PRODUCT REVIEW

Cetaphil Optimal Hydration Skin Replenishing Water Gel

Works for:

based on ingredients and %

Moisturizing
Evens skin tone
Anti-blemish
Anti-aging

Can it cause trouble?

Key actives

Niacinamide 1.7% - 2.5%Allantoin 0.3% - 0.75%

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Dr Sam's - Flawless Moisturiser

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Product summary

Judging from the ingredient list, "Cetaphil - Optimal Hydration Skin Replenishing Water Gel" works well for improving skin hydration The formulation is based on a combination of good humectants and emollients. Both are needed to increase the skin hydration level. Humectants in this product (panthenol, urea, anhydroxylitol, glycerin and hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid) help to increase the water content in the upper layer of the skin. (These ingredients do so by "capturing" water molecules from the outside air or from within the deeper layers of the skin). Emollients in this formulation (dimethicone, caprylyl glycol, octyldodecanol and pentylene glycol) 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

We particularly like that there is a good concentration of Niacinamide (1.70% - 2.50%) in this moisturizer. Niacinamide is a well-studied multi-tasking active. It is a great ingredient to have in a moisturizer. It is stable, and can work well in almost any hydrating formulation. There is solid evidence that Niacinamide can help support skin barrier, regulate oil production and reduce acne and clogged pores. It also helps to fight photodamage and help improve the skin tone, reducing pigmentation marks.
Panthenol (pro-vitamin B5) at about 2.10% - 3.10% concentration. In this concentration, Panthenol works effectively to improve the skin barrier and reduce inflammation.

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

Irritation risk

There are actives in this product that can be irritating. We assess the overall irritancy of this moisturizer to be low. 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.

What can the product work for?

Moisturizing

What does the product description say?

Optimal Hydration Skin Replenishing Water Gel

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: anhydroxylitol, glycerin.

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, caprylyl glycol.

The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: niacinamide, panthenol, urea

trehalose 0.15% - 0.6%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH

A sugar that attracts water to the upper layer of the skin

urea 0.15% - 0.6%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH

Naturally present in skin (urea makes up about 7% of natural moisturizing factors in skin). Attracts water to the upper layer of the skin. Also has a positive effect on the skin barrier beyond the humectant action. Can enhance penetration of other ingredients. Is an exfoliating ingredient when used in high concentrations

xylitylglucoside 0.35% - 0.85%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH

Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and repair the skin barrier function

Anti-blemish

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.

niacinamide 1.7% - 2.5%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH

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

allantoin 0.3% - 0.75%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Insufficient!

Helps calm down inflammation in skin and can help reduce itching. Helps to repair the skin barrier and keep skin hydrated

Anti-aging

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: serine.

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.

niacinamide 1.7% - 2.5%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH

serine 0.1% - 0.45%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Effectiveness: MEDIUM

An amino-acid that helps to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. In combination with other amino-acids, might help to reduce fine lines and wrinkles

Evens skin tone

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.

niacinamide 1.7% - 2.5%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH

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Ingredients & concentrations

All ingredients

Key Actives

niacinamide 1.7% - 2.5%

Irritation risk:

Works for: Evens skin tone, Anti-aging, Moisturizing, Anti-blemish, Reduces irritation, Reduces redness, Antibacterial, Anti-inflammatory

allantoin 0.3% - 0.75%

Irritation risk:

Works for: Moisturizing, Anti-inflammatory, Anti-blemish, Reduces irritation, Reduces redness, Exfoliation

Helps calm down inflammation in skin and can help reduce itching. Helps to repair the skin barrier and keep skin hydrated

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Potential irritants

pullulan 0.05% - 0.2%

Irritation risk:

Works for: Mattifying

Creates a thin drying film on the skin resulting in a short-term tightening effect

sodium polyacryloyldimethyl taurate 1.2% - 1.9%

Irritation risk:

Helps oil and water mix together

Comodogenic ingredients

algin 0.1% - 0.3%

Irritation risk: Comedogenicity: High

Works for: Moisturizing

Used to thicken product formulation. Can help attract water to the upper layer of the skin

All ingredients

water 40% - 60%

Irritation risk:

Plain old water

glycerin 4.1% - 6.1%

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

dimethicone 3.7% - 5.6%

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

Ingredient list view

Water, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Propanediol, Panthenol, Niacinamide, Octyldodecanol, Sodium polyacryloyldimethyl taurate, Hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid, Sodium hyaluronate, Polyglutamic acid, Allantoin, Xylitylglucoside, Anhydroxylitol, Distarch phosphate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer, Caprylyl glycol, 1,2-hexanediol, Trehalose, Urea, Xylitol, Xanthan gum, Pentylene glycol, Serine, Sodium hydroxide, Pantolactone, Algin, Disodium phosphate, Glyceryl polyacrylate, Pullulan, Globularia alypum leaf extract

