Product claims breakdown
Moisturizing13 ingredients contribute at the levels belowGood evidence
13 ingredients contribute at the levels below
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:
anhydroxylitol, glycerin.
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: helianthus annuus seed oil, squalene.
ANHYDROXYLITOLRole: HeroHelps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and repair the skin barrir function~0.35–0.6%
LACTIC ACIDRole: Under-dosedAn exfoliating and moisturizing alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA). Typically causes less irritation than other AHAs, for example, glycolic acid. At high concentrations (about 15%), lactic acid can help reduce lines and wrinkles. Recent studies show that lactic acid can support the "good" bacteria living on skin's surface (healthy skin microbiome)~0.25–0.45%
HELIANTHUS ANNUUS SEED OILRole: Key activeA 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~0.95–1.15%
HELIANTHUS ANNUUS SEED OIL UNSAPONIFIABLESRole: Key activeA 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~3.2–3.9%
JOJOBA ESTERSRole: Key activeAn emollient made of jojoba oil. Helps soften the skin and support its barrier function~0.25–0.5%
XYLITYLGLUCOSIDERole: Key activeHelps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and repair the skin barrier function~0.45–0.7%
SODIUM HYALURONATERole: Key activeOne of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin~0.25–0.45%
SQUALENERole: Key activeAn 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~0.3–0.55%
TOCOPHEROLRole: Under-dosedPure 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~0.25–0.45%
BIFIDA FERMENT LYSATERole: Key activeConsists of remains of dead yeast bacteria cells. Helps to hydrate the skin and reduce irritation. Might has some anti-oxidant effect~4.4–5.4%
GLYCERINRole: Key activeOne of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant~1.2–1.5%
Anti-aging3 ingredients contribute at the levels belowPartial evidence
3 ingredients contribute at the levels below
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.
This ingredient bifida ferment lysate might be able to help neutralize free radicals in skin and help it fight off some of the sun damage.
LACTIC ACIDRole: Under-dosedAn exfoliating and moisturizing alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA). Typically causes less irritation than other AHAs, for example, glycolic acid. At high concentrations (about 15%), lactic acid can help reduce lines and wrinkles. Recent studies show that lactic acid can support the "good" bacteria living on skin's surface (healthy skin microbiome)~0.25–0.45%
RETINYL PALMITATERole: Under-dosedThree 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~0.15–0.25%
TOCOPHEROLRole: Under-dosedPure 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~0.25–0.45%
Irritancy34 flagged ingredients — patch-test recommendedHigh risk
34 flagged ingredients — patch-test recommended
We flagged 34 ingredients with irritancy potential. Severity depends on your sensitivity threshold; the table lists the worst offenders first.
IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount
Rosmarinus officinalis leaf extractCan be helpful in reducing inflammation in skin, including inflamed acne. It can be irritatingHigh~0.2–0.4%est.
LimoneneA common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heatHigh~0.2–0.4%est.
Retinyl palmitateThree 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 effectHigh~0.15–0.25%est.
Polyglyceryl-6 distearateHelps oil and water mix together while softening the upper layer of the skinLow~1.4–1.7%est.
Isostearyl isostearateHelps soften the upper layer of the skin and improve the product texture. It can be comedogenicLow~0.2–0.4%est.
Jojoba estersAn emollient made of jojoba oil. Helps soften the skin and support its barrier functionLow~0.25–0.5%est.
Polyglyceryl-3 beeswaxHelps water and oil mix together. Could be an allergen (beeswax)Low~0.25–0.5%est.
Citric acidCan work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pHLow~0.25–0.45%est.
Paeonia lactiflora root extractA plant extract that might help neutralize free radicals and reduce hyperpigmentation, but the research on its effectiveness in skin is lackingLow~0.25–0.45%est.
Lactic acidAn exfoliating and moisturizing alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA). Typically causes less irritation than other AHAs, for example, glycolic acid. At high concentrations (about 15%), lactic acid can help reduce lines and wrinkles. Recent studies show that lactic acid can support the "good" bacteria living on skin's surface (healthy skin microbiome)Low~0.25–0.45%est.
Chlorella vulgaris extractA plant extract that can help to attract water to the upper layer of the skin and might have some anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory propertiesLow~0.25–0.45%est.
Tocopheryl acetateA 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.Low~0.25–0.45%est.
Maris salUsed to thicken the product formulation and might help to add minerals to the surface of the skin. It is used in scrubs as a physical exfoliant. Can increase sensitivity to other ingredients if left on the skin or used in high concentrationLow~0.2–0.4%est.
Sea saltUsed to thicken the product formulation and might help to add minerals to the surface of the skin. It is used in scrubs as a physical exfoliant. Can increase sensitivity to other ingredients if left on the skin or used in high concentrationLow~0.2–0.4%est.
