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Propolis B5 Glow Barrier Calming Oil To Foam

Propolis B5 Glow Barrier Calming Oil To Foam

Product Description

By Some By Mi β€” the Propolis B5 Glow Barrier Calming Oil To Foam is a 2-in-1 oil-to-foam cleanser that melts away makeup, sunscreen and impurities, then emulsifies into a soft, honey-scented foam with water. Powered by Pro-Panthenolβ„’ (propolis + Vitamin B5), honey, royal jelly and Truecicaβ„’, it double-cleanses in a single gentle step while supporting a calm, glowing moisture barrier.

πŸ‡°πŸ‡· K-Beauty Β· Made in South Korea
βœ” Oil-to-Foam Double Cleanser βœ” Propolis + Vitamin B5 βœ” Honey & Royal Jelly βœ” Truecica Soothing βœ” Dermatologically Tested βœ” For Sensitive Skin βœ” Reef Safe βœ” Paraben & Sulfate Free
Pregnancy Safe
Caution ⚠️
Fungal Acne Safe
No βœ—
Comedogenic Rating
2/5
🧴
Type
Oil-to-Foam Cleanser
πŸ“
Size
120ml / 4.05 fl oz
🐝
Hero Active
Pro-Panthenol 115,000ppm
🌍
Origin
South Korea
πŸ•
When to Use
AM & PM

✨ Texture & Feel

πŸ’§
Consistency
Oil-to-Foam Gel
πŸ‘ƒ
Scent
Honey (fragranced)
⏱️
Use Time
Rinse-off, ~1 min
🎯
Finish
Soft & Glowy
🫧

One-Step Double Cleanse

Starts as an oil to dissolve makeup and sunscreen, then transforms into a rich foam with water β€” no separate first and second cleanser needed.

🐝

Pro-Panthenol Complex

A signature blend of propolis and Vitamin B5 (Panthenol), dosed at 115,000 ppm, to soothe skin and support a healthy moisture barrier.

🍯

Honey & Royal Jelly

Bee-derived humectants and antioxidants help keep skin hydrated, nourished and comfortable even after rinsing.

🌿

Truecica Calming

Some By Mi's centella-based complex helps calm visible redness and irritation, making the formula friendly for sensitive, stressed skin.

πŸ›‘οΈ Safety & Compatibility

🀰
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

No retinoids or hydroquinone. It does contain fragrance and a trace of willow bark (salicin) β€” generally low-risk as a rinse-off, but confirm with your OB-GYN.

πŸ„
Fungal Acne (Malassezia)

Contains glyceryl laurate, evening primrose oil and other esters that can feed malassezia. Not ideal for fungal acne, though rinse-off contact time is brief.

βœ…
Low Comedogenic Risk

A rinse-off oil-to-foam formula with low pore-clogging potential for most users, including combination and acne-prone skin.

🌸
Fragrance Present

Contains Parfum plus a natural honey-like scent. Patch test first if you are reactive or fragrance-sensitive.

🌊
Clean & Reef Safe

Free from parabens, sulfates, silicones, harsh drying alcohols and common allergens per SkinSort verification.

πŸ§ͺ
Dermatologically Tested

Formulated and tested for all skin types, with a focus on sensitive and troubled skin.

πŸ”¬ Ingredient Breakdown

🐝 Pro-Panthenol (Propolis + Vitamin B5) ~11.5% Proven

The product's namesake hero: a patented blend of propolis extract and Panthenol (Vitamin B5), dosed at 115,000 ppm. Propolis brings antibacterial and antioxidant support while B5 is a well-studied humectant and skin-soothing agent.

  • Source: Panthenol is widely shown to improve hydration and help reinforce the skin barrier.
  • Source: Propolis has documented antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that may help calm breakout-prone skin.
βœ…
The combination targets soothing and barrier support β€” the core promise behind the "Glow Barrier Calming" name.

🍯 Honey High in formula Promising

Listed at the top of the cleanser's nourishing complex. As a natural humectant, honey draws and holds moisture, and contains antioxidants plus amino acids that condition skin during cleansing.

