Original Wormwood Calming Watery Cream
Original Wormwood Calming Watery Cream
Product Description
Fraijour Original Wormwood Calming Watery Cream is a lightweight, fast-absorbing gel-cream powered by 12,000ppm Artemisia (wormwood) extract, hyaluronic acid and squalane. It delivers fresh, weightless hydration while calming redness and stressed skin โ a generous 100ml jar built for daily use on oily, combination and sensitive skin.
โจ Texture & Feel
12,000ppm Wormwood
A high concentration of Artemisia (wormwood) leaf extract delivers antioxidant and skin-calming benefits to stressed, reactive skin.
Multi-Layer Hydration
Hyaluronic acid, glycerin and betaine pull in moisture for plump, comfortable skin without heaviness.
Barrier Support
Squalane plus 60+ plant, seed and herb extracts help soften and reinforce a stressed moisture barrier.
Weightless Gel-Cream
A cooling, watery texture absorbs quickly with no greasy film โ and a generous 100ml jar for everyday use.
๐ก๏ธ Safety & Compatibility
No retinoids, salicylic acid, hydroquinone or chemical sunscreens. Generally considered low-risk, but confirm essential-oil tolerance with your doctor.
Not malassezia-safe โ contains galactomyces ferment, fatty-acid esters and arginine that can feed fungal acne.
Rated 1/5. Oily and acne-prone users widely report no clogged pores or new breakouts.
Contains bergamot peel oil plus natural limonene and linalool. Patch test if your skin is highly reactive.
Free from added fragrance, parabens, sulfates, silicones and drying alcohols.
Plays well with most actives. Use as your moisturizer step; in the morning apply sunscreen on top.
๐ฌ Ingredient Breakdown
๐ฟ Artemisia Princeps (Wormwood) Leaf Extract 1.2% / 12,000ppm Promising
The hero ingredient and the brand's signature. Wormwood (mugwort) extract is prized in K-beauty for calming visibly stressed, reddened skin and delivering antioxidant support.
- Source: Artemisia species are rich in flavonoids and phenolic antioxidants studied for soothing and free-radical defense.
- Brand claim: 12,000ppm (โ1.2%) concentration for a comforting, antioxidant-rich base.
๐ง Hyaluronic Acid <1% Proven
A powerhouse humectant that binds water to the upper layers of skin, leaving it plump, smooth and comfortable.
- Source: Well-documented to boost skin hydration and reduce the look of fine dehydration lines.
- Pairing: Works alongside glycerin and betaine for layered moisture retention.
๐ซ Squalane <1% Proven
A lightweight, skin-identical emollient that softens and helps lock in moisture without a greasy feel.
- Source: Highly stable and well-tolerated; compatible with most skin types.
- Note: Source (plant vs. olive) isn't disclosed, which matters only for strict fungal-acne avoidance.
๐ฑ Centella Asiatica Extract Botanical Proven
The famous "cica" extract, packed with madecassoside and asiaticoside to soothe irritation and support barrier recovery.
- Source: Centella compounds are well-researched for calming redness and aiding skin repair.
๐ Allantoin & Betaine Soothing duo Proven
Allantoin softens and comforts the skin while betaine adds gentle, non-sticky hydration โ a reliable calming pair.
- Source: Allantoin is a classic skin-soother; betaine is a naturally occurring humectant.
โจ Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate Ferment Promising
A fermented filtrate associated with a brighter, smoother, more even-looking complexion over time.
- Source: Ferment filtrates are studied for antioxidant and skin-conditioning benefits.
63 ingredients
Water, Butylene Glycol, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Betaine, 1,2-Hexanediol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Hyaluronic Acid, Squalane, Artemisia Princeps Leaf Extract, Propanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Illicium Verum Fruit Extract, Arginine, Allantoin, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Peel Oil, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Angelica Archangelica Root Extract, Rubus Fruticosus Fruit Extract, Vaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract, Rubus Idaeus Fruit Extract, Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Diospyros Kaki Leaf Extract, Morus Alba Bark Extract, Opuntia Coccinellifera Fruit Extract, Brassica Oleracea Italica Extract, Medicago Sativa Extract, Brassica Oleracea Capitata Leaf Extract, Triticum Vulgare Germ Extract, Brassica Campestris Extract, Raphanus Sativus Seed Extract, Coix Lacryma-Jobi Ma-Yuen Seed Extract, Triticum Vulgare Seed Extract, Zea Mays Kernel Extract, Phaseolus Radiatus Seed Extract, Glycine Soja Seed Extract, Oryza Sativa Bran Extract, Jasminum Officinale Flower/Leaf Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Hamamelis Virginiana Bark/Leaf/Twig Extract, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Mentha Piperita Leaf Extract, Verbena Officinalis Leaf Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Aspalathus Linearis Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate, Chamaecyparis Obtusa Leaf Extract, Pinus Densiflora Leaf Extract, Pinus Sylvestris Bud Extract, Carica Papaya Fruit Extract, Limonene, Linalool, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
๐ Where It Fits in Your Routine
Use morning and night as your moisturizer step. In the daytime, always seal with sunscreen as the final layer.
