Works for:
based on ingredients and %- Moisturizing
Doesn't work for:
based on ingredients and %- Anti-blemish
- Anti-aging
- Evens skin tone
Can it cause trouble?
- Irritation risk: high
- Comedogenic risk ingredients: 2
Key actives
Product Summary
"ESPA - Optimal Skin Pro-Serum" is effective for: Moisturizing
Ingredient callouts
- Another helpful ingredient in this product is Linoleic Acid. It is one of the fatty acids naturally present in skin. It is part of the skin barrier. Preliminary research shows that it might be able to reduce clogged pores.
Price
The product retails from 15.00£ up to 78.00£ in the United Kingdom, from 38.12A$ up to 77.00A$ in Australia, from 12.00$ up to 115.00$ in the United States and for 97.10CA$ in Canada.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Moisturizing
What does the product description say?
The serum helps to protect the skin’s natural moisture barrier thanks to a nutrient and vitamin-rich formula.
Source: Lookfantastic Australia
This product can help soften the skin and reduce its moisture loss with emollients and occlusives: helianthus annuus seed oil, helianthus annuus seed oil unsaponifiables.
Keep in mind that this product does not contain effective ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. This is why an additional product with humectants like glycerin or hyaluronic acid can be helpful (apply it before this product for the best results).
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: linoleic acid
A great emollient due to its high linoleic acid content. One of the most effective plant oils in helping skin hydration and repairing skin barrier function
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and might have some anti-oxidant properties
An emollient. Can be helpful for restoring skin barrier function.
A great emollient. Contains vitamin E (tocopherol) which may give it some anti-oxidant properties. Can contain volatile compounds and can be irritating
A plant oil that because of its high content of alpha-linolenic acid help support skin barrier function and moisturize the skin
A great emollient due to its high linoleic acid content. One of the most effective plant oils in helping skin hydration and repairing skin barrier function
An excellent emollient. Helps soften the skin, restore its barrier function, and can help to calm down inflammation. It can be helpful to prevent blemishes and clogged pores
An emollient that helps soften the skin and calm down inflammation
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and can support skin barrier function
An emollient that helps soften the skin
An algae extract that might have anti-oxidant properties
Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin without creating a greasy texture
An emollient that helps to soften the skin and create a pleasant product texture and stabilize the formulation
A plant oil that helps soften the upper layer of the skin. Is unlikely to be helpful in restoring skin barrier function due to the low content of linoleic acid
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
Pure form of vitamin E. Can help moisturise and protect the skin from free radicals. Often used to help stabilise other ingredients or the formula itself
Anti-aging
What does the product description say?
Tri-Active Resilience Skin Barrier Support Active Nutrients Ready to Glow Signature Blends Menopause Friendly Edit Tri-Active™ Regenerating Tri-Active™ Lift & Firm ESPA Men
Source: Espa
This product does not contain ingredients that are able to reduce fine lines and wrinkles or help with skin elasticity, but it can improve the look of the skin temporarily through moisturization. Well-moisturized skin might also be able to repair the sun damage better.
Pure form of vitamin E. Can help moisturise and protect the skin from free radicals. Often used to help stabilise other ingredients or the formula itself
Anti-blemish
What does the product description say?
The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% High Strength Vitamin and Mineral Blemish Formula 30ml A$9.90
Source: Lookfantastic Australia
This product contains ingredients (linoleic acid) that could help reduce blemishes and clogged pores in theory, but there is not enough evidence that they actually work.
An excellent emollient. Helps soften the skin, restore its barrier function, and can help to calm down inflammation. It can be helpful to prevent blemishes and clogged pores
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and can support skin barrier function
Can be helpful in reducing inflammation in skin, including inflamed acne. It can be irritating
Evens skin tone
What does the product description say?
An Omega + Vitamin Complex lends protective properties to the skin barrier, while turmeric helps to even the look of skin tone.
Source: Lookfantastic Australia
Effective ingredients missing or their concentration is too low
How honest is this product?
| Promise | Can it deliver? |
|---|---|
| Moisturizing | |
| Anti-aging | |
| Anti-blemish | |
| Evens skin tone |
Total Promises Fulfilled score: 50/100.
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Potential irritants
Comedogenic ingredients
User reviews (0)
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| Product | Similarity | Price | Irritancy |
|---|---|---|---|
 ESPA Optimal Skin Pro-Serum | Current | $12.00 | |
 Pulpe de Vie The Serum Moisturizing Facial Serum | 50% | $11.30 |
Key Actives
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and can support skin barrier function
Pure form of vitamin E. Can help moisturise and protect the skin from free radicals. Often used to help stabilise other ingredients or the formula itself
An emollient that helps soften the skin and calm down inflammation
An excellent emollient. Helps soften the skin, restore its barrier function, and can help to calm down inflammation. It can be helpful to prevent blemishes and clogged pores
Can be helpful in reducing inflammation in skin, including inflamed acne. It can be irritating
A great emollient. Contains vitamin E (tocopherol) which may give it some anti-oxidant properties. Can contain volatile compounds and can be irritating
A plant oil that because of its high content of alpha-linolenic acid help support skin barrier function and moisturize the skin
An emollient. Can be helpful for restoring skin barrier function.
