Works for
1 of 2 advertised claims delivered
Moisturizing11 ingredients credited for this claimStrong support
“Its complexes, with glycerin and panthenol, promote hydration and regulate the water balance of the 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.
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, c12-15 alkyl benzoate.
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: panthenol
Anti-aging1 ingredient credited for this claimLimited support
“The specially designed combination of its UVA/UVB filter (FPS 4) with vitamin E prevents premature aging of the skin caused by sun exposure. It is also ideal as a make-up base.”
This product does not contain ingredients that are able to reduce fine lines and wrinkles or help with skin elasticity, but it can improve the look of the skin temporarily through moisturization. Well-moisturized skin might also be able to repair the sun damage better.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy2 strong irritants: Parfum, CitronellolMedium 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%
Glycerin~5–6.1%
- 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 GlycerinDibutyl adipate~4.1–5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and create a nice product consistency
More about Dibutyl adipateC12-15 alkyl benzoate~3.1–3.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Enhances the product texture and makes it more spreadable. Helps reduce water loss from the outer layer of skin. Extands the shelf life by preventing bacteria growth
More about C12-15 alkyl benzoateCetearyl alcohol~2.3–2.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
A non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture
More about Cetearyl alcoholDicaprylyl carbonate~1.9–2.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps products spread more easily and works as an emollient to soften skin
More about Dicaprylyl carbonateSodium acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer~1.5–1.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Sodium acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymerPolyisobutene~1.5–1.9%
Ethylhexyl triazone~1.7–2.1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Uvinul T. A UV filter. Effective against UVB rays. It is photostable. Can increase water resistance properties of the sunscreen. Unfortunately, not approved by the FDA (US) yet
More about Ethylhexyl triazonePhenoxyethanol~0.5–1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolPanthenol~0.7–1.05%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help improve skin barrier function
More about PanthenolTocopheryl acetate~0.6–0.9%
- 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 acetateCoco-caprylate~0.55–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An emollient that softens skin and creates a nice product texture
More about Coco-caprylateDisodium edta~0.45–0.7%
Diethylamino hydroxybenzoyl hexyl benzoate~0.6–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Uvinul A Plus. A new generation broad spectrum sunscreen that offers an effective protection especially in the UVA range. It is stable in formulations. Unfortunately, is not approved by the FDA (US) yet
More about Diethylamino hydroxybenzoyl hexyl benzoateEthylparaben~0.2–0.4%
Methylparaben~0.15–0.3%
Bis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazine~0.55–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Tinosorb S. One of the most effective broad spectrum sunscreen ingredients. Protects from both UVA and UVB rays. It is photostable. Unfortunately, not approved by FDA (US) yet.
More about Bis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazineParfum~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumDimethicone~0.35–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
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
More about DimethiconeSodium hydroxide~0.25–0.5%
Allantoin~0.25–0.45%
- 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 AllantoinAcrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Maintains the texture of skincare products. Allows the product to spread evenly. Helps oil and water mix together
More about Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymerBenzoic acid~0.25–0.45%
Caprylyl/capryl glucoside~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together. Can be used as a cleansing agent
More about Caprylyl/capryl glucosideDehydroacetic acid~0.2–0.4%
Pyrus malus fruit extract~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can have some moisturizing properties due to its sugar content
More about Pyrus malus fruit extractPanicum miliaceum extract~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Benzyl alcohol~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- High
A preservative. Can be used to mask unpleasant smell. Can be irritating
More about Benzyl alcoholChlorella vulgaris/lupinus albus protein ferment~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
Pectin~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Citronellol~0.15–0.25%
Tocopherol~0.15–0.3%
- 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 TocopherolTannic acid~0.15–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Ci 42051~0.1–0.2%
Potassium sorbate~0.1–0.2%
Sodium sulfate~0.05–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to improve the product consistency and stabilize formulations
More about Sodium sulfateIngredient list view
Water, Glycerin, Dibutyl adipate, C12-15 alkyl benzoate, Cetearyl alcohol, Dicaprylyl carbonate, Sodium acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer, Polyisobutene, Ethylhexyl triazone, Phenoxyethanol, Panthenol, Tocopheryl acetate, Coco-caprylate, Disodium edta, Diethylamino hydroxybenzoyl hexyl benzoate, Ethylparaben, Methylparaben, Bis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazine, Parfum, Dimethicone, Sodium hydroxide, Allantoin, Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer, Benzoic acid, Caprylyl/capryl glucoside, Dehydroacetic acid, Pyrus malus fruit extract, Panicum miliaceum extract, Benzyl alcohol, Chlorella vulgaris/lupinus albus protein ferment, Pectin, Citronellol, Tocopherol, Tannic acid, Ci 42051, Potassium sorbate, Sodium sulfate
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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.
| CienAqua Gel CreamYOUR PRODUCT | Chemist ConfessionsAquafix Hydrating Water Gel | DermaticaNourishing Ceramide + Peptides | AveenoUltra-Calming Nourishing Night Cream | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 59% | 57% | 57% |
| Price | — | $38.00 | $21.09 | $15.99 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 4 of 7 | 3 of 7 | 3 of 7 |
| Key difference | — | Madecassoside | Niacinamide | Ceramide Np |
| Irritancy | Medium | Low | Low | Low |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
Product summary
Based on the ingredient list, "Cien - Aqua Gel Cream" can work well for skin moisturization. As we expect from a proper moisturizer, the formula includes a combo of effective humectants and emollients. These are the two different types of ingredients that are essential for improving the skin hydration and supporting a healthy skin barrier. Panthenol and glycerin in this product (humectants) attract water molecules to the upper layer of the skin (the water comes from the outside air or from the deeper layers of the skin if the air is dry). Emollients in this formulation (dimethicone, c12-15 alkyl benzoate, cetearyl alcohol, dibutyl adipate and dicaprylyl carbonate) 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
- An effective concentration of Panthenol (pro-vitamin B5) - about 0.70% - 1.05%. Panthenol helps strengthen the skin barrier, improve hydration and reduce inflammation in skin.
Irritation risk
This formulation includes some common irritants, including ingredients that do not provide a benefit for the skin. We assess the overall irritancy of this moisturizer to be medium. 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.
About the brand
According to Cruelty-Free Kitty "Cien" is cruelty free and so is its parent company.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 11 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3Skin moisturizing effects of panthenol-based formulationspdfs.semanticscholar.org
- 4
- 5
- 6Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Dimethicone Copolyoljournals.sagepub.com
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