Works for
MoisturizingPalmitoyl tetrapeptide-7, Palmitoyl tripeptide-1 + 10 moreWorks well
“Cactus Water Moisturizer”
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, saccharide isomerate.
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: peg-10 dimethicone, simmondsia chinensis seed extract.
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7, palmitoyl tripeptide-1
Anti-oxidationNot advertised by the brand · Cereus grandiflorus flower extract, Epilobium angustifolium flower/leaf/stem extract + 7 moreMay help
This product contains antioxidants (cereus grandiflorus flower extract, epilobium angustifolium flower/leaf/stem extract) that might be able to help neutralize free radicals in skin to lessen the damage it gets from the UV light (sun). There is not enough evidence to confirm their effectiveness in skin though.
Anti-agingNot advertised by the brand · Palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7, Palmitoyl tripeptide-1 + 1 moreMay help
This product contains palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7, palmitoyl tripeptide-1. These ingredients might be able to help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness, but there is not enough evidence that it actually works.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy2 strong irritants: Ocimum sanctum leaf extract, Ocimum basilicum flower/leaf extractMedium risk
Comedogenic1 ingredient rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale1 flagged
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~45–55%
Butylene glycol~6.2–7.6%
- 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 glycolGlycerin~3.9–4.7%
- 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 GlycerinCyclopentasiloxane~3.2–3.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A silicone that helps improve the product texture and spreadability. Can absorb oil creating a short-term mattifying effect on the skin
More about CyclopentasiloxaneCereus grandiflorus flower extract~2.3–2.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A cactus extract that can help neutralize free radicals because it contains a chemical compound called betacyanins and flavonolglycosides. Can help make the surface of the skin dryer helping make pores look smaller for a very short period of time. The concentrations usually used in cosmetics are too small to have any effect
More about Cereus grandiflorus flower extractCoccinia indica fruit extract~1.9–2.3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant extract that might have some anti-oxidant effect helping neutralize free radicals in skin
More about Coccinia indica fruit extractOcimum sanctum leaf extract~1.7–2%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that is rich in a fragrance compound eugenol that is a frequent allergen and can be irritating. It might also contain anti-oxidants to help neutralize free radicals
More about Ocimum sanctum leaf extractSolanum melongena fruit extract~1.4–1.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Eggplant fruit extract. Might have some anti-oxidant effect
More about Solanum melongena fruit extractOcimum basilicum flower/leaf extract~1.1–1.3%
- Irritation risk
- High
Used as a fragrance. Canbe irritating
More about Ocimum basilicum flower/leaf extractAloe barbadensis flower extract~1–1.2%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that might have some anti-oxidant effect
More about Aloe barbadensis flower extractMyrothamnus flabellifolia leaf/stem extract~0.65–1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Simmondsia chinensis seed extract~0.65–1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Plant oil that helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Simmondsia chinensis seed extractCurcuma longa root extract~0.5–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- High
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
More about Curcuma longa root extractMelia azadirachta leaf extract~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that has anti-bacterial properties. Can be used to preserve the product. Can be irritating
More about Melia azadirachta leaf extractMelia azadirachta flower extract~0.4–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant extract that might be helpful to neutralize free radicals in skin
More about Melia azadirachta flower extractCorallina officinalis extract~0.35–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
Red algae extract that helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and might contain antioxidants
More about Corallina officinalis extractEpilobium angustifolium flower/leaf/stem extract~0.35–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that might contain antioxidants
More about Epilobium angustifolium flower/leaf/stem extractAmmonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/vp copolymer~0.3–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Increases thickness of a product. Texture enhancer for oil-in-water emulsions
More about Ammonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/vp copolymerSodium hyaluronate~0.3–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
More about Sodium hyaluronateSodium pca~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Naturally present in skin and helps to attract water to its upper layer
