2nd on the list, which puts it at an estimated 5–20% of the formula.
Butane-1,3-diol (CAS No. 107-88-0/ EC No. 203-529-7) (R)-(-)-butane-1,3-diol” (CAS No. 6290-03-5/ EC No. 228-532-0)
Hydration
COSRX
Hyaluronic Acid Hydra Power Essence
face essence
COSRX
Hyaluronic Acid Hydra Power Essence
face essence
Added Last edited
Fit by skin type
General, ingredient-based — not your personalized match.
Dry
52%
Combination (dry)
52%
Balanced
63%
Combination (oily)
93%
Oily
93%
See how this fits your skin
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7
Ingredients
3
Benefits
2
Actives
Highly concentrated with the hyaluronic acid, this oil-free gel essence provides long-lasting hydration.
Key Insights
Benefits
3
Anti-Aging
Hydration
Soothing
Active Ingredients
2
Hyaluronic acid
Vitamin B5 (panthenol)
Full Ingredients
7 total
About Hyaluronic Acid Hydra Power Essence
Overview
Hyaluronic Acid Hydra Power Essence is a watery-light essence from COSRX, a brand based in Korea. The formula is built mainly around hydration. The ingredient list runs to 7 ingredients, each broken down in full below.
Texture and finish
By its ingredient list the formula reads as very light — essentially a water-and-humectant base with little emollient weight. With almost no emollient load it should absorb quickly and finish close to matte. Hydration is handled by Butylene Glycol, Glycerin and Sodium Hyaluronate, humectants that pull water into the upper layers of skin rather than sealing it there.
What the formula does
Hydration: High. Ingredients that pull and hold water in the upper layers of skin, and here that comes from Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Sodium Hyaluronate and Panthenol.
Soothing: Moderate. Ingredients aimed at visible redness and reactivity, and here that comes from Panthenol and Sodium Hyaluronate.
Who it suits
On richness alone it suits Combination (oily) and Oily skin best, and is the least natural fit for Dry and Combination (dry) skin. Nothing in the list is flagged as a common irritant, which is a reasonable starting point for reactive skin — though a patch test is still the only way to know.
What it does not target
The formula contributes little or nothing on antioxidant protection, oil control, brightening and tone and cell renewal. That is not a fault — most products are not meant to do everything — but if one of those is your priority, this is not the product that will address it.
What is not in it
Reading the full list, the formula is fragrance-free, essential-oil-free, no drying alcohol, paraben-free, silicone-free and microplastic-free. Those claims come from the ingredient list itself, not from the packaging.
Where it fits in a routine
It can be used morning and evening. In a routine it goes after cleansing, before serums. Apply to slightly damp skin so the humectants have water to hold on to.
This summary is generated from the product's ingredient list. It is not a review, it is not the brand's own marketing claims, and it does not replace advice from a dermatologist.
Pros and cons
Drawn purely from the ingredient list
Pros
- No fragrance or declared allergens
- No essential oils
- No drying alcohol
- Silicone-free
- No microplastics
- Strong humectant content for hydration
- No common irritants flagged in the list
- No recognised malassezia (fungal acne) triggers
Which skin types it suits
Scored on how rich or light the formula reads from its INCI order.
Suitable for
- Combination (oily) skin
- Oily skin
May suit
- Balanced skin
Less suitable for
- Dry skin
- Combination (dry) skin
Sensitive skin
No ingredient in this formula carries a common-irritant flag, making it a reasonable option for reactive skin. A patch test is still recommended, as individual skin reactivity varies.
Skin concerns
Based on the curated benefits documented for this product's ingredients.
Helps with
-
Hydration 4 ingredients
Attracts and locks in moisture to keep skin plump and dewy
-
Anti-Aging 2 ingredients
Boosts collagen and cell turnover to reduce fine lines and wrinkles
-
Soothing 2 ingredients
Calms redness, irritation, and inflammation for sensitive skin
Does not target
Anti-Acne
Blackhead Reducing
Dark Spot Fading
Evens Skin Tone
Oil Control
Pore Minimizer
Smooths Bumpy Skin
None of the ingredients in this formula are associated with these benefits. This is not unusual, as most products are designed to target a limited number of concerns.
Key ingredients
The actives, UV filters and benefit-carrying ingredients in this formula, in the order they are listed.
3rd on the list, which puts it at an estimated 5–20% of the formula.
Glycerine ;Glycerol (INN); Glycerol (RIFM); Glycerolum (EP); Glycyl Alcohol; 1,2,3-Propanetriol; 1,2,3-Trihydroxypropane
Hydration
Anti-Aging
Sodium Hyaluronate
Hyaluronic acid
5th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 2–10% of the formula.
Hyaluronic acid, sodium, salt
Hydration
Anti-Aging
Soothing
Panthenol
Vitamin B5 (panthenol)
6th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 2–10% of the formula.
