You may have come across the term mugwort on a Korean essence, toner or mask without really knowing what it was. Behind this name is mugwort, a plant from the Artemisia genus that has become increasingly present in Korean skincare.

Used in many products designed for sensitive, reactive or redness-prone skin, mugwort is particularly valued for its soothing and antioxidant properties. But mugwort does not refer to a single plant: Artemisia princeps, Artemisia annua and Artemisia capillaris are different species used in skincare formulations.

So, what are the benefits of mugwort for skin? How do you use a mugwort essence? And which Korean mugwort skincare products are worth discovering? Let’s take a closer look before introducing 10 products that offer different ways to incorporate mugwort into your skincare routine.

1. What is mugwort in skincare?

A mugwort essence is a lightweight liquid or slightly gel-like skincare product containing an extract from an Artemisia species. It is generally applied after cleansing and before serums and moisturizer.

In Korean skincare, mugwort is primarily valued for its soothing and antioxidant properties. Several Artemisia species contain flavonoids and phenolic compounds that have been studied for their antioxidant activity and their effects on mechanisms involved in inflammatory responses.

The term “mugwort” does not refer to a single plant, however. Artemisia vulgaris, Artemisia princeps, Artemisia annua and Artemisia capillaris are different species used in different formulations. This is why two mugwort skincare products can have slightly different compositions and properties.

Mugwort is therefore generally used in routines designed to soothe and hydrate the skin without weighing it down.

2. What are the benefits of mugwort for skin?

So, what does mugwort do for your skin? Its benefits mainly come from the properties of the mugwort extract itself, as well as the other ingredients included in the formula.

Mugwort helps soothe sensitive skin

This is one of the main reasons mugwort is used in Korean skincare.

Sensitive or reactive skin can experience redness, warmth or tightness. Mugwort skincare products are formulated to support this type of skin with a soothing effect.

Certain Artemisia species have also been studied for their anti-inflammatory properties.

Mugwort has antioxidant properties

Mugwort contains various plant compounds with antioxidant activity. Antioxidants help the skin better cope with oxidative stress caused by environmental aggressors.

This is one of the reasons mugwort can be interesting in daily skincare, particularly when combined with other antioxidant ingredients.

Is mugwort suitable for dry skin?

A mugwort essence can also provide lightweight hydration, which can be particularly useful when the skin lacks water but does not necessarily need a rich texture.

It can be layered under a serum or moisturizer to add an extra layer of hydration to your routine.

Is mugwort suitable for combination to oily skin?

Mugwort can also be a good addition to routines designed for combination to oily or blemish-prone skin, particularly when the skin is easily irritated.

Its main benefit in this case is not to directly treat blemishes, but rather to soothe the skin and complement a routine that already includes purifying or sebum-regulating products.

Why is mugwort suitable for different skin types?

This is one of the most interesting aspects of mugwort.

Dry skin may benefit from mugwort’s soothing properties, particularly when it is prone to tightness or redness.

Combination to oily skin can also become sensitized, especially when using purifying or exfoliating products. In this case, mugwort adds a soothing element to the routine without necessarily introducing a rich texture.

Ultimately, it is less the skin type itself that determines whether mugwort is suitable than the combination of mugwort with the other ingredients in the formula and the product’s texture.

3. How to use a mugwort essence?

How do you use a mugwort essence? It’s simple: apply it after cleansing and before your serums and moisturizer.

After cleansing your face, pour a few drops of essence into the palm of your hands and gently apply it all over your face. Lightly pat the skin until absorbed.

You can use your mugwort essence morning and evening, as long as the formula is suitable for daily use.

If your skin is particularly sensitive, start by applying it once a day to see how your skin responds. You can then follow with a serum and moisturizer.

In the morning, finish your routine with sunscreen.

10 Korean mugwort skincare products to discover

Mugwort isn't limited to essences. Korean skincare brands also use it in toners, masks, cleansers, creams and even sun sticks.

Here are 10 Korean skincare products that offer different ways to incorporate mugwort into your routine.

1. I’m From Mugwort Essence

The go-to essence for discovering mugwort

If there is one product that has helped introduce mugwort to K-beauty enthusiasts, it is the I’m From Mugwort Essence.

The formula features Artemisia princeps, a species of mugwort also known as Japanese mugwort. The essence is designed to provide a soothing effect for sensitive or redness-prone skin.

Its minimalist formula and lightweight, watery texture make it easy to incorporate after cleansing, particularly if you want to add a soothing step without weighing down your routine.

Ideal for: sensitive, reactive or redness-prone skin.

2. I’m From Mugwort Mask

The mugwort mask for soothing the skin

The I’m From Mugwort Mask offers a different way to use mugwort, with a rinse-off formula featuring Artemisia princeps leaves.

The formula also contains several botanical extracts, including centella asiatica, green tea, licorice and chamomile. The mask is designed to soothe the skin while leaving it feeling refreshed.

Apply it after cleansing in an even layer over the face, then rinse after the recommended amount of time indicated by the brand.

Ideal for: sensitive skin that enjoys rinse-off masks.

