"Drunk Elephant - Bora Barrier Repair Cream" has a good moisturizing formula. This moisturizer uses a good combo of humectants and emollients. These both types of ingredients are essentials for improving the skin hydration and keeping the skin barrier healthy. Humectants in this product (glycerin, sodium lactate, sodium pca, butylene glycol and dextrin) help to increase the water content in the upper layer of the skin. (These ingredients do so by "capturing" water molecules from the outside air or from within the deeper layers of the skin). Emollients in this formulation (ceramide eop, ceramide np, palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7, palmitoyl tripeptide-1 and phytosphingosine) 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 (phytosphingosine 0.25% - 0.45%, ceramide eop 0.20% - 0.40%, ceramide np 0.25% - 0.40%, ceramide ap 0.20% - 0.35% and glucosyl ceramide 0.25% - 0.45%). 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.
This moisturizer also contains Peptides (palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7 0.25% - 0.40% and palmitoyl tripeptide-1 0.25% - 0.40%). Peptides are a very big group of ingredients. They all consist of a different combination of aminoacids. Our skin produces Peptides naturally. Some of them work as natural antibiotics, promote wound-healing and production of collagen. The scientists are still studying how effective the topical application of Peptides is, but it is very likely that they are helpful. Peptides might be able to support skin barrier restoration and even have an anti-aging benefit. At the very least, they certainly help attract water to the skin and support the hydration in this way.

This product contains ingredients that could be beneficial, but their concentrations are too low in this formulation: vitamin e, tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate, stearic acid, copper gluconate, zinc gluconate, rosehip oil and jojoba oil

Irritation risk

This moisturizer contains actives that can be irritating. 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 "Drunk Elephant" is cruelty free, but its parent company is not.

What can the product work for?

Moisturizing

What does the product description say?

Bora Barrier Repair Cream

Source: From product name

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, sodium lactate.

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: butyrospermum parkii butter, squalane.

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, glucosyl ceramide, palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7, palmitoyl tripeptide-1, phytosphingosine

palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7 0.25% - 0.4%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH

A type of peptide. Peptides are excellent moisturizers and might be able support collagen production reducing fine lines and wrinkles

phytosphingosine 0.25% - 0.45%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH

A type of lipid that is naturally present in skin. It might help in repairing skin barrier function and has anti-bacterial effect

sodium lactate 0.2% - 0.35%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH

Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin. Is often used to adjust the pH level of the product

Anti-aging

This product contains astaxanthin, epigallocatechin gallate, palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7, palmitoyl tripeptide-1, resveratrol. These ingredients might be able to help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness, but there is not enough evidence that it actually works.

astaxanthin 0.2% - 0.35%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Effectiveness: MEDIUM

Helps neutralize free radicals in skin and might help to calm down inflammation

epigallocatechin gallate 0.15% - 0.3%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Effectiveness: MEDIUM

A polyphenol found in tea. This particular compound abbreviated EGCG is the most powerful antioxidant among those extracted from tea (usually green tea). Unfortunately, EGCG is unstable, requires a low pH (below 4) to prevent quick degradation, and does not penetrate the skin very well. This is why the full anti-oxidant effect of EGCG is typically not realized when it is added to topical skincare

palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7 0.25% - 0.4%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Effectiveness: MEDIUM

A type of peptide. Peptides are excellent moisturizers and might be able support collagen production reducing fine lines and wrinkles

Evens skin tone

The following ingredient (ingredients) in this product might be helpful, but there is no evidence to confirm that it actually works: epigallocatechin gallate, resveratrol.

epigallocatechin gallate 0.15% - 0.3%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Effectiveness: MEDIUM

resveratrol 0.2% - 0.35%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Effectiveness: LOW

Helps neutralize free radicals in skin and might help reduce fine lines and wrinkles, as well as even out the skin tone

tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate 0.2% - 0.4%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Insufficient!