Butanamide, 2,4-dihydroxy-N-(3-hydroxypropyl)-3,3-dimethyl-, (2R)-; dl-Panthenol
Hydration
Soothing
Formula analysis
Each axis is scored from the ingredients present and how high up the list they sit.
Hydration
High
Ingredients that pull and hold water in the upper layers of skin
Barrier support
Low
Lipids and repair signals that support skin barrier integrity
Antioxidant support
None
Ingredients that mop up free radicals from UV and pollution
Oil control
None
Ingredients that moderate sebum or absorb shine
Brightening
None
Ingredients that act on uneven tone and post-inflammatory marks
Soothing
Moderate
Ingredients aimed at visible redness and reactivity
Cell renewal
None
Retinoids, acids and enzymes that speed surface turnover
Firmness signalling
None
Peptides and growth factors that signal for collagen support
Active and supporting ingredients
"Active" here means an ingredient carrying a recorded active type or a recognised UV filter.
Active ingredients (2)
- Sodium Hyaluronate · 2–10%
- Panthenol · 2–10%
Supporting ingredients (5)
Solvents, emollients, texture agents and preservatives — the formula that carries the actives.
Hippophae Rhamnoides Water
Butylene Glycol
Glycerin
1,2-hexanediol
Ethyl Hexanediol
What is and is not in it
Read from the full ingredient list. A brand's own claim may differ.
Free from
- Fragrance-free
- Essential-oil-free
- No drying alcohol
- Paraben-free
- Silicone-free
- Microplastic-free
- Sulfate-free
- Dye-free
- Oil-free
- No animal-derived ingredients
What to layer it with
Judged by the same curated rules our routine checker uses. It reads the ingredients, not the label.
Compatible with
- Vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid)
- Retinoids (retinol, retinal)
- AHAs (glycolic, lactic)
- BHA (salicylic acid)
- PHAs (gluconolactone)
- Benzoyl peroxide
- Azelaic acid
- Copper peptides
- Bakuchiol
- Niacinamide
- Hyaluronic acid
- Ceramides
- Signal peptides
- Panthenol
- Sunscreen
Nothing in this formula belongs to a group our rules can put in conflict, so it layers freely. Order still matters — thinnest texture first.
Where it fits in a routine
Morning
Evening
- Cleanse
- Toning
- Treat
- Moisturise
- Protect
This product is the "Toning" step.
- Apply to slightly damp skin so the humectants have water to hold on to.
Safety and suitability
Flags to check, not verdicts. None of this is medical advice — if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or treating a skin condition, ask a doctor.
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding
- Nothing in this formula is on the standard pregnancy-caution list. That is not clearance — ask your doctor about anything you use daily.
- Fungal acne (malassezia)
- No ingredient here is a recognised food source for malassezia.
- Sensitive and reactive skin
- No ingredient in this formula carries a common-irritant flag, making it a reasonable option for reactive skin. A patch test is still recommended, as individual skin reactivity varies.
Ingredients by function
Most ingredients do more than one job, so these counts add up to more than the 7 ingredients on the label.
4
Solvent
Dissolves and carries everything else
3
Humectant
Draws water into the upper layers of skin
2
Active
Changes how skin behaves rather than how it feels
2
Texture agent
Sets the thickness, spread and stability of the formula
1
Occlusive
Forms a film that slows water loss
Ingredient breakdown
Every ingredient on the label, in order, with what it does and roughly how much of it is likely to be there.
- Estimated level
- 30–80%
- Confidence
- Low — inferred from list position alone
1st on the list, which puts it at an estimated 30–80% of the formula.
Hippophae Rhamnoides Water is the aqueous solution of the steam distillates obtained from the whole plant of the Sea Buckthorn, Hippophae rhmanoides L, Elagnaceae
- Estimated level
- 5–20%
- Confidence
- Low — inferred from list position alone
- Roles
- Humectant, Texture agent, Solvent
2nd on the list, which puts it at an estimated 5–20% of the formula.
Butane-1,3-diol (CAS No. 107-88-0/ EC No. 203-529-7) (R)-(-)-butane-1,3-diol” (CAS No. 6290-03-5/ EC No. 228-532-0)
Hydration
5 scientific references
- CosmeticsInfoorg, Accessed March 2021, ePublication
- US Food and Drug Administration Code of Federal Regulations</em>, Accessed March 2021, ePublication
- International Journal of Toxicology, May 2011, pages 5S-16S
- Skin Research and Technology, November 2007, pages 417-24
- Journal of the American College of Toxicology, September 1985, pages 223-248
- Estimated level
- 5–20%
- Confidence
- Low — inferred from list position alone
- Roles
- Humectant, Occlusive, Texture agent, Solvent
3rd on the list, which puts it at an estimated 5–20% of the formula.
