PRODUCT REVIEW
Cheaper alternatives
Product summary
What can the product work for?
Moisturizing
What does the product description say?
Hydractil light
squalene
3.1% -
3.8%
Irritation risk: Comedogenicity: Medium
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
An oil that is naturally part of skin sebum that helps to soften its upper layer, reduce water loss and neutralize free radicals. It might be comedogenic. Avoid applying large concentrations (or pure oil) before sun exposure as oxidized squalene can clog pores and lead to skin irritation. Today squalene is mostly derived from vegetable oils or synthetized by yeast
carnosine
0.2% -
0.4%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
A type of peptide. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin. It can help neutralize free radicals in skin combatting the sun damage
superoxide dismutase
0.2% -
0.4%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
An antioxidant enzyme that is naturally present in skin. It can help support skin barrier function and reduce inflammation in skin. It is used in topical medications for inflammatory skin conditions including atopic dermatitis (eczema) and psoriasis. There are three types of natural Superoxide Dismutase in human skin. The compound used in topical treatments and cosmetics are mimics of typically one of these natural variants
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Anti-aging
carnosine
0.2% -
0.4%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness:
MEDIUM
A type of peptide. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin. It can help neutralize free radicals in skin combatting the sun damage
ubiquinone
0.15% -
0.25%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness:
LOW
Coenzyme Q10. It helps neutralize free radicals in skin, improves skin hydration and might be helpful agains fine lines and wrinkles. It can be an allergen
aloe barbadensis leaf juice
7.3% -
8.9%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness:
LOW
Traditionally used to treat sunburns, dermatitis and inflammation, but evidence for its effectiveness is lacking. The extract can contain humectants that help attract water into the skin
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Anti-oxidation
ubiquinone
0.15% -
0.25%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
Coenzyme Q10. It helps neutralize free radicals in skin, improves skin hydration and might be helpful agains fine lines and wrinkles. It can be an allergen
superoxide dismutase
0.2% -
0.4%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
An antioxidant enzyme that is naturally present in skin. It can help support skin barrier function and reduce inflammation in skin. It is used in topical medications for inflammatory skin conditions including atopic dermatitis (eczema) and psoriasis. There are three types of natural Superoxide Dismutase in human skin. The compound used in topical treatments and cosmetics are mimics of typically one of these natural variants
carnosine
0.2% -
0.4%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
A type of peptide. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin. It can help neutralize free radicals in skin combatting the sun damage
Show more
Evens skin tone
retinyl palmitate
0.05% -
0.1%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Insufficient!
Three steps removed from the active form of vitamin A - retinoic acid. To have an effect in the skin, it first needs to be converted twice to become the retinoic acid. This means it is less potent than retinol, but could also be less irritating. Once converted to the retinoic acid in the skin, it helps against all signs of aging, improves skin cell turnover and helps fight blemishes and clogged pores. However, in many cosmetic formulations, it is used in a concentration that is too low to have the full effect
camellia sinensis leaf extract
0.2% -
0.35%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Insufficient!
Can contain potent anti-oxidant compounds (abbreviated ECG, GCG, EGC, and EGCG) that might help protect the skin from free radicals. Can help calm down inflammation and has some anti-bacterial properties. Unfortunately, these antioxidants are unstable and lose their effectiveness very quickly in products. The concentration of the antioxidant compounds in the extract also tends to be low to be effective in topical formulation
salicylic acid
0.1% -
0.15%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Insufficient!
Used for skin exfoliation. It has an anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial effect, helps to unclog pores, prevent blemishes and speed up healing of the existing ones. Sometimes referred to as a BHA (beta-hydroxy acid)
Honesty check
How honest is this product?
| Promise | Can it deliver? |
|---|---|
| Moisturizing | |
| Evens skin tone |
Total Promises Fulfilled score:
37/100.
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Can it cause trouble?
