Skin science article
Beauty of Joseon Apricot Blossom Peeling Gel Versus Some By Mi Yuja Niacin Brightening Peeling Gel
Beauty of Joseon Apricot Blossom Peeling Gel Versus Some By Mi Yuja Niacin Brightening Peeling Gel This exfoliator is formulated around Cellulose to control oil. This brightening exfoliator is formulated around Cellulose and Niacinamide to brighten dull-lookin
Beauty of Joseon Apricot Blossom Peeling Gel Versus Some By Mi Yuja Niacin Brightening Peeling Gel
This exfoliator is formulated around Cellulose to control oil.
This brightening exfoliator is formulated around Cellulose and Niacinamide to brighten dull-looking skin and refine skin texture.
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Prunus Mume Flower Water
Cellulose
Methylpropanediol
1,2-Hexanediol
Carbomer
Arginine
Ethylhexylglycerin
Allantoin
Sorbitol
Disodium EDTA
Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Houttuynia Cordata Extract
Nelumbo Nucifera Flower Extract
Oryza Sativa Extract
Prunus Mume Fruit Extract
Vaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract
Butylene Glycol
Water, Prunus Mume Flower Water, Cellulose, Methylpropanediol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Carbomer, Arginine, Ethylhexylglycerin, Allantoin, Sorbitol, Disodium EDTA, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Nelumbo Nucifera Flower Extract, Oryza Sativa Extract, Prunus Mume Fruit Extract, Vaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract, Butylene Glycol
Quaternium-60
Propylene Glycol
Bambusa Arundinacea Stem Powder
Citrus Junos Fruit Extract
Dipropylene Glycol
Coptis Japonica Extract
Niacinamide
Panthenol
Arbutin
Ascorbyl Glucoside
Glutathione
Bisabolol
Menadione
Tocopherol
Ascorbic Acid
Biotin
Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate
Cyanocobalamin
Lactobionic Acid
Benzyl Glycol
Raspberry Ketone
Parfum
Limonene
Water, Quaternium-60, Propylene Glycol, Bambusa Arundinacea Stem Powder, Cellulose, Citrus Junos Fruit Extract, Carbomer, Dipropylene Glycol, Nelumbo Nucifera Flower Extract, Coptis Japonica Extract, Niacinamide, Panthenol, Arbutin, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Glutathione, Bisabolol, Menadione, Tocopherol, Ascorbic Acid, Biotin, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, Cyanocobalamin, Butylene Glycol, Lactobionic Acid, 1,2-Hexanediol, Benzyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Raspberry Ketone, Disodium EDTA, Parfum, Limonene
Reviews
Alternatives
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.
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 preservatives
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.
Carbomer is a synthetic thickening and gelling agent. It's basically the ingredient that gives a lot of serums, gels, creams, and sunscreens their smooth, non-sticky texture.
Although legally permitted at very high levels, carbomers are normally used at concentrations below 1%.
It also needs to be neutralized to actually thicken, and because it is a large molecule, it doesn't really penetrate the skin barrier.
Allergy-wise, the risk is very low. Clinical studies show carbomers have low potential for skin irritation/sensitization even at concentrations up to 100%.
A 2024 UK study patch-tested 1,302 patients and found true allergy to the parent group of carbomer to be rare with no confirmed relevant reactions.
Cellulose is the main component of plant cell walls. It is used as an emulsifier, absorbent, and texture enhancer.
This ingredient has many functions:
Fun fact: Cellulose is the most abundant form of organic polymer on Earth.
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%.
Ethylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Nelumbo Nucifera Flower Extract is also known as Lotus Flower Extract and it's mainly valued as an antioxidant + soothing ingredient for skincare.
It's rich in polyphenols and flavonoids that protect skin against radical damage from UV rays and pollution.
Lab studies on human skin show it calms inflammation by reducing inflammatory signals in skin cells without causing cell damage.
Cell and formulation studies also point to whitening/brightening + anti-wrinkle effects; the extracts from the leaf, seed, and flower showed measurable elastase (wrinkle-related enzyme) and tyrosinase (pigment related enzyme) inhibition.
A cream containing lotus extract also no significant irritation and stayed stable over a month of storage.
Typical usage in cosmetics is usually on the lower end (~0.5-5%) depending on the formula.
Allergy-wise, this ingredient is considered low risk and often included in products made for sensitive/irritated skin. But like any plant extract, it carries a small possibility of contact allergy in people sensitive to plant extracts.
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!