrinkles and offers whitening effect.

Source: Yesstyle

This product can help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness because it contains adenosine, niacinamide.

These ingredients in the product can also be helpful, even though there is less evidence for their effectiveness: lysine, serine, threonine.

Keep in mind that it typically takes at least 6 weeks to notice any results because the changes that are needed to improve fine lines and elasticity happen in the deeper layers of the skin. No topical anti-aging product can “erase” wrinkles or fully reverse signs of aging.

adenosine 0.3% - 0.55%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH

Might help improve cell turnover and reduce inflammation in skin. One study shows that the ingredients might be able to help reduce dynamic wrinkles (for example, in the corners of the eyes or on the forehead)

niacinamide 1.4% - 1.8%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH

Is proven to be effective in reducing blemishes, evening out skin tone and helping to improve lines and wrinkles. It helps the skin to repair sun damage, calm down inflammation and keep maintain good levels of moisture. The concentration of about 2% is effective for supporting the skin barrier and evening out the skin tone. Concentration of 4-6% is better for helping with acne and balancing the sebum production

lysine 0.15% - 0.25%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Effectiveness: MEDIUM

An amino-acid that helps to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. In combination with other amino-acids, might help to reduce fine lines and wrinkles

Moisturizing

What does the product description say?

A nourishing emulsion that contains Propolis to replenish your skin condition and deliver moisture deep into skin to improve your skin s barrier.

Source: Yesstyle

This product can help improve hydration of the skin with the two types of ingredients.

The first type is called “humectants”:
these ingredients help attract water. When humectants are on the surface of the skin, they “pull in” the moisture from the outside environment, or from within deeper layers of the skin. The following ingredients in this product do the job: alanine, arginine.

This product also contains ingredients called “occlusives”. They help reduce the speed with which our skin loses moisture to the outside environment. These ingredients also help soften the upper layer of the skin, so it feels less tight and nicer to the touch. The following ingredients in this product do the job: arginine, caprylic/capric triglyceride.

The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: ceramide np, niacinamide

alanine 0.15% - 0.25%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH

An amino-acid that helps to attract water to the upper layer of the skin and might help to lighten the skin, but solid evidence is lacking

arginine 0.1% - 0.25%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH

An amino acid that is naturally present in skin and helps keep it hydrated. When used together with AHAs, it can reduce their irritating effect on the skin

niacinamide 1.4% - 1.8%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH

Anti-blemish

This product can help reduce breakouts and clogged pores because it contains the following ingredient: niacinamide. This ingredient is used for treating acne and can have a noticeable effect.

niacinamide 1.4% - 1.8%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH

sodium ascorbyl phosphate 0.3% - 0.55%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Insufficient!

A stable derivative of vitamin C. It is oil-soluble which means it is more likely to penetrate the skin compared to the pure form of vitamin C (which is water-soluble), but it is less bio-available and is way less effective in stimulating collagen and reducing wrinkles compared to the pure form of vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid) and its other derivatives (for example, magnesium ascorbyl phosphate). At the same time, this vitamin C derivative has been shown in studies to be effective in reducing acne, blemishes and clogged pores. It is less irritating then the pure form of vitamin C

allantoin 0.25% - 0.45%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Insufficient!

Helps calm down inflammation in skin and can help reduce itching. Helps to repair the skin barrier and keep skin hydrated

Evens skin tone

This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: niacinamide

The following ingredient (ingredients) in this product might be helpful, but there is no evidence to confirm that it actually can help even out the skin tone: alanine.

Keep in mind that you would need to apply any topical skincare targetted at hypigmentation consistently for a couple of months to get a result. No topical skincare product can help get rid of hyperpigmentation (including post-acne marks and age spots) instantly.

niacinamide 1.4% - 1.8%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH

alanine 0.15% - 0.25%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Effectiveness: LOW

An amino-acid that helps to attract water to the upper layer of the skin and might help to lighten the skin, but solid evidence is lacking

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Can it cause trouble?

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Ingredients & concentrations

All ingredients

Key Actives

niacinamide 1.4% - 1.8%

Irritation risk:

Works for: Anti-aging, Anti-blemish, Evens skin tone, Moisturizing, Reduces irritation, Anti-inflammatory, Antibacterial, Reduces redness

centella asiatica extract 0.35% - 0.6%

Irritation risk:

Works for: Reduces redness, Anti-inflammatory, Moisturizing, Reduces irritation, Anti-oxidation, Anti-aging, Anti-blemish

A plant extract that has been shown to be able to reduce inflammation in skin, support restoration of skin barrier function, as well as support collagen production. Contains active compounds called centelloids: asiaticoside, madecasosside, asiatic acid and madecassic acid. Might be helpful in preventing stretch marks. It can be itself be irritating though.

