Etude House Soonjung Hydro Barrier Cream
Works for
2 of 2 advertised claims delivered
Moisturizing18 ingredients credited for this claimStrong support
“Soonjung Hydro Barrier Cream”
This product contains good ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. These ingredients are called "humectants": glycerin, trehalose.
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: madecassoside, panthenol
Anti-aging3 ingredients credited for this claimModerate support
“With double collagen, peptides & ceramide, this cream firms, hydrates and plumps fine lines and wrinkles. Reveal a healthy, youthful skin.”
This product contains madecassoside. This ingredient 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.
Anti-oxidationNot advertised by the brand · 4 ingredients credited for this claimStrong support
This product contains antioxidants (madecassoside) that can help neutralize free radicals in skin. By doing so, they can lessen the damage the skin gets from the UV light (sun).
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy7 flagged ingredientsLow risk
ComedogenicClean of flagged comedogenic ingredientsNone flagged
User reviews
Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~40–60%
Glycerin~3.9–5.8%
- 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 GlycerinPropanediol~3.4–5.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin
More about PropanediolPanthenol~2.6–3.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help improve skin barrier function
More about PanthenolPentaerythrityl tetraethylhexanoate~2–3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a nice product consistency while softening the upper layer of the skin
More about Pentaerythrityl tetraethylhexanoateHydrogenated poly(c6-14 olefin)~1.6–2.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and create a nice product texture
More about Hydrogenated poly(c6-14 olefin)1,2-hexanediol~0.45–1.1%
Polymethylsilsesquioxane~1.2–1.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A silicone that improves product texture and helps dissolve other ingredients. Can form a non-greasy film on the skin to prevent moisture loss
More about PolymethylsilsesquioxaneAmmonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/vp copolymer~0.95–1.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Increases thickness of a product. Texture enhancer for oil-in-water emulsions
More about Ammonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/vp copolymerTrehalose~0.6–1.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A sugar that attracts water to the upper layer of the skin
More about TrehaloseGlyceryl stearate citrate~0.5–1.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix together while softening the upper layer of the skin
More about Glyceryl stearate citrateHydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer~0.4–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A gelling agent that thickens the product consistency and leaves the skin with a velvety finish
More about Hydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymerC14-22 alcohols~0.35–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A non-drying alcohol that helps stabilize product formulations
More about C14-22 alcoholsArachidyl alcohol~0.35–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to soften the upper layer of the skin and create a thicker product consistency
More about Arachidyl alcoholGlyceryl stearate~0.35–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that softens the skin and forms a protective layer on its surface. Helps water and oil mix together
More about Glyceryl stearateGlyceryl caprylate~0.35–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that can also help water and oil mix together, as well as prevent bacteria growth in products
More about Glyceryl caprylateBehenyl alcohol~0.35–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Non-drying alcohol that helps water and oil mix together. Also serves as an emollient
More about Behenyl alcoholC12-20 alkyl glucoside~0.2–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps water and oil mix together
More about C12-20 alkyl glucosideEthylhexylglycerin~0.15–0.6%
Arachidyl glucoside~0.15–0.5%
Butylene glycol~0.1–0.4%
- 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 glycolDisodium edta~0.1–0.4%
Sorbitan isostearate~0.1–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Sorbitan isostearateAllantoin~0.05–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps calm down inflammation in skin and can help reduce itching. Helps to repair the skin barrier and keep skin hydrated
More about AllantoinMadecassoside~0.05–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An antioxidant that is typically derived from plant Centella Asiatica. It can help neutralize free radicals in skin and support skin barrier function. It could, however, itself be irritating. It is often unstable in formulations
More about MadecassosideScutellaria baicalensis root extract~0.05–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that might contain a compound baicalin that could be helpful in neutralizing free radicals and reducing inflammation in skin. The baicalin concentration in skincare products is often too low for an effective action. Can be used for its fragrant properties
More about Scutellaria baicalensis root extractGlucose~0.05–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin. Could be helpful in restoring the skin barrier function
More about GlucoseCamellia sinensis leaf extract~0.05–0.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Can contain potent anti-oxidant compounds (abbreviated ECG, GCG, EGC, and EGCG) that might help protect the skin from free radicals. Can help calm down inflammation and has some anti-bacterial properties. Unfortunately, these antioxidants are unstable and lose their effectiveness very quickly in products. The concentration of the antioxidant compounds in the extract also tends to be low to be effective in topical formulation
More about Camellia sinensis leaf extractTocopherol~0.01–0.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
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
More about TocopherolIngredient list view
Water, Glycerin, Propanediol, Panthenol, Pentaerythrityl tetraethylhexanoate, Hydrogenated poly(c6-14 olefin), 1,2-hexanediol, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Ammonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/vp copolymer, Trehalose, Glyceryl stearate citrate, Hydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer, C14-22 alcohols, Arachidyl alcohol, Glyceryl stearate, Glyceryl caprylate, Behenyl alcohol, C12-20 alkyl glucoside, Ethylhexylglycerin, Arachidyl glucoside, Butylene glycol, Disodium edta, Sorbitan isostearate, Allantoin, Madecassoside, Scutellaria baicalensis root extract, Glucose, Camellia sinensis leaf extract, Tocopherol
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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 HouseSoonjung Hydro Barrier CreamYOUR PRODUCT | Etude HouseSoon Jung Hydro Barrier Cream JUMBO | AESTURAA-Cica 365 Calming Cream | Dr.GRed Blemish Clear Soothing Cream | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 75% | 62% | 59% |
| Price | $17.40 | $21.12+$3.72 | $30.99+$13.59 | $17.50 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 5 of 5 | 3 of 5 | 4 of 5 |
| Key difference | — | Mineral Oil | Beta-Glucan | Niacinamide |
| Irritancy | Low | Medium | Low | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
Product summary
"Etude House - Soonjung Hydro Barrier Cream" has a good moisturizing formula. The formulation is based on a combination of good humectants and emollients. Both are needed to increase the skin hydration level. Panthenol, glycerin, trehalose, glucose and butylene glycol in this product (humectants) attract water molecules to the upper layer of the skin (the water comes from the outside air or from the deeper layers of the skin if the air is dry). Hydrogenated poly (c6-14 olefin), arachidyl alcohol, glyceryl caprylate, glyceryl stearate and glyceryl stearate citrate in this product help decrease the water evoporation from the skin, so that it stays hydrated for longer. These ingredients also soften the skin and take away the feeling of tightness and dryness.
Ingredient callouts
- Actives derived from an extract of the Centella Asiatica plant (also known as Gotu Kola) - madecassoside 0.05% - 0.30% The Centella Asiatica Actives help strengthen and restore the skin barrier, decrease inflammation in skin and neutralize free radicals. They also can help to reduce scarring. The good news is that these actives work even in low concentrations.
- An effective concentration of Panthenol (pro-vitamin B5) - about 2.60% - 3.90%. Panthenol helps strengthen the skin barrier, improve hydration and reduce inflammation in skin.
Irritation risk
There are actives in this product that can be irritating. We assess the overall irritancy of this moisturizer to be low. For a detailed overview of all potential irritants: click here
You can see the detailed formula review with the breakdown of all actives in the product and the full ingredient list with estimated concentrations in the tables below.
Price
The product retails for 23.95A$ in Australia, for 27.00$ in the United States and for 26.07£ 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 22 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2Skin moisturizing effects of panthenol-based formulationspdfs.semanticscholar.org
- 3
- 4Safety Assessment of Pentaerythrityl Tetraesters as Used in Cosmeticsjournals.sagepub.com
- 5
- 6
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