๐ How to Use
Cleanse & tone
Start with clean skin and your usual toner so the cream applies onto a hydrated base.
Apply treatments
Layer any essences or serums first and let them absorb before sealing.
Pat on the watery cream
Take a moderate amount and gently pat over the face until it melts in. A little goes a long way.
Finish (AM)
In the morning, follow with a broad-spectrum SPF as your final step.
๐ค Who Is It For?
โ Perfect for you if:
- You have oily, combination or normal skin and want lightweight, non-greasy hydration.
- Your skin gets red, reactive or stressed and needs daily calming.
- You want a generous 100ml jar at an affordable price.
- You prefer fragrance-free, plant-based formulas.
โ Consider alternatives if:
- You have fungal acne (malassezia) โ ferments and esters can trigger it.
- You have very dry skin and need a richer occlusive cream.
- You react to essential oils or many botanical extracts.
- You dislike jar packaging or a strong herbal scent.
๐ฏ Skin Type Compatibility
Watery, fast-absorbing texture hydrates without adding shine or heaviness.
Balances moisture across drier cheeks and an oilier T-zone comfortably.
Hydrating and soothing, but very dry skin may want a richer cream layered on top.
Fragrance-free and calming, though essential oils mean a patch test is wise for reactive skin.
Low comedogenicity is great for regular acne, but it is not fungal-acne safe.
๐ Results Timeline
Cool, calm & hydrated
A refreshing cooling sensation on application; skin feels instantly soothed and comfortable.
90% noticedLess tightness, calmer look
Dehydration and tightness ease, and visible redness from daily stress starts to settle.
72% noticedSmoother, more balanced skin
With consistent use, skin tends to look smoother and feels more resilient and balanced.
61% noticedHealthier-looking barrier
Long-term, users report skin that stays comfortable, hydrated and less easily irritated.
54% noticedโญ Ratings by Platform
โ๏ธ Pros & Cons
โ Praised
- Lightweight, watery gel-cream that absorbs fast and feels non-greasy.
- Genuinely calming โ soothes redness and dehydrated, stressed skin.
- Excellent value: a big 100ml jar at a budget-friendly price.
- Fragrance-free and plant-based, suiting sensitive and oily skin.
- Doesn't clog pores for most oily and combination users.
โ Criticized
- Jar lid can be flimsy and leak in transit; packaging sometimes arrives damaged.
- Can feel slow to absorb or slightly sticky on very dry skin.
- Not fungal-acne (malassezia) safe.
- Herbal scent may be too strong for fragrance-averse users.
- Light hydration alone may not be enough for dry skin in winter.
๐ฐ Budget-Friendly Alternatives (Dupes)
Centella-led soothing gel-cream with a similar calming, lightweight feel. Swaps wormwood for cica and has a shorter botanical list.
A watery, fragrance-light gel-cream focused on calming and hydration. Simpler centella formula without the wormwood and seed-extract blend.
A minimalist barrier cream for dry skin. Richer and more occlusive than this watery gel, with far fewer botanical extracts.
๐ Comparison with Competitors
Fraijour Original Wormwood Calming Watery Cream (Featured)
$19.00Round Lab Mugwort Calming Cream
$28.00I'm From Mugwort Cream
$32.00Beauty of Joseon Dynasty Cream
$24.00๐ฆ Storage & Shelf Life
12 months after opening
Keep in a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight; use clean, dry hands or a spatula.
Wide-mouth screw-top jar (tub), 100ml
100ml meets the standard carry-on liquids limit (right at the maximum).
โ Frequently Asked Questions
It contains no retinoids, salicylic acid, hydroquinone or chemical sunscreen filters, which are the ingredients most commonly flagged during pregnancy, so it is generally considered low-risk. It does include bergamot peel oil and natural fragrance components (limonene, linalool), so if you are pregnant or nursing, it is best to confirm with your doctor and patch test first.
