PRODUCT REVIEW

Cetaphil Skin Activator Hydrating & Firming Cream
Can it cause trouble?
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Price as of 10/11/2025 17:58 GMT.
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What can the product work for?
Works for
Anti-aging
What does the product description say?
CETAPHIL SKIN ACTIVATOR HYDRATING & FIRMING CREAM Helps activate sleeping surface skin cells on the face, neck and chest for visibly firmer looking skin in just 4 weeks CLINCALLY PROVEN RESULTS Crepey skin neck cream smooths skin texture in 1 week and visibly firms skin in 4 weeks SKIN ACTIVATOR TECHNOLOGY WAKES UP SKIN Cream moisturizer delivers Mandelic Acid (AHA) and Centella Asiatica (CICA) deep into the surface skin layers to help increase surface skin cell turnover for firmer, less crepey looking skin LASTING HYDRATION FOR AGING SKIN Skin restoring cream hydrates for 48 hours and helps restore the skinâs natural moisture barrier over time.
centella asiatica leaf extract
0.05% -
0.2%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness:
MEDIUM
A plant extract that has been shown to be able to reduce inflammation in skin, support restoration of skin barrier function, as well as support collagen production. It can be irritating to sensitive skin. Might be helpful in preventing stretch marks. It could, however, itself be irritating.
prunus amygdalus dulcis oil
1% -
1.5%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness:
LOW
An emollient that softens the skin
tocopherol
0.05% -
0.2%
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
Exfoliation
mandelic acid
0.15% -
0.6%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
Helps shed the upper layer of dead cells from the surface of the skin revealing smoother, brighter skin. It can help to reduce hyperpigmentation. It has anti-bacterial properties, and might help to reduce blemishes, as well as fine lines and wrinkles. It is considered to be gentler than glycolic acid
Moisturizing
What does the product description say?
Skin Activator Hydrating & Firming Cream
dimethiconol
0.55% -
1.3%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
A silicone that makes products more spreadable and keeps skin smooth. Helps to add gloss to skin and may visually fill in fine lines/wrinkles for short time
helianthus annuus seed oil
5.3% -
8%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
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
synthetic beeswax
1.4% -
2.1%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
Show more
Evens skin tone
mandelic acid
0.15% -
0.6%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
Helps shed the upper layer of dead cells from the surface of the skin revealing smoother, brighter skin. It can help to reduce hyperpigmentation. It has anti-bacterial properties, and might help to reduce blemishes, as well as fine lines and wrinkles. It is considered to be gentler than glycolic acid
Honesty check
How honest is this product?
Promise | Can it deliver? |
---|---|
Exfoliation | |
Anti-aging | |
Moisturizing |
Total Promises Fulfilled score:
83/100.
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Can it cause trouble?
- Overall product irritation risk
- Acne & comedogenic risk ingredients: 2
Potential irritants
mandelic acid
0.15% -
0.6%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Evens skin tone,
Exfoliation,
Anti-blemish,
Antibacterial
Helps shed the upper layer of dead cells from the surface of the skin revealing smoother, brighter skin. It can help to reduce hyperpigmentation. It has anti-bacterial properties, and might help to reduce blemishes, as well as fine lines and wrinkles. It is considered to be gentler than glycolic acid
methyl glucose sesquistearate
1.3% -
1.9%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Cleansing
Helps water and oil mix together
Show more
Comodogenic ingredients
cetearyl alcohol
2.1% -
3.1%
Irritation risk: Comedogenicity: Medium
Works for:
Cleansing,
Moisturizing
A non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture
hydrogenated vegetable oil
1.7% -
2.6%
Irritation risk: Comedogenicity: Medium
Works for:
Moisturizing
An oil from a mixture of different vegetables. Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
User reviews (0)
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Irritancy | IRRITANCY
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Ingredients & concentrations
All ingredients
Key Actives
centella asiatica leaf extract
0.05% -
0.2%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Anti-inflammatory,
Reduces irritation,
Reduces redness,
Anti-aging,
Anti-blemish
A plant extract that has been shown to be able to reduce inflammation in skin, support restoration of skin barrier function, as well as support collagen production. It can be irritating to sensitive skin. Might be helpful in preventing stretch marks. It could, however, itself be irritating.
mandelic acid
0.15% -
0.6%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Evens skin tone,
Exfoliation,
Anti-blemish,
Antibacterial
Helps shed the upper layer of dead cells from the surface of the skin revealing smoother, brighter skin. It can help to reduce hyperpigmentation. It has anti-bacterial properties, and might help to reduce blemishes, as well as fine lines and wrinkles. It is considered to be gentler than glycolic acid
Show more
Potential irritants
mandelic acid
0.15% -
0.6%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Evens skin tone,
Exfoliation,
Anti-blemish,
Antibacterial
Helps shed the upper layer of dead cells from the surface of the skin revealing smoother, brighter skin. It can help to reduce hyperpigmentation. It has anti-bacterial properties, and might help to reduce blemishes, as well as fine lines and wrinkles. It is considered to be gentler than glycolic acid
methyl glucose sesquistearate
1.3% -
1.9%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Cleansing
Helps water and oil mix together
Show more
Comodogenic ingredients
cetearyl alcohol
2.1% -
3.1%
Irritation risk: Comedogenicity: Medium
Works for:
Cleansing,
Moisturizing
A non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture
hydrogenated vegetable oil
1.7% -
2.6%
Irritation risk: Comedogenicity: Medium
Works for:
Moisturizing
An oil from a mixture of different vegetables. Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
All ingredients
helianthus annuus seed oil
5.3% -
8%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Moisturizing
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
glycerin
3.5% -
5.3%
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
Show more
Ingredient list view
Water, Helianthus annuus seed oil, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Cetearyl alcohol, Hydrogenated vegetable oil, Synthetic beeswax, Methyl glucose sesquistearate, Prunus amygdalus dulcis oil, Tocopheryl acetate, Dimethiconol, Phenoxyethanol, Propanediol, Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer, Potassium cetyl phosphate, Mandelic acid, Lecithin, Disodium edta, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium hydroxide, Centella asiatica leaf extract, Tocopherol
Sources
- Effect of Olive and Sunflower Seed Oil on the Adult Skin Barrier: Implications for Neonatal Skin Care
- Topically Applied Sunflower Seed Oil Prevents Invasive Bacterial Infections in Preterm Infants in Egypt
- Effect of topically applied lipids on surfactant-irritated skin
- Impact of topical oils on the skin barrier: possible implications for neonatal health in developing countries
- Glycerol and the skin: holistic approach to its origin and functions
- Dimethicone as a protective ingredient in topical medications
- Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Dimethicone Copolyol
- Anti-Inflammatory and Skin Barrier Repair Effects of Topical Application of Some Plant Oils
- Summary of mandelic acid for the improvement of skin conditions
- Comparative Evaluation of Efficacy and Tolerability of Glycolic Acid, Salicylic Mandelic Acid, and Phytic Acid Combination Peels in Melasma
- Centella asiatica in Dermatology: An Overview
- Contact dermatitis due to Madecassol
- Vitamin E in dermatology