Works for
MoisturizingPanthenol, Aloe barbadensis leaf juice + 2 moreWorks well
“Lightweight Facial Hydrating Serum”
This product contains good ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. These ingredients are called "humectants": panthenol, aloe barbadensis leaf juice.
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).
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: panthenol
Anti-oxidationSide benefit · Camellia sinensis leaf extract, Magnesium ascorbyl phosphateMay help
This product contains antioxidants (camellia sinensis leaf extract) that might be able to help neutralize free radicals in skin to lessen the damage it gets from the UV light (sun). There is not enough evidence to confirm their effectiveness in skin though.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy8 strong irritants: Cananga odorata flower oil, Linalool + 6 more — patch-test recommendedHigh risk
ComedogenicClean of flagged comedogenic ingredientsNone flagged
User reviews
Be the first — your take helps the next person decide.
Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Aloe barbadensis leaf juice~23–34%
- 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 juicePeg-40 hydrogenated castor oil~4.7–7.1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Peg-40 hydrogenated castor oilWater~4.3–6.5%
Sorbitol~3.2–4.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improves the product texture
More about SorbitolPeg-150 distearate~2.5–3.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Peg-150 distearatePhenoxyethanol~0.5–1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolEthylhexylglycerin~1.3–1.9%
Benzyl alcohol~0.3–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- High
A preservative. Can be used to mask unpleasant smell. Can be irritating
More about Benzyl alcoholPolysorbate 80~0.95–1.45%
Panthenol~0.55–1.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help improve skin barrier function
More about PanthenolCananga odorata flower oil~0.45–1.1%
Magnesium ascorbyl phosphate~0.5–1.2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A derivative of vitamin C that is more stable, but less bioavailable than the pure form of vitamin C. It does not penetrate the skin well, but has been shown to convert to pure vitamin C once in skin. It can be helpful in stimulating collagen production and lightening the skin tone, but the required concentration is likely to be very high
More about Magnesium ascorbyl phosphatePolysorbate 20~0.45–1%
Sodium citrate~0.45–1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps to control the skin's pH level. Maintains the skin's natural film of amino-lactic acids and oils. Helps to preserve products
More about Sodium citrateDisodium edta~0.4–0.95%
Camellia sinensis leaf extract~0.35–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Can contain potent anti-oxidant compounds (abbreviated ECG, GCG, EGC, and EGCG) that might help protect the skin from free radicals. Can help calm down inflammation and has some anti-bacterial properties. Unfortunately, these antioxidants are unstable and lose their effectiveness very quickly in products. The concentration of the antioxidant compounds in the extract also tends to be low to be effective in topical formulation
More about Camellia sinensis leaf extractTropolone~0.2–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Citric acid~0.15–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
More about Citric acidLinalool~0.1–0.5%
Benzyl benzoate~0.1–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- High
Fragrance with sweet balsamic smell. Help to preserve products and dissolve other ingredients. Could trigger allergic reactions and be irritating
More about Benzyl benzoateBenzyl salicylate~0.1–0.35%
Farnesol~0.1–0.35%
Geraniol~0.05–0.2%
Eugenol~0.05–0.2%
Isoeugenol~0.05–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- High
Ingredient list view
Aloe barbadensis leaf juice, Peg-40 hydrogenated castor oil, Water, Sorbitol, Peg-150 distearate, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Benzyl alcohol, Polysorbate 80, Panthenol, Cananga odorata flower oil, Magnesium ascorbyl phosphate, Polysorbate 20, Sodium citrate, Disodium edta, Camellia sinensis leaf extract, Tropolone, Citric acid, Linalool, Benzyl benzoate, Benzyl salicylate, Farnesol, Geraniol, Eugenol, Isoeugenol
Compare prices
Retailers ranked by price — lowest first.
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.
| AesopLightweight Facial Hydrating SerumYOUR PRODUCT | StemologyCell Revive Complete Face and Neck Serum with SRC-7 | Miss SpaHydration Hookup Skin Quenching Serum | Luzern LaboratoriesLuzern Firming Collagen Booster | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 66% | 66% | 66% |
| Price | $69.00 | — | — | — |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 2 of 2 | 2 of 2 | 2 of 2 |
| Key difference | — | Salicylic Acid | Niacinamide | Niacinamide |
| Irritancy | High | Medium | Low | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Karam MD QuenchDarphin Mini Intral Inner Youth Rescue Serum
Product summary
"Aesop - Lightweight Facial Hydrating Serum" is effective for: Moisturizing
Ingredient callouts
- An effective concentration of Panthenol (pro-vitamin B5) - about 0.55% - 1.30%. Panthenol helps strengthen the skin barrier, improve hydration and reduce inflammation in skin.
- Humectants (panthenol 0.55% - 1.30%). These ingredients help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improve the skin hydration.
About the brand
According to Cruelty-Free Kitty "Aesop" is cruelty free, but its parent company is not.
Price
The product retails from 49.00£ up to 68.50£ in the United Kingdom, from 67.00$ up to 69.00$ in the United States and for 89.00CA$ in Canada.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 6 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2Skin moisturizing effects of panthenol-based formulationspdfs.semanticscholar.org
- 3
- 4
- 5Topical L-ascorbic acid: percutaneous absorption studiesncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 6
Affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.