
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:
glutamic acid, 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: squalane, cholesterol.
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: ceramide ap, ceramide eop, ceramide np, niacinamide, panthenol, phytosphingosine, urea
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.
This product might help exfoliate the skin with urea, but This ingredient is not the most effective.
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: lysine.
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.
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.


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Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
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 GlycerinIs 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 NiacinamideHelps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help improve skin barrier function
More about PanthenolAn oil naturally present in skin. Works as an emollient to soften the skin and form a protective layer on its surface without a greasy feeling.
More about SqualaneActs as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin
More about PropanediolUsed to create a thicker product consistency
More about Ammonium polyacryloyldimethyl taurateMight be helpful in neutralizing free radicals. Can have a dehydration effect that might somewhat decrease the look of puffy eyes
More about CaffeineHelps attract water to the upper layer of the skin. Could be helpful in restoring the skin barrier function
More about GlucoseNaturally present in skin and helps to attract water to its upper layer
More about Sodium pcaHelps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolNaturally 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
More about UreaA type of lipid similar to ceramides naturally present in skin. Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin and supports the skin barrier function to keep it hydrated. Can help to prevent inflammation in skin
More about Ceramide npHelps calm down inflammation in skin and can help reduce itching. Helps to repair the skin barrier and keep skin hydrated
More about AllantoinA type of lipid similar to ceramides naturally present in skin. Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin and supports the skin barrier function to keep it hydrated. Can help to prevent inflammation in skin
More about Ceramide apAn emollient that is naturally found in skin
More about CholesterolA type of lipid that is naturally present in skin. It might help in repairing skin barrier function and has anti-bacterial effect
More about PhytosphingosineHelps water and oil mix together
More about Sodium lauroyl lactylatePure 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 TocopherolA type of hyaluronic acid that works as an excellent moisturizer by attracting water into the upper layer of the skin. Is typically feels less sticky on the skin compared to the usual hyaluronic acid
More about Sodium acetylated hyaluronateOne of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
More about Sodium hyaluronateAttracts water into the upper layer of the skin
More about Sodium hyaluronate crosspolymerA mineral-rich extract from red algae. Might be able to help attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Lithothamnion calcareum extractAttracts water into the upper layer of the skin
More about Hydrolyzed sodium hyaluronateA type of lipid similar to ceramides naturally present in skin. Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin and supports the skin barrier function to keep it hydrated. Can help to prevent inflammation in skin
More about Ceramide eopUsed to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product texture
More about Pentylene glycolUsed to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumMaintains the texture of skincare products. Allows the product to spread evenly. Helps oil and water mix together
More about Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymerAn exfoliating and moisturizing alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA). Typically causes less irritation than other AHAs, for example, glycolic acid. At high concentrations (about 15%), lactic acid can help reduce lines and wrinkles. Recent studies show that lactic acid can support the "good" bacteria living on skin's surface (healthy skin microbiome)
More about Lactic acidHelps mask the smell of other ingredients and helps preserve the product formulation
More about PhenylpropanolAn amino-acid that helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Glutamic acidHelps to attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help restore the skin barrier function
More about GlycineAn 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
More about LysineA polyhydroxy acid (PHA) that helps shed the dead cells from the skin surface revealing smoother skin. Is believed to be genter than AHAs. It helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can stimulate production of skin's own hyaluronic acid resulting in improved hydration levels. It has been shown to be helpful against acne and clogged pores if used consistently (e.g over a period of 12 weeks) in high enough concentration. It can help reduce fine lines and wrinkles and improve skin tone with long-term application. Can help neutralize free radicals
More about GluconolactoneA preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolUsed to dissolve other ingredients and to improve smell of products. It could be irritating
More about T-butyl alcoholHelps create a thicker or gel-like product texture. It is not a surfactant but can be used in gentle cleansing formulations
More about CarbomerHelps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and helps to improve appearance of the product
More about Calcium gluconateWater, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Panthenol, Squalane, Methylpropanediol, Propanediol, Ammonium polyacryloyldimethyl taurate, Caffeine, Glucose, Sodium pca, Caprylyl glycol, Urea, Ceramide np, Allantoin, Ceramide ap, Cholesterol, Phytosphingosine, Sodium lauroyl lactylate, Amylopectin, Sodium polyglutamate, Tocopherol, Sodium acetylated hyaluronate, Sodium hyaluronate, Sodium hyaluronate crosspolymer, Lithothamnion calcareum extract, Hydrolyzed sodium hyaluronate, Ceramide eop, Pentylene glycol, Xanthan gum, Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer, Lactic acid, Phenylpropanol, Glutamic acid, Glycine, Lysine, Gluconolactone, Sodium hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, T-butyl alcohol, Potassium sorbate, Sodium benzoate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Carbomer, Calcium gluconate
Retailers ranked by price — lowest first.
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.
| CosmetocriticoWaterwaveYOUR PRODUCT | CeraVeBlemish Control Gel Moisturiser with 2% Salicylic Acid & Niacinamide for Blemish-Prone Skin | innisfreeRetinol Cica Repair Pad (60 sheets) | MDSUNSkin Exfoliation Pads | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 77% | 64% | 63% |
| Price | — | $11.89 | $18.93 | — |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 9 of 23 | 7 of 23 | 8 of 23 |
| Key difference | — | Salicylic Acid | Retinol | Lactobionic Acid |
| Irritancy | Medium | Low | Medium | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: ROUND LAB Vita Niacinamide Glow Capsule CreamNécessaire The Body Bar - With 2% Physical Exfoliant, 5 Ceramides + Niacinamide
"Cosmetocrítico - Waterwave" is effective for: Anti-aging, Moisturizing, Evens skin tone and Anti-blemish
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 34 studies and safety reviews.
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