e.l.f. Cosmetics e.f. Illuminating Moisturizer
Works for
MoisturizingC12-15 alkyl benzoate, Glycerin + 9 moreWorks
“e. f. Illuminating Moisturizer”
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, butylene glycol.
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, vitis vinifera seed oil.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy4 strong irritants: Benzophenone-3, Parfum + 2 more — patch-test recommendedHigh 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.
Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate7.5%
- Irritation risk
- High
Octinoxate. When used in higher concentrations, works as a sunscreen protecting the skin from UVB rays. When used in lower concentration, helps to preserve the product formulation. Is shown to be harmful to coral reefs - consider avoiding bathing in coral reef areas when wearing a product with this ingredient. It can be irritating
More about Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamateOctocrylene6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A weak sunscreen that protects against the sun rays that cause sunburn (UVB) and is somewhat effective against the UVA rays. It is quite stable and can help stabilize other, more vulnerable, sunscreen ingredients like Avobenzone. It is an organic, or so called "chemical" sunscreen
More about OctocryleneEthylhexyl salicylate5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Octisalate. A UV filter. It offers some protection against the sun rays that cause sunburn (UVB), but does not protect against the most aging sun rays (UVA). It loses its effectiveness quickly when exposed to sunlight. It is an organic, or so called "chemical" sunscreen
More about Ethylhexyl salicylateBenzophenone-33%
- Irritation risk
- High
Same as oxybenzone. Protects in the UVB and short UVA range. In small concentrations, used to stabilize product formulation. Can be irritating. Is shown to be harmful to coral reefs - consider avoiding bathing in coral reef areas when wearing a product with this ingredient. It can penetrate the skin and get absorbed into bloodstream faster than other popular filters available in the US. The study that produced this finding did not address any potential health effects of the absorption
More about Benzophenone-3Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Avobenzone. An organic, or so-called "chemical" UV filter. Protects against both UVA and UVB rays. Needs to be combined with other filters in a formulation to be stable.
More about Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethaneWater~45–55%
Butylene glycol~6–7.3%
- 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 glycolC12-15 alkyl benzoate~4.9–6%
- 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 benzoateGlycerin~3.7–4.5%
- 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 GlycerinGlyceryl stearate~3–3.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that softens the skin and forms a protective layer on its surface. Helps water and oil mix together
More about Glyceryl stearatePeg-100 stearate~2.3–2.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix togehter and creates a nice product texture
More about Peg-100 stearateCetearyl olivate~1.7–2.1%
Cyclopentasiloxane~1.5–1.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A silicone that helps improve the product texture and spreadability. Can absorb oil creating a short-term mattifying effect on the skin
More about CyclopentasiloxaneSorbitan olivate~1.1–1.4%
Stearic acid~1.1–1.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix together and works as an emollient
More about Stearic acidCetearyl alcohol~0.95–1.15%
- 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 alcoholDimethicone~0.65–1%
- 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 DimethiconePhenoxyethanol~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolCaprylyl glycol~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolAcrylates/polytrimethylsiloxymethacrylate copolymer~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer~0.5–0.75%
- 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 crosspolymerTriethanolamine~0.4–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to adjust pH of the product and can help improve the product's smell
More about TriethanolamineParfum~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumDisodium edta~0.3–0.55%
Bisabolol~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An active component of chamomile plant that historically has been used to calm down irritated skin. A recent study shows that bisabolol indeed can have some anti-inflammatory effect on skin, even though conclusive data is lacking. Bisabolol has a sweet floral scent and can be added to products for its aromatic properties
More about BisabololTocopheryl acetate~0.25–0.45%
- 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 acetateVitis vinifera seed oil~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A great emollient that can also have anti-oxidant properties
More about Vitis vinifera seed oilSaccharum officinarum extract~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Sugar extract that helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Saccharum officinarum extractVaccinium myrtillus fruit/leaf extract~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Citrus sinensis fruit extract~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- High
Acer saccharum extract~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant extract that contains small percentage of AHAs. Is unlikely to have any skin benefit due the small concentration of the active compounds
More about Acer saccharum extractCitrus limon fruit extract~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- High
Used as a fragrance. Can be irritating and cause photosensitivity
More about Citrus limon fruit extractSynthetic fluorphlogopite~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A mineral that is used as an optical filter (makes the skin looks nicer through light reflection) and to improve the texture of cosmetic products
More about Synthetic fluorphlogopiteSilica~0.4–0.65%
Tin oxide~0.4–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A colorant that can add a pearl-like appearance to the formulation
More about Tin oxideMica~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Creates an illusion of smoother and more radiant skin tone. Adds shimmer to the skin by reflecting light
More about MicaTitanium dioxide~0.3–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Works as a UV filter when used in high concentrations. It is photostable and is effective mostly against the UVB light, with some protection in the UVA range. In small concentrations, used for its ability to improve the color of cosmetic products. Is usually well tolerated by the skin
More about Titanium dioxideCi 77891~0.1–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Ci 16035~0.1–0.2%
Ci 19140~0.1–0.2%
Ingredient list view
Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate, Octocrylene, Ethylhexyl salicylate, Benzophenone-3, Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane, Water, Butylene glycol, C12-15 alkyl benzoate, Glycerin, Glyceryl stearate, Peg-100 stearate, Cetearyl olivate, Cyclopentasiloxane, Sorbitan olivate, Stearic acid, Cetearyl alcohol, Dimethicone, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl glycol, Acrylates/polytrimethylsiloxymethacrylate copolymer, Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer, Triethanolamine, Parfum, Disodium edta, Bisabolol, Tocopheryl acetate, Vitis vinifera seed oil, Saccharum officinarum extract, Vaccinium myrtillus fruit/leaf extract, Citrus sinensis fruit extract, Acer saccharum extract, Citrus limon fruit extract, Synthetic fluorphlogopite, Silica, Tin oxide, Mica, Titanium dioxide, Ci 77891, Ci 16035, Ci 19140
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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.
| e.l.f. Cosmeticse.f. Illuminating MoisturizerYOUR PRODUCT | RevueleHYDRALIFT HYALURON Day Cream-Fluid | La Roche-PosayHydraphase Moisturizer with Hyaluronic Acid and SPF | OngredientsSkin Barrier Moisture Sun Cream 50ml | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 40% | 37% | 36% |
| Price | — | $6.41 | $38.99 | $17.52 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 4 of 11 | 4 of 11 | 4 of 11 |
| Key difference | — | Mineral Oil | Dimethiconol | Niacinamide |
| Irritancy | High | Medium | Medium | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: NATURE REPUBLIC Collagen Dream Tone Up CreamskinChemists Advanced Pro 5 Collagen Marine Cream
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 10 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3On Photostability of Oxybenzonecore.ac.uk
- 4
- 5
- 6Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Dimethicone Copolyoljournals.sagepub.com
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