Works for
Anti-agingNiacinamide, Thioctic acidWorks well
“EltaMD PM Therapy Facial Moisturizer restores youthfulness while strengthening your skin's natural moisture barrier.”
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.
MoisturizingNiacinamide, Glycerin + 9 moreWorks well
“EltaMD PM Therapy Facial Moisturizer restores youthfulness while strengthening your skin's natural moisture barrier.”
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 hyaluronate.
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: hydroxypropyl bispalmitamide mea, caesalpinia spinosa gum.
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: niacinamide
Anti-oxidationSide benefit · Thioctic acid, Hydrolyzed rice protein + 1 moreWorks well
This product contains antioxidants (thioctic acid) that can help neutralize free radicals in skin. By doing so, they can lessen the damage the skin gets from the UV light (sun).
Anti-blemishSide benefit · NiacinamideWorks well
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.
Evens skin toneSide benefit the brand mentions · NiacinamideWorks well
“Niacinamide blends with antioxidants to boost your skin color and tone, as it speeds up your skin's repair processes.”
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?
Irritancy1 strong irritant: Iodopropynyl butylcarbamateMedium 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%
Ethylhexyl isononanoate~6.1–7.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and improve the product consistency
More about Ethylhexyl isononanoateNiacinamide~4.4–5.4%
- 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 NiacinamideGlyceryl stearate~2.9–3.5%
- 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~2.5–3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix togehter and creates a nice product texture
More about Peg-100 stearateGlycerin~2–2.5%
- 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 GlycerinHydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer~1.7–2%
- 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 copolymerButylene glycol~1.4–1.7%
- 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 glycolGlycereth-26~1.2–1.4%
C10-30 cholesterol/lanosterol esters~0.95–1.15%
Isomerized safflower acid~0.7–1.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Phenoxyethanol~0.55–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolHydroxypropyl bispalmitamide mea~0.55–0.85%
Xanthan gum~0.5–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumCetearyl glucoside~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps water and oil in the product mix well together and improves product texture
More about Cetearyl glucosideTocopheryl acetate~0.45–0.65%
- 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 acetateHydrolyzed caesalpinia spinosa gum~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps softent the upper layer of the skin and create a thicker product consistency
More about Hydrolyzed caesalpinia spinosa gumOleth-3 phosphate~0.35–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
Helps water and oil mix together
More about Oleth-3 phosphateOleic acid~0.35–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin. At the same time, it can weaken the skin's barrier enhancing penetration of other ingredients and increasing the risk of skin dryness
More about Oleic acidPolysorbate 60~0.25–0.5%
Sorbitan isostearate~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Sorbitan isostearateCaesalpinia spinosa gum~0.25–0.5%
Hydrolyzed rice protein~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin. Might have some anti-oxidant properties
More about Hydrolyzed rice proteinDisodium edta~0.15–0.3%
Thioctic acid~0.15–0.3%
Sodium hyaluronate~0.15–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
More about Sodium hyaluronateSodium hydroxide~0.1–0.2%
Sodium bisulfite~0.1–0.2%
Iodopropynyl butylcarbamate~0.01–0.02%
Ingredient list view
Water, Ethylhexyl isononanoate, Niacinamide, Glyceryl stearate, Peg-100 stearate, Glycerin, Hydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer, Butylene glycol, Glycereth-26, C10-30 cholesterol/lanosterol esters, Isomerized safflower acid, Phenoxyethanol, Hydroxypropyl bispalmitamide mea, Xanthan gum, Cetearyl glucoside, Tocopheryl acetate, Hydrolyzed caesalpinia spinosa gum, Oleth-3 phosphate, Oleic acid, Polysorbate 60, Sorbitan isostearate, Caesalpinia spinosa gum, Hydrolyzed rice protein, Disodium edta, Thioctic acid, Sodium hyaluronate, Sodium hydroxide, Sodium bisulfite, Iodopropynyl butylcarbamate
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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.
| EltaMDPM Therapy Facial MoisturizerYOUR PRODUCT | DR. JETSKE ULTEEMoisturizer | SkincyclopediaMoisturizing face cream with 20% | e.l.f. CosmeticsPure Skin Moisturizer | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 91% | 91% | 91% |
| Price | $51.00 | — | — | $12.00−$39.00 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 3 of 5 | 3 of 5 | 3 of 5 |
| Key difference | — | Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate | Ceramide Ap | Ceramide Eop |
| Irritancy | Medium | Low | Low | Low |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: dermaGEEK Nourishing Facial Night CreamRilastil Acnestil Attiva Cream
Product summary
Judging from the ingredient list, "EltaMD - PM Therapy Facial Moisturizer" works well for improving skin hydration 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 hyaluronate, hydrolyzed rice protein and butylene glycol) 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). Hydroxypropyl bispalmitamide mea, caesalpinia spinosa gum, ethylhexyl isononanoate, glyceryl stearate and hydrolyzed caesalpinia spinosa gum 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 (niacinamide 4.40% - 5.40%) 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
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 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.
Price
The product retails for 39.00$ in the United States, for 79.95A$ in Australia and for 33.99£ in the United Kingdom.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 14 studies and safety reviews.
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