	Cetaphil - Optimal Hydration Skin Replenishing Water Gel	MISSHA - Near Skin Madecanol Cream Sponsored	Dr Sam's - Flawless Moisturiser	Simple - X Kindness Hydrating Light Facial Moisturiser	Cos De BAHA - Hyaluronic acid gel cream	Maruderm - Hyaluronic Acid Moisturizer Face & Body Cream	ISDIN - Isdinceutics Prevent Hyaluronic Moisture Sensitive Skin	MISSHA - Near Skin Madecanol Cream	ISANA - 120h Liquid Moisturizer	CeraVe - Ultra-Light Moisturizing Gel	Elishacoy - Hydro Save Plan Emulsion	OleHenriksen - Strength Trainer Peptide Boost Moisturiser
Price
WIMJ similarity score		71%	76%	75%	75%	74%	72%	71%	70%	70%	69%	69%
Key ingredients	niacinamide anhydroxylitol +13 more	Common: niacinamide panthenol +3 more Other: madecassoside caprylic/capric triglyceride +2 more	Common: niacinamide anhydroxylitol +5 more Other: cyclopentasiloxane polysilicone-11 +2 more	Common: niacinamide urea +5 more Other: paraffinum liquidum bisabolol +2 more	Common: niacinamide panthenol +5 more Other: adenosine camellia sinensis leaf extract +8 more	Common: niacinamide panthenol +5 more Other: fructose glycine +5 more	Common: niacinamide urea +8 more Other: caprylic/capric triglyceride alteromonas ferment extract +1 more	Common: niacinamide panthenol +3 more Other: madecassoside caprylic/capric triglyceride +2 more	Common: niacinamide panthenol +4 more Other: ectoin sphingolipids +1 more	Common: niacinamide sodium hyaluronate +2 more Other: ceramide eop ceramide np +4 more	Common: niacinamide anhydroxylitol +9 more Other: adenosine dipotassium glycyrrhizate +10 more	Common: niacinamide niacinamide +8 more Other: acetyl dipeptide-1 cetyl ester acetyl octapeptide-3 +28 more
Irritancy	IRRITANCY LOW	IRRITANCY LOW	IRRITANCY LOW	IRRITANCY LOW	IRRITANCY LOW	IRRITANCY LOW	IRRITANCY MEDIUM	IRRITANCY LOW	IRRITANCY LOW	IRRITANCY LOW	IRRITANCY MEDIUM	IRRITANCY HIGH
Potential Irritants	pullulan Has skin benefit? pentylene glycol Has skin benefit? +5 more	madecassoside Has skin benefit? olea europaea fruit oil Has skin benefit? +3 more	benzyl alcohol Has skin benefit? dehydroacetic acid Has skin benefit? +4 more	sodium lactate Has skin benefit? lactic acid Has skin benefit? +7 more	raspberry ketone Has skin benefit? sambucus nigra flower extract Has skin benefit? +7 more	lactic acid Has skin benefit? sodium lactate Has skin benefit? +4 more	pullulan Has skin benefit? parfum Has skin benefit? +9 more	madecassoside Has skin benefit? olea europaea fruit oil Has skin benefit? +3 more	ascorbyl palmitate Has skin benefit? sodium citrate Has skin benefit? +7 more	benzoic acid Has skin benefit? trisodium ethylenediamine disuccinate Has skin benefit? +5 more	ascorbic acid Has skin benefit? parfum Has skin benefit? +15 more	linalool Has skin benefit? limonene Has skin benefit? +17 more
All ingredients	water Has skin benefit? glycerin Has skin benefit? +30 more	centella asiatica extract Has skin benefit? glycerin Has skin benefit? +25 more	water Has skin benefit? butyrospermum parkii butter Has skin benefit? +24 more	water Has skin benefit? glycerin Has skin benefit? +26 more	aloe barbadensis leaf extract Has skin benefit? propanediol Has skin benefit? +31 more	water Has skin benefit? glycerin Has skin benefit? +24 more	water Has skin benefit? caprylic/capric triglyceride Has skin benefit? +38 more	centella asiatica extract Has skin benefit? glycerin Has skin benefit? +25 more	water Has skin benefit? glycerin Has skin benefit? +28 more	water Has skin benefit? glycerin Has skin benefit? +26 more	water Has skin benefit? caprylic/capric triglyceride Has skin benefit? +47 more	tocopherol Has skin benefit? niacinamide Has skin benefit? +73 more

PRODUCT REVIEW

Cetaphil Optimal Hydration Skin Replenishing Water Gel

Works for:

Can it cause trouble?

Key actives

Cheaper alternatives

Product summary

Ingredient callouts

Irritation risk

What can the product work for?

Works for

Moisturizing

What does the product description say?

Anti-blemish

Anti-aging

Evens skin tone

Honesty check

How honest is this product?

Buy now

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Can it cause trouble?

Potential irritants

Comodogenic ingredients

User reviews (0)

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Ingredients & concentrations

All ingredients

Key Actives

Potential irritants

Comodogenic ingredients

All ingredients

Ingredient list view

Sources