Being a lipid soluble form of vitamin C, it is more stable than ascorbic acid, but still degrades quickly and needs to be stabilized in a formulation with another ingredient. It is claimed to penetrate skin better than pure vitamin C and have the the similar benefits, but solid studies of its effectiveness are lacking. Is likely to require a higher concentration in a product than pure vitamin C to be effective. It might be able to help reduce pore clogging.

Anti-oxidation

This product contains antioxidants (astaxanthin, resveratrol) that can help neutralize free radicals in skin. By doing so, they can lessen the damage the skin gets from the UV light (sun).

The following ingredients - epigallocatechin gallate, haematococcus pluvialis extract, quercetin also can have an antioxidant effect, but there is less evidence to confirm their effectiveness in skin.

resveratrol 0.2% - 0.35%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH

Helps neutralize free radicals in skin and might help reduce fine lines and wrinkles, as well as even out the skin tone

astaxanthin 0.2% - 0.35%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH

Helps neutralize free radicals in skin and might help to calm down inflammation

quercetin 0.2% - 0.35%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Effectiveness: MEDIUM

Might be able to help neutralize free radicals in skin

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Ingredients & concentrations

All ingredients

Key Actives

zinc gluconate 0.15% - 0.3%

Irritation risk:

Works for: Moisturizing, Anti-blemish, Anti-aging, Anti-oxidation, Evens skin tone, Anti-inflammatory, Exfoliation

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

copper gluconate 0.15% - 0.3%

Irritation risk:

Works for: Moisturizing, Anti-aging, Evens skin tone, Anti-oxidation, Exfoliation, Anti-blemish

Typically used to stabilize the product formulations. It is a salt of 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

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Potential irritants

coco-glucoside 0.25% - 0.45%

Irritation risk:

Works for: Cleansing

Used as a cleansing agent (surfactant) in cleansers. Helps water and oil mix together in lotions. Can be irritating

hydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer 1.3% - 1.6%

Irritation risk:

A gelling agent that thickens the product consistency and leaves the skin with a velvety finish

Comodogenic ingredients

butyrospermum parkii butter 2.3% - 2.8%

Irritation risk: Comedogenicity: High

Works for: Moisturizing, Anti-oxidation, Anti-aging

A great moisturising ingredient that softens the skin and reduces water loss from its upper layer. It also can be helpful in protecting skin from free radicals

cetearyl alcohol 1.5% - 1.8%

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

All ingredients

water 45% - 55%

Irritation risk:

Plain old water

glycerin 4.6% - 5.6%

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

propanediol 3.8% - 4.6%

Irritation risk:

Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin

Ingredient list view

Water, Glycerin, Propanediol, Ethylhexyl olivate, Butyrospermum parkii butter, C10-18 triglycerides, Cetearyl alcohol, Hydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer, Cetearyl olivate, Sorbitan olivate, Beta-sitosterol, Oenothera biennis oil, Sclerocarya birrea seed oil, Simmondsia chinensis seed oil, Calophyllum inophyllum seed oil, Oleic acid, Squalane, Butylene glycol, Glucosyl ceramide, Linoleic acid, Linolenic acid, Glycosphingolipids, Rosa canina fruit oil, Moringa oleifera seed oil, Alpha-glucan, Resveratrol, Epigallocatechin gallate, Magnesium aspartate, Zinc gluconate, Copper gluconate, Acacia senegal gum, Sodium pca, Palmitoyl tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7, Sorbitan isostearate, Haematococcus pluvialis extract, Quercetin, Astaxanthin, Magnesium ascorbyl phosphate, Ceramide ap, Ceramide np, Ceramide eop, Dextrin, Palmitic acid, Coco-glucoside, Sodium lactate, Stearic acid, Pentylene glycol, Brassica campestris seed oil, Tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate, Sodium lauroyl lactylate, Phytosphingosine, Cholesterol, Xanthan gum, Tetrasodium glutamate diacetate, Citric acid, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium hydroxide, Tocopherol, Polysorbate 60, Carbomer, Ethylhexylglycerin

