Facetheory SUPERGEL OIL-FREE MOISTURISER M3 FOR OILY AND ACNE-PRONE SKIN
Works for
3 of 3 advertised claims delivered
Anti-blemish5 ingredients credited for this claimStrong support
“Chamomile, aloe vera and green tea extracts soothe troubled skin. Stabilised vitamin C brightens skin while fighting acne, inducing bacteria.”
This product can help reduce breakouts and clogged pores because it contains the following ingredient: niacinamide, salicylic acid. These ingredients is used for treating acne and can have a noticeable effect.
Evens skin tone4 ingredients credited for this claimStrong support
“Chamomile, aloe vera and green tea extracts soothe troubled skin. Stabilised vitamin C brightens skin while fighting acne, inducing bacteria.”
This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: niacinamide, salicylic acid
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.
Moisturizing6 ingredients credited for this claimStrong support
“This oil-free gel hydrates and moisturises while being light enough to use on congested and acne-prone skin.”
This product contains good ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. These ingredients are called "humectants": glycerin, sodium hyaluronate.
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
ExfoliationNot advertised by the brand · 2 ingredients credited for this claimStrong support
This product can help exfoliate the skin. In other words, it helps break down the bonds between dead cells on the surface of the skin and speed up the skin turnover. Skin often appears softer and brighter after exfoliation, but overdoing it can result in disrupted skin barrier. The following ingredient is doing the exfoliating job in this product: salicylic acid.
Anti-agingNot advertised by the brand · 5 ingredients credited for this claimStrong support
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.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy1 strong irritant: Sodium anisateMedium risk
ComedogenicClean of flagged comedogenic ingredientsNone flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
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Water~40–60%
Propanediol~4.7–7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin
More about PropanediolGlycerin~3.4–5.1%
- 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 GlycerinNiacinamide~2.7–4.1%
- 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 NiacinamideGellan gum~2–3.1%
Sodium anisate~1.6–2.4%
Sodium levulinate~1.3–2%
Sodium ascorbyl phosphate~1–1.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A 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 C
More about Sodium ascorbyl phosphateSalicylic acid~0.55–1.25%
- Irritation risk
- High
Used for skin exfoliation. It has an anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial effect, helps to unclog pores, prevent blemishes and speed up healing of the existing ones. Sometimes referred to as a BHA (beta-hydroxy acid)
More about Salicylic acidLactic acid~0.5–1.2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An 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)
More about Lactic acidChamomilla recutita flower extract~0.45–1%
- 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 flower extractAloe barbadensis leaf juice~0.3–0.7%
- 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 juiceSodium phytate~0.15–0.6%
Sodium hyaluronate~0.1–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
More about Sodium hyaluronateCamellia sinensis leaf extract~0.05–0.3%
- 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 extractCitric acid~0.05–0.1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
More about Citric acidPotassium sorbate~0.05–0.2%
Ingredient list view
Water, Propanediol, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Gellan gum, Sodium anisate, Sodium levulinate, Sodium ascorbyl phosphate, Salicylic acid, Lactic acid, Chamomilla recutita flower extract, Aloe barbadensis leaf juice, Sodium phytate, Sodium hyaluronate, Camellia sinensis leaf extract, Citric acid, Potassium sorbate
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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.
| FacetheorySUPERGEL OIL-FREE MOISTURISER M3 FOR OILY AND ACNE-PRONE SKINYOUR PRODUCT | Paula's choiceInvisible Finish Moisture Gel | Face factsCeramide Blemish Gel Moisturiser | e.l.f. CosmeticsBlemish Breakthrough Blemish Calming Water Cream | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 83% | 79% | 78% |
| Price | $18.99 | $42.00+$23.01 | $3.95−$15.04 | — |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 3 of 6 | 3 of 6 | 3 of 6 |
| Key difference | — | Oatmeal Extract | Mineral Oil | Acetyl Glucosamine |
| Irritancy | Medium | Low | Low | Low |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
Product summary
"Facetheory - SUPERGEL OIL-FREE MOISTURISER M3 FOR OILY AND ACNE-PRONE SKIN" has a good moisturizing formula.
Ingredient callouts
- We love that this moisturizer contains a good concentration of niacinamide 2.70% - 4.10%. Niacinamide is a perfect active in a moistruizer because it helps calm down inflamation in skin and support the skin barrier. More than that, it is helpful for most common skin concerns: it helps regulat oil production, help reduce acne and clogged pores, improve skin tone and prevent pigmentation marks. It also helps fight photodamage.
- This product contains acids (lactic acid 0.50% - 1.20%). Their concentration is low, and they will not have a strong exfoliating effect. Instead, they work to support the skin natural acid mantle and to attract water (as humectants). Lactic acid is particularly good in attracting water to the upper layer of the skin and improving the skin barrier.
- Salicylic acid (0.80% - 1.25%) in this product will have an exfoliating effect and help smooth the skin. We, however, do not recommend using a moisturizer with Salicylic Acid daily to avoid over-exfoliating.
Irritation risk
This moisturizer contains some common irritants, including those without a benefit for the skin. We assess the overall irritancy of this moisturizer to be medium. For a detailed overview of all potential irritants: click here
You can see the detailed formula review with the breakdown of all actives in the product and the full ingredient list with estimated concentrations in the tables below.
Price
The product retails for 26.58A$ in Australia, for 1749.00€ in Germany, for 189.00SEK in Sweden, from 18.99$ up to 117.00$ in the United States and for 14.99£ 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 18 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5Sodium ascorbyl phosphate in topical microemulsionssciencedirect.com
- 6
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