More about Sodium pcaCitric acid~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
More about Citric acidCarbomer~0.25–0.45%
- 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 CarbomerCaprylyl glycol~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolDisodium edta~0.2–0.4%
Saccharide isomerate~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Saccharide isomeratePropanediol~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin
More about PropanediolAscorbic acid~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- High
The most well-researched antioxidant that works in skin. Helps neutralize free radicals supporting collagen production, helping to even out the skin tone and preventing early signs of aging
More about Ascorbic acidPalmitoyl tripeptide-1~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of peptide. Peptides are excellent moisturizers and might be able support collagen production reducing fine lines and wrinkles
More about Palmitoyl tripeptide-1Palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of peptide. Peptides are excellent moisturizers and might be able support collagen production reducing fine lines and wrinkles
More about Palmitoyl tetrapeptide-71,2-hexanediol~0.15–0.25%
Peg-10 dimethicone~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A silicone that works to soften the upper layer of the skin and reduce its water loss
More about Peg-10 dimethiconePotassium hydroxide~0.1–0.2%
Polysorbate 20~0.1–0.2%
Ingredient list view
Water, Butylene glycol, Glycerin, Cyclopentasiloxane, Cereus grandiflorus flower extract, Coccinia indica fruit extract, Ocimum sanctum leaf extract, Solanum melongena fruit extract, Ocimum basilicum flower/leaf extract, Aloe barbadensis flower extract, Myrothamnus flabellifolia leaf/stem extract, Simmondsia chinensis seed extract, Curcuma longa root extract, Melia azadirachta leaf extract, Melia azadirachta flower extract, Corallina officinalis extract, Epilobium angustifolium flower/leaf/stem extract, Ammonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/vp copolymer, Sodium hyaluronate, Sodium pca, Citric acid, Carbomer, Caprylyl glycol, Disodium edta, Saccharide isomerate, Propanediol, Ascorbic acid, Palmitoyl tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7, 1,2-hexanediol, Peg-10 dimethicone, Potassium hydroxide, Polysorbate 20
Compare prices
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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.
| Etude HouseCactus Water MoisturizerYOUR PRODUCT | Fig. 1Ceramide Moisturizer | QuinceFig.1 Ceramide Moisturizer | Cyrène SkincareSkin Rescue Moisturiser | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 58% | 58% | 57% |
| Price | $38.00 | $22.99−$15.01 | — | $15.00−$23.00 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 4 of 13 | 4 of 13 | 4 of 13 |
| Key difference | — | Linoleic Acid | Linoleic Acid | Niacinamide |
| Irritancy | Medium | Low | Low | Low |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: e.l.f. Cosmetics Fragrance Free Holy Hydration! Face CreamDerm Institute Anti-Oxidant Hydration Cream
Product summary
"ETUDE - Cactus Water Moisturizer" has a good moisturizing formula. The formulation is based on a combination of good humectants and emollients. Both are needed to increase the skin hydration level. Humectants in this product (glycerin, saccharide isomerate, sodium hyaluronate, sodium pca 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). Palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7, palmitoyl tripeptide-1, simmondsia chinensis seed extract, peg-10 dimethicone and cyclopentasiloxane 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
- This product also contains Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid). It can be an effective active for anti-aging and evening out the skin tone, but in this moisturizer it is used for stabilizing other ingredients in the formulation. In this concentration (0.20% - 0.35%) it cannot have a noticeable benefit for the skin.
- We like that this moisturizer contains peptides (palmitoyl tripeptide-1 0.20% - 0.40% and palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7 0.20% - 0.35%). There are many different kind of Peptides and they are naturally present in our skin. They all are a combination of aminoacids. Some of them work as natural antibiotics, promote wound-healing and production of collagen. The science is still not settled on how effective Peptides are in skincare, but it is very likely that they have a benefit. Peptides might help restore the skin barrier and fight the signs of aging. At the very least, Peptides work as humectants: they attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improve its hydration.
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.
About the brand
According to Cruelty-Free Kitty "ETUDE" is cruelty free, but its parent company is not.
Price
The product retails for 37.50CA$ in Canada, for 99.47A$ in Australia and for 38.00$ in the United States.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 9 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4Melia azedarachmdedge.com
- 5
- 6
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