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Price
WIMJ similarity score		54%	50%	49%	48%	47%	47%	47%	47%	46%	46%
Key ingredients	phytosphingosine ceramide ap +26 more	Common: palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7 palmitoyl tripeptide-1 +8 more Other: niacinamide panthenol +4 more	Common: ceramide eop ceramide np +7 more Other: hexapeptide-2 tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate +4 more	Common: ceramide eop ceramide np +8 more Other: gluconolactone palmitoyl dipeptide-5 diaminobutyroyl hydroxythreonine +12 more	Common: ceramide ap ceramide eop +6 more Other: ceramide as ceramide ns +2 more	Common: ceramide np palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7 +7 more Other: acetyl dipeptide-1 cetyl ester retinol +4 more	Common: phytosphingosine ceramide np +5 more Other: niacinamide potassium azeloyl diglycinate +1 more	Common: ceramide eop ceramide np +5 more Other: hyaluronic acid allantoin +3 more	Common: ceramide ap ceramide eop +4 more Other: ceramide as panthenol +5 more	Common: ceramide np ceramide ap +6 more Other: ceramide ns panthenol +4 more	Common: ceramide np ceramide ap +6 more Other: myristyl myristate persea gratissima oil +2 more
Irritancy	IRRITANCY MEDIUM	IRRITANCY LOW	IRRITANCY LOW	IRRITANCY MEDIUM	IRRITANCY LOW	IRRITANCY MEDIUM	IRRITANCY LOW	IRRITANCY LOW	IRRITANCY LOW	IRRITANCY LOW	IRRITANCY LOW
Potential Irritants	coco-glucoside Has skin benefit? ethylhexylglycerin Has skin benefit? +21 more	citric acid Has skin benefit? trisodium ethylenediamine disuccinate Has skin benefit? +5 more	ethylhexylglycerin Has skin benefit? hexylene glycol Has skin benefit? +7 more	hippophae rhamnoides fruit oil Has skin benefit? polyglyceryl-4 oleate Has skin benefit? +8 more	olea europaea fruit oil Has skin benefit? disodium edta Has skin benefit? +5 more	benzyl alcohol Has skin benefit? retinol Has skin benefit? +13 more	citric acid Has skin benefit? ethylhexylglycerin Has skin benefit? +6 more	benzyl alcohol Has skin benefit? bht Has skin benefit? +5 more	disodium edta Has skin benefit? ethylhexylglycerin Has skin benefit? +6 more	p-anisic acid Has skin benefit? potassium sorbate Has skin benefit? +5 more	ethylhexylglycerin Has skin benefit? pentylene glycol Has skin benefit? +9 more
All ingredients	water Has skin benefit? glycerin Has skin benefit? +60 more	water Has skin benefit? cetearyl alcohol Has skin benefit? +29 more	water Has skin benefit? glycerin Has skin benefit? +31 more	water Has skin benefit? simmondsia chinensis seed oil Has skin benefit? +38 more	water Has skin benefit? glycerin Has skin benefit? +35 more	water Has skin benefit? glycerin Has skin benefit? +41 more	water Has skin benefit? coco-caprylate Has skin benefit? +24 more	water Has skin benefit? butyrospermum parkii butter Has skin benefit? +25 more	water Has skin benefit? glycerin Has skin benefit? +37 more	water Has skin benefit? glycerin Has skin benefit? +33 more	water Has skin benefit? myristyl myristate Has skin benefit? +30 more

PRODUCT REVIEW

Drunk Elephant Bora Barrier Repair Cream

Works for:

Can it cause trouble?

Key actives

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Product summary

Ingredient callouts

Irritation risk

About the brand

What can the product work for?

Works for

Moisturizing

What does the product description say?

Anti-aging

Evens skin tone

Anti-oxidation

Honesty check

How honest is this product?

Buy now

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Can it cause trouble?

Potential irritants

Comodogenic ingredients

User reviews (0)

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Ingredients & concentrations

All ingredients

Key Actives

Potential irritants

Comodogenic ingredients

All ingredients

Ingredient list view

Sources