  • Source: Honey is a humectant that hydrates skin and offers antioxidant and antibacterial activity.
  • Source: Its antibacterial nature may make it useful for blemish-prone skin.
⚠️
Bee-derived, so this product is not vegan.

πŸ‘‘ Royal Jelly Extract Supporting Promising

A creamy secretion from worker honeybees rich in amino acids, fatty acids and B vitamins. It adds antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and hydrating support to the formula.

  • Source: Royal jelly contains antioxidants and fatty acids associated with anti-aging and hydration.
  • Source: Animal studies suggest it may help boost collagen and reduce inflammation.

🧱 Ceramide NP Barrier active Proven

Also known as ceramide 3, this is one of the lipids naturally found in skin. It helps bond skin cells together to reinforce the barrier and hold water β€” a smart inclusion in a cleanser to offset moisture loss.

  • Source: Ceramides are key building blocks of the skin barrier and help skin look firmer and more hydrated.
  • Source: A stronger barrier helps buffer against irritants and reduce inflammation.

πŸ‡ Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil Emollient Promising

A lightweight emollient oil that helps the oil phase dissolve makeup and sunscreen. It is rich in antioxidants such as Vitamin E and polyphenols.

  • Source: Grape seed oil is antioxidant-rich and may help even skin tone and fight free radicals.
  • Source: Its fatty acids give emollient properties that soften and condition skin.

45 ingredients

Honey, Royal Jelly Extract, Ceramide NP, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Saponaria Officinalis Leaf Extract, Quillaja Saponaria Bark Extract, Sapindus Mukorossi Fruit Extract, Olea Europaea Leaf Extract, Oenothera Biennis Oil, Lactobacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Cinnamomum Cassia Bark Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Origanum Vulgare Leaf Extract, Chamaecyparis Obtusa Leaf Extract, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Glycolipids, Phytosphingosine, Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate, Sodium Cocoyl Apple Amino Acids, Potassium Cocoyl Hydrolyzed Oat Protein, Babassuamidopropyl Betaine, Coco-Glucoside, Potassium Stearate, Potassium Myristate, Tromethamine, Sodium Surfactin, Glyceryl Laurate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Erythritol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Butylene Glycol, Dipropylene Glycol, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Caprylyl Glycol, Hexylene Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glyceryl Caprylate, Sodium Benzoate, Pentylene Glycol, CI 17200, CI 19140, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Disodium EDTA, Parfum.

FREE FROM: Parabens Β· Sulfates Β· Silicones Β· Harsh Drying Alcohols Β· Common Allergens

πŸ”„ Where It Fits in Your Routine

1
Oil-to-Foam (This)
2
Toner
3
Essence
4
Serum
5
Moisturizer
6
Sunscreen (AM)

This is your very first step. Because it doubles as both an oil cleanser and a foaming wash, it usually replaces the two-step double cleanse on light-makeup days. Follow with toner and the rest of your routine.

πŸ“ How to Use

1

Apply to dry skin

Dispense 1–2 pumps onto dry hands and massage over a dry face to dissolve makeup, sunscreen and daily impurities.

2

Add water to foam

Wet your hands with lukewarm water and keep massaging in circular motions; the oil emulsifies into a soft, rich foam.

3

Rinse thoroughly

Rinse off completely with lukewarm water until skin feels clean but not tight.

4

Continue your routine

Pat dry and follow with toner, treatments and moisturizer. Suitable for both morning and evening use.

πŸ‘€ Who Is It For?

βœ… Perfect for you if:

  • You want a quick, one-step double cleanse
  • You have sensitive, dry or easily irritated skin
  • You like nourishing, honey-scented cleansers
  • You wear light makeup or daily sunscreen
  • You want barrier and soothing support while cleansing

❌ Consider alternatives if:

  • You manage fungal acne (malassezia)
  • You are sensitive to fragrance/parfum
  • You wear heavy or waterproof eye makeup
  • You prefer a squeaky-clean, fragrance-free wash
  • You want a strictly vegan formula

🎯 Skin Type Compatibility

Dry Skin β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜… Excellent

The honey-oil base cleanses without stripping, leaving skin soft and comfortable rather than tight.