Glycerine ;Glycerol (INN); Glycerol (RIFM); Glycerolum (EP); Glycyl Alcohol; 1,2,3-Propanetriol; 1,2,3-Trihydroxypropane
Hydration
Anti-Aging
6 scientific references
- Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation, March 2021, pages 223-231
- International Journal of Toxicology, November/December 2019, Volume 38, Supplement 3, pages 6S-22S
- International Journal of Cosmetic Science, August 2016, ePublication
- British Journal of Dermatology, July 2008, pages 23-34
- Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, June 2007, pages 75-82
- Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, June 2003, pages 7, 360-7, 365
- Estimated level
- 2–10%
- Confidence
- Low — inferred from list position alone
- Roles
- Solvent
4th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 2–10% of the formula.
- Estimated level
- 2–10%
- Confidence
- Low — inferred from list position alone
- Roles
- Humectant, Active
5th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 2–10% of the formula.
Hyaluronic acid, sodium, salt
Hydration
Anti-Aging
Soothing
5 scientific references
- Der Hautarzt; Zeitschrift fur Dermatologie, Venerologie, und Verwandte Gebiete, December 2017, pages 987-993
- Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, July 2014, pages 277-287
- Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, October 2012, pages 20-23
- DermatoEndocrinology, July-December 2012, pages 253-258
- Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, September 2011, pages 990-1000
- Estimated level
- 2–10%
- Confidence
- Low — inferred from list position alone
- Roles
- Active
6th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 2–10% of the formula.
Butanamide, 2,4-dihydroxy-N-(3-hydroxypropyl)-3,3-dimethyl-, (2R)-; dl-Panthenol
Hydration
Soothing
7 scientific references
- The Linus Pauling Institute, Oregon State University, Accessed April 2021, ePublication
- International Journal of Cosmetic Science, December 2019, pages 534-547
- Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, January 2019, pages 346-354
- Cosmetic Ingredient Review, March 2018, pages 1-51
- The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, August 2017, pages 173-180
- Journal of Cosmetic Science, August 2011, pages 361-370
- American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, Volume 3, 2002, pages 427-433
- Estimated level
- 1–5%
- Confidence
- Low — inferred from list position alone
- Roles
- Solvent
7th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 1–5% of the formula.
2-ethylhexane-1,3-diol
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Frequently asked questions
What ingredients are in Hyaluronic Acid Hydra Power Essence?
HIPPOPHAE RHAMNOIDES WATER, BUTYLENE GLYCOL, GLYCERIN, 1,2-HEXANEDIOL, SODIUM HYALURONATE, PANTHENOL, ETHYL HEXANEDIOL.
What are the active ingredients in Hyaluronic Acid Hydra Power Essence?
SODIUM HYALURONATE, PANTHENOL.
How do I use Hyaluronic Acid Hydra Power Essence?
After cleansing and toning, apply a small amount on your entire face. Gently pat using fingertips to aid absorption, and then go forth with your moisturizers.
What skin types is Hyaluronic Acid Hydra Power Essence good for?
Judged on how rich the formula reads from its ingredient list, it suits Combination (oily), Oily skin best. It is the least natural fit for Dry, Combination (dry) skin.
Is Hyaluronic Acid Hydra Power Essence good for sensitive skin?
No ingredient in this formula carries a common-irritant flag, making it a reasonable option for reactive skin. A patch test is still recommended, as individual skin reactivity varies.
Is Hyaluronic Acid Hydra Power Essence fungal acne safe?
No ingredient in this formula is a recognised food source for malassezia, the yeast behind fungal acne.
Can I use Hyaluronic Acid Hydra Power Essence while pregnant?
Nothing in this formula is on the standard pregnancy-caution list. That is not medical clearance — check anything you use daily with your doctor or midwife.
Is Hyaluronic Acid Hydra Power Essence fragrance free?
Yes. Reading the full ingredient list, this formula is fragrance-free.
Does Hyaluronic Acid Hydra Power Essence contain alcohol?
No. Reading the full ingredient list, this formula is no drying alcohol.
Is Hyaluronic Acid Hydra Power Essence silicone free?
Yes. Reading the full ingredient list, this formula is silicone-free.
Does Hyaluronic Acid Hydra Power Essence contain essential oils?
No. Reading the full ingredient list, this formula is essential-oil-free.
Is Hyaluronic Acid Hydra Power Essence paraben free?
Yes. Reading the full ingredient list, this formula is paraben-free.
What can I layer with Hyaluronic Acid Hydra Power Essence?
It layers well with Vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid), Retinoids (retinol, retinal), AHAs (glycolic, lactic), BHA (salicylic acid), PHAs (gluconolactone), Benzoyl peroxide.
When should I apply Hyaluronic Acid Hydra Power Essence?
Use it morning and evening, after cleansing, before serums.
How many ingredients does Hyaluronic Acid Hydra Power Essence have?
It lists 7 ingredients, of which 2 are recorded as actives.
Who makes Hyaluronic Acid Hydra Power Essence?
COSRX, a brand based in Korea.