"Boots - Cucumber Moisturising Cream" has a good moisturizing formula. The formulation is based on a combination of good humectants and emollients. Both are needed to increase the skin hydration level. Glycerin, propylene glycol and sorbitol 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 (paraffinum liquidum, dimethicone, cetearyl alcohol and glyceryl stearate) 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

this moisturizer includes a form of Retinoids (vitamin A) - retinyl palmitate 0.35% - 0.75%, but this type of vitamin A is not very effective. It could in theory help with fine lines and wrinkles, but the effect is most likely minimal.

This product contains ingredients that could be beneficial, but their concentrations are too low in this formulation: vitamin e

Irritation risk

This moisturizer contains a bunch of common irritants, including ingredients that do not provide any known benefit for the skin. It might not be the best choice if your skin is sensitive. We assess the overall irritancy of this moisturizer to be high. 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.

About the brand

According to Cruelty-Free Kitty "Boots" is cruelty free, but its parent company is not.

Price

The product retails for 1.50£ in the United Kingdom.

For a detailed price comparison: click here.

Works for

Moisturizing

Moisturizing

What does the product description say?

Cucumber Moisturising Cream

Source: From product name

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: glycerin, propylene 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: dimethicone, cetearyl alcohol.

The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: paraffinum liquidum

Paraffinum liquidum5.7% - 8.6%

Irritation risk:Concentration:Effectiveness:HIGH

Mineral oil. One of the most effective and well studied occlusive and emollient moisturizing ingredients. Helps reduce moisture loss in skin and repair skin barrier function

Dimethicone1.5% - 2.3%

Irritation risk:Concentration:Effectiveness:HIGH

A silicone that helps to reduce water loss from the surface of the skin. Can temporarily "fill in" lines and wrinkles, absorb oil, and create a nice product finish

Glycerin2.7% - 4%

Irritation risk:Concentration:Effectiveness:HIGH

One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant

Cetearyl alcohol3.2% - 4.9%

Irritation risk:Comedogenicity:MediumConcentration:Effectiveness:MEDIUM

A non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture

Glyceryl stearate2.1% - 3.1%

Irritation risk:Concentration:Effectiveness:LOW

An emollient that softens the skin and forms a protective layer on its surface. Helps water and oil mix together

Propylene glycol0.4% - 0.9%

Irritation risk:Concentration:Effectiveness:LOW

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

Sorbitol0.15% - 0.55%

Irritation risk:Concentration:Effectiveness:LOW

Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improves the product texture

Cucumis sativus fruit extract0.1% - 0.4%

Irritation risk:Concentration:Insufficient!

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

Tocopherol0.1% - 0.35%

Irritation risk:Concentration:Insufficient!

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

Key Actives

Retinyl palmitate0.35% - 0.75%

Irritation risk:

Works for:Anti-aging, Anti-blemish, Evens skin tone, Exfoliation

Three steps removed from the active form of vitamin A - retinoic acid. To have an effect in the skin, it first needs to be converted twice to become the retinoic acid. This means it is less potent than retinol, but could also be less irritating. Once converted to the retinoic acid in the skin, it helps against all signs of aging, improves skin cell turnover and helps fight blemishes and clogged pores. However, in many cosmetic formulations, it is used in a concentration that is too low to have the full effect

Dimethicone1.5% - 2.3%

Irritation risk:

Works for:Moisturizing, Mattifying

A silicone that helps to reduce water loss from the surface of the skin. Can temporarily "fill in" lines and wrinkles, absorb oil, and create a nice product finish

Paraffinum liquidum5.7% - 8.6%

Irritation risk:

Works for:Moisturizing

Mineral oil. One of the most effective and well studied occlusive and emollient moisturizing ingredients. Helps reduce moisture loss in skin and repair skin barrier function

Glycerin2.7% - 4%

Irritation risk:

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

Potential irritants

Propylene glycol0.4% - 0.9%

Irritation risk:

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

Retinyl palmitate0.35% - 0.75%

Irritation risk:

Parfum0.2% - 0.75%

Irritation risk:

An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients

Hexyl cinnamal0.15% - 0.6%

Irritation risk:

A fragrance with jasmine smell. A likely irritant

Hydroxycitronellal0.1% - 0.45%

Irritation risk:

A fragrance. A likely allergen and can be irritating

Citronellol0.1% - 0.4%

Irritation risk:

A fragrance. Can be irritating

Ci 191400.05% - 0.2%

Irritation risk:

A yellow dye

Tocopheryl acetate0.45% - 1.05%

Irritation risk:

A more stable but less bio-available form of vitamin E compared to Tocopherol. Might help moisturize and protect the skin from free radicals, but mostly used in low concentrations to stabilize other ingredients.

