Works for
1 of 2 advertised claims delivered
Moisturizing17 ingredients credited for this claimStrong support
“Dry Spell Moisturiser”
This product can help improve hydration of the skin with the two types of ingredients.
The first type is called “humectants”:
these ingredients help attract water.
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. The following ingredients in this product do the job:
fructose, glycerin.
This product also contains ingredients called “occlusives”. They help reduce the speed with which our skin loses moisture to the outside environment. These ingredients also help soften the upper layer of the skin, so it feels less tight and nicer to the touch. The following ingredients in this product do the job: butyrospermum parkii butter, caprylic/capric triglyceride.
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: ceramide np
Anti-aging2 ingredients credited for this claimLimited support
“Hydrates and plumps up the signs of wrinkles.”
This product does not contain ingredients that are able to reduce fine lines and wrinkles or help with skin elasticity, but it can improve the look of the skin temporarily through moisturization. Well-moisturized skin might also be able to repair the sun damage better.This ingredient - butyrospermum parkii butter - could be helpful for preventing or repairing signs of aging in theory, but there is no evidence that it actually works.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy2 strong irritants: Parfum, Withania somnifera root extractMedium risk
Comedogenic2 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale2 flagged
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Ingredients
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Water~45–55%
Caprylic/capric triglyceride~6.7–8.1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A good mix of fatty acids that forms a protective layer on the skin. Improves the shelf life of products. Derived from coconut and glycerin
More about Caprylic/capric triglycerideIsoamyl laurate~4.4–5.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps stabilize emulsions and create a nice product texture
More about Isoamyl laurateGlycerin~3.1–3.8%
- 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 GlycerinPentylene glycol~2.4–3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product texture
More about Pentylene glycolCetearyl alcohol~2–2.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
A non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture
More about Cetearyl alcoholGlyceryl stearate~1.7–2.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that softens the skin and forms a protective layer on its surface. Helps water and oil mix together
More about Glyceryl stearateCandelilla/jojoba/rice bran polyglyceryl-3 esters~1.4–1.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Help oil and water mix together
More about Candelilla/jojoba/rice bran polyglyceryl-3 estersButyrospermum parkii butter~1.3–1.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
A great moisturising ingredient that softens the skin and reduces water loss from its upper layer. It also can be helpful in protecting skin from free radicals
More about Butyrospermum parkii butterEctoin~0.95–1.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Softens the upper layer of the skin and can support skin barrier function
More about EctoinParfum~0.65–1%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumSodium hyaluronate~0.6–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
More about Sodium hyaluronateTephrosia purpurea seed extract~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant extract that might help attract water to the upper layer of the skin. The manufacturer claims that it can help "break down cortisol production in skin production in skin cells", but actual benefits to the skin are not clear
More about Tephrosia purpurea seed extractWithania somnifera root extract~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- High
Ceramide np~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of lipid similar to ceramides naturally present in skin. Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin and supports the skin barrier function to keep it hydrated. Can help to prevent inflammation in skin
More about Ceramide npAloe barbadensis leaf juice powder~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Traditionally used to treat sunburns, dermatitis and inflammation, but evidence for its effectiveness is lacking. The extract can contain humectants that help attract water into the skin
More about Aloe barbadensis leaf juice powderSqualane~0.5–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An oil naturally present in skin. Works as an emollient to soften the skin and form a protective layer on its surface without a greasy feeling.
More about SqualanePhytosteryl macadamiate~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Phytosteryl macadamiatePhytosterols~0.4–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Lipids that work as an emollient and can be helpful in repairing skin barrier function
More about PhytosterolsJojoba oil/macadamia seed oil esters~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Propanediol~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin
More about PropanediolSodium stearoyl lactylate~0.3–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Sodium stearoyl lactylateSucrose stearate~0.3–0.55%
Microcrystalline cellulose~0.3–0.5%
Cetearyl glucoside~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps water and oil in the product mix well together and improves product texture
More about Cetearyl glucosideIsoamyl cocoate~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together and works as a cleansing agent
More about Isoamyl cocoateFructose~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about FructoseCellulose gum~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create thicker product consistency and stabilize emulsions
More about Cellulose gumXanthan gum~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumTocopherol~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Pure form of vitamin E. Can help moisturise and protect the skin from free radicals. Often used to help stabilise other ingredients or the formula itself
More about TocopherolHelianthus annuus seed oil~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A great emollient due to its high linoleic acid content. One of the most effective plant oils in helping skin hydration and repairing skin barrier function
More about Helianthus annuus seed oilSucrose palmitate~0.15–0.25%
Phytic acid~0.05–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA), but is mostly used to stabilize product formulations in cosmetics
More about Phytic acidIngredient list view
Water, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Isoamyl laurate, Glycerin, Pentylene glycol, Cetearyl alcohol, Glyceryl stearate, Candelilla/jojoba/rice bran polyglyceryl-3 esters, Butyrospermum parkii butter, Ectoin, Parfum, Sodium hyaluronate, Tephrosia purpurea seed extract, Withania somnifera root extract, Ceramide np, Aloe barbadensis leaf juice powder, Squalane, Phytosteryl macadamiate, Phytosterols, Jojoba oil/macadamia seed oil esters, Propanediol, Sodium stearoyl lactylate, Sucrose stearate, Microcrystalline cellulose, Cetearyl glucoside, Isoamyl cocoate, Fructose, Cellulose gum, Xanthan gum, Tocopherol, Helianthus annuus seed oil, Sucrose palmitate, Phytic acid
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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.
| AdaptologyDry Spell MoisturiserYOUR PRODUCT | DifferinRestorative Night Moisturizer | BiossanceSqualane + Omega Repair Cream - Limited Edition | CetaphilPro Sens Night Cream - Redness & Rosacea | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 50% | 50% | 50% |
| Price | $58.17 | $14.99−$43.18 | $52.85−$5.32 | $19.82−$38.35 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 6 of 11 | 6 of 11 | 6 of 11 |
| Key difference | — | Niacinamide | Linoleic Acid | Niacinamide |
| Irritancy | Medium | Low | Low | Low |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
Product summary
"Adaptology - Dry Spell Moisturiser" has a good moisturizing formula. As we expect from a proper moisturizer, the formula includes a combo of effective humectants and emollients. These are the two different types of ingredients that are essential for improving the skin hydration and supporting a healthy skin barrier. Fructose, glycerin and sodium hyaluronate in this product (humectants) attract water molecules to the upper layer of the skin (the water comes from the outside air or from the deeper layers of the skin if the air is dry). Emollients in this formulation (ceramide np, phytosterols, phytosteryl macadamiate, butyrospermum parkii butter and caprylic/capric triglyceride) help to reduce the moisture loss from the skin. They also soften the skin surface and relieve the feeling of dryness and tightness.
Ingredient callouts
- As a plus, this moisturizer also contains Ceramides (ceramide np 0.50% - 0.75%). Ceramides are a type of lipids that our skin produces itself. They are a building block of the skin's barrier. Ceramides used in skincare are synthetic or extracted from plants. They work well for softening the skin surface and "patch holes" in the skin's barrier.
Irritation risk
This moisturizer contains some common irritants, including those without a benefit for the skin. We assess the overall irritancy of this moisturizer to be medium. For a detailed overview of all potential irritants: click here
You can see the detailed formula review with the breakdown of all actives in the product and the full ingredient list with estimated concentrations in the tables below.
Price
The product retails for 44.00£ in the United Kingdom.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 14 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2Hyaluronic acid: A key molecule in skin agingncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6Safety Assessment of Phytosterols as Used in Cosmeticscir-safety.org
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