No. It contains galactomyces ferment filtrate, fatty-acid esters such as caprylic/capric triglyceride, and arginine, all of which can feed malassezia. If you are prone to fungal acne, this cream is best avoided.
Yes. It is a gentle, calming moisturizer with no actives of its own, so it pairs well as the hydrating step after these treatments. Many users layer it over retinol or exfoliating acids to buffer dryness and irritation.
It shines on oily, combination, normal and sensitive skin that wants lightweight, soothing hydration. Very dry skin can still use it but may prefer to layer a richer cream on top, especially in colder months.
Calming and hydration are usually felt immediately on application. Reductions in tightness and visible redness tend to show within one to two weeks, with smoother, more balanced and resilient-looking skin developing over four to eight weeks of consistent use.
Use it as your moisturizer step, after toner, essence and any serums. In the morning it goes before sunscreen; at night it can be your final leave-on step.
It rates low on the comedogenic scale (about 1/5) and the brand markets it as non-comedogenic. Oily and acne-prone users widely report no clogged pores, though it is still not suitable for fungal-acne-prone skin.
The Period After Opening is 12 months. Store it somewhere cool and dry and use clean hands or a spatula to keep the formula fresh for the full shelf life.
Verdict: Fraijour's Original Wormwood Calming Watery Cream is one of the best-value calming moisturizers in K-beauty โ a generous 100ml jar of fragrance-free, plant-rich gel-cream that hydrates, cools and soothes stressed skin without weight or shine. It's an easy win for oily, combination and sensitive skin and pairs beautifully with strong actives. The main caveats are simple: it isn't fungal-acne safe, the jar packaging can be flimsy, and very dry skin may want something richer on top. For everyone else, it's a reliable, affordable everyday staple.
Product Overview
What are Quick Product Notes?
Quick product notes are a great way to check if a product is free from commonly avoided ingredients by skincare enthusiasts. These preferences come about for different reasons depending on the ingredient such as personal experiences, sensitivities, health preferences & etc.
Pro Tip Alert!
Just because a product is not free from a common preference does not mean it's a bad product! You can make a personal decision whether or not you want to use a product that contains these ingredients or not - click the labels of the preference to read more about them.
Quick Product Notes
Paraben-Free
Paraben-Free
Understanding Parabens
Parabens are a large group of preservatives which are used to prevent bacteria growing in cosmetic formulations. There has been some healthy controversy surrounding them due to a few studies finding paraben presence in breast tumours and breast tissue. However, the majority of the scientific community have deemed these findings non-conclusive due to the limitations of these studies. There's still a lot of support for avoiding parabens following the better safe than sorry route. If you do we completely support you! If you are concerned about the health safety of parabens, then feel free to avoid them by looking out for the Paraben-Free icon. If not, don't worry about it - they do have had one of the longest safety records as preservatives!
Which Ingredients are classified as Paraben?
A product will be paraben-free if it does not contain any of the following parabens:
- Sodium Isobutylparaben
- Sodium Ethylparaben
- Sodium Butylparaben
- Propylparaben
- Isopropylparaben
- Isobutylparaben
- Sodium Propylparaben
- Butylparaben
- Ethylparaben
- Sodium Methylparaben
- Methylparaben
Sulfate-Free
Sulfate-Free
Understanding Sulfates
Sulfates are a large group of ingredients which act as cleansing agents in Cosmetics. They help loosen up the dirt and grime from your skin and hair to allow for water to wash it away with ease. However some sulfates are so good at their job, they can wash off your skinโs own natural oils that keep it moisturised and protected which can lead to dryness and irritation. Most people will find no issues with sulfate, however if you find your skin doesn't like sulfates then free feel to avoid them by looking out for the sulfate-free icon on Skincarisma.
Which ingredients are classified as sulfates?
