Works for
Anti-agingNiacinamide, Epigallocatechin gallatyl glucoside + 1 moreWorks well
“CETAPHIL ADVANCED DEFENSE SERUM A daily antioxidant serum designed to visibly transform stressed sensitive skin, for stronger skin against daily stressors IMPROVE RADIANCE, PORES & FINE LINES Formulated with Triple Hyaluronic Acid to hydrate and smooth the skin, and Niacinamide to help minimize the appearance of pores and enhance radiance POWERFUL ANTIOXIDANT COMPLEX With Gallic‐AOX Power TM, a complex of Gallic Acid and Vitamin E helps defend against oxidative stress DESIGNED FOR SENSITIVE SKIN This powerful antioxidant serum is suitable for even the most sensitive skin, with a hypoallergenic, fragrance free and non-comedogenic formula DERMATOLOGIST RECOMMENDED FOR SENSITIVE SKIN”
This product can help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness because it contains niacinamide.
These ingredients in the product can also be helpful, even though there is less evidence for their effectiveness: epigallocatechin gallatyl glucoside.
Keep in mind that it typically takes at least 6 weeks to notice any results because the changes that are needed to improve fine lines and elasticity happen in the deeper layers of the skin. No topical anti-aging product can “erase” wrinkles or fully reverse signs of aging.
MoisturizingNiacinamide, Hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid + 5 moreWorks well
This product contains good ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. These ingredients are called "humectants": hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid, 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).
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: niacinamide
Evens skin toneNot advertised by the brand · NiacinamideWorks well
This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: niacinamide
Keep in mind that you would need to apply any topical skincare targetted at hypigmentation consistently for a couple of months to get a result. No topical skincare product can help get rid of hyperpigmentation (including post-acne marks and age spots) instantly.
Anti-oxidationNot advertised by the brand · Epigallocatechin gallatyl glucoside, Tocopheryl acetate + 1 moreWorks well
This product contains antioxidants (epigallocatechin gallatyl glucoside) that can help neutralize free radicals in skin. By doing so, they can lessen the damage the skin gets from the UV light (sun).
Anti-blemishNot advertised by the brand · Niacinamide, AllantoinWorks well
This product can help reduce breakouts and clogged pores because it contains the following ingredient: niacinamide. This ingredient is used for treating acne and can have a noticeable effect.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy4 flagged ingredientsLow risk
ComedogenicClean of flagged comedogenic ingredientsNone flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~40–60%
Butylene glycol~5.7–8.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
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 glycolPpg-3~3.9–5.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Pentylene glycol~2.7–4.1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product texture
More about Pentylene glycolPolyglyceryl-4 caprate~2–3%
1,2-hexanediol~0.3–0.75%
Niacinamide~1.2–1.8%
- 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 NiacinamideEpigallocatechin gallatyl glucoside~1–1.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A synthetic version of green tea polyphenol that helps neutralize free radicals in skin
More about Epigallocatechin gallatyl glucosideHydrolyzed hyaluronic acid~0.55–1.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin. A version of it is naturally present in skin
More about Hydrolyzed hyaluronic acidAllantoin~0.35–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps calm down inflammation in skin and can help reduce itching. Helps to repair the skin barrier and keep skin hydrated
More about AllantoinTocopheryl acetate~0.35–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
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.
More about Tocopheryl acetateAmmonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/vp copolymer~0.15–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Increases thickness of a product. Texture enhancer for oil-in-water emulsions
More about Ammonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/vp copolymerSodium hyaluronate~0.1–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
More about Sodium hyaluronateTocopherol~0.1–0.3%
- 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 TocopherolSodium gluconate~0.05–0.1%
Citric acid~0.01–0.05%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
More about Citric acidIngredient list view
Water, Butylene glycol, Ppg-3, Unknown, Pentylene glycol, Polyglyceryl-4 caprate, 1,2-hexanediol, Niacinamide, Epigallocatechin gallatyl glucoside, Hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid, Allantoin, Tocopheryl acetate, Ammonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/vp copolymer, Sodium hyaluronate, Tocopherol, Sodium gluconate, Citric acid
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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.
| CetaphilAdvanced Defense SerumYOUR PRODUCT | kiligProbiotics & Niacinamide face serum | BIODANCEPore tightening collagen ampoule | Skin Inc Supplement BarVitamin B3+ Serum | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 91% | 89% | 89% |
| Price | $13.88 | — | $34.32+$20.44 | $35.00+$21.12 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 4 of 5 | 4 of 5 | 3 of 5 |
| Key difference | — | Acetyl Tetrapeptide-9 | Adenosine | Panthenol |
| Irritancy | Low | Low | Low | Low |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: La Clinica Hydrating & Healing SerumNINE LESS A-Control 10% Azelaic Acid Serum NEW FORMULA
Product summary
"Cetaphil - Advanced Defense Serum" is effective for: Evens skin tone, Anti-aging, Moisturizing and Anti-blemish
Ingredient callouts
- Humectants (sodium hyaluronate 0.10% - 0.45% and hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid 0.55% - 1.25%). 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 10 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4Efficacy of a New Topical Nano-hyaluronic Acid in Humansncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 5Physiochemical properties and application of hyaluronic acid: a systematic reviewonlinelibrary.wiley.com
- 6
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