Elixir Cosmeceuticals Balancing Hydration Cream
Works for
2 of 2 advertised claims delivered
Moisturizing11 ingredients credited for this claimStrong support
“Balancing Hydration Cream”
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:
saccharide isomerate, 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: caprylic/capric triglyceride, shorea robusta seed butter.
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: niacinamide
Anti-blemish1 ingredient credited for this claimStrong support
“The product normalizes sebum production and reduces large pores with the help of the ingredient miniporyl, which acts as a vacuum cleaner on the pores.”
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.
Anti-agingNot advertised by the brand · 1 ingredient credited for this claimStrong support
This product can help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness because it contains niacinamide.
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.
Evens skin toneNot advertised by the brand · 1 ingredient credited for this claimStrong support
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.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy2 strong irritants: Silybum marianum seed oil, Trifolium pratense flower extractMedium risk
Comedogenic1 ingredient rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale1 flagged
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Ingredients
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Water~45–55%
Caprylic/capric triglyceride~6.4–7.9%
- 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 triglycerideButylene glycol~4.3–5.3%
- 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 glycolCoco-caprylate/caprate~3.3–4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin without creating a greasy texture
More about Coco-caprylate/caprateGlyceryl stearate citrate~2.5–3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix together while softening the upper layer of the skin
More about Glyceryl stearate citrateNiacinamide~2.1–2.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Is 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 Niacinamide2-hexanol~1.7–2.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Cetearyl alcohol~1.6–1.9%
- 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 alcoholGlyceryl stearate~1.3–1.6%
- 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 stearateShorea robusta seed butter~1–1.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to softent the upper layer of the skin
More about Shorea robusta seed butterSilybum marianum seed oil~0.7–1.05%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant oil that contains essential oils that can be irritating. Can help soften the upper layer of the skin. Might have some anti-oxidant activity but evidence is lacking
More about Silybum marianum seed oilSilica~0.95–1.15%
Potassium palmitoyl hydrolyzed wheat protein~0.6–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Saccharide isomerate~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Saccharide isomerateHydroxyacetophenone~0.45–0.7%
Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer~0.35–0.65%
- 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 crosspolymerCetyl alcohol~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A non-drying alcohol that works to soften the skin and stabilize product formulations helping oil and water mix together
More about Cetyl alcoholXanthan gum~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumIsopentyldiol~0.25–0.45%
Sodium hydroxide~0.2–0.35%
Pentaerythrityl tetra-di-t-butyl hydroxyhydrocinnamate~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to increase stability of product formulations
More about Pentaerythrityl tetra-di-t-butyl hydroxyhydrocinnamateTetrasodium glutamate diacetate~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps stabilize the product formulation
More about Tetrasodium glutamate diacetateCitric acid~0.1–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
More about Citric acidSodium citrate~0.1–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps to control the skin's pH level. Maintains the skin's natural film of amino-lactic acids and oils. Helps to preserve products
More about Sodium citrateTrifolium pratense flower extract~0.1–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- High
Red clover flower extract. Can contain anti-oxidants but also potential irritant compounds
More about Trifolium pratense flower extractIngredient list view
Water, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Butylene glycol, Coco-caprylate/caprate, Glyceryl stearate citrate, Niacinamide, 2-hexanol, Cetearyl alcohol, Glyceryl stearate, Shorea robusta seed butter, Silybum marianum seed oil, Silica, Potassium palmitoyl hydrolyzed wheat protein, Saccharide isomerate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer, Cetyl alcohol, Xanthan gum, Isopentyldiol, Sodium hydroxide, Pentaerythrityl tetra-di-t-butyl hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Tetrasodium glutamate diacetate, Citric acid, Sodium citrate, Trifolium pratense flower extract
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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.
| Elixir CosmeceuticalsBalancing Hydration CreamYOUR PRODUCT | ElixirBalancing hydration cream | CaudalieFace Vinergetic C+ Brightening Eye Cream | BiopelleEmepelle Night Cream | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 100% | 94% | 93% |
| Price | — | $11.99 | $38.60 | $195.00 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 4 of 4 | 2 of 4 | 3 of 4 |
| Key difference | — | — | Sunflower Seed Oil | Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 |
| Irritancy | Medium | Medium | Low | Low |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
Product summary
Based on the ingredients included, "Elixir Cosmeceuticals - Balancing Hydration Cream" works well for moisturizing the skin. 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. Saccharide isomerate and butylene 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). Shorea robusta seed butter, caprylic/capric triglyceride, cetearyl alcohol, cetyl alcohol and coco-caprylate/caprate 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
- We particularly like that there is a good concentration of Niacinamide (2.10% - 2.50%) in this moisturizer. Niacinamide is a well-studied multi-tasking active. It is a great ingredient to have in a moisturizer. It is stable, and can work well in almost any hydrating formulation. There is solid evidence that Niacinamide can help support skin barrier, regulate oil production and reduce acne and clogged pores. It also helps to fight photodamage and help improve the skin tone, reducing pigmentation marks.
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 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.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 6 studies and safety reviews.
- 1Safety Assessment of Alkyl Esters as Used in Cosmeticscir-safety.org
- 2
- 3
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- 6
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