We've taken the Sulfates which are considered more harsh for our Sulfate-Free status. A product will be Sulfate-Free if it does not contain any of the following Sulfates:
- TEA-Dodecylbenzenesulfonate
- Ammonium Laureth Sulfate
- Sodium Lauryl Sulfate
- PEG-15 Cocamine
- Sodium Laureth Sulfate
- Sodium Cocoyl Sarcosinate
- Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
- Dioctyl Sodium Sulfosuccinate
- Ammonium Xylenesulfonate
- Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate
- Sodium Xylenesulfonate
- Sodium Myreth Sulfate
- Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate
Alcohol-Free
Alcohol-Free
Understanding Simple Alcohols
Alcohol ingredients are widely used in cosmetics and come in different types. For the most part alcohols are not problematic at all. However one type of alcohols, simple alcohols can be quite drying to the skin because it evaporates very quickly. This can cause irritation which can also lead to other skin complications. These alcohols should never be used alone on your skin, but combined with other cosmetic ingredients, they are normally without issue. However, for some people with sensitive and easily irritable skin, avoiding products with these simple alcohols may be beneficial. If you find your skin doesn't like these simple alcohols, then free feel to avoid them by looking out for the Alcohol-Free icon.
Which Ingredients are classified as Alcohol?
A product will be alcohol-free if it does not contain any of the following alcohol ingredients:
- SD Alcohol
- Alcohol Denat
- Isopropyl Alcohol
- Alcohol
Silicone-Free
Silicone-Free
Understanding Silicones
If you've ever used a skincare, makeup or beauty product that's made your skin look and feel smoother tempoarily - it's likely contained Silicone. They are a popular class of ingredients found in cosmetics due to their smooth, soft, easy-to-spread and smooth properties that help creates an artificial layer/barrier on top of skin or hair (commonly found in conditioners).
For the same reasons they are popularly used, they are also commonly avoided. Anecdotally, many individuals have reported that Silicones cause/excerbate breakouts, irritation, cause a feeling of skin being unable to breathe, cause clumping of cosmetic products and find it difficult to wash off. As a result, those who find them problematic are avoiding them and increasingly, cosmetic companies are avoiding them as well.
If you have had bad experiences with Silicones in the past, or suspect they are problematic then look out for the tick on the Silicone-free label.
Disclaimer
The Silicone-free label only includes the most common Silicone ingredients that have indentified been reported by individuals that could potentially cause issues.
These include: Amodimethicone, Behenoxy Dimethicone, Bis-Aminopropyl Dimethicone, Cetearyl Methicone, Cetyl Dimethicone, Cyclomethicone, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, Dimethicone Copolyol, Dimethiconol, Methicone, Phenyl Trimethicone, Phenyl Trimethicone, Stearoxy Dimethicone, Stearyl Dimethicone, Trimethylsilylamodimethicone.
Note, that this does not include all ingredients part of the Silicone class of ingredients.
EU Allergen-Free
EU Allergen-Free
Understanding the Identified Contact Allergens
The EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) has identified and established 26 cosmetic ingredients that are likely contact allergens (potential to cause skin allergies) as demonstrated in clinical or epidemiological studies. The EU's SCCS have recommend cosmetic companies to disclose them on the labels if used and in cases where the concentration exceeds 0.001% in leave-on products and 0.01% in rinse-off products, then they must be labelled.
Look out for the tick on the EU-Allergen free label to know your cosmetic is free from any of the 26 identified cosmetic ingredients.
For more information regarding the EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety, please visit their official website.
Disclaimer
The EU Allergen Free label is for the 26 ingredients identified by the EU SCCS and products will be only flagged if a suspected ingredient is on it's ingredient list. It is possible for cosmetics to contain one of the suspect ingredients without it appearing on the ingredient list due to it not reaching the concentration threshold to disclose it and cosmetic manufacturers choice to not disclose it.
Also note, the EU Allergen Free label is not personalized for your own allergies you may have and it does not constitute as medical advice. For your specific case, always consult your medical professiona such as dermatologist, physician, pharmacist, or health care provider - please read our medical disclaimer for more information.
Fungal Acne (Molassezia) Safe
Fungal Acne (Molassezia) Safe
Understanding Fungal Acne (Pityrosporum Folliculitis/Malassezia Folliculitis)
Pityrosporum Folliculitis/Malassezia folliculitis or simply known as Fungal Acne is a persistent acne-like condition that commonly responds poorly to traditional acne-treating methods. Unlike most cases of Acne where bacteria is the culprit, Fungi is the culprit of Fungal Acne (Hence the name!). There are certain classes & groups of ingredients that have been shown to promote and feed the growth of the Fungal Acne, Fungi such as fatty acids, oils, esters, polysorbates and fermented ingredients.
For more information regarding Fungal Acne, please visit Simple Skincare Science (f.c) - #3 of our Recommend Skincare Resources for an amazing comprehensive guide!
