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Biologique Recherche Masque Vivant
Biologique Recherche

Biologique Recherche Masque Vivant

Efficacy0/100IrritancyHigh
See all ingredients

Works for

Anti-blemish
Bentonite, Kaolin
Not delivered
What the product description says
“With its high concentration of purifying active ingredients, this facial treatment regulates excess sebum and reduces breakouts, leaving the skin clean, healthy and mattified.”
Source: N/A

Effective ingredients missing or their concentration is too low.

BentoniteEffect: LowHelps stabilize the product formulation~2.8–4.1%
KaolinEffect: LowA type of clay that consists mainly of aluminum silicate. Helps absorb oil and creates a thicker product consistency. Can be used to add a white color~2.1–3.2%
Anti-oxidation
Side benefit · Yeast extract, Hypericum perforatum flower/leaf/stem extract + 1 more
May help

This product contains antioxidants (yeast 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.

Yeast extractKey activeEffect: MediumHelps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and might have some anti-oxidant and skin lightening properties. It can help calm down inflammation in skin~39–59%
Hypericum perforatum flower/leaf/stem extractEffect: LowA plant extract (perforate St John's-wort) that might have some anti-oxidant effect. Can be used as a fragrance and be irritating~0.1–0.45%
Cucumis sativus fruit extractEffect: Low, below effective doseMight be somewhat helpful in reducing hyperpigmentation and neutralizing free radicals but its typical concentration in a product is too low for having an effect~1.2–1.8%
Moisturizing
Side benefit · Yeast extract, Glycerin + 3 more
Works

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

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).

Yeast extractKey active· HumectantEffect: HighHelps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and might have some anti-oxidant and skin lightening properties. It can help calm down inflammation in skin~39–59%
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~1.2–1.7%
Propylene glycol· HumectantEffect: LowHelps oil and water mix together and can enhance the penetration of other ingredients into the skin. It can be irritating~4–6.1%
Cucumis sativus fruit extractEffect: Low, below effective doseMight be somewhat helpful in reducing hyperpigmentation and neutralizing free radicals but its typical concentration in a product is too low for having an effect~1.2–1.8%
Lactic acidUnder-dosedAn exfoliating and moisturizing alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA). Typically causes less irritation than other AHAs, for example, glycolic acid. At high concentrations (about 15%), lactic acid can help reduce lines and wrinkles. Recent studies show that lactic acid can support the "good" bacteria living on skin's surface (healthy skin microbiome)~0.35–0.85%

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy
3 strong irritants: Alcohol denat., Hamamelis virginiana bark/leaf/twig extract + 1 more — patch-test recommended
High risk
We flagged 8 ingredients with irritancy potential. Severity depends on your sensitivity threshold; the table lists the worst offenders first.
IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount
Propylene glycolHelps oil and water mix together and can enhance the penetration of other ingredients into the skin. It can be irritatingHigh~4–6.1%est.
Alcohol denat.Produces temporary toning effect. Can help dissolve other ingredients or preserve productsHigh~1.6–2.4%est.
Hamamelis virginiana bark/leaf/twig extractA plant extract that can help calm down inflammation in skin. Can, however, itself be irritatingHigh~0.15–0.65%est.
Hypericum perforatum flower/leaf/stem extractA plant extract (perforate St John's-wort) that might have some anti-oxidant effect. Can be used as a fragrance and be irritatingHigh~0.1–0.45%est.
Sodium bisulfiteA preservativeHigh~0.05–0.2%est.
Cucumis sativus fruit extractMight be somewhat helpful in reducing hyperpigmentation and neutralizing free radicals but its typical concentration in a product is too low for having an effectMedium~1.2–1.8%est.
Lactic acidAn exfoliating and moisturizing alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA). Typically causes less irritation than other AHAs, for example, glycolic acid. At high concentrations (about 15%), lactic acid can help reduce lines and wrinkles. Recent studies show that lactic acid can support the "good" bacteria living on skin's surface (healthy skin microbiome)Medium~0.35–0.85%est.
Acacia senegal gumHelps mask the small of other ingredients and improve the product textureMedium~0.05–0.25%est.
Comedogenic
Clean of flagged comedogenic ingredients
None flagged
Alternatives
Cheaper, or higher on efficacy
Mamehanasui Shakunagehana Yeast Soap
Tofu Moritaya Mamehanasui Shakunagehana Yeast Soap
CheaperHigher efficacy · 75/10061% match
$29.90
Clarifying Do-Over Peel
Clinique Clarifying Do-Over Peel
CheaperHigher efficacy · 87/10060% match
$21.64
View all alternatives

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Ingredients

Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.

