COSRX calming liquid intensive

Ingredients overview

Label order. Colour is our internal rating: green routine, yellow restricted or worth a look, red prohibited or high-risk, grey not yet decoded.

Ingredients are listed in label order; the order reflects the label only, not exact concentrations.

1. Propolis Extract
2. Alcohol
3. Butylene Glycol
4. Sodium Lactate
5. Dimethyl Sulfone
6. Betaine
7. Lactic Acid
8. 1,2-Hexanediol
9. Glycolic Acid
10. Water
11. Betaine Salicylate
12. Cassia Obtusifolia Seed Extract
13. Panthenol
14. Allantoin
15. Sodium Hyaluronate
16. Polysorbate 60
17. Hydroxyethylcellulose
18. Zinc Pca
19. Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
20. Ethyl Hexanediol
21. Asiaticoside
22. Asiatic Acid
23. Madecassic Acid

Highlights

Free of parabensFree of siliconesFree of sulfatesFree of mineral oilFree of formaldehyde releasersContains animal-derivedContains alcoholContains PEGContains EU-26 allergensContains essential oilsContains fragrance

Formulation view Betaine salicylate and glycolic acid exfoliate; alcohol aids solubility. Propolis and centella calm inflammation; zinc PCA controls oil. Best for oily acne-prone skin. Factory note: Dual acid pH balance is critical to prevent over-exfoliation and adjust post-alcohol texture.

Key ingredients

SKIN CONDITIONING

Propolis Extract1,2-Hexanediol

ANTIFOAMING

Alcohol

HUMECTANT

Butylene Glycol

BUFFERING

Sodium LactateLactic Acid

SOLVENT

Dimethyl Sulfone

HAIR CONDITIONING

Betaine

Other ingredients

Glycolic AcidWaterBetaine SalicylateCassia Obtusifolia Seed ExtractPanthenolAllantoinSodium HyaluronatePolysorbate 60HydroxyethylcelluloseZinc PcaMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf OilEthyl HexanediolAsiaticosideAsiatic AcidMadecassic Acid

Skim through

Ingredients explained

Propolis Extract

Propolis extract for antimicrobial care; complex composition, potential allergy risk.

Alcohol

Ethanol for solubility/drying at 5-15%; high conc. is drying/irritating, avoid lip/eye, low residue, balance with humectants.

Butylene Glycol

Polyol humectant and solvent at 1–5%; aids solubilization, light feel

Sodium Lactate

Sodium lactate for moisturizing and exfoliation; pH buffering agent

Dimethyl Sulfone

Dimethyl sulfoxide, strong penetrant and solvent; volatile odor, concentration control needed

Betaine

Betaine for mild moisturizing/surfactant; low concentration 1-2% common, high may irritate.

Lactic Acid

AHA pH adjuster at 0.5-5%; exfoliation/humectancy, mild at low conc., irritating at high, avoid conflict with alkaline preservatives.

1,2-Hexanediol

Polyol solvent and preservative booster at 1–5%; light feel, can replace some traditional preservatives

Glycolic Acid

Glycolic acid for exfoliation; requires buffering at concentrations >10%, avoid combination with other acids.

Water

Primary solvent and base; requires preservative system to prevent microbial growth

Betaine Salicylate

Salicylate derivative for keratolytic and antimicrobial action; milder than salicylic acid.

Cassia Obtusifolia Seed Extract

Cassia obtusifolia seed extract, contains anthraquinones; watch for pigmentation with high long-term use.

Panthenol

Panthenol (vitamin B5) at 1–5%; moisturizing and reparative, supports barrier recovery

Allantoin

Skin soother at 0.5-2%; promotes cell regeneration

Sodium Hyaluronate

Potent humectant at 0.1–2%; different MW for penetration depth, high levels may draw moisture

Polysorbate 60

Non-ionic emulsifier and solubilizer for O/W or W/O stability; may cause mild stinging on sensitive skin, typically 1-5%.

Hydroxyethylcellulose

Water-soluble cellulose ether for thickening and suspension stabilization; sensitive to ions, electrolytes reduce viscosity, use at pH 7-8.

Zinc Pca

Zinc salt for sebum control and antimicrobial; often paired with PCA sodium, high levels may cause sensitization

Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil

Tea tree oil, antibacterial and sebum regulating; highly sensitizing at concentrate level, dilute; avoid on broken skin.

Ethyl Hexanediol

Polyol solvent with humectant and mild preservative boost; low viscosity, compatible with many ingredients, gentle.

Asiaticoside

Plant glycoside, healing and antioxidant; poor solubility, use low levels with solubilizers.

Asiatic Acid

Pro-healing active, 0.1–1%; stability affected by light, store protected from light.

Madecassic Acid

Madecassoside hydrolysis product for barrier repair and anti-inflammatory action; mild, low typical usage

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