Works for
1 of 3 advertised claims delivered
Moisturizing11 ingredients credited for this claimGood support
“The Cryo Activating Hydra Gel is a highly active, waterless gel that works to retexture, plump, protect and balance skin.”
This product contains good ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. These ingredients are called "humectants": betaine, glycerin.
When humectants are on the surface of the skin, they “pull in” the moisture from the outside environment, or from within deeper layers of the skin. If the air is dry, humectants can speed up the moisture loss from the skin. This is why it is a good idea to use another product on top of this one to help "seal in" the moisture (look for ingredients like dimethicone, squalane, oils and butters).
ExfoliationNo ingredient credited for this claimNo support
“Plumps skin and resurfaces”
This product does not contain effective exfoliating ingredients. It might be able to deliver physical exfoliation, that is scrub off some of the dead cells on the surface of the skin. We do not recommend physical exfoliation, because it is not uniform (some bits of skin can get exfoliated too much while others not at all). It can also traumatize the skin and aggrevate acne and other skin conditions.
Anti-aging1 ingredient credited for this claimWeak support
“Ultra filling spheres fill fine lines and wrinkles”
Effective ingredients missing or their concentration is too low.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy8 strong irritants: Achillea millefolium extract, Menthol + 6 more — patch-test recommendedHigh risk
Comedogenic2 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale2 flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~45–55%
Nelumbo nucifera root water~4.7–5.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Butylene glycol~4–4.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a nice product texture and help delivery of other ingredients. Might be somewhat helpful in attracting water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Butylene glycolPeg-40 hydrogenated castor oil~2.8–3.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Peg-40 hydrogenated castor oilGlycerin~2.4–3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant
More about GlycerinPrunus amygdalus dulcis seed~1.9–2.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Prunus amygdalus dulcis seedSodium acrylates copolymer~1.5–1.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Sodium acrylates copolymerCarbomer~1.4–1.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps create a thicker or gel-like product texture. It is not a surfactant but can be used in gentle cleansing formulations
More about CarbomerTetrahexyldecyl ascorbate~1.1–1.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Being a lipid soluble form of vitamin C, it is more stable than ascorbic acid, but still degrades quickly and needs to be stabilized in a formulation with another ingredient. It is claimed to penetrate skin better than pure vitamin C and have the the similar benefits, but solid studies of its effectiveness are lacking. Is likely to require a higher concentration in a product than pure vitamin C to be effective. It might be able to help reduce pore clogging.
More about Tetrahexyldecyl ascorbateEthylhexyl palmitate~1–1.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
An emollient that helps soften the skin and create a nice product texture
More about Ethylhexyl palmitatePhenoxyethanol~0.7–1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolBetaine~0.6–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improves the product texture
More about BetaineLecithin~0.6–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used mostly for creating emulsions - helping oil and water mix together. Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about LecithinPropanediol~0.55–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin
More about PropanediolBenzyl alcohol~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- High
A preservative. Can be used to mask unpleasant smell. Can be irritating
More about Benzyl alcoholButylene glycol~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a nice product texture and help delivery of other ingredients. Might be somewhat helpful in attracting water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Butylene glycolHordeum vulgare seed extract~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A grain extract. It might contain compounds that help neutralize free radicals in skin
More about Hordeum vulgare seed extractPentylene glycol~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product texture
More about Pentylene glycolPrunus persica juice~0.4–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Pyrus malus juice~0.35–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- High
Apple juice. Might help attract water to the skin. Can be irritating
More about Pyrus malus juiceTriticum vulgare seed extract~0.3–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
Disodium edta~0.3–0.6%
Sodium hydroxide~0.3–0.55%
Panax ginseng root extract~0.35–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that might have some anti-inflammatory properties, but solid evidence is lacking. It can be irritating
More about Panax ginseng root extractDehydroacetic acid~0.3–0.55%
Trihydroxystearin~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and improve the product texture
More about TrihydroxystearinAchillea millefolium extract~0.4–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- High
Plant extract that can help neutralize free radicals in skin. Can be used as a fragrance. Can be irritating
More about Achillea millefolium extractSodium hyaluronate~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
More about Sodium hyaluronateMenthol~0.3–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- High
Glyceryl caprylate~0.35–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that can also help water and oil mix together, as well as prevent bacteria growth in products
More about Glyceryl caprylateMaltodextrin~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to stabilize the product formulation and can help absorb oil
More about MaltodextrinAloe vera leaf extract~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Glyceryl undecylenate~0.3–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together and helps preserve the product formulation
More about Glyceryl undecylenateMenthyl lactate~0.25–0.45%
Sodium chloride~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to stabilize mixtures of oil and water, and create thicker, gel-like product textures
More about Sodium chlorideSodium carbonate~0.25–0.45%
Xanthan gum~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumGlucomannan~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Parfum~0.1–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumBenzyl salicylate~0.15–0.25%
Limonene~0.15–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- High
A common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heat
More about LimoneneCitronellol~0.1–0.15%
Linalool~0.1–0.15%
Ingredient list view
Water, Nelumbo nucifera root water, Butylene glycol, Peg-40 hydrogenated castor oil, Glycerin, Prunus amygdalus dulcis seed, Sodium acrylates copolymer, Carbomer, Tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate, Ethylhexyl palmitate, Phenoxyethanol, Betaine, Lecithin, Propanediol, Benzyl alcohol, Butylene glycol, Hordeum vulgare seed extract, Pentylene glycol, Prunus persica juice, Pyrus malus juice, Triticum vulgare seed extract, Disodium edta, Sodium hydroxide, Panax ginseng root extract, Dehydroacetic acid, Trihydroxystearin, Achillea millefolium extract, Sodium hyaluronate, Menthol, Glyceryl caprylate, Maltodextrin, Aloe vera leaf extract, Glyceryl undecylenate, Menthyl lactate, Sodium chloride, Sodium carbonate, Xanthan gum, Glucomannan, Parfum, Benzyl salicylate, Limonene, Citronellol, Linalool
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Worth comparing, line by line.
Match % combines shared ingredients, the first five ingredients, shared actives and hero ingredients, irritancy (lower counts in the alternative's favour), texture and body area. Only products in the same routine step are compared.
| 111SKINCryo Activating Hydra GelYOUR PRODUCT | PillowtalkDermMajor Fade Active Seal Moisturizer | melumé skinscienceSuper C-Cream | Mario BadescuVitamin C Cream | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 57% | 56% | 55% |
| Price | $178.48 | — | — | $18.00−$160.48 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 2 of 5 | 3 of 5 | 3 of 5 |
| Key difference | — | Hexapeptide-2 | Panthenol | Niacinamide |
| Irritancy | High | Low | Medium | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 11 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6Ginseng in Dermatology: A Reviewncbi.nlm.nih.gov
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