Works for
MoisturizingNiacinamide, Urea + 9 moreWorks well
“A lightweight, oil-free gel moisturizer that helps soothe and hydrate skin.”
This product contains good ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. These ingredients are called "humectants": fructose, glycine.
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).
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: niacinamide, urea
Anti-agingSide benefit · NiacinamideWorks well
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 toneSide benefit · NiacinamideWorks well
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.
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.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy7 flagged ingredientsLow risk
ComedogenicClean of flagged comedogenic ingredientsNone flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~40–60%
Chamomilla recutita extract~5.2–7.8%
- Irritation risk
- High
Plant extract that can have healing and anti-inflammatory properties. It is a potential allergen and can be irritating
More about Chamomilla recutita extractPyrus malus fruit extract~3.7–5.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can have some moisturizing properties due to its sugar content
More about Pyrus malus fruit extractAloe barbadensis leaf extract~2.7–4.1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
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
More about Aloe barbadensis leaf extractSoluble collagen~2–3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A typically plant-derived compound that is supposed mimic human collagen. Cannot penetrate the skin barrier so is not particularly useful in skincare products beyond attracting water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Soluble collagenSodium pca~1.6–2.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Naturally present in skin and helps to attract water to its upper layer
More about Sodium pcaSodium lactate~1.3–2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin. Is often used to adjust the pH level of the product
More about Sodium lactateFructose~1.1–1.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about FructoseGlycine~0.9–1.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help restore the skin barrier function
More about GlycineNiacinamide~0.55–1.3%
- 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 NiacinamideUrea~0.45–1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Naturally present in skin (urea makes up about 7% of natural moisturizing factors in skin). Attracts water to the upper layer of the skin. Also has a positive effect on the skin barrier beyond the humectant action. Can enhance penetration of other ingredients. Is an exfoliating ingredient when used in high concentrations
More about UreaInositol~0.35–0.85%
Disodium edta-copper~0.3–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Azulene~0.15–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Carbomer~0.1–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps create a thicker or gel-like product texture. It is not a surfactant but can be used in gentle cleansing formulations
More about CarbomerPhenoxyethanol~0.1–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolCaprylyl glycol~0.1–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolSorbic acid~0.05–0.2%
Triethanolamine~0.05–0.1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to adjust pH of the product and can help improve the product's smell
More about TriethanolamineIngredient list view
Water, Chamomilla recutita extract, Pyrus malus fruit extract, Aloe barbadensis leaf extract, Soluble collagen, Sodium pca, Sodium lactate, Fructose, Glycine, Niacinamide, Urea, Inositol, Disodium edta-copper, Azulene, Carbomer, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl glycol, Sorbic acid, Triethanolamine
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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.
| EmerginCActive Hydrating ComplexYOUR PRODUCT | MarudermHyaluronic Acid Moisturizer Face & Body Cream | CetaphilDeep Hydration Hydrating Water Gel | SimpleKind To Skin Replenishing Rich Moisturizer | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 85% | 78% | 76% |
| Price | $67.50 | $21.99−$45.51 | $17.99−$49.51 | $3.33−$64.17 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 7 of 8 | 2 of 8 | 3 of 8 |
| Key difference | — | Panthenol | Anhydroxylitol | Panthenol |
| Irritancy | Low | Low | Low | Low |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: grüum pür Gentle MoisturiserThe Grey Men COMFORT+ FACE CREAM
Product summary
"EmerginC - Active Hydrating Complex" has a good moisturizing formula. To work well, any moisturizer needs to include a combination of water-binding and emollient ingredients. EmerginC - Active Hydrating Complex ticks this box. Urea, fructose, glycine, inositol and sodium lactate in this product (humectants) attract water molecules to the upper layer of the skin (the water comes from the outside air or from the deeper layers of the skin if the air is dry). Emollients in this formulation (aloe barbadensis leaf extract and caprylyl glycol) help to reduce the moisture loss from the skin. They also soften the skin surface and relieve the feeling of dryness and tightness.
Irritation risk
There are actives in this product that can be irritating. We assess the overall irritancy of this moisturizer to be low. For a detailed overview of all potential irritants: click here
You can see the detailed formula review with the breakdown of all actives in the product and the full ingredient list with estimated concentrations in the tables below.
Price
The product retails from 61.00A$ up to 166.78A$ in Australia, for 57.00$ in the United States and for 48.46£ 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 5 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2Functional glycine receptor in cultured human keratinocytesonlinelibrary.wiley.com
- 3
- 4
- 5Topical urea in skincare: A reviewpubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
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