What's In My Jar
Aspect Dr OptiBoost Complex
Aspect Dr

Aspect Dr OptiBoost Complex

Efficacy75/100IrritancyMedium
See all ingredients

Works for

Anti-aging
Arabidopsis thaliana extract
May help
What the product description says
“• Helps reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles”
Source: Aspect

This product contains arabidopsis thaliana extract. There is some human evidence that this ingredient helps reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles and improve skin elasticity and firmness, though it is smaller or less consistent than the evidence for the best anti-aging ingredients.

Arabidopsis thaliana extractKey activeEffect: MediumPlant extract that might be helpful in repairing sun damage but evidence of effectiveness in skin are lacking~0.4–0.95%
Moisturizing
Glycerin, Sodium hyaluronate + 6 more
Works
What the product description says
“• Boosts hydration”
Source: Aspect

This product contains good ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. These ingredients are called "humectants": glycerin, sodium hyaluronate.

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).

GlycerinKey active· HumectantEffect: HighOne of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant~3.7–5.6%
Sodium hyaluronateKey active· HumectantEffect: HighOne of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin~1.2–1.8%
Plankton extractKey activeEffect: MediumCan help attract water to the upper layer of the skin~0.5–1.15%
Micrococcus lysateKey activeEffect: HighConsists of remains of dead bacteria cells. Is likely helpful in attracting water to the upper layer of the skin. Might be helpful in reducing inflammation and neutralizing free radicals in skin. It is claimed to be a "DNA repair enzyme"~0.2–0.7%
Ethylhexyl isononanoate· EmollientEffect: LowHelps soften the upper layer of the skin and improve the product consistency~5.4–8.1%
Isononyl isononanoate· Emollient, OcclusiveEffect: LowForms a protective film on the surface of the skin to prevent moisture loss. Gives a velvety feel to products while reducing tackiness~2.9–4.4%
Butylene glycol· HumectantEffect: LowUsed 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~0.15–0.6%
LecithinEffect: Low, below effective doseUsed mostly for creating emulsions - helping oil and water mix together. Helps soften the upper layer of the skin~0.35–0.85%
Anti-oxidation
Side benefit · Ergothioneine, Micrococcus lysate
Works well

This product contains antioxidants (ergothioneine) that can help neutralize free radicals in skin. By doing so, they can lessen the damage the skin gets from the UV light (sun).

ErgothioneineKey activeEffect: HighCan help neutralize free radicals in skin. Preliminary studies show that it can be more effective than coenzyme Q10 but studies on effective concentration for topical applications are lacking~1.4–2.1%
Micrococcus lysateEffect: LowConsists of remains of dead bacteria cells. Is likely helpful in attracting water to the upper layer of the skin. Might be helpful in reducing inflammation and neutralizing free radicals in skin. It is claimed to be a "DNA repair enzyme"~0.2–0.7%

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy
1 strong irritant: Santalum album extract
Medium risk
We flagged 8 ingredients with irritancy potential. Severity depends on your sensitivity threshold; the table lists the worst offenders first.
IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount
Santalum album extractUsed as a fragrance. Can be irritatingHigh~0.55–1.25%est.
Phellodendron amurense bark extractA plant extract that might have an anti-inflammatory effectMedium~0.9–1.4%est.
Plankton extractCan help attract water to the upper layer of the skinMedium~0.5–1.15%est.
Arabidopsis thaliana extractPlant extract that might be helpful in repairing sun damage but evidence of effectiveness in skin are lackingMedium~0.4–0.95%est.
Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymerMaintains the texture of skincare products. Allows the product to spread evenly. Helps oil and water mix togetherMedium~0.15–0.55%est.
BhtA preservativeMedium~0.05–0.3%est.
Disodium edtaStabilizes the product formulationMedium~0.05–0.25%est.
EthylhexylglycerinA preservativeMedium~0.05–0.15%est.
Comedogenic
1 ingredient rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale
1 flagged
These ingredients have a comedogenic rating of 2 or more on a 0–5 scale; the table shows each one's rating. In leave-on products they can clog pores in acne-prone skin.
IngredientFunctionRatingEst. amount
Plankton extractCan help attract water to the upper layer of the skin3/5~0.5–1.15%est.
Alternatives
The closest match we found
DNA Youth Recovery Facial Serum
Photozyme DNA Youth Recovery Facial Serum
Closest match53% match
$84.00
View all alternatives

User reviews

Would you recommend?
No community reviews yet.

Be the first — your take helps the next person decide.

Ingredients

Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.

