Works for
2 of 2 advertised claims delivered
Moisturizing10 ingredients credited for this claimStrong evidence
“Alliance Papulex Oil-Free Cream 40ml is a cream that moisturises and matifies the skin with imperfections.Its antibacterial defence technology avoids the bacteria to adhere to the skin.”
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:
zinc pca, butylene glycol.
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: cera alba, cetearyl alcohol.
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: niacinamide
Anti-blemish2 ingredients credited for this claimStrong evidence
“Alliance Papulex Oil-Free Cream 2 x 40ml is a cream that moisturises and matifies the skins with blemishes.Its antibacterial defense technology prevents bacteria from adhering to the skin.”
This product can help reduce breakouts and clogged pores because it contains the following ingredient: niacinamide. This ingredient is used for treating acne and can have a noticeable effect.
The following ingredient (ingredients) in this product might be helpful, but there is no evidence to confirm that it actually works: zinc pca
Evens skin toneNot advertised by the brand · 1 ingredient credited for this claimStrong evidence
This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: niacinamide
Keep in mind that you would need to apply any topical skincare targetted at hypigmentation consistently for a couple of months to get a result. No topical skincare product can help get rid of hyperpigmentation (including post-acne marks and age spots) instantly.
Anti-agingNot advertised by the brand · 2 ingredients credited for this claimStrong evidence
This product can help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness because it contains niacinamide.
Keep in mind that it typically takes at least 6 weeks to notice any results because the changes that are needed to improve fine lines and elasticity happen in the deeper layers of the skin. No topical anti-aging product can “erase” wrinkles or fully reverse signs of aging.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy1 strong irritant: Diazolidinyl ureaMedium risk
Comedogenic1 ingredient rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale1 flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~40–60%
Butylene glycol~5.5–8.3%
- 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 glycolCetearyl alcohol~3.4–5.1%
- 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 alcoholIsodecyl neopentanoate~2.9–4.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that helps soften the skin. It also forms a protective on its surface to reduce water loss.
More about Isodecyl neopentanoateNiacinamide~2.1–3.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Is proven to be effective in reducing blemishes, evening out skin tone and helping to improve lines and wrinkles. It helps the skin to repair sun damage, calm down inflammation and keep maintain good levels of moisture. The concentration of about 2% is effective for supporting the skin barrier and evening out the skin tone. Concentration of 4-6% is better for helping with acne and balancing the sebum production
More about NiacinamideCyclopentasiloxane~1.7–2.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A silicone that helps improve the product texture and spreadability. Can absorb oil creating a short-term mattifying effect on the skin
More about CyclopentasiloxanePolymethyl methacrylate~1.5–2.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Is used to enhance product texture and can help to optically mask skin imperfections
More about Polymethyl methacrylateDimethicone/vinyl dimethicone crosspolymer~1.2–1.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to stabilize product formulations and create a nice product texture
More about Dimethicone/vinyl dimethicone crosspolymerCetearyl glucoside~1–1.45%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps water and oil in the product mix well together and improves product texture
More about Cetearyl glucosideSucrose stearate~0.8–1.2%
Zinc pca~0.5–1.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A compound that combines zinc with a hydrating ingredient PCA. Might to be helpful against acne and clogged pores. Can help calm down inflammation in skin. Could be helpful in reducing the formation of free radicals in skin. Might help to reduce fine lines in wrinkles, but solid evidence is missing
More about Zinc pcaAcrylamide/sodium acryloyldimethyltaurate copolymer~0.4–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps water and oil mix together and create gel-like textures
More about Acrylamide/sodium acryloyldimethyltaurate copolymerCera alba~0.45–1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Forms a protective barrier that holds water and keeps dry skin hydrated. Keeps an emulsion from separating into its oil and liquid components, and increases the thickness of a product. Can be an allergen
More about Cera albaCetyl palmitate~0.35–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that helps soften the skin and is used to improve product texture and stability
More about Cetyl palmitateC13-14 isoparaffin~0.3–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin, dissolve other ingredients and create a thicker product consistency
More about C13-14 isoparaffinC30-45 alkyl methicone~0.3–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
C30-45 olefin~0.2–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Methylparaben~0.15–0.3%
C12-14 pareth-12~0.15–0.55%
Laureth-7~0.15–0.5%
Propylparaben~0.1–0.35%
Stearic acid~0.15–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix together and works as an emollient
More about Stearic acidSynthetic wax~0.1–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to stabilize product formulations and thicken product consistency
More about Synthetic waxDiazolidinyl urea~0.05–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- High
A preservative. Works by releasing formaldehyde. Can be irritating
More about Diazolidinyl ureaPhenoxyethanol~0.05–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolBenzoic acid~0.05–0.25%
Chlorphenesin~0.05–0.15%
Ingredient list view
Water, Butylene glycol, Unknown, Cetearyl alcohol, Isodecyl neopentanoate, Niacinamide, Cyclopentasiloxane, Polymethyl methacrylate, Dimethicone/vinyl dimethicone crosspolymer, Cetearyl glucoside, Sucrose stearate, Zinc pca, Acrylamide/sodium acryloyldimethyltaurate copolymer, Cera alba, Cetyl palmitate, C13-14 isoparaffin, C30-45 alkyl methicone, C30-45 olefin, Methylparaben, C12-14 pareth-12, Laureth-7, Propylparaben, Stearic acid, Synthetic wax, Diazolidinyl urea, Phenoxyethanol, Benzoic acid, Chlorphenesin
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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.
| AlliancePapulex Oil-Free CreamYOUR PRODUCT | PapulexOil-free Cream - Acne | endota spaCellular Repair Face Cream | TIA'MPore Minimizing 21 Cream | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 100% | 94% | 93% |
| Price | $12.03 | $24.12+$12.09 | $167.52+$155.49 | $20.50+$8.47 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 3 of 4 | 2 of 4 | 2 of 4 |
| Key difference | — | Cyclomethicone | Acetyl Octapeptide-3 | Panthenol |
| Irritancy | Medium | Medium | Low | Low |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
Product summary
Judging from the ingredient list, "Alliance - Papulex Oil-Free Cream" works well for improving skin hydration 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. Humectants in this product (zinc pca and butylene glycol) help to increase the water content in the upper layer of the skin. (These ingredients do so by "capturing" water molecules from the outside air or from within the deeper layers of the skin). Cera alba, cetearyl alcohol, cetyl palmitate, cyclopentasiloxane and c13-14 isoparaffin in this product help decrease the water evoporation from the skin, so that it stays hydrated for longer. These ingredients also soften the skin and take away the feeling of tightness and dryness.
Ingredient callouts
- We love that this moisturizer contains a good concentration of niacinamide 2.10% - 3.10%. Niacinamide is a perfect active in a moistruizer because it helps calm down inflamation in skin and support the skin barrier. More than that, it is helpful for most common skin concerns: it helps regulat oil production, help reduce acne and clogged pores, improve skin tone and prevent pigmentation marks. It also helps fight photodamage.
Irritation risk
This formulation includes some common irritants, including ingredients that do not provide 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 from 9.10£ up to 15.30£ 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 6 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4Zinc Therapy in Dermatology: A Review hindawi.com
- 5
- 6Safety Assessment of Isoparaffins as Used in Cosmeticsjournals.sagepub.com
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