the SKIN HOUSE XYCOS Vita Propolis Cream
Works for
1 of 1 advertised claim delivered
Moisturizing18 ingredients credited for this claimGood support
“Prevents moisture loss and brightens up skin with essential nutrients.”
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:
arginine, betaine.
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.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy4 strong irritants: Hamamelis virginiana extract, Retinyl palmitate + 2 more — patch-test recommendedHigh risk
Comedogenic1 ingredient rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale1 flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~40–60%
Betula alba juice~5.5–8.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Butylene glycol~3.4–5.1%
- 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 glycolSqualane~2.8–4.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An oil naturally present in skin. Works as an emollient to soften the skin and form a protective layer on its surface without a greasy feeling.
More about SqualaneCaprylic/capric triglyceride~2.1–3.2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A good mix of fatty acids that forms a protective layer on the skin. Improves the shelf life of products. Derived from coconut and glycerin
More about Caprylic/capric triglycerideCetyl ethylhexanoate~1.7–2.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An emollient that helps soften the skin and creates a thicker product texture
More about Cetyl ethylhexanoateIsohexadecane~1.5–2.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Improves the texture of the product and helps soften the skin. Helps oil and water mix together and can be used as a cleansing agent
More about IsohexadecaneSorbitan stearate~1.2–1.8%
Sucrose cocoate~0.95–1.45%
Niacinamide~0.6–1.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
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 NiacinamideGlycerin~0.5–1.1%
- 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 GlycerinSodium hyaluronate~0.35–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
More about Sodium hyaluronateGlycoproteins~0.3–0.75%
Betaine~0.2–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improves the product texture
More about Betaine1,2-hexanediol~0.15–0.7%
Stearic acid~0.35–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix together and works as an emollient
More about Stearic acidCetearyl alcohol~0.2–0.8%
- 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 alcoholPolyglyceryl-3 methylglucose distearate~0.15–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps water and oil mix together
More about Polyglyceryl-3 methylglucose distearateSea water~0.15–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Dissolves other ingredients. It does not have additional skin benefits compared to plain water
More about Sea waterMangifera indica seed butter~0.15–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin and might have some anti-oxidant effect
More about Mangifera indica seed butterGalactomyces ferment filtrate~0.15–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A yeast ferment filtrate (also known as Pitera - a trademarked name for the filtrate reserved by the SK-II brand). It helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin, can help neutralize antioxidants and can be helpful in evening out the skin tone. It might be somewhat helpful in preventing premature skin aging but solid evidence is lacking. A small manufacturer study also shows that, when used in high concentrations, it can help reduce sebum production and help against blocked pores
More about Galactomyces ferment filtrateArginine~0.1–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
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
More about ArgininePropolis extract~0.1–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- High
A complex substance produced by honey bees. Can have anti-bacterial and some anti-oxidant effect. Is an allergen and can be irritating
More about Propolis extractCamellia sinensis callus culture extract~0.1–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Camellia sinensis leaf extract~0.1–0.45%
- 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 extractHamamelis virginiana extract~0.1–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that can help calm down inflammation in skin. Can, however, itself be irritating
More about Hamamelis virginiana extractLeontopodium alpinum extract~0.1–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Honey~0.1–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the skin and might have some anti-bacterial properties. Can be an allergen
More about HoneyRetinyl palmitate~0.05–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- High
Three steps removed from the active form of vitamin A - retinoic acid. To have an effect in the skin, it first needs to be converted twice to become the retinoic acid. This means it is less potent than retinol, but could also be less irritating. Once converted to the retinoic acid in the skin, it helps against all signs of aging, improves skin cell turnover and helps fight blemishes and clogged pores. However, in many cosmetic formulations, it is used in a concentration that is too low to have the full effect
More about Retinyl palmitateAscorbic acid~0.05–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- High
The most well-researched antioxidant that works in skin. Helps neutralize free radicals supporting collagen production, helping to even out the skin tone and preventing early signs of aging
More about Ascorbic acidTocopheryl acetate~0.05–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A more stable but less bio-available form of vitamin E compared to Tocopherol. Might help moisturize and protect the skin from free radicals, but mostly used in low concentrations to stabilize other ingredients.
More about Tocopheryl acetateCitrus limon fruit extract~0.05–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- High
Used as a fragrance. Can be irritating and cause photosensitivity
More about Citrus limon fruit extractCarbomer~0.05–0.15%
- 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 CarbomerGeranium maculatum oil~0.01–0.05%
Ingredient list view
Water, Betula alba juice, Butylene glycol, Squalane, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Cetyl ethylhexanoate, Isohexadecane, Sorbitan stearate, Sucrose cocoate, Niacinamide, Glycerin, Sodium hyaluronate, Glycoproteins, Betaine, 1,2-hexanediol, Stearic acid, Cetearyl alcohol, Polyglyceryl-3 methylglucose distearate, Sea water, Mangifera indica seed butter, Galactomyces ferment filtrate, Arginine, Propolis extract, Camellia sinensis callus culture extract, Camellia sinensis leaf extract, Hamamelis virginiana extract, Leontopodium alpinum extract, Honey, Retinyl palmitate, Ascorbic acid, Tocopheryl acetate, Citrus limon fruit extract, Carbomer, Geranium maculatum oil
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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.
| the SKIN HOUSEXYCOS Vita Propolis CreamYOUR PRODUCT | BonjourGreen Tea Water Bomb Cream | PURITOCentella Unscented Recovery Cream | EqqualberryVery Moist Berry Basket Cream | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 97% | 94% | 93% |
| Price | $16.40 | $15.50−$0.90 | $5.20−$11.20 | $16.89 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 7 of 11 | 7 of 11 | 7 of 11 |
| Key difference | — | Sh-Octapeptide-4 | Madecassic Acid | Adenosine |
| Irritancy | High | Low | Medium | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 20 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4Hyaluronic acid: A key molecule in skin agingncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 5
- 6
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