Water~40–60%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Plain old water

More about Water
Ethylhexyl isononanoate~5.4–8.1%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and improve the product consistency

More about Ethylhexyl isononanoate
Glycerin~3.7–5.6%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

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 Glycerin
Isononyl isononanoate~2.9–4.4%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

Forms a protective film on the surface of the skin to prevent moisture loss. Gives a velvety feel to products while reducing tackiness

More about Isononyl isononanoate
Propanediol~2.1–3.1%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin

More about Propanediol
Hordeum distichon extract~1.7–2.6%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
More about Hordeum distichon extract
Ergothioneine~1.4–2.1%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Anti-oxidation

Can help neutralize free radicals in skin. Preliminary studies show that it can be more effective than coenzyme Q10 but studies on effective concentration for topical applications are lacking

More about Ergothioneine
Sodium hyaluronate~1.2–1.8%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin

More about Sodium hyaluronate
Phellodendron amurense bark extract~0.9–1.4%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Anti-inflammatory

A plant extract that might have an anti-inflammatory effect

More about Phellodendron amurense bark extract
Santalum album extract~0.55–1.25%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

Used as a fragrance. Can be irritating

More about Santalum album extract
Plankton extract~0.5–1.15%
Key activeComedogenic 3/5Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Comedogenicity
3/5
Works for
Moisturizing

Can help attract water to the upper layer of the skin

More about Plankton extract
Arabidopsis thaliana extract~0.4–0.95%
Key activeIrritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Anti-aging

Plant extract that might be helpful in repairing sun damage but evidence of effectiveness in skin are lacking

More about Arabidopsis thaliana extract
Evodia rutaecarpa fruit extract~0.35–0.85%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
More about Evodia rutaecarpa fruit extract
Lecithin~0.35–0.85%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
CleansingMoisturizing

Used mostly for creating emulsions - helping oil and water mix together. Helps soften the upper layer of the skin

More about Lecithin
Micrococcus lysate~0.2–0.7%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
MoisturizingAnti-inflammatoryAnti-oxidation

Consists of remains of dead bacteria cells. Is likely helpful in attracting water to the upper layer of the skin. Might be helpful in reducing inflammation and neutralizing free radicals in skin. It is claimed to be a "DNA repair enzyme"

More about Micrococcus lysate
Butylene glycol~0.15–0.6%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

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 glycol
Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer~0.15–0.55%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

Maintains the texture of skincare products. Allows the product to spread evenly. Helps oil and water mix together

More about Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer
Carbomer~0.1–0.4%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Cleansing

Helps create a thicker or gel-like product texture. It is not a surfactant but can be used in gentle cleansing formulations

More about Carbomer
Bht~0.05–0.3%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

A preservative

More about Bht
Disodium edta~0.05–0.25%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

Stabilizes the product formulation

More about Disodium edta
Phenoxyethanol~0.05–0.25%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products

More about Phenoxyethanol
Ethylhexylglycerin~0.05–0.15%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

A preservative

More about Ethylhexylglycerin
Sodium hydroxide~0.05–0.15%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Used to adjust the product's pH

More about Sodium hydroxide
Ingredient list view

Water, Ethylhexyl isononanoate, Glycerin, Isononyl isononanoate, Propanediol, Hordeum distichon extract, Ergothioneine, Sodium hyaluronate, Phellodendron amurense bark extract, Santalum album extract, Plankton extract, Arabidopsis thaliana extract, Evodia rutaecarpa fruit extract, Lecithin, Micrococcus lysate, Butylene glycol, Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer, Carbomer, Bht, Disodium edta, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium hydroxide

Compare prices

Retailers ranked by price — lowest first.

No pricing data available yet for this product.

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.

Side-by-side comparison of this product against its closest alternatives
Aspect DrOptiBoost ComplexYOUR PRODUCTPhotozymeDNA Youth Recovery Facial SerumAcadermaLunar Glow - Illuminate SerumSkin GenericsHyaluronic Acid Serum 28% Active Complex
Match—53%42%40%
Price—$84.00$120.00—
Shared key ingredients—5 of 54 of 52 of 5
Key difference——Dipeptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide DiacetateAlgae Extract
Irritancy Medium Medium Medium Low
Drying alcohol—— Contains drying alcohol —
View product Shop Shop Shop
  • matches yours
  • differs
  • cheaper

More alternatives: REVOLUTION SKINCARE Blemish Resurfacing and Recovery 2% Tranexamic Acid SerumThe Light Salon Hydrating Peptide Serum

Cheaper alternatives? Browse formulas in the same category.
We compare ingredient profiles across our catalog — pick the closest match for your budget.
Open dupe finder

Sources cited in this review

Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 9 studies and safety reviews.

  1. 1
    Amended Safety Assessment of Alkyl Esters as Used in Cosmeticscir-safety.org
  2. 2
    Glycerol and the skin: holistic approach to its origin and functionsncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  3. 3
    A comparison of the relative antioxidant potency of L‐ergothioneine and idebenoneonlinelibrary.wiley.com
  4. 4
    l-Ergothioneine Protects Skin Cells against UV-Induced Damage—A Preliminary Studymdpi.com
  5. 5
    Hyaluronic acid: A key molecule in skin agingncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  6. 6
    Hyaluronan (Hyaluronic Acid): a natural moisturizer for skin careresearchgate.net
Aspect Dr OptiBoost Complex
Aspect DrOptiBoost Complex
Find on Amazon

Affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.

Find on Amazon

As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.