Combination β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜… Excellent

Balances thorough cleansing with comfort across both oily and drier zones of the face.

Oily Skin β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜† Good

Cleanses well and rinses clean, though the oil base can feel rich for very oily skin types.

Sensitive β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜† Good

Soothing propolis, B5 and Truecica are a plus, but the added fragrance means a patch test is wise.

Acne-Prone β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜†β˜† Moderate

Gentle and low-comedogenic, but not fungal-acne safe due to oils and fatty esters.

πŸ“ˆ Results Timeline

First Wash

Clean & Comfortable

Makeup and sunscreen lift away in one step, and skin feels soft and clean without a tight, stripped feeling.

~92% noticed
1 Week

Less Post-Wash Tightness

Cleansing stays gentle day to day, with a subtle glow and reduced dryness after rinsing.

~80% noticed
2–4 Weeks

Calmer, Balanced Skin

With consistent use, many users report calmer-looking skin and a more comfortable, resilient barrier.

~71% noticed

⭐ Ratings by Platform

πŸ›’ Amazon
β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜… 4.4
Rating
59+
Reviews
⚠️ Main complaint: Struggles to fully remove waterproof eye makeup.
🌸 YesStyle
β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜… 4.5
Rating
1,000+
Reviews
⚠️ Main complaint: Texture can feel thick or sticky before water is added.
🌿 iHerb
β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜… 4.6
Rating
200+
Reviews
⚠️ Main complaint: Honey fragrance is too strong for some sensitive users.
✨ Stylevana
β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜… 4.3
Rating
300+
Reviews
⚠️ Main complaint: Several pumps needed to cover the whole face.

βš–οΈ Pros & Cons

βœ… Praised

  • Genuine 2-in-1 oil-to-foam convenience
  • Gentle and non-stripping; leaves skin soft and glowy
  • Soothing propolis, B5, honey and Truecica
  • Pleasant honey scent and good value
  • Works well for sensitive and dry skin

❌ Criticized

  • Not fungal-acne (malassezia) safe
  • Contains fragrance/parfum
  • Can feel thick or sticky before adding water
  • May not fully remove waterproof eye makeup
  • 120ml exceeds the carry-on liquid limit

πŸ’° Budget-Friendly Alternatives (Dupes)

70% Match
SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Light Cleansing Oil
$15.00 Similar

Soothing centella oil cleanser that is lighter, fragrance-free and friendlier for fungal acne β€” but it's a pure oil with no foaming step.

64% Match
Beauty of Joseon Radiance Cleansing Balm
$18.00 Similar

A rice + probiotic balm that emulsifies with water and excels at removing makeup. Richer and more occlusive, but a balm rather than a pump oil.

58% Match
The Face Shop Rice Water Bright Cleansing Oil
$13.00 Budget Pick

A wallet-friendly oil cleanser that melts makeup well. It lacks the soothing propolis/B5 actives and the foaming transformation.

πŸ”„ Comparison with Competitors

Banila Co Clean It Zero Original Balm

$22.00
Hero Ingredient Acerola / Vitamin C
Format Cleansing Balm
Size 100ml
Fragrance Yes
Fungal Acne Safe No
Best For Normal / Combo

Anua Heartleaf Pure Cleansing Oil

$23.00
Hero Ingredient Heartleaf 80%
Format Cleansing Oil
Size 200ml
Fragrance Fragrance-Free
Fungal Acne Safe Mostly
Best For Oily / Acne-Prone

πŸ“¦ Storage & Shelf Life

πŸ“…
Period After Opening (PAO)

12 months after opening

🏠
Storage

Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight; keep the cap closed between uses.