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and might have some anti-oxidant properties
A great emollient due to its high linoleic acid content. One of the most effective plant oils in helping skin hydration and repairing skin barrier function
A great emollient due to its high linoleic acid content. One of the most effective plant oils in helping skin hydration and repairing skin barrier function
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
Potential irritants
A plant extract that can contain an active compound curcumin, that may have some anti-inflammatory properties when applied to the skin, but solid research is lacking and the typical concentration used in skincare products is too low. Can be an irritant
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
A common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heat
Can be helpful in reducing inflammation in skin, including inflamed acne. It can be irritating
Essential oil that can be irritating. Can lead to photosensitivity
Fragrance with sweet balsamic smell. Help to preserve products and dissolve other ingredients. Could trigger allergic reactions and be irritating
A plant extract that might have some anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties but evidence is missing
A preservative. Can be used to mask unpleasant smell. Can be irritating
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
An emollient that helps soften the skin
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and can support skin barrier function
A great emollient. Contains vitamin E (tocopherol) which may give it some anti-oxidant properties. Can contain volatile compounds and can be irritating
A plant oil that because of its high content of alpha-linolenic acid help support skin barrier function and moisturize the skin
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
An emollient. Can be helpful for restoring skin barrier function.
An emollient that helps soften the skin and calm down inflammation
A plant oil that helps soften the upper layer of the skin. Is unlikely to be helpful in restoring skin barrier function due to the low content of linoleic acid
Comedogenic ingredients
An emollient that helps soften the skin
An algae extract that might have anti-oxidant properties
All ingredients
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and might have some anti-oxidant properties
A great emollient due to its high linoleic acid content. One of the most effective plant oils in helping skin hydration and repairing skin barrier function
An emollient that helps soften the skin
A great emollient due to its high linoleic acid content. One of the most effective plant oils in helping skin hydration and repairing skin barrier function
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and can support skin barrier function
A great emollient. Contains vitamin E (tocopherol) which may give it some anti-oxidant properties. Can contain volatile compounds and can be irritating
A plant oil that because of its high content of alpha-linolenic acid help support skin barrier function and moisturize the skin
An emollient that helps to soften the skin and create a pleasant product texture and stabilize the formulation
Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin without creating a greasy texture
A plant extract that can contain an active compound curcumin, that may have some anti-inflammatory properties when applied to the skin, but solid research is lacking and the typical concentration used in skincare products is too low. Can be an irritant
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
An excellent emollient. Helps soften the skin, restore its barrier function, and can help to calm down inflammation. It can be helpful to prevent blemishes and clogged pores
Pure form of vitamin E. Can help moisturise and protect the skin from free radicals. Often used to help stabilise other ingredients or the formula itself
An emollient. Can be helpful for restoring skin barrier function.
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
A common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heat
An algae extract that might have anti-oxidant properties
Can be helpful in reducing inflammation in skin, including inflamed acne. It can be irritating
Essential oil that can be irritating. Can lead to photosensitivity
Fragrance with sweet balsamic smell. Help to preserve products and dissolve other ingredients. Could trigger allergic reactions and be irritating
A plant extract that might have some anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties but evidence is missing
An emollient that helps soften the skin and calm down inflammation
A preservative. Can be used to mask unpleasant smell. Can be irritating
A plant oil that helps soften the upper layer of the skin. Is unlikely to be helpful in restoring skin barrier function due to the low content of linoleic acid
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
Ingredient list view
Oryza sativa bran oil, Helianthus annuus seed oil, Coconut alkanes, Helianthus annuus seed oil unsaponifiables, Oenothera biennis oil, Rosa canina fruit oil, Echium plantagineum seed oil, Octyldodecanol, Coco-caprylate/caprate, Curcuma longa root extract, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Linoleic acid, Tocopherol, Ribes nigrum seed oil, Parfum, Limonene, Cananga odorata flower oil, Cedrus deodara wood oil, Crithmum maritimum extract, Eugenia caryophyllus bud oil, Rosmarinus officinalis leaf extract, Eugenol, Citrus tangerina peel oil, Jasminum sambac flower extract, Plumeria alba flower extract, Rosa damascena flower extract, Linalool, Benzyl benzoate, Cardiospermum halicacabum flower/leaf/vine extract, Benzyl salicylate, Geraniol, Linolenic acid, Citronellol, Benzyl alcohol, Moringa oleifera seed oil, Parfum
- Study on the Composition of Rice Bran Oil and Its Higher Free Fatty Acids Value
- Effect of Olive and Sunflower Seed Oil on the Adult Skin Barrier: Implications for Neonatal Skin Care
- Topically Applied Sunflower Seed Oil Prevents Invasive Bacterial Infections in Preterm Infants in Egypt
- Effect of topically applied lipids on surfactant-irritated skin
- Impact of topical oils on the skin barrier: possible implications for neonatal health in developing countries
- Healing fats of the skin: the structural and immunologic roles of the omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids
- Safety Assessment of Alkyl Esters as Used in Cosmetics
- Vaughn, A. R., Branum, A., & Sivamani, R. K. (2016). Effects of Turmeric (Curcuma longa) on Skin Health: A Systematic Review of the Clinical Evidence. Phytotherapy Research, 30(8), 1243–1264. doi:10.1002/ptr.5640
- The Permeability Barrier in Essential Fatty Acid Deficiency: Evidence for a Direct Role for Linoleic Acid in Barrier Function
- Digital image analysis of the effect of topically applied linoleic acid on acne microcomedones.
- Vitamin E in dermatology
- Vitamin E and Skin Health
- Allergic contact dermatitis induced by rosemary leaf extract in a cleansing gel
- Safety Assessment of Rosmarinus officinalis (Rosemary)-Derived Ingredients as Used in Cosmetics
- Rosmarinus officinalis Extract Suppresses Propionibacterium acnes–Induced Inflammatory Responses
- Biological Activities and Safety of Citrus spp. Essential Oils
- Evidence for the efficacy and safety of topical herbal drugs in dermatology: Part I: Anti-inflammatory agents
- Annex I: Clinical evidence regarding sensitisation to individual fragrance chemicals and to natural extracts
- Moringa oleifera seed oil: Composition, nutritional aspects and health attributes
- Moringa oleifera Seeds and Oil: Characteristics and Uses for Human Health