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EltaMD Enzyme HydroGel
EltaMD

EltaMD Enzyme HydroGel

Efficacy75/100IrritancyLow
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Works for

1 of 1 advertised claim delivered

Moisturizing
Glycerin, Sodium hyaluronate + 2 more
Good evidence
What the product description says
“EltaMD Enzyme HydroGel is an enzyme-enhanced formula that promotes skin comfort, recovery and hydration when used after non-ablative and mildly ablative procedures.”
Source: EltaMD

This product contains good ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. These ingredients are called "humectants": glycerin, sodium hyaluronate.

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. If the air is dry, humectants can speed up the moisture loss from the skin. This is why it is a good idea to use another product on top of this one to help "seal in" the moisture (look for ingredients like dimethicone, squalane, oils and butters).

GlycerinKey active· HumectantEffect: HighOne of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant~3.8–5.7%
Sodium hyaluronateKey active· HumectantEffect: HighOne of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin~2.5–3.7%
Capryloyl glycineKey activeEffect: MediumHelps oil and water mix together, preserve cosmetic products, and attract water to the upper layer of the skin~0.05–0.3%
Butylene glycol· HumectantEffect: LowUsed 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~3.2–4.8%

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy
2 flagged ingredients
Low risk
We flag 2 ingredients with irritancy potential; the product's overall irritancy is low. The table lists each ingredient's own rating.
IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount
Actinidia chinensis fruit extractA plant extract that might have some anti-oxidant properties, but evidence of effectiveness in skin is lackingHigh~1.9–2.9%est.
Disodium edtaStabilizes the product formulationMedium~0.5–1%est.
Comedogenic
Clean of flagged comedogenic ingredients
None flagged
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Ingredients

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Water~40–60%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Plain old water

More about Water
Glycerin~3.8–5.7%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
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

More about Glycerin
Butylene glycol~3.2–4.8%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

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 glycol
Sodium hyaluronate~2.5–3.7%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin

More about Sodium hyaluronate
Actinidia chinensis fruit extract~1.9–2.9%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Anti-oxidation

A plant extract that might have some anti-oxidant properties, but evidence of effectiveness in skin is lacking

More about Actinidia chinensis fruit extract
Bromelain~1.3–2%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
More about Bromelain
Carbomer~0.9–1.35%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Cleansing

Helps create a thicker or gel-like product texture. It is not a surfactant but can be used in gentle cleansing formulations

More about Carbomer
Disodium edta~0.5–1%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

Stabilizes the product formulation

More about Disodium edta
Sodium hydroxide~0.15–0.6%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Used to adjust the product's pH

More about Sodium hydroxide
Phenoxyethanol~0.1–0.3%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products

More about Phenoxyethanol
Capryloyl glycine~0.05–0.3%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
CleansingMoisturizing

Helps oil and water mix together, preserve cosmetic products, and attract water to the upper layer of the skin

More about Capryloyl glycine
Undecylenoyl glycine~0.05–0.25%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Cleansing
More about Undecylenoyl glycine
Ingredient list view

Water, Glycerin, Butylene glycol, Sodium hyaluronate, Actinidia chinensis fruit extract, Bromelain, Carbomer, Disodium edta, Sodium hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, Capryloyl glycine, Undecylenoyl glycine

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Sources cited in this review

Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 3 studies and safety reviews.

  1. 1
    Glycerol and the skin: holistic approach to its origin and functionsncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  2. 2
    Hyaluronic acid: A key molecule in skin agingncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  3. 3
    Hyaluronan (Hyaluronic Acid): a natural moisturizer for skin careresearchgate.net
EltaMD Enzyme HydroGel
EltaMDEnzyme HydroGel
Buy at EltaMD$35.00Amazon

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Buy at EltaMD$35.00Amazon

As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.