πŸ“¦
Packaging

Pump bottle (120ml)

✈️
Travel Friendly

120ml exceeds the 100ml carry-on liquid limit β€” pack in checked luggage.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

It contains no retinoids, hydroquinone or chemical sunscreens, which are the usual concerns. It does include fragrance (parfum) and a small amount of willow bark (a natural source of salicin). As a rinse-off cleanser, exposure is minimal and generally considered low-risk, but you should always confirm with your OB-GYN or doctor before use during pregnancy or breastfeeding.

No. It contains glyceryl laurate, evening primrose (Oenothera Biennis) oil and other fatty esters that can feed malassezia yeast. Because it's a rinse-off product with short contact time, some people tolerate it, but if you actively manage fungal acne a fragrance-free, ester-free cleanser is a safer choice.

Yes. As a cleanser it's washed off before your actives go on, so it doesn't conflict with retinol, vitamin C, AHA or BHA. Cleanse first, rinse well, then apply your treatments. Pairing a gentle, soothing cleanser like this with strong actives can actually help keep skin comfortable.

It's formulated for all skin types and shines for sensitive, dry and combination skin thanks to its soothing propolis, B5, honey and Truecica complex. Oily skin will find it cleanses well, while acne-prone users should note it isn't fungal-acne safe.

The cleansing benefit is immediate β€” skin feels soft and clean without tightness from the first wash. Soothing, barrier-comfort effects build over about 1–4 weeks of consistent daily use as part of a full routine.

It's the very first step. Apply to a dry face to dissolve makeup and sunscreen, add water to turn it into a foam, then rinse. Follow with toner, treatments and moisturizer. On light-makeup days it can replace a separate oil + foam double cleanse.

It has a low comedogenic rating (around 2/5). Although it contains plant oils, it is a rinse-off formula, so pore-clogging risk is low for most users. If your skin is very oil-reactive, rinse thoroughly and follow with a lightweight routine.

The Period After Opening (PAO) is 12 months. Use it within a year of first opening, keep the cap closed, and store it in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight to preserve the formula.

β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜†
4.3 out of 5

Verdict: Some By Mi's Propolis B5 Glow Barrier Calming Oil To Foam is a clever, well-priced K-beauty cleanser that genuinely simplifies your routine β€” melting away makeup as an oil, then rinsing clean as a foam. Soothing propolis, Vitamin B5, honey and Truecica make it a comfortable choice for sensitive, dry and combination skin that wants barrier support while cleansing. Just keep in mind it's fragranced, not fungal-acne safe, and may need a dedicated remover for stubborn waterproof eye makeup. For most people seeking a gentle, glow-friendly daily double cleanse, it's an easy recommendation.

Product Overview

question
lightbulb 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.

muscle 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.

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Quick Product Notes

Click on icons for more information
question
lightbulb 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 Β«promisesΒ» 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.

muscle 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

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Notable Effects & Ingredients

anti-aging Anti-Aging from 2 ingredient(s):
Royal Jelly Extract Ceramide NP
wound Promotes Wound Healing from 1 ingredient(s):
Royal Jelly Extract
question
lightbulb 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.

muscle 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!

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Ingredients Related to Skin Types

Click on icons for more information
dry-skin Dry Skin
1
oily-skin Oily/Acne-Prone Skin
sensitive-skin Sensitive Skin
question
lightbulb 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.

muscle 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.

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Ingredient Safety Breakdown

EWG Health Ratings
Low risk
Medium risk
High risk
Unknown risk
48% 6% 44%

Product ingredient list

Showing first 5 of 45 ingredients
EWG CIR Ingredient Name & Cosmetic Functions Notes
1 Unknown
Honey
Humectant, Flavoring Agent, Moisturising
1 Unknown
Royal Jelly Extract
Skin Conditioning
anti-aging Anti-Aging
Promotes Wound Healing
Hydrating
Dark Spots
0 Unknown
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
anti-aging Anti-Aging
Hydrating
Irritation
0 Unknown
Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil
Emollient, Skin Conditioning
Hydrating
1 Unknown
Saponaria Officinalis Leaf Extract
Cleansing, Antimicrobial, Cosmetic Biocide
VIEW ALL INGREDIENTS