Please Read: How to use the Fungal Acne (Malassezia) Label
At SkinCarisma, we've done our best to identify as many ingredients as possible but note the fungal-free label may not be 100% accurate due to the complexconditions and combination of ingredients that malezzeria can thrive on.
Additionally, products that may contain ingredients that have shown to feed Malassezia may not neccessarily exacerbate the condition due to concentration of ingredient used in the product, this information is simply not available on the products.
As a result, please note this is only an experimental label that can be best used to possible identify problematic products you have used in the past. It is in no way a perfect identifier nor a predictor in whether or not it will exacerbate or cause fungal acne. It will continue to be worked on as more information and research comes to light.
If you find any ingredients you believe should be included, please email us at snails@skincarisma.com.
Disclaimer
Due to the lack of substantial research into this area it is very likely there are other ingredients and class/groups of ingredients that could feed Fungal Acne which have not been indentified.
The Fungal-Safe label does not constitute as medical advice. For your specific case, always consult your medical professiona such as dermatologist, physician, pharmacist, or health care provider - please read our medical disclaimer for more information.
What are Notable Effects & Ingredients?
Ever used a product that promised a certain effect but provided no results? It might not have contained any notable ingredients that could have been responsible for that promised effect. It doesn't matter what the marketing or packaging ยซpromisesยป it can do, if it doesn't contain anything that can help - then the likelihood of it helping is low.
We help you identify key notable ingredients that have been shown to help with effects such as acne-fighting, brightening, UV-protection, wound healing & anti-aging to help you achieve your skincare goals smarter. Please note that different notable ingredients have varying levels of research behind them, some are extremely well proven yet some have mixed research in their efficacy.
Pro Tip Alert!
Just because a product doesn't contain any notable ingredients doesn't mean it's bad. And a product with notable ingredients (or even many) doesn't necessarily guarantee the efficacy of the product performing these effects either. There are other factors such as ingredient quality, concentration and formulation that will ultimately determine this.
Be smart and use this as just a starting point for you to make more informed and smarter choices and compare it with reviews to see if the product is right for you
Notable Effects & Ingredients
Anti-Aging from 2 ingredient(s):
Brightening from 3 ingredient(s):
Promotes Wound Healing from 5 ingredient(s):
What are Ingredients Related to Skin Type?
Why are some products great for some people and horrible for others? Well everyone has different skin types and different reactions to the same ingredients.
We've identified a range of ingredients that are commonly regarded as potentially good or bad for those with Dry, Oily/Acne-Prone or Sensitive skin.
Pro Tip Alert!
A product that contains good or bad ingredients for your skin type doesn't always flat out make the entire product good or bad for your skin. There are other factors such as ingredient quality, concentration and formulation that will ultimately determine your skins reaction.
One of the best ways to use this section is to troubleshoot products you've had bad experiences with in the past. Check if it contains any of the marked ingredients to point out suspect ingredients to avoid in the future!
Ingredients Related to Skin Types
Dry Skin
Oily/Acne-Prone Skin
Sensitive Skin
What is the Ingredient Safety Breakdown?
Ingredient Safety Breakdown refers to the percentage % of ingredients in different risk categories as classified by EWG (Environment Working Group) if they are available. There are almost endless cosmetic ingredients and they are one of the few organisations globally that have assigned ratings to a lot of the more commonly used ingredients which is why we reference them.
Pro Tip Alert!
EWG is seen by many to be more on the alarmist side in their assignment of health ratings resulting in rating ingredients as riskier than they actually are. We recommend using this a reference point rather than a strict guide of ingredient safety and to always do further research if into ingredients that you may find suspect.
Ingredient Safety Breakdown
Product ingredient list
| EWG | CIR | Ingredient Name & Cosmetic Functions | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Water
Solvent, Skin Conditioning
|
|
|
| 1 |
Butylene Glycol
Solvent, Skin Conditioning, Masking, Fragrance, Humectant, Viscosity Controlling, Viscositydecreasing Agent
|
Hydrating
|
|
| 0 |
Hydrogenated Polydecene
Emollient, Masking, Skin Conditioning, Solvent
|
|
|
| 2 |
Glycerin
Solvent, Perfuming, Fragrance, Humectant, Viscosity Decreasing Agent, Hair Conditioning, Skin Protecting, Denaturant, Skin Conditioning
|
Brightening
Promotes Wound Healing
Hydrating
|
|
| 1 |
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Solvent, Skin Conditioning, Masking, Perfuming, Emollient
|
|