Potassium hydroxide0.35% - 0.85%

Irritation risk:

Used to adjust the pH level of products

Tetrasodium edta0.3% - 0.75%

Irritation risk:

Helps to stabilize the product formulation

Cucumis sativus fruit extract0.1% - 0.4%

Irritation risk:

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

Benzoic acid0.05% - 0.3%

Irritation risk:

A preservative

Ci 420900.05% - 0.15%

Irritation risk:

A colorant (dye)

Comedogenic ingredients

Cetearyl alcohol3.2% - 4.9%

Irritation risk:Comedogenicity:Medium

A non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture

All ingredients

Water40% - 60%

Irritation risk:

Plain old water

Paraffinum liquidum5.7% - 8.6%

Irritation risk:

Mineral oil. One of the most effective and well studied occlusive and emollient moisturizing ingredients. Helps reduce moisture loss in skin and repair skin barrier function

Cetearyl alcohol3.2% - 4.9%

Irritation risk:Comedogenicity:Medium

A non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture

Glycerin2.7% - 4%

Irritation risk:

One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant

Glyceryl stearate2.1% - 3.1%

Irritation risk:

An emollient that softens the skin and forms a protective layer on its surface. Helps water and oil mix together

Peg-100 stearate1.8% - 2.7%

Irritation risk:

Helps oil and water mix togehter and creates a nice product texture

Dimethicone1.5% - 2.3%

Irritation risk:

A silicone that helps to reduce water loss from the surface of the skin. Can temporarily "fill in" lines and wrinkles, absorb oil, and create a nice product finish

Phenoxyethanol0.5% - 1%

Irritation risk:

A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products

Methylparaben0.15% - 0.3%

Irritation risk:

A preservative

Carbomer0.85% - 1.3%

Irritation risk:

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

Ethylparaben0.2% - 0.4%

Irritation risk:

A preservative

Tocopheryl acetate0.45% - 1.05%

Irritation risk:

Propylene glycol0.4% - 0.9%

Irritation risk:

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

Dipropylene glycol0.35% - 0.85%

Irritation risk:

Helps to dissolve other ingredients in a formulation. Slows down the rate of product drying

Potassium hydroxide0.35% - 0.85%

Irritation risk:

Used to adjust the pH level of products

Retinyl palmitate0.35% - 0.75%

Irritation risk:

Tetrasodium edta0.3% - 0.75%

Irritation risk:

Helps to stabilize the product formulation

Parfum0.2% - 0.75%

Irritation risk:

An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients

Hexyl cinnamal0.15% - 0.6%

Irritation risk:

A fragrance with jasmine smell. A likely irritant

Sorbitol0.15% - 0.55%

Irritation risk:

Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improves the product texture

Hydroxycitronellal0.1% - 0.45%

Irritation risk:

A fragrance. A likely allergen and can be irritating

Citronellol0.1% - 0.4%

Irritation risk:

A fragrance. Can be irritating

Cucumis sativus fruit extract0.1% - 0.4%

Irritation risk:

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

Denatonium benzoate0.1% - 0.35%

Irritation risk:

Tocopherol0.1% - 0.35%

Irritation risk:

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

Benzoic acid0.05% - 0.3%

Irritation risk:

A preservative

Ci 191400.05% - 0.2%

Irritation risk:

A yellow dye

Ci 420900.05% - 0.15%

Irritation risk:

A colorant (dye)

Ingredient list view

Water, Paraffinum liquidum, Cetearyl alcohol, Glycerin, Glyceryl stearate, Peg-100 stearate, Dimethicone, Phenoxyethanol, Methylparaben, Carbomer, Ethylparaben, Tocopheryl acetate, Propylene glycol, Dipropylene glycol, Potassium hydroxide, Retinyl palmitate, Tetrasodium edta, Parfum, Hexyl cinnamal, Sorbitol, Hydroxycitronellal, Citronellol, Cucumis sativus fruit extract, Denatonium benzoate, Tocopherol, Benzoic acid, Ci 19140, Ci 42090

Price unavailable

Amazon US

Check Price

Product	Similarity	Price
Boots Cucumber Moisturising Cream	Current	$1.50
Kracie Moistage Wrinkle Essence Cream Extra Rich	70%	$19.40
Kikumasamune Japanese Sake Skin Care Cream	69%	$17.49
Avène Revitalising Nourishing Cream	68%	$18.99
FaceFacts Bright + Clear Cream	68%	-
Eau Thermale Avene Revitalizing Cream	68%	$18.99

Boots Cucumber Moisturising Cream

Works for:

Can it cause trouble?

Key actives

Product Summary

Ingredient callouts

Irritation risk

About the brand

Price

What can the product work for?

Works for

Moisturizing

What does the product description say?

Honesty Check

How honest is this product?

Buy Now

Can it cause trouble?

Potential irritants

Comedogenic ingredients

User Reviews

User reviews (0)

Tried this product?

Similar Products & Dupes

Find Dupes

Better Alternatives

Ingredients & Concentrations

Key Actives

Potential irritants

Comedogenic ingredients

All ingredients

Ingredient list view

Sources & References