Works for
1 of 4 advertised claims delivered
MoisturizingMangifera indica seed butter, Limnanthes alba seed oil + 19 moreGood evidence
“Essential Balancing Emulsion”
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:
glycerin, sodium hyaluronate.
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: dimethicone, limnanthes alba seed oil.
Evens skin toneGlycyrrhiza uralensis root extract, Camellia sinensis leaf extractLimited evidence
“About Essential Balancing EmulsionMountain Peony extract softens and smooths uneven skin texture while Yai Jiu Hua helps improve skin translucence.”
This product contains ingredients (glycyrrhiza uralensis root extract) that could help reduce hyperpigmentation (for example, post-acne marks or age spots) in theory, but there is not enough evidence that they actually work.
Anti-agingBeta-glucan, Limnanthes alba seed oil + 2 moreLimited evidence
“It absorbs into the skin easily to work it's anti-aging magic, leaving your complexion feeling supple and dewy.”
This product does not contain ingredients that are able to reduce fine lines and wrinkles or help with skin elasticity, but it can improve the look of the skin temporarily through moisturization. Well-moisturized skin might also be able to repair the sun damage better.This ingredient - beta-glucan - could be helpful for preventing or repairing signs of aging in theory, but there is no evidence that it actually works.
ExfoliationNo ingredient credited for this claimNo evidence
“Mountain peony extract softens and refines skin texture while yai jiu hua helps improve skin clarity.”
This product does not contain effective exfoliating ingredients. It might be able to deliver physical exfoliation, that is scrub off some of the dead cells on the surface of the skin. We do not recommend physical exfoliation, because it is not uniform (some bits of skin can get exfoliated too much while others not at all). It can also traumatize the skin and aggrevate acne and other skin conditions.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy8 strong irritants: Parfum, Nelumbo nucifera flower extract + 6 more — patch-test recommendedHigh risk
Comedogenic2 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale2 flagged
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~45–55%
Butylene glycol~5.9–7.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
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 glycolHydrogenated poly(c6-14 olefin)~4.3–5.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and create a nice product texture
More about Hydrogenated poly(c6-14 olefin)Octyldodecyl myristate~3.1–3.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Octyldodecyl myristateGlycerin~2.3–2.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant
More about GlycerinPolyglyceryl-3 methylglucose distearate~1.8–2.2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps water and oil mix together
More about Polyglyceryl-3 methylglucose distearateCetyl ethylhexanoate~1.6–1.9%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An emollient that helps soften the skin and creates a thicker product texture
More about Cetyl ethylhexanoateLimnanthes alba seed oil~1.3–1.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
This oil's cmposition is closest to rapeseed oil. It is a very stable oil and serves as an emoillient
More about Limnanthes alba seed oilHydrogenated vegetable oil~1.1–1.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
An oil from a mixture of different vegetables. Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Hydrogenated vegetable oilCetearyl alcohol~0.9–1.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
A non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture
More about Cetearyl alcoholStearic acid~0.65–1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix together and works as an emollient
More about Stearic acidGlyceryl stearate~0.55–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that softens the skin and forms a protective layer on its surface. Helps water and oil mix together
More about Glyceryl stearateMangifera indica seed butter~0.4–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin and might have some anti-oxidant effect
More about Mangifera indica seed butterPhenoxyethanol~0.4–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolDimethicone~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A silicone that helps to reduce water loss from the surface of the skin. Can temporarily "fill in" lines and wrinkles, absorb oil, and create a nice product finish
More about DimethiconeGlyceryl stearate citrate~0.4–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix together while softening the upper layer of the skin
More about Glyceryl stearate citratePropanediol~0.35–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin
More about PropanediolHydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A gelling agent that thickens the product consistency and leaves the skin with a velvety finish
More about Hydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymerParfum~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumHoney~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the skin and might have some anti-bacterial properties. Can be an allergen
More about HoneyMel~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin and attract water to it
More about MelHoney~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the skin and might have some anti-bacterial properties. Can be an allergen
More about HoneyCarbomer~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps create a thicker or gel-like product texture. It is not a surfactant but can be used in gentle cleansing formulations
More about CarbomerLilium candidum bulb extract~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Paeonia albiflora root extract~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Rehmannia glutinosa root extract~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Polygonatum officinale rhizome/root extract~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Nelumbo nucifera flower extract~0.2–0.4%
Tromethamine~0.25–0.45%
Ethylhexylglycerin~0.25–0.45%
Disodium edta~0.25–0.4%
Alcohol~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- High
Can be drying and contribute to skin irritation. Used in formulars to dissolve other ingredients, create a thinner product consistency or for its antibacterial properties
More about AlcoholLimonene~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- High
A common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heat
More about LimoneneCamellia sinensis leaf extract~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Can contain potent anti-oxidant compounds (abbreviated ECG, GCG, EGC, and EGCG) that might help protect the skin from free radicals. Can help calm down inflammation and has some anti-bacterial properties. Unfortunately, these antioxidants are unstable and lose their effectiveness very quickly in products. The concentration of the antioxidant compounds in the extract also tends to be low to be effective in topical formulation
More about Camellia sinensis leaf extractPortulaca oleracea extract~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant extract that has some anti-oxidant activity, but solid research is lacking. Can help attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Portulaca oleracea extractGlycyrrhiza uralensis root extract~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Licorice root extract. Might be helpful in reducing hyperpigmentation
More about Glycyrrhiza uralensis root extractSodium hyaluronate~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
More about Sodium hyaluronatePolysorbate 60~0.25–0.45%
Sorbitan isostearate~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Sorbitan isostearateLinalool~0.2–0.35%
Beta-glucan~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin, calm down inflammation and irritation, restore the barrier function and support wound healing. It can be helpful in reducing fine lines and wrinkles
More about Beta-glucanNatto gum~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Citronellol~0.15–0.25%
Citral~0.15–0.3%
Geraniol~0.15–0.25%
Tbhq~0.1–0.15%
Tocopherol~0.1–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Pure form of vitamin E. Can help moisturise and protect the skin from free radicals. Often used to help stabilise other ingredients or the formula itself
More about TocopherolIngredient list view
Water, Butylene glycol, Hydrogenated poly(c6-14 olefin), Octyldodecyl myristate, Glycerin, Polyglyceryl-3 methylglucose distearate, Cetyl ethylhexanoate, Limnanthes alba seed oil, Hydrogenated vegetable oil, Cetearyl alcohol, Stearic acid, Glyceryl stearate, Mangifera indica seed butter, Phenoxyethanol, Dimethicone, Glyceryl stearate citrate, Propanediol, Hydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer, Parfum, Honey, Mel, Honey, Carbomer, Lilium candidum bulb extract, Paeonia albiflora root extract, Rehmannia glutinosa root extract, Polygonatum officinale rhizome/root extract, Nelumbo nucifera flower extract, Tromethamine, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium edta, Alcohol, Limonene, Camellia sinensis leaf extract, Portulaca oleracea extract, Glycyrrhiza uralensis root extract, Sodium hyaluronate, Polysorbate 60, Sorbitan isostearate, Linalool, Beta-glucan, Natto gum, Citronellol, Citral, Geraniol, Tbhq, Tocopherol
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Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 23 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2Extraction and Characteristics of Seed Kernel Oil from Mangopdfs.semanticscholar.org
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Dimethicone Copolyoljournals.sagepub.com
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