Works for
1 of 1 advertised claim delivered
MoisturizingCeramide np, Panthenol + 15 moreStrong evidence
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, zinc pca.
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, cetearyl alcohol.
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: ceramide np, panthenol
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy10 flagged ingredientsLow risk
Comedogenic1 ingredient rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale1 flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~45–55%
Phytosteryl/isostearyl/cetyl/stearyl/behenyl dimer dilinoleate~4.6–5.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and create a nice product consistency
More about Phytosteryl/isostearyl/cetyl/stearyl/behenyl dimer dilinoleateGlycerin~3.8–4.6%
- 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 GlycerinCoco-caprylate/caprate~3.1–3.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin without creating a greasy texture
More about Coco-caprylate/caprateDimethicone~2.4–3%
- 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 DimethiconePropanediol~1.9–2.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin
More about PropanediolCetearyl olivate~1.6–2%
Cetyl lactate~1.5–1.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Cetearyl alcohol~1.3–1.5%
- 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 alcoholTheobroma grandiflorum seed butter~0.95–1.15%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and might as well help to attract moisture to its upper layer
More about Theobroma grandiflorum seed butterAlpha-glucan oligosaccharide~0.75–1.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Alpha-glucan oligosaccharidePhytosteryl/behenyl/octyldodecyl lauroyl glutamate~0.6–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Sorbitan olivate~0.55–0.85%
Panthenol~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help improve skin barrier function
More about PanthenolZinc pca~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A compound that combines zinc with a hydrating ingredient PCA. Might to be helpful against acne and clogged pores. Can help calm down inflammation in skin. Could be helpful in reducing the formation of free radicals in skin. Might help to reduce fine lines in wrinkles, but solid evidence is missing
More about Zinc pcaColloidal oatmeal~0.6–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to restore skin barrier function, soften the upper layer of the skin and calm down inflammation
More about Colloidal oatmealGlyceryl stearate citrate~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix together while softening the upper layer of the skin
More about Glyceryl stearate citrateAcetyl tetrapeptide-40~0.4–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Ceramide np~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A 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 npTocopherol~0.35–0.6%
- 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 TocopherolZinc gluconate~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Typically used to stabilize the product formulations. It is a salt of a polyhydroxy acid (PHA) and in larger concentrations, can help shed the dead cells from the skin surface revealing smoother skin. It can help attract water to the upper layer of the skin. Might to be helpful against acne and clogged pores. Could be helpful in neutralizing free radicals, but solid research is missing. Due to the zinc content, might help calm down inflammation in skin
More about Zinc gluconateSodium phytate~0.3–0.55%
Cetearyl glucoside~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps water and oil in the product mix well together and improves product texture
More about Cetearyl glucosideCitric acid~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
More about Citric acidCaprylyl glycol~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolSorbitan isostearate~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Sorbitan isostearateEthylhexylglycerin~0.25–0.45%
Polysorbate 60~0.25–0.45%
Pentaerythrityl tetra-di-t-butyl hydroxyhydrocinnamate~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to increase stability of product formulations
More about Pentaerythrityl tetra-di-t-butyl hydroxyhydrocinnamateIsohexadecane~0.3–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Improves the texture of the product and helps soften the skin. Helps oil and water mix together and can be used as a cleansing agent
More about IsohexadecaneSodium hydroxide~0.15–0.25%
Behenyl alcohol~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Non-drying alcohol that helps water and oil mix together. Also serves as an emollient
More about Behenyl alcoholHydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer~0.1–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A gelling agent that thickens the product consistency and leaves the skin with a velvety finish
More about Hydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymerPhenoxyethanol~0.1–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolCi 19140~0.05–0.1%
Ci 42090~0.05–0.1%
Ingredient list view
Water, Phytosteryl/isostearyl/cetyl/stearyl/behenyl dimer dilinoleate, Glycerin, Coco-caprylate/caprate, Dimethicone, Propanediol, Cetearyl olivate, Cetyl lactate, Cetearyl alcohol, Theobroma grandiflorum seed butter, Alpha-glucan oligosaccharide, Phytosteryl/behenyl/octyldodecyl lauroyl glutamate, Sorbitan olivate, Panthenol, Zinc pca, Colloidal oatmeal, Glyceryl stearate citrate, Acetyl tetrapeptide-40, Ceramide np, Tocopherol, Zinc gluconate, Sodium phytate, Cetearyl glucoside, Citric acid, Caprylyl glycol, Sorbitan isostearate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Polysorbate 60, Pentaerythrityl tetra-di-t-butyl hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Isohexadecane, Sodium hydroxide, Behenyl alcohol, Hydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Ci 19140, Ci 42090
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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.
| Dr. IdrissLeft Un-Red CalmBack CreamYOUR PRODUCT | THE formularxBarrier Relief Lightweight Ceramide Moisturizer | RilastilAcnestil Attiva Cream | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 50% | 50% |
| Price | — | $8.91 | $24.77 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 5 of 10 | 6 of 10 |
| Key difference | — | Niacinamide | Niacinamide |
| Irritancy | Low | Low | Low |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop |
Product summary
Based on the ingredients included, "Dr. Idriss - Left Un-Red CalmBack Cream" works well for moisturizing the skin. 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, glycerin, zinc pca and caprylyl glycol 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 (ceramide np, dimethicone, cetearyl alcohol, coco-caprylate/caprate and caprylyl 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
- Another benefit is that this moisturizer contain ceramides (ceramide np 0.45% - 0.65%). Ceramides are an important part of our natural skin barrier. The Ceramides used in skincare are synthetic or come from plants. They help soften the skin and can help "fill the gaps" in the skin barrier, keeping the skin hydrated and resilient for longer.
Irritation risk
There are some common irritants in this product, including ingredients that do not have benefits 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.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 22 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2Safety Assessment of Alkyl Esters as Used in Cosmeticscir-safety.org
- 3
- 4Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Dimethicone Copolyoljournals.sagepub.com
- 5Advanced Skin Care – A Novel Ingredientncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 6Skin moisturizing effects of panthenol-based formulationspdfs.semanticscholar.org
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