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Potential irritants

propolis extract 3.9% - 4.7%

Irritation risk:

Works for: Moisturizing, Antibacterial, Anti-oxidation

A complex substance produced by honey bees. Can have anti-bacterial and some anti-oxidant effect. Is an allergen and can be irritating

parfum 0.3% - 0.5%

Irritation risk:

An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients

Comodogenic ingredients

cetearyl alcohol 0.7% - 1.05%

Irritation risk: Comedogenicity: Medium

Works for: Cleansing, Moisturizing

A non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture

All ingredients

water 45% - 55%

Irritation risk:

Plain old water

propolis extract 3.9% - 4.7%

Irritation risk:

Works for: Moisturizing, Antibacterial, Anti-oxidation

A complex substance produced by honey bees. Can have anti-bacterial and some anti-oxidant effect. Is an allergen and can be irritating

glycerin 3.9% - 4.7%

Irritation risk:

Works for: Moisturizing

One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant

Ingredient list view

Water, Propolis extract, Glycerin, Glycereth-26, Hydrogenated polydecene, Butylene glycol, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Niacinamide, 1,2-hexanediol, C14-22 alcohols, Squalane, Cetearyl alcohol, Butylene glycol dicaprylate/dicaprate, Vinyl dimethicone, Diisostearyl malate, Propanediol, C12-20 alkyl glucoside, Carbomer, Tromethamine, Glyceryl acrylate/acrylic acid copolymer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, Parfum, Disodium edta, Sodium hyaluronate, Hyaluronic acid, Hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid, Portulaca oleracea extract, Glucose, Hydrogenated lecithin, Chamomilla recutita flower extract, Sodium ascorbyl phosphate, Sodium cholate, Lysolecithin, Phosphatidylcholine, Centella asiatica extract, Allantoin, Ceramide np, Honey extract, Glycine, Glutamic acid, Serine, Lysine, Alanine, Arginine, Proline, Threonine

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Price
WIMJ similarity score		86%	86%	84%	83%	83%	81%	81%	81%	80%	80%	80%
Key ingredients	niacinamide adenosine +18 more	Common: niacinamide adenosine +11 more Other: copper tripeptide-1 panthenol +15 more	Common: niacinamide adenosine +11 more Other: copper tripeptide-1 panthenol +15 more	Common: niacinamide adenosine +13 more Other: aspartic acid betaine +5 more	Common: niacinamide adenosine +10 more Other: panthenol acetyl hexapeptide-8 +13 more	Common: niacinamide adenosine +8 more Other: carthamus tinctorius seed oil	Common: niacinamide adenosine +8 more Other: laminaria japonica extract undaria pinnatifida extract +1 more	Common: niacinamide adenosine +6 more Other: madecassoside panthenol +4 more	Common: niacinamide adenosine +4 more Other: soluble collagen sucrose +1 more	Common: niacinamide adenosine +8 more Other: copper tripeptide-1 tripeptide-1 +28 more	Common: niacinamide adenosine +8 more Other: copper tripeptide-1 madecassoside +14 more	Common: niacinamide adenosine +7 more Other: anhydroxylitol panthenol +9 more
Irritancy	IRRITANCY MEDIUM	IRRITANCY MEDIUM	IRRITANCY MEDIUM	IRRITANCY MEDIUM	IRRITANCY MEDIUM	IRRITANCY MEDIUM	IRRITANCY MEDIUM	IRRITANCY LOW	IRRITANCY LOW	IRRITANCY MEDIUM	IRRITANCY MEDIUM	IRRITANCY MEDIUM
Potential Irritants	chamomilla recutita flower extract Has skin benefit? parfum Has skin benefit? +13 more	taurine Has skin benefit? sea salt Has skin benefit? +14 more	taurine Has skin benefit? sea salt Has skin benefit? +14 more	myristic acid Has skin benefit? disodium edta Has skin benefit? +6 more	ascorbic acid Has skin benefit? myristyl alcohol Has skin benefit? +13 more	scutellaria baicalensis root extract Has skin benefit? coptis japonica root extract Has skin benefit? +7 more	parfum Has skin benefit? alcohol denat. Has skin benefit? +9 more	asiaticoside Has skin benefit? centella asiatica leaf extract Has skin benefit? +9 more	ethylhexylglycerin Has skin benefit? hydroxyacetophenone Has skin benefit? +7 more	parfum Has skin benefit? ascorbic acid Has skin benefit? +21 more	pimpinella anisum fruit extract Has skin benefit? rosa damascena flower water Has skin benefit? +20 more	parfum Has skin benefit? myristyl alcohol Has skin benefit? +11 more
All ingredients	water Has skin benefit? propolis extract Has skin benefit? +45 more	water Has skin benefit? glycerin Has skin benefit? +76 more	water Has skin benefit? glycerin Has skin benefit? +76 more	water Has skin benefit? butylene glycol Has skin benefit? +43 more	water Has skin benefit? glycerin Has skin benefit? +69 more	water Has skin benefit? oryza sativa bran water Has skin benefit? +35 more	water Has skin benefit? glycerin Has skin benefit? +40 more	terminalia ferdinandiana fruit extract Has skin benefit? water Has skin benefit? +23 more	water Has skin benefit? tremella fuciformis extract Has skin benefit? +32 more	water Has skin benefit? dipropylene glycol Has skin benefit? +90 more	water Has skin benefit? snail secretion filtrate Has skin benefit? +51 more	water Has skin benefit? glycerin Has skin benefit? +51 more

PRODUCT REVIEW

Etude House Real Propolis Emulsion

Works for:

Can it cause trouble?

Key actives

Cheaper alternatives

Product summary

Ingredient callouts

Irritation risk

Price

What can the product work for?

Works for

Anti-aging

What does the product description say?

Moisturizing

What does the product description say?

Anti-blemish

Evens skin tone

Honesty check

How honest is this product?

Buy now

US Retailers

Can it cause trouble?

Potential irritants

Comodogenic ingredients

User reviews (0)

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Ingredients & concentrations

All ingredients

Key Actives

Potential irritants

Comodogenic ingredients

All ingredients

Ingredient list view

Sources