3. HANYUL Pure Artemisia Calming pH-Balancing Toner

The mugwort toner for soothing sensitive skin

The HANYUL Pure Artemisia Calming pH-Balancing Toner features Artemisia argyi, a species of mugwort used as a key ingredient in the formula. The mugwort extract is combined with centella asiatica in HANYUL’s Artemisia-Cica™ complex, designed to soothe sensitized skin and help maintain hydration.

Its lightweight, watery texture is applied after cleansing to prepare the skin for the rest of your routine while providing lightweight hydration.

Ideal for: sensitive, dry or combination skin prone to redness.

4. MISSHA Time Revolution Artemisia Treatment Essence

The fermented mugwort essence

The MISSHA Time Revolution Artemisia Treatment Essence stands out for its fermentation process.

MISSHA uses Artemisia annua grown on Ganghwa Island, an island off the west coast of South Korea, in the Incheon region in the northwestern part of the country.

The mugwort used in this essence undergoes a 100-day double fermentation process, a method highlighted by the brand for producing its Artemisia extract.

The formula is designed to hydrate and soothe sensitized skin, with an ultra-light, watery texture that layers easily after cleansing.

Ideal for: sensitive, dry or dehydrated skin.

5. AXIS-Y Mugwort Pore Clarifying Wash Off Pack

The mugwort mask for pores and excess sebum

The AXIS-Y Mugwort Pore Clarifying Wash Off Pack combines mugwort with clays to target combination to oily skin in particular.

The formula contains 61% mugwort extract, along with kaolin and bentonite. These clays help absorb excess sebum, while mugwort provides its soothing properties.

The formula also contains botanical ingredients such as mung bean, adzuki bean and houttuynia, which are commonly used in skincare products formulated for combination to oily skin.

Ideal for: combination to oily skin, visible pores and excess sebum.

6. Isntree Mugwort Calming Clay Mask

The clay mask for combination to oily skin

The Isntree Mugwort Calming Clay Mask combines several clays, including kaolin and bentonite, with Artemisia princeps and mugwort leaf powder.

The clays help absorb excess sebum and impurities, while mugwort adds a soothing element to the formula.

This mask is particularly suitable for areas that tend to become shiny or accumulate more sebum.

Ideal for: combination to oily skin and areas prone to excess sebum.

7. Round Lab Mugwort Calming Cleanser

The gentle mugwort cleanser

The Round Lab Mugwort Calming Cleanser allows you to incorporate mugwort from the very first step of your skincare routine.

Its formula combines Artemisia vulgaris with panthenol, madecassoside and several ingredients derived from centella asiatica, which is well known for its soothing properties. The cleanser has a mildly acidic pH designed to help respect the skin’s natural balance.

Like any cleanser, it is rinsed off after use, so its primary purpose is to remove impurities and excess sebum while helping minimize feelings of dryness after cleansing.

Ideal for: sensitive, combination or blemish-prone skin.

8. Round Lab Mugwort Calming Toner

The mugwort toner for hydration and soothing

The Round Lab Mugwort Calming Toner combines Artemisia vulgaris with several hydrating and soothing ingredients, including betaine, panthenol, allantoin and madecassoside.

Its watery texture is applied immediately after cleansing to prepare the skin before serum and moisturizer.

It is a good alternative to an essence if you are primarily looking for a lightweight toner that incorporates mugwort into your daily routine.

Ideal for: sensitive, reactive, combination or dehydrated skin.

9. Round Lab Mugwort Calming Cream

The mugwort cream for sensitized skin

The Round Lab Mugwort Calming Cream completes Round Lab’s Mugwort line.

It contains Artemisia vulgaris, madecassoside, panthenol and allantoin, a combination designed to soothe and hydrate the skin.

Ideal for: sensitive, dehydrated skin or skin prone to feelings of tightness.

10. Beauty of Joseon Matte Sun Stick: Mugwort + Camellia SPF 50+ PA++++

The mugwort sun stick for combination to oily skin

The Beauty of Joseon Matte Sun Stick: Mugwort + Camellia SPF 50+ PA++++ is the most different product in this selection.

It combines Artemisia capillaris with camellia extract and other ingredients selected for their benefits in a sunscreen formula designed for skin prone to shine. The brand also describes it as having a matte finish and being designed to make reapplication throughout the day easier.

With SPF 50+ PA++++ protection, it can be incorporated into your morning routine and used to reapply sunscreen throughout the day.

Ideal for: combination to oily skin and sunscreen reapplication throughout the day.

Mugwort: an ingredient to discover in Korean skincare

Mugwort is less well known than some other skincare ingredients, but it has a particularly interesting profile for skin looking for soothing care, hydration and antioxidant protection.

Essence, toner, serum, mask, pads, cleanser, sunscreen or cream: there are now many ways to incorporate it into your routine. An essence remains one of the simplest ways to introduce mugwort into your skincare routine: just a few drops after cleansing for a lightweight, soothing step.

From the Artemisia princeps used by I’m From to the Artemisia annua used by MISSHA and the Artemisia capillaris used by Beauty of Joseon, the term mugwort actually encompasses a more diverse family of botanical extracts than it might initially seem.