Works for
MoisturizingPanthenol, Ethylhexyl palmitate + 11 moreWorks well
“Deeply nourishing and hydrating, this Botanics Simply Calm Hydrating Serum delivers a powerful dose of lightweight moisture while calming and soothing even the most stressed-out 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:
glycerin, sodium hyaluronate.
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: caprylic/capric triglyceride, helianthus annuus seed oil.
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: panthenol
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy4 strong irritants: Limonene, Lavandula angustifolia oil + 2 more — patch-test recommendedHigh risk
Comedogenic2 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale2 flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~45–55%
Aloe barbadensis leaf juice~6.9–8.4%
- 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 juiceEthylhexyl palmitate~4.2–5.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
An emollient that helps soften the skin and create a nice product texture
More about Ethylhexyl palmitateGlycerin~2.9–3.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
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 GlycerinSodium ascorbyl phosphate~2.1–2.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A stable derivative of vitamin C. It is oil-soluble which means it is more likely to penetrate the skin compared to the pure form of vitamin C (which is water-soluble), but it is less bio-available and is way less effective in stimulating collagen and reducing wrinkles compared to the pure form of vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid) and its other derivatives (for example, magnesium ascorbyl phosphate). At the same time, this vitamin C derivative has been shown in studies to be effective in reducing acne, blemishes and clogged pores. It is less irritating then the pure form of vitamin C
More about Sodium ascorbyl phosphateCaprylic/capric triglyceride~1.9–2.3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A good mix of fatty acids that forms a protective layer on the skin. Improves the shelf life of products. Derived from coconut and glycerin
More about Caprylic/capric triglycerideDicaprylyl ether~1.5–1.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin while creating a non-greasy feel on the skin. Helps to dissolve other ingredients
More about Dicaprylyl etherCannabis sativa seed oil~1.4–1.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant oil that due to its high linoleic acid content can help strengthen skin's barrier function and soften its upper layer
More about Cannabis sativa seed oilHydroxypropyl starch phosphate~1.2–1.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together and used to stabilize product formulations
More about Hydroxypropyl starch phosphateGlyceryl stearate se~0.8–1.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
Used to stabilize the product formulations and works as an emollient
More about Glyceryl stearate sePhenoxyethanol~0.6–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolCaprylyl glycol~0.55–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolSodium hyaluronate~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
More about Sodium hyaluronateSodium stearoyl glutamate~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Sodium stearoyl glutamateSclerotium gum~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create gel-like formulas and stabilize emulsions
More about Sclerotium gumPanthenol~0.3–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help improve skin barrier function
More about PanthenolXanthan gum~0.35–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumTocopherol~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
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
More about TocopherolEthylhexylglycerin~0.25–0.5%
Citric acid~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
More about Citric acidBisabolol~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An active component of chamomile plant that historically has been used to calm down irritated skin. A recent study shows that bisabolol indeed can have some anti-inflammatory effect on skin, even though conclusive data is lacking. Bisabolol has a sweet floral scent and can be added to products for its aromatic properties
More about BisabololTetrahexyldecyl ascorbate~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Being a lipid soluble form of vitamin C, it is more stable than ascorbic acid, but still degrades quickly and needs to be stabilized in a formulation with another ingredient. It is claimed to penetrate skin better than pure vitamin C and have the the similar benefits, but solid studies of its effectiveness are lacking. Is likely to require a higher concentration in a product than pure vitamin C to be effective. It might be able to help reduce pore clogging.
More about Tetrahexyldecyl ascorbateHexylene glycol~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps create a more spreadable product texture
More about Hexylene glycolGlycine soja seed extract~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An emollient that helps soften the skin. Might be somewhat helpful in evening the skin tone.
More about Glycine soja seed extractHelianthus annuus seed oil~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A great emollient due to its high linoleic acid content. One of the most effective plant oils in helping skin hydration and repairing skin barrier function
More about Helianthus annuus seed oilCitrullus lanatus seed oil~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Sodium phytate~0.15–0.3%
Limonene~0.1–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- High
A common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heat
More about LimoneneLavandula angustifolia oil~0.1–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- High
An essential oil. Potential allergen and can be irritating. It has some anti-bacterial properties
More about Lavandula angustifolia oilCitrus nobilis peel oil~0.1–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant oil with high content of volatile compounds that, especially when exposed to air, can cause allergic reactions and irritate the skin
More about Citrus nobilis peel oilRosmarinus officinalis leaf/stem oil~0.1–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Linalool~0.05–0.1%
Ingredient list view
Water, Aloe barbadensis leaf juice, Ethylhexyl palmitate, Glycerin, Sodium ascorbyl phosphate, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Dicaprylyl ether, Cannabis sativa seed oil, Hydroxypropyl starch phosphate, Glyceryl stearate se, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl glycol, Sodium hyaluronate, Sodium stearoyl glutamate, Sclerotium gum, Panthenol, Xanthan gum, Tocopherol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Citric acid, Bisabolol, Tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate, Hexylene glycol, Glycine soja seed extract, Helianthus annuus seed oil, Citrullus lanatus seed oil, Sodium phytate, Limonene, Lavandula angustifolia oil, Citrus nobilis peel oil, Rosmarinus officinalis leaf/stem oil, Linalool
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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.
| BotanicsSimply Calm Hydrating SerumYOUR PRODUCT | FacetheoryCentasoothe Serum S5 with Dragon's Blood, Centella Asiatica and Evening Primrose Oil | White EgretVitamin C Hyaluronic Acid Serum | NEOGEN X SUR.MEDICReal Vita C Serum | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 63% | 62% | 61% |
| Price | $34.45 | — | $33.85−$0.60 | $8.14−$26.31 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 5 of 9 | 6 of 9 | 4 of 9 |
| Key difference | — | Ferulic Acid | Retinyl Palmitate | Niacinamide |
| Irritancy | High | Medium | Medium | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: InstaNatural All-in-One Hydrating Night SerumJune Jacobs Spa June Jacobs Elastin Collagen Serum
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 26 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3Sodium ascorbyl phosphate in topical microemulsionssciencedirect.com
- 4
- 5
- 6
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