- Overall product irritation risk
- Acne & comedogenic risk ingredients: 1
Potential irritants
benzyl alcohol
0.25% -
0.45%
Irritation risk:
A preservative. Can be used to mask unpleasant smell. Can be irritating
retinyl palmitate
0.05% -
0.1%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Evens skin tone,
Anti-blemish,
Anti-aging,
Exfoliation
Three steps removed from the active form of vitamin A - retinoic acid. To have an effect in the skin, it first needs to be converted twice to become the retinoic acid. This means it is less potent than retinol, but could also be less irritating. Once converted to the retinoic acid in the skin, it helps against all signs of aging, improves skin cell turnover and helps fight blemishes and clogged pores. However, in many cosmetic formulations, it is used in a concentration that is too low to have the full effect
Show more
Comodogenic ingredients
squalene
3.1% -
3.8%
Irritation risk: Comedogenicity: Medium
Works for:
Moisturizing,
Anti-oxidation
An oil that is naturally part of skin sebum that helps to soften its upper layer, reduce water loss and neutralize free radicals. It might be comedogenic. Avoid applying large concentrations (or pure oil) before sun exposure as oxidized squalene can clog pores and lead to skin irritation. Today squalene is mostly derived from vegetable oils or synthetized by yeast
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| WIMJ similarity score |
78%
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83%
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82%
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81%
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81%
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81%
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81%
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80%
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80%
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80%
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80%
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Other:
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| Irritancy | IRRITANCY
MEDIUM
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MEDIUM
| IRRITANCY
LOW
| IRRITANCY
LOW
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LOW
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LOW
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LOW
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LOW
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LOW
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LOW
| IRRITANCY
LOW
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LOW
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Ingredients & concentrations
All ingredients
Key Actives
camellia sinensis leaf extract
0.2% -
0.35%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Antibacterial,
Anti-oxidation,
Anti-aging,
Moisturizing,
Evens skin tone,
Anti-blemish
Can contain potent anti-oxidant compounds (abbreviated ECG, GCG, EGC, and EGCG) that might help protect the skin from free radicals. Can help calm down inflammation and has some anti-bacterial properties. Unfortunately, these antioxidants are unstable and lose their effectiveness very quickly in products. The concentration of the antioxidant compounds in the extract also tends to be low to be effective in topical formulation
salicylic acid
0.1% -
0.15%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Anti-inflammatory,
Anti-blemish,
Exfoliation,
Antibacterial,
Evens skin tone
Used for skin exfoliation. It has an anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial effect, helps to unclog pores, prevent blemishes and speed up healing of the existing ones. Sometimes referred to as a BHA (beta-hydroxy acid)
Show more
Potential irritants
benzyl alcohol
0.25% -
0.45%
Irritation risk:
A preservative. Can be used to mask unpleasant smell. Can be irritating
retinyl palmitate
0.05% -
0.1%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Evens skin tone,
Anti-blemish,
Anti-aging,
Exfoliation
Three steps removed from the active form of vitamin A - retinoic acid. To have an effect in the skin, it first needs to be converted twice to become the retinoic acid. This means it is less potent than retinol, but could also be less irritating. Once converted to the retinoic acid in the skin, it helps against all signs of aging, improves skin cell turnover and helps fight blemishes and clogged pores. However, in many cosmetic formulations, it is used in a concentration that is too low to have the full effect
Show more
Comodogenic ingredients
squalene
3.1% -
3.8%
Irritation risk: Comedogenicity: Medium
Works for:
Moisturizing,
Anti-oxidation
An oil that is naturally part of skin sebum that helps to soften its upper layer, reduce water loss and neutralize free radicals. It might be comedogenic. Avoid applying large concentrations (or pure oil) before sun exposure as oxidized squalene can clog pores and lead to skin irritation. Today squalene is mostly derived from vegetable oils or synthetized by yeast
All ingredients
aloe barbadensis leaf juice
7.3% -
8.9%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Moisturizing,
Reduces redness,
Reduces irritation,
Antibacterial,
Anti-inflammatory,
Anti-blemish,
Anti-aging
Traditionally used to treat sunburns, dermatitis and inflammation, but evidence for its effectiveness is lacking. The extract can contain humectants that help attract water into the skin
dimethicone
4.4% -
5.3%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Moisturizing,
Mattifying
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
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Ingredient list view
Water, Aloe barbadensis leaf juice, Dimethicone, Squalene, Polysorbate 60, Glycerin, Leuconostoc/radish root ferment filtrate, Ppg-2 myristyl ether propionate, Tocopheryl acetate, Hydrogenated vegetable glycerides, Acrylamide/sodium acryloyldimethyltaurate copolymer, Cera alba, Phenoxyethanol, C13-14 isoparaffin, Carbomer, Maltodextrin, Propanediol, Benzyl alcohol, Sodium hydroxide, Carnosine, Rosmarinyl glucoside, Laureth-7, Citric acid, Superoxide dismutase, Caprylyl glycol, Phospholipids, Camellia sinensis leaf extract, Coffea robusta seed extract, Potassium sorbate, Ubiquinone, Sodium benzoate, Retinyl palmitate, Salicylic acid, Sorbic acid, Ascorbyl palmitate
Sources
- Dimethicone as a protective ingredient in topical medications
- Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Dimethicone Copolyol
- Squalene and its potential clinical uses
- Biological and Pharmacological Activities of Squalene and Related Compounds: Potential Uses in Cosmetic Dermatology
- Enhanced comedo formation in rabbit ear skin by squalene and oleic acid peroxides
- Glycerol and the skin: holistic approach to its origin and functions
- Efficacy of barrier creams in comparison to skin care products in dental laboratory technicians--a controlled trial
- Safety Assessment of Isoparaffins as Used in Cosmetics
- Biological activities of the natural imidazole-containing peptidomimetics n-acetylcarnosine, carcinine and l-carnosine in ophthalmic and skin care products
- A novel efficient and safe treatment for atopic dermatitis: Topical superoxide dismutase (SOD).
- Novel topical agent containing superoxide dismutase 100 000 IU and 4% of plant extracts as a mono-therapy for atopic dermatitis
- Copper/Zinc Superoxide Dismutase in Human Skin: Current Knowledge
- Photoprotective Effect of Topically Applied Superoxide Dismutase on Sunburn Reaction in Comparison with Sunscreen
- The role of superoxide dismutase (SOD) in skin disorders
- Topical formulations with superoxide dismutase: Influence of formulation composition on physical stability and enzymatic activity
- Skin protective effects of RM191A, a novel superoxide dismutase mimetic
- Salicylic acid as a peeling agent: a comprehensive review
- Beta Hydroxy Acids
- A review of toxicity from topical salicylic acid preparations