COSRX HYALURONIC ACID INTENSIVE CREAM
Works for
1 of 2 advertised claims delivered
MoisturizingPanthenol, Sodium hyaluronate + 10 moreStrong evidence
“Intensely hydrating cream boosts moisture content in your skin and seals it inside, protecting your skin from further loss of hydration.”
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:
arginine, betaine.
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: arginine, caprylic/capric triglyceride.
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: panthenol
Anti-agingNo ingredient credited for this claimLimited evidence
“Reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles”
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?
Irritancy6 flagged ingredientsLow risk
Comedogenic1 ingredient rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale1 flagged
User reviews
Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Hippophae rhamnoides water~22–34%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant-infused water. The concentration of compounds with potential skin benefits is unlikely to be effective
More about Hippophae rhamnoides waterEthyl hexanediol~6.6–9.9%
- Irritation risk
- High
Used to dissolve other ingredients. Might be irritating
More about Ethyl hexanediol1,2-hexanediol~1.9–2.9%
Glycerin~3.6–5.5%
- 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 GlycerinButylene glycol~2.8–4.2%
- 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 glycolCaprylic/capric triglyceride~2.5–3.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A good mix of fatty acids that forms a protective layer on the skin. Improves the shelf life of products. Derived from coconut and glycerin
More about Caprylic/capric triglycerideBetaine~1.7–2.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improves the product texture
More about BetaineHelianthus annuus seed oil~1.6–2.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
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
More about Helianthus annuus seed oilCetearyl alcohol~1.3–1.9%
- 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 alcoholCetearyl olivate~0.95–1.45%
Sorbitan olivate~0.6–1.4%
Macadamia ternifolia seed oil~0.8–1.2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Plant oil from nuts that helps soften the upper layer of the skin. Contains a high concentration of oleic acid that can weaken skin's barrier function and increase water-loss while enhancing penetration of other ingredients
More about Macadamia ternifolia seed oilSodium hyaluronate~0.4–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
More about Sodium hyaluronateArginine~0.35–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An amino acid that is naturally present in skin and helps keep it hydrated. When used together with AHAs, it can reduce their irritating effect on the skin
More about ArgininePanthenol~0.2–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help improve skin barrier function
More about PanthenolDimethicone~0.35–0.75%
- 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 DimethiconeEthylhexylglycerin~0.1–0.4%
Carbomer~0.1–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps create a thicker or gel-like product texture. It is not a surfactant but can be used in gentle cleansing formulations
More about CarbomerAllantoin~0.1–0.3%
- 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 AllantoinXanthan gum~0.05–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumIngredient list view
Hippophae rhamnoides water, Ethyl hexanediol, 1,2-hexanediol, Glycerin, Butylene glycol, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Betaine, Helianthus annuus seed oil, Cetearyl alcohol, Cetearyl olivate, Sorbitan olivate, Macadamia ternifolia seed oil, Sodium hyaluronate, Arginine, Panthenol, Dimethicone, Ethylhexylglycerin, Carbomer, Allantoin, Xanthan gum
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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.
| COSRXHYALURONIC ACID INTENSIVE CREAMYOUR PRODUCT | OrjenaResponse synergy barrier cream | By WishtrendVitamin 75 Maximizing Cream | Real BarrierIntense Moisture Hyaluronic Cream | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 60% | 59% | 59% |
| Price | $16.94 | $25.00+$8.06 | $17.83+$0.89 | $23.99+$7.05 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 6 of 8 | 7 of 8 | 6 of 8 |
| Key difference | — | Niacinamide | Beeswax | Madecassoside |
| Irritancy | Low | Low | Medium | Low |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
Product summary
Judging from the ingredient list, "COSRX - HYALURONIC ACID INTENSIVE CREAM" works well for improving skin hydration To work well, any moisturizer needs to include a combination of water-binding and emollient ingredients. COSRX - HYALURONIC ACID INTENSIVE CREAM ticks this box. Panthenol, arginine, betaine, glycerin and sodium hyaluronate in this product (humectants) attract water molecules to the upper layer of the skin (the water comes from the outside air or from the deeper layers of the skin if the air is dry). Arginine, caprylic/capric triglyceride, dimethicone, helianthus annuus seed oil and cetearyl alcohol in this product help decrease the water evoporation from the skin, so that it stays hydrated for longer. These ingredients also soften the skin and take away the feeling of tightness and dryness.
Ingredient callouts
- Panthenol (pro-vitamin B5) at about 0.35% - 0.80% concentration. In this concentration, Panthenol works effectively to improve the skin barrier and reduce inflammation.
Irritation risk
This moisturizer contains some common irritants, including those without a benefit for the skin. We assess the overall irritancy of this moisturizer to be low. For a detailed overview of all potential irritants: click here
You can see the detailed formula review with the breakdown of all actives in the product and the full ingredient list with estimated concentrations in the tables below.
About the brand
According to Cruelty-Free Kitty "COSRX" is cruelty free and so is its parent company.
Price
The product retails for 2499.99KSH in Kenya, from 22.30$ up to 25.00$ in the United States, for 29.99CA$ in Canada, from 23.75A$ up to 49.00A$ in Australia and from 21.60£ up to 31.00£ in the United Kingdom.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 15 studies and safety reviews.
- 1Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Ethyl Hexanedioljournals.sagepub.com
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6Effect of topically applied lipids on surfactant-irritated skinonlinelibrary.wiley.com
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