Works for
MoisturizingGlycerin, Plankton extract + 4 moreWorks
This product contains good ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. These ingredients are called "humectants": glycerin, caprylyl glycol.
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).
Anti-agingTetrahexyldecyl ascorbate ~0.95–1.4%, below the ~4% it needs + 1 moreUnder-dosed
“The Drops provide around-the-clock protection against sun damage and blue light free radicals while minimizing tech-related fine lines and skin damage.”
Effective ingredients missing or their concentration is too low.
Evens skin toneTetrahexyldecyl ascorbate ~0.95–1.4%, below the ~4% it needs + 1 moreUnder-dosed
Effective ingredients missing or their concentration is too low
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy7 flagged ingredientsLow 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%
Carbomer~6.5–9.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps create a thicker or gel-like product texture. It is not a surfactant but can be used in gentle cleansing formulations
More about CarbomerHydroxyethylcellulose~4–6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to thicken product formulations and create gel-like textures
More about HydroxyethylcelluloseGlycerin~2.8–4.2%
- 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 GlycerinHydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer~2.1–3.2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A gelling agent that thickens the product consistency and leaves the skin with a velvety finish
More about Hydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymerPlankton extract~1.7–2.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
Can help attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Plankton extractLecithin~1.5–2.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used mostly for creating emulsions - helping oil and water mix together. Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about LecithinMicrococcus lysate~1.2–1.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
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 lysateTetrahexyldecyl ascorbate~0.95–1.4%
- 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 ascorbateGlycol~0.55–1.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Niacinamide~0.45–1.05%
- 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 NiacinamideBis-peg-8 dimethicone~0.35–0.8%
Triethanolamine~0.15–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to adjust pH of the product and can help improve the product's smell
More about TriethanolaminePhenoxyethanol~0.15–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolCaprylyl glycol~0.1–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolEthylhexylglycerin~0.05–0.25%
Hexylene glycol~0.05–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps create a more spreadable product texture
More about Hexylene glycolIngredient list view
Water, Carbomer, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Glycerin, Hydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer, Plankton extract, Lecithin, Micrococcus lysate, Tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate, Unknown, Glycol, Niacinamide, Bis-peg-8 dimethicone, Triethanolamine, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hexylene glycol
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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.
| Cellular MDUniversal Protection DropsYOUR PRODUCT | skinmadeHyaluronic Acid + Vitamin C serum | Kate SomervilleKx Active Concentrates Vitamin B3 + Vitamin C Serum | RéViveBrightening Serum / Skin Illuminator | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 84% | 75% | 75% |
| Price | — | $24.37 | — | $285.00 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 3 of 4 | 3 of 4 | 3 of 4 |
| Key difference | — | Adenosine | Vitamin C | Hexapeptide-9 |
| Irritancy | Low | Low | Medium | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Colleen Rothschild Beauty Vitamin C Brightening SerumMario Badescu Vitamin C Cream
Product summary
"Cellular MD - Universal Protection Drops" could be helpful for: Moisturizing, but its actives are not the most effective or are not well-studied.
Ingredient callouts
- Humectants (glycerin 2.80% - 4.20%). These ingredients help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improve the skin hydration.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 5 studies and safety reviews.
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