Sodium ascorbyl phosphateA stable derivative of vitamin C. It is oil-soluble which means it is more likely to penetrate the skin compared to the pure form of vitamin C (which is water-soluble), but it is less bio-available and is way less effective in stimulating collagen and reducing wrinkles compared to the pure form of vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid) and its other derivatives (for example, magnesium ascorbyl phosphate). At the same time, this vitamin C derivative has been shown in studies to be effective in reducing acne, blemishes and clogged pores. It is less irritating then the pure form of vitamin CLow~0.2–0.35%est.
Comedogenic8 ingredients can clog pores in acne-prone skinHigh risk
8 ingredients can clog pores in acne-prone skin
These ingredients have a comedogenic rating ≥ 2. In leave-on products at higher concentrations they can clog pores for acne-prone skin types.
IngredientFunctionRatingEst. amount
Gossypium herbaceum seed oilCottonseed oil. It is used as an emollient and occlusive in products. It is rich palmitic, oleic acid, and linoleic fatty acids.High~0.25–0.45%est.
Isostearyl isostearateHelps soften the upper layer of the skin and improve the product texture. It can be comedogenicHigh~0.2–0.4%est.
Laminaria digitata extractSeaweed extract that helps the skin to attract water and make it more smooth for touch. Also shows promise of anti-aging properties, but good research is lacking at the momentHigh~0.25–0.45%est.
Chlorella vulgaris extractA plant extract that can help to attract water to the upper layer of the skin and might have some anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory propertiesHigh~0.25–0.45%est.
SqualeneAn 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 yeastMed~0.3–0.55%est.
~ marks concentrations estimated from label position and typical use levels
Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~45–55%
Coconut alkanes~6–7.3%
Bifida ferment lysate~4.4–5.4%
Helianthus annuus seed oil unsaponifiables~3.2–3.9%
Propanediol~2.4–2.9%
Maris aqua~1.9–2.4%
Sea water~1.7–2%
Polyglyceryl-6 distearate~1.4–1.7%
Glycerin~1.2–1.5%
Helianthus annuus seed oil~0.95–1.15%
Polyglyceryl-2 stearate~0.65–0.95%
Cetyl stearate~0.55–0.85%
Xylitylglucoside~0.45–0.7%
Coco-caprylate/caprate~0.45–0.65%
Glyceryl stearate~0.45–0.65%
Anhydroxylitol~0.35–0.6%
Phenoxyethanol~0.35–0.6%
Cetyl alcohol~0.35–0.6%
Stearyl alcohol~0.3–0.55%
Gossypium herbaceum seed oil~0.25–0.45%
Bentonite~0.25–0.45%
Elaeis guineensis oil~0.25–0.45%
Isostearyl isostearate~0.2–0.4%
Potassium cetyl phosphate~0.25–0.5%
Jojoba esters~0.25–0.5%
Bidens pilosa extract~0.2–0.4%
Linum usitatissimum seed oil~0.2–0.35%
Sclerotium gum~0.2–0.4%
Sodium hyaluronate~0.25–0.45%
Xylitol~0.2–0.4%
Polyglyceryl-3 beeswax~0.25–0.5%
Polianthes tuberosa callus extract~0.25–0.5%
Citrus aurantium amara flower oil~0.25–0.45%
Benzoic acid~0.25–0.5%
Olive oil decyl esters~0.25–0.45%
Dehydroacetic acid~0.25–0.45%
Glucose~0.25–0.45%
Linalool~0.2–0.4%
Citric acid~0.25–0.45%
Hydrated silica~0.4–0.6%
Rosmarinus officinalis leaf extract~0.2–0.4%
Ethylhexylglycerin~0.25–0.45%
Plankton extract~0.25–0.45%
Paeonia lactiflora root extract~0.25–0.45%
Limonene~0.2–0.4%
Trehalose~0.25–0.45%
Stearic acid~0.5–0.75%
Laminaria digitata extract~0.25–0.45%
Lactic acid~0.25–0.45%
Hydrolyzed rhodophyceae extract~0.25–0.45%
Geraniol~0.2–0.4%
Squalene~0.3–0.55%
Chlorella vulgaris extract~0.25–0.45%
Farnesol~0.2–0.4%
Tocopherol~0.25–0.45%
Sorbitol~0.25–0.45%
Lecithin~0.3–0.5%
Potassium sorbate~0.25–0.45%
Sodium benzoate~0.25–0.45%
Citronellol~0.2–0.4%
Saccharide isomerate~0.25–0.45%
Parfum~0.2–0.4%
Tocopheryl acetate~0.25–0.45%
Maris sal~0.2–0.4%
Sea salt~0.2–0.4%
Glyceryl linoleate~0.25–0.5%
Glyceryl linolenate~0.25–0.45%
Sodium ascorbyl phosphate~0.2–0.35%
Xanthan gum~0.2–0.35%
Caprylyl glycol~0.2–0.35%
Retinyl palmitate~0.15–0.25%
Disodium edta~0.15–0.25%
Glyceryl caprylate~0.15–0.25%
Parfum~0.05–0.15%
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