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Hanskin Soonhan Houttuynia Calming First Essence
Hanskin

Hanskin Soonhan Houttuynia Calming First Essence

Efficacy50/100IrritancyLow
See all ingredients

Works for

Evens skin tone
Niacinamide
Works well
What the product description says
“antioxidant effect reduces skin inflammation soothes skin irritation moisturizes dry skin hydrates dull skin prevents pigmentation This moisturizing and nutritious calming essence hydrates dull skin.”
Source: Amazon US

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

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.

NiacinamideKey activeEffect: HighIs 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~1.2–1.8%
Moisturizing
Niacinamide, Butylene glycol + 1 more
Not delivered
What the product description says
“antioxidant effect reduces skin inflammation soothes skin irritation moisturizes dry skin hydrates dull skin prevents pigmentation This moisturizing and nutritious calming essence hydrates dull skin.”
Source: Amazon US

Does not contain good ingredients to help with moisturization.

NiacinamideEffect: HighIs 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~1.2–1.8%
Butylene glycol· HumectantEffect: LowUsed to create a nice product texture and help delivery of other ingredients. Might be somewhat helpful in attracting water to the upper layer of the skin~5–7.5%
Dextrin· HumectantEffect: LowA sugar that is used to stabilize the product formulation. Can help attract water to the upper layer of the skin~0.5–1.1%
Anti-aging
Side benefit · Niacinamide
Works well

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

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.

NiacinamideKey activeEffect: HighIs 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~1.2–1.8%
Anti-blemish
Side benefit · Niacinamide
Works well

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.

NiacinamideHeroEffect: HighIs 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~1.2–1.8%

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy
1 flagged ingredient
Low risk
We flag 1 ingredient with irritancy potential; the product's overall irritancy is low. The table lists each ingredient's own rating.
IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount
1,2-hexanediolA preservativeMedium~10–16%est.
Comedogenic
1 ingredient rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale
1 flagged
These ingredients have a comedogenic rating of 2 or more on a 0–5 scale; the table shows each one's rating. In leave-on products they can clog pores in acne-prone skin.
IngredientFunctionRatingEst. amount
Theobroma cacao extract—3/5~0.9–1.35%est.
Alternatives
Cheaper, or higher on efficacy
Ingredients Soothing Ectoin and Heartleaf Toner
Boots Ingredients Soothing Ectoin and Heartleaf Toner
Higher efficacy · 100/10089% match
$8.02
7 Days Vitamin Mist Phyto-6 Complex
ARIUL 7 Days Vitamin Mist Phyto-6 Complex
Higher efficacy · 100/10088% match
View all alternatives

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Ingredients

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Houttuynia cordata extract~23–35%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
More about Houttuynia cordata extract
1,2-hexanediol~10–16%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

A preservative

More about 1,2-hexanediol
Butylene glycol~5–7.5%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

Used to create a nice product texture and help delivery of other ingredients. Might be somewhat helpful in attracting water to the upper layer of the skin

More about Butylene glycol
Carbomer~3.5–5.2%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Cleansing

Helps create a thicker or gel-like product texture. It is not a surfactant but can be used in gentle cleansing formulations

More about Carbomer
Tromethamine~2.1–3.2%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Helps adjust pH in products

More about Tromethamine
Niacinamide~1.2–1.8%
Hero · Moisturizing, Anti-blemish
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Anti-agingEvens skin toneAnti-blemishMoisturizingReduces irritationReduces rednessAnti-inflammatoryAntibacterial

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

More about Niacinamide
Theobroma cacao extract~0.9–1.35%
Comedogenic 3/5
Irritation risk
Low
Comedogenicity
3/5
More about Theobroma cacao extract
Dextrin~0.5–1.1%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

A sugar that is used to stabilize the product formulation. Can help attract water to the upper layer of the skin

More about Dextrin
Ingredient list view

Houttuynia cordata extract, 1,2-hexanediol, Butylene glycol, Carbomer, Tromethamine, Niacinamide, Theobroma cacao extract, Dextrin

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Worth comparing, line by line.

Match % combines shared ingredients, the first five ingredients, shared actives and hero ingredients, irritancy (lower counts in the alternative's favour), texture and body area. Only products in the same routine step are compared.

Side-by-side comparison of this product against its closest alternatives
HanskinSoonhan Houttuynia Calming First EssenceYOUR PRODUCTBootsIngredients Soothing Ectoin and Heartleaf TonerBeauty of JoseonGinseng Essence WaterGood MoleculesNiacinamide Brightening Toner
Match—89%88%88%
Price—$8.02$6.15$8.03
Shared key ingredients—1 of 11 of 11 of 1
Key difference—PanthenolAdenosine3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Irritancy Low Low Low Low
Drying alcohol————
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  • matches yours
  • differs
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More alternatives: ARIUL 7 Days Vitamin Mist Phyto-6 ComplexCetaphil Brightness Refresh Toner Niacinamide

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Sources cited in this review

Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 4 studies and safety reviews.

  1. 1
    The influence of alkane chain length on the skin irritation potential of 1,2-alkanediolsncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  2. 2
    Safety Assessment of Tromethamine as Used in Cosmeticscir-safety.org
  3. 3
    Niacinamide - mechanisms of action and its topical use in dermatologyncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  4. 4
    Gehring, W. (2004). Nicotinic acid/niacinamide and the skin. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 3(2), 88–93. doi:10.1111/j.1473-2130.2004.00115.x ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Hanskin Soonhan Houttuynia Calming First Essence
HanskinSoonhan Houttuynia Calming First Essence
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