Yeast extract~39–59%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
MoisturizingAnti-oxidationReduces irritationAnti-inflammatoryEvens skin tone

Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and might have some anti-oxidant and skin lightening properties. It can help calm down inflammation in skin

More about Yeast extract
Water~11–17%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Plain old water

More about Water
Propylene glycol~4–6.1%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Moisturizing

Helps oil and water mix together and can enhance the penetration of other ingredients into the skin. It can be irritating

More about Propylene glycol
Bentonite~2.8–4.1%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Anti-blemish

Helps stabilize the product formulation

More about Bentonite
Kaolin~2.1–3.2%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
MattifyingAnti-blemish

A type of clay that consists mainly of aluminum silicate. Helps absorb oil and creates a thicker product consistency. Can be used to add a white color

More about Kaolin
Alcohol denat.~1.6–2.4%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

Produces temporary toning effect. Can help dissolve other ingredients or preserve products

More about Alcohol denat.
Cucumis sativus fruit extract~1.2–1.8%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Anti-oxidationMoisturizing

Might be somewhat helpful in reducing hyperpigmentation and neutralizing free radicals but its typical concentration in a product is too low for having an effect

More about Cucumis sativus fruit extract
Glycerin~1.2–1.7%
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
Vinegar~0.6–1.4%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
More about Vinegar
Acetum~0.5–1.2%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
More about Acetum
Lactic acid~0.35–0.85%
Under-dosedIrritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
ExfoliationEvens skin toneMoisturizingAnti-aging

An exfoliating and moisturizing alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA). Typically causes less irritation than other AHAs, for example, glycolic acid. At high concentrations (about 15%), lactic acid can help reduce lines and wrinkles. Recent studies show that lactic acid can support the "good" bacteria living on skin's surface (healthy skin microbiome)

More about Lactic acid
Hamamelis virginiana bark/leaf/twig extract~0.15–0.65%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Anti-inflammatory

A plant extract that can help calm down inflammation in skin. Can, however, itself be irritating

More about Hamamelis virginiana bark/leaf/twig extract
Hypericum perforatum flower/leaf/stem extract~0.1–0.45%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Anti-oxidation

A plant extract (perforate St John's-wort) that might have some anti-oxidant effect. Can be used as a fragrance and be irritating

More about Hypericum perforatum flower/leaf/stem extract
Acacia senegal gum~0.05–0.25%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

Helps mask the small of other ingredients and improve the product texture

More about Acacia senegal gum
Xanthan gum~0.05–0.2%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Cleansing

Used to create a thicker product consistency

More about Xanthan gum
Sodium bisulfite~0.05–0.2%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

A preservative

More about Sodium bisulfite
Ingredient list view

Yeast extract, Water, Propylene glycol, Bentonite, Kaolin, Alcohol denat., Cucumis sativus fruit extract, Glycerin, Vinegar, Acetum, Lactic acid, Hamamelis virginiana bark/leaf/twig extract, Hypericum perforatum flower/leaf/stem extract, Acacia senegal gum, Xanthan gum, Sodium bisulfite

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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.

Side-by-side comparison of this product against its closest alternatives
Biologique RechercheMasque VivantYOUR PRODUCTTofu MoritayaMamehanasui Shakunagehana Yeast SoapCliniqueClarifying Do-Over PeelEarth TherapeuticsCalming Pink Clay Facial Sheet Mask
Match—61%60%60%
Price—$29.90$21.64$9.00
Shared key ingredients—3 of 43 of 43 of 4
Key difference—Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic AcidSalicylic AcidMadecassoside
Irritancy High Medium Medium Medium
Drying alcohol Contains drying alcohol Contains drying alcohol Contains drying alcohol Contains drying alcohol
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Product summary

"Biologique Recherche - Masque Vivant" could be helpful for: Moisturizing, but its actives are not the most effective or are not well-studied.

Ingredient callouts

  • Humectants (glycerin 1.20% - 1.70% and yeast extract 39.00% - 59.00%). These ingredients help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improve the skin hydration.

Price

The product retails for 100.00CA$ in Canada, for 166.32A$ in Australia and for 84.99$ in the United States.

For a detailed price comparison: click here.

Sources cited in this review

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

  1. 1
    The natural yeast extract isolated by ethanol precipitation inhibits melanin synthesis by modulating tyrosinase activity and downregulating melanosome transferncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  2. 2
    Evaluation of dermatological effects of cosmetic formulations containing Saccharomyces cerevisiae extract and vitaminsresearchgate.net
  3. 3
    Surfactants and experimental irritant contact dermatitisncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  4. 4
    Propylene Glycolpubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  5. 5
    Skin-sensitizing and irritant properties of propylene glycolonlinelibrary.wiley.com
  6. 6
    Glycerol and the skin: holistic approach to its origin and functionsncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Biologique Recherche Masque Vivant